Author: dispatchtimes news

A new study suggests that when scientific journals publicly back political candidates, public trust in science falls, especially among moderate and conservative Americans. The authors report declines in views of science’s impartiality and societal value, though people’s willingness to follow practical scientific advice appears largely unchanged. The work is published in Group Processes & Intergroup Relations. Researchers framed the question through the lens of motivated reasoning—the tendency to process information in ways that reinforce existing beliefs and political identities. They theorised that endorsements from esteemed journals could trigger this mechanism, prompting some readers to question science’s objectivity if endorsements clash…

A large-scale genetic analysis has identified 36 genes carrying rare mutations that sharply raise the odds of developing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or chronic tic disorders (CTDs), or both, offering new clues about the biology behind these overlapping conditions. The work, published in Nature Neuroscience, centres on two researchers from the United States – Belinda Wang of the University of California, San Francisco, and Gary A. Heiman of Rutgers University – who led an international consortium to expand the search for high-impact genetic changes. OCD is characterised by intrusive thoughts or images (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or mental routines (compulsions), while…

A new study published in Scientific Reports suggests that young adults who fret about rejection in close relationships also tend to fear death more, and that this death anxiety is linked to higher levels of anxiety, depression and other distress. The researchers say the connection depends on whether individuals view death as the end of existence or as a transition to another form of life or continuity. Death anxiety refers to the worry and dread surrounding the end of human life. While it is normal to contemplate mortality occasionally, psychologists increasingly see persistent fear of death as a shared underpinning…

A small pilot study suggests the menstrual cycle modulates the severity of ADHD traits in women taking stimulant medications, with symptoms peaking during menstruation and easing in the days after. The work, published in the Journal of Attention Disorders, points to the potential for hormone-aware treatments and was led by researchers Rebecca Zaritsky, Stephanie C. Reed and Suzette M. Evans. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by distractibility, impulsivity and hyperactivity. Historically seen as a condition affecting mainly young boys, the diagnostic gap is closing and women now account for around half of the adult ADHD population in the United…

A new study published in Cognition and Emotion argues that the emotions voters feel about policy issues can subtly tilt the kind of leader they prefer to vote for, based on facial traits. The research suggests anger makes people lean toward dominant-looking leaders, while fear heightens the importance of a trustworthy appearance. The work was led by Mariana von Mohr of the University of Kent and Manos Tsakiris of Royal Holloway, University of London, and conducted at the Centre for the Politics of Feelings at the School of Advanced Study in London. Researchers note that when people judge a stranger’s…

Two UK survey studies have found that employees with a strong desire to assert dominance are more likely to read sexual interest into the friendly behaviour of a coworker of another gender, and those who perceive more sexual interest report engaging in more workplace sexual harassment, particularly among men. The research was published in Social Psychological and Personality Science, authored by Sanne Feenstra of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Mark van Vugt. The studies address a common workplace dilemma: calculating whether a colleague’s neutral niceties—smiling, small talk or polite friendliness—reflect simple politeness or romantic and sexual interest. Such misperceptions can shape…

A nationwide study analysing data from thousands of American children has identified distinct links between six sources of outdoor air pollution and the way developing brains wire themselves, signaling that not just how much pollution children breathe but where it comes from may matter for brain development. The cross‑sectional analysis drew on 6,291 participants aged 9 to 11 across 20 study sites, with a subset scanned again about two years later to explore changes in brain connectivity. Outdoor air pollution comprises fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, tiny enough to reach the lungs and potentially the brain. The researchers focused on…

A new study published in The Journal of Sex Research suggests that the material fallout from the end of a committed relationship may be linked to higher levels of ambiguity about sexual identity. The research, conducted by Grace A. O’Toole and colleagues at Kansas State University, surveyed 493 adults across the United States who had ended a serious relationship within the previous two years. Rooted in life course theory and identity process theory, the study frames major life disruptions as turning points that can reshape a person’s sense of self. When social circumstances change rapidly, individuals may undergo a processing…

New field studies into the body’s own cannabis-like chemistry have found that endocannabinoids rise during long-distance running and stay lifted well after a finish, with the effects tracking across both marathon and ultramarathon distances. The research, led by Michael Siebers and colleagues in Germany, shows the compound anandamide not only climbs steadily during a marathon but remains elevated 45 minutes after the end, while ultramarathons of up to 230 kilometres produce similar, even stronger, shifts. The work adds to a growing body of evidence that endocannabinoids—small, fat-soluble molecules produced on demand—may contribute to the so‑called runner’s high. Unlike endorphins, which…

A Swedish study has found that people with psychotic spectrum disorders struggle more with recognising emotions in others than healthy individuals, and those with a history of interpersonal aggression fare worst. The researchers compared three groups: individuals with psychotic spectrum disorders and aggression history, those with psychotic spectrum disorders but no aggression history, and healthy controls. Recognising others’ emotions is vital for social interaction, as facial expressions, tone of voice and body movements provide crucial clues about how others feel. When these signals are misunderstood, communication can break down and inappropriate responses may follow. Difficulties with emotion recognition are common…