Can artificial delegates—autonomous agents that make decisions on our behalf—help us reach better outcomes in situations where collective failure looms, such as climate change policymaking or the urgent response required during pandemics? A new behavioural experiment led by Professor Tom Lenaerts (VUB/ULB) sheds light on this pressing question. The findings are surprising: individuals who entrust their decisions to digital representatives tend to behave more generically pro-socially, but this does not automatically lead to better outcomes.

Plants and trees extend their roots into the earth in order to draw nutrients and water from the soil—however, these roots are thought to decline as they move deeper underground. But a new study by a multi-institutional team of scientists shows that many plants develop a second, deeper layer of roots—often more than three feet underground—to access additional nourishment. The study reveals previously unrecognized rooting patterns, altering our understanding of how ecosystems respond to changing environmental conditions.

In a world-first breakthrough, researchers have used an epilepsy-like disease model in a laboratory dish and showed that improved information processing and neural function can be achieved using a medication designed specifically to treat the disease.