EurekAlert! News by Subject: Social & Behavior - News by Subject: Social & Behavior

Social & Behavior

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 1-May-2025 05:08 ET (1-May-2025 09:08 GMT/UTC)

From compliance to conversation: New guidelines push for ethical reflection in research reporting

University of Technology Sydney
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new study highlights key challenges and tensions in research ethics, particularly in light of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, and calls for the adoption of new research ethics policies.

Journal: PLOS One

Handling the hype: MSU researcher seeks to improve science communication

Michigan State University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Being a scientist has its challenges. Knowing how to communicate your scientific research in a socially responsible manner can be even more difficult. Thankfully, one researcher at Michigan State University and colleagues at several other universities have identified some of the trade-offs and communication strategies that environmental health scientists can use to communicate more effectively.

Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives

University of Maryland-YouGov poll: Alsobrooks dominates Hogan, amendment to state constitution garners broad support

University of Maryland
Reports and Proceedings

An Oct. 23-27, 2024 poll of 500 likely Maryland voters that finds broad support for reproductive freedom, and Angela Alsobrooks (D) with a sizeable lead over former Maryland governor Larry Hogan (R) in the race to fill a U.S. Senate seat.

Political pros no better than public in predicting which messages persuade

Yale University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Political campaigns spend big bucks hiring consultants to craft persuasive messaging, but a new study coauthored by Yale political scientist Joshua L. Kalla demonstrates that political professionals perform no better than laypeople in predicting which messages will sway voters.

In the study, Kalla and his coauthors evaluated how well sample groups of political practitioners — professionals who work for political campaigns, polling firms, and advocacy organizations — and members of the public could predict the effectiveness of 172 campaign messages concerning 21 political issues, including legalizing marijuana, cancelling student debt, and increasing border security.

They found that both groups performed barely better than chance and that the practitioners were no more perceptive than laypeople in identifying messaging that resonates with people.

Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

$1.3 million NSF grant to fund research into restoration of degraded ecosystems

Penn State
Grant and Award Announcement

Restoring degraded ecosystems has emerged as a global policy priority to address the interlinked concerns of deforestation and land degradation, biodiversity loss and climate change while delivering social benefits, according to the United Nations.

Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation

Professor honored for student science volunteer efforts

University of Texas at Arlington
Grant and Award Announcement

The Fort Worth Regional Science and Engineering Fair (FWRSEF), held in partnership with The University of Texas at Arlington, is the oldest continually operating regional science fair in Texas. One of the reasons it has been so successful is the tireless organizational efforts of UT Arlington psychology Professor Yuan Bo Peng, who has served as director of the 73-year-old FWRSEF since 2012. In recognition of his dedication to the science fair, Dr. Peng received the 2024 Individual Outstanding Community Service Award from the Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter of the Chinese Institute of Engineers (CIE/USA-DFW).

Warmer homes for healthier hearts and brains: insulated housing reduces cardiovascular risk in Japan

Institute of Science Tokyo
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Lower indoor home temperatures are associated with a higher prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. A recent study by Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo) reports that upgrading thermal insulation in new homes is more cost-effective than retrofitting insulation to existing homes in Japan. This finding could help guide policymakers in subsidizing housing costs to create warmer homes, thus reducing cold-induced hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.

Journal: BMJ Public Health
Funder: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Japan Science and Technology Agency