Sharing animal photos online acts as a marker of affection in parasocial or interpersonal relationships, according to a new study by researchers at Concordia University in Montreal. It can be compared to pebbling, where certain types of penguins share pebbles with potential mates during courtship rituals.

The authors assert that the circulation of animal content creates digital affective networks — the relationships and encounters centred on and facilitated by digital mood-elevating content.

New research from the University of Notre Dame takes a first look at how workplace safety is affected by female board representation, finding there are fewer accidents and injuries on the job when boards have more women.

A person’s level of social and economic status can shape their brain heath in later life, a study suggests.

Research led by the University of Edinburgh found a connection between socioeconomic status and changes in the white matter of the brain – a known risk factor of cognitive decline and dementia in older age.

New research from RMIT University and End Food Waste Australia reveals confusing food labels are driving Australians to throw away perfectly edible food, costing households money and contributing to the nation’s food waste problem.

Study finds that people with higher levels of depressive symptoms are more susceptible to the emotional influence of negative surrounding images, perceiving even neutral content as more emotionally negative when it's paired with negative peripheral information. This effect was not mitigated by positive imagery, highlighting an asymmetry in how depression affects emotional processing. The findings underscore the importance of contextual cues in shaping emotional experiences in individuals with depression and point to potential strategies for therapeutic interventions that address these contextual sensitivities. 

Framing a cause as a “civil rights” issue may actually decrease public support—even among people who deeply value civil rights, according to new research published in the American Sociological Review, which challenges long-held beliefs about how best to win public backing for social change.