Does living in an unequal society make people unhappy? Not necessarily, reveals the largest study ever conducted on the subject. Nicolas Sommet, a social psychologist and research manager at the LIVES Centre at the University of Lausanne, and his team have published the first social science meta-analysis in the prestigious journal Nature (on 22 January in its print edition). Their conclusions — based on 168 studies covering more than 11 million participants from around the world — challenge the widely held belief that economic inequality is detrimental to well-being and mental health.

Great Bear Rainforest, BC. The Great Bear Lodge on the Central Coast of British Columbia is collaborating with internationally acclaimed science journalist Lesley Evans Ogden to host a nature writing retreat from May 31 - June 4, 2026. Small group size will ensure each participant benefits from individual focus and support, allowing instruction and skill development to be tailored to a range of abilities, from aspiring to experienced writers.

Poor oral health may increase dementia risk through both biological and social pathways, as reported by researchers from Science Tokyo. Drawing on recent epidemiologic research, the team highlights how eating and speaking difficulties might act as overlooked social mechanisms that may amplify risk by contributing to social isolation. Moreover, in a longitudinal study, they also found that poor oral health is a strong predictor of weight loss in older adults.