A small Bolivian society of indigenous forager-farmers, known for astonishingly healthy cardiovascular systems, is seeing a split in beliefs about what makes a good life. Some are holding more to tradition — family ties, hunting and forest medicine — but others are starting to favor material wealth, a new study finds.
Read moreResearchers examined whether there is an association between arthritis and social isolation, and have identified the disease's contribution to social isolation.
Read moreLife at the bottom of the social ladder may have long-term health effects that even upward mobility can't undo, according to new research in monkeys. A team studied 45 rhesus macaques. They found that monkeys who move up in the hierarchy still show the effects of their once-lowly status at the cellular level, even after they rise in rank.
Read moreGiven the alarming pace of climate change, it is increasingly important to understand what factors motivate people to take action – or not – on environmental issues. A recent study shows that deeply held values, which align closely with political leanings, can predict whether someone takes action to protect the environment.
Read moreUsing innovative new methods researchers have built a new index that uses data from books and newspaper to track levels of national happiness from 1820. Their research could help governments to make better decisions about policy priorities.
Read moreWhen asked to answer questions quickly and impulsively, people tend to respond with a socially desirable answer rather than an honest one, a set of experiments shows.
Read moreScientists witnessing the destruction of the natural world must be supported and 'allowed to cry,' researchers say.
Read moreTeenage boys rely on social media to access a wealth of information about living a healthy lifestyle — but rather than being victims of online harms, such as an unhealthy body image obsession, the majority are able to use humor, irony and banter to navigate social media content.
Read moreA skin cancer prevention program called SunSmart may have contributed to a recent reduction in melanoma among younger residents of Melbourne, according to a new study. According to the authors, the findings may have substantial implications for the future delivery of skin cancer prevention programs.
Read moreIncreased equality has a positive effect on mothers and fathers. Thanks to greater freedom to strike an individual balance between caring for children and working in paid employment, mothers and fathers today are happier with their lives than parents were 20 or 30 years ago, a study by sociologists has shown.
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