Aquaculture could harm animal welfare or protect it, depending on what species the farms raise

Many sea creatures lead complex, social lives in the wild and are likely to suffer in farmed conditions. But they aren’t mainstays of the aquaculture industry − yet.

Chiawen Chiang, Fish Behavior and Welfare Researcher and Lab Manager, New York University • conversation
Oct. 16, 2024 ~7 min

Model reveals why debunking election misinformation often doesn’t work

The new study also identifies factors that can make these efforts more successful.

Anne Trafton | MIT News • mit
Oct. 15, 2024 ~8 min


AI simulation gives people a glimpse of their potential future self

By enabling users to chat with an older version of themselves, Future You is aimed at reducing anxiety and guiding young people to make better choices.

Adam Zewe | MIT News • mit
Oct. 1, 2024 ~9 min

Bees have irrational biases when choosing which flowers to feed on − just like human shoppers do

Context, perceptions and expectations affect the choices both bees and people make.

Claire Therese Hemingway, Assistant Professor of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee • conversation
Sept. 26, 2024 ~6 min

Can you change your personality? Psychology research says yes, by tweaking what you think and do

The concept of a personality may sound like it’s set in stone. But personality is really much more flexible − and you can take steps to craft your characteristic thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

Shannon Sauer-Zavala, Associate Professor of Psychology & Licensed Clinical Psychologist, University of Kentucky • conversation
Sept. 25, 2024 ~8 min

Sharks and rays leap out of the water for many reasons, including feeding, courtship and communication

Breaching is one of the most spectacular behaviors among marine animals. A recent review shows that many shark and ray species breach, and identifies the most commonly hypothesized reasons.

A. Peter Klimley, Adjunct Associate Professor of Wildlife, Fish, & Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis • conversation
Sept. 23, 2024 ~6 min

Cats and dogs both like to play fetch − it’s rooted in their hunting instincts

About 80% of dogs and 40% of cats will fetch, a new study finds. Domesticating turned these carnivores’ hunting methods into a game.

Judith Stella, Senior Research Scientist, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University • conversation
Sept. 4, 2024 ~8 min

At its core, life is all about play − just look at the animal kingdom

Reduced to its essence, the process of natural selection would look a lot like play.

David Toomey, Professor of English, UMass Amherst • conversation
Aug. 12, 2024 ~8 min


Online fundraising may require different strategies for different devices − new research

Because smartphones can make people focus more on their personal needs, it can be harder to persuade their users to donate on them than it is when someone sees an appeal on their PC.

Kristen Ferguson, Assistant Professor of Marketing, University of Notre Dame • conversation
July 31, 2024 ~5 min

Tagging seals with sensors helps scientists track ocean currents and a changing climate

In some of the most remote places on Earth, tags attached to seals collect data at the cutting edge of ocean science.

Lilian (Lily) Dove, Postdoctoral Fellow of Oceanography, Brown University • conversation
July 25, 2024 ~5 min

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