Social & Behavior

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 21-Jun-2026 09:16 ET (21-Jun-2026 13:16 GMT/UTC)

4-May-2026

Marker of biological aging linked to cognitive symptoms of depression

New York University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Blood tests measuring the aging of certain white blood cells can predict cognitive and mood-related symptoms of depression, rather than physical symptoms. 

The findings, published in The Journals of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, bring researchers closer to identifying a biomarker for detecting the mood disorder, which affects nearly one in five US adults. 

Journal

The Journals of Gerontology Series A

4-May-2026

‘Fitspiration’ posts may do more harm than good for young adults – international study, led by Olympian, suggests

Taylor & Francis Group
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Social media is filled with posts about fitness and healthy eating aiming to inspire and encourage better lifestyles. However, out today, a new large review study led by an Olympic athlete reveals that this seemingly motivational content can sometimes have unexpected negative impacts on the health and wellbeing of young adults. 

Journal

Health Communication

1-May-2026

Housing insecurity, incident geriatric conditions, and mortality in community-living older persons

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

About The Study: In this cohort study of community-living older U.S. persons, poor housing affordability was associated with higher risks of frailty, disability, dementia, and mortality, and poor housing quality was associated with higher risks of frailty, disability, and mortality. These findings highlight housing insecurity as a clinically relevant social determinant of health among older persons.

Journal

JAMA Network Open

1-May-2026

International availability and price of ultraexpensive drugs in Medicare Part D

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

About The Study: Despite rapid expansion of ultraexpensive drugs in Medicare Part D, this cohort study found that availability in comparable economies remains limited, and internationally unavailable products often have higher per-beneficiary spending, underscoring their fiscal significance.

Journal

JAMA Network Open

1-May-2026

 

Copycat cockatoos learn to adapt from each other

Australian National University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Wild cockatoos learn what foods are safe by copying each other, with new research showing these behaviours spread rapidly through social networks and even shaping where birds choose to breed.

Journal

PLOS Biology

Funder

JP received funding from the IMPRS for Organismal Biology. LMA was funded by a Max Planck Research Group Leader fellowship. JP and LMA are currently supported by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).

1-May-2026

Policies intended to protect trade secrets may limit late-career wages

Penn State
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Labor market policies intended to protect trade secrets and spur research and development may instead limit late-career wages and encourage firms to replace human labor with machines and other automation equipment, according to a study in the journal Labour Economics by researchers at Penn State, the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland and Colorado State University.

Journal

Labour Economics

1-May-2026

 

Case Western Reserve University receives largest commitment to higher ed in Ohio history: $125M from Mandel Foundation

Case Western Reserve University
Business Announcement

As Case Western Reserve University celebrates its bicentennial, the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation and the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation have made a historic commitment toward the university’s future: a $125 million commitment—the foundations’ largest in their history and believed to be the biggest gift ever to higher education in the state of Ohio.