EurekAlert! News by Subject: Social & Behavior

Social & Behavior

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 21-Jun-2026 19:16 ET (21-Jun-2026 23:16 GMT/UTC)

3-Mar-2026

A common CRISPR platform enables comparative studies of multicellularity in social amoebae

Toho University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A research group led by Associate Professor Tetsuya Muramoto from the Faculty of Science, Toho University, has established a CRISPR genome editing technique that enables comparative analysis of the evolution of multicellularity across different species of social amoebas (cellular slime molds). Until now, genetic studies had been largely restricted to a single model species, limiting cross-species comparisons.These findings were published in the scientific journal Scientific Reports on February 5, 2026.

Journal: Scientific Reports

3-Mar-2026

Implementing selective immigration and import policies could counter the rise in populism

Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A study involving the UAB has analysed the effect of foreign trade and immigration on the success of both right- and left-wing populist parties. The analysis reveals how the importation of products that require low-skilled labour plays a key role in the rise of both types of populism, while immigration with low levels of education increases right-wing populism. Conversely, highly educated immigrants and imports requiring a high level of skilled labour reduce support for populism. The study proposes the implementation of selective policies as an alternative solution to protectionism and immigration barriers.

Journal: The Economic Journal

3-Mar-2026

Public perceptions of assisted reproductive technologies in wildlife conservation: Insights from three EU countries

Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Public Perceptions of Assisted Reproductive Technologies in Wildlife Conservation: Insights from Three EU Countries - The research, conducted as part of the BMBF supported BioRescue project, highlights public attitudes toward ART, awareness of the biodiversity crisis, and ethical considerations surrounding the use of these technologies to save critically endangered species, such as the Northern White Rhinoceros (NWR).

Journal: PLOS One

3-Mar-2026

Hairdressers could be a secret weapon in tackling climate change, new research finds

University of Bath
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Hairdressers are emerging as powerful, under-recognised influencers in tackling climate change, according to new research from academics at the University of Bath’s Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST), and the Universities of Cardiff, Oxford and Southampton.

Journal: Humanities and Social Sciences Communications
Funder: UK Energy Research Centre, UK Research and Innovation

3-Mar-2026

Genetic risk for mental illness is far less disorder-specific than clinicians have assumed, massive Swedish study reveals

Genomic Press
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers quantified “genetic specificity,” measuring how much genetic risk in affected individuals is specific to their diagnosed disorder. Analyzing over two million Swedish individuals across nine psychiatric disorders, the team found specificity ranged from 29.5% for drug use disorder to 73.1% for schizophrenia. Specificity shifted with age at onset, recurrence, and treatment setting, offering new ways to understand diagnostic boundaries.

Journal: Genomic Psychiatry
Funder: Swedish Research Council

2-Mar-2026

Child exploitation cases surge in OC, victims getting younger

University of California - Irvine
Reports and Proceedings

UC Irvine Professor Jodi Quas and researcher Nan Xiao are sounding the alarm on a technology-fueled crisis now targeting middle schoolers, and calling for urgent, evidence-based responses across healthcare, education and law enforcement.

2-Mar-2026

Improve education and transitional support for autistic people to prevent death by suicide, say experts

University of Cambridge
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Suicide in autistic people originates in the inequalities they face across their lives, starting in childhood, and spanning education to employment, and health and social care, a new study by a team at Cambridge and Bournemouth Universities has found.

Journal: EClinicalMedicine
Funder: Autism Action