ScienceDaily: Science & Society News

Increasing individualism in US linked with rise of white-collar jobs Posted: 05 Feb 2015 11:29 AM PST Rising individualism in the United States over the last 150 years is mainly associated with a societal shift toward more white-collar occupations, according to new research. The study, which looked at various cultural indicators -- including word usage in books, trends in baby names, and shifts in family structure -- suggests that a shift toward greater individualism is systematically correlated with socioeconomic trends, but not with trends in urbanization or environmental demands such as frequency of diseases or disasters.

Novel method projects growth potential of new firms: Which tech businesses will thrive? Posted: 05 Feb 2015 11:29 AM PST New businesses spring up all the time in the U.S. But which ones have the greatest ability to become big? A new method based on an empirical study, projects the growth potential of high-tech firms with new precision -- and could help local or regional policymakers assess their growth prospects.

Why did people evolve to be cooperative? And why in a principled way? Posted: 05 Feb 2015 11:12 AM PST Researchers have developed a first-of-its-kind model, dubbed the 'envelope game,' that can help researchers understand not only not only why people evolved to be cooperative but why people evolved to cooperate in a principled way.

In a crisis, the bigger your social network, the better Posted: 05 Feb 2015 09:31 AM PST Researchers examined social networks in the late pre-Hispanic Southwest and found that communities that were more connected with their neighbors had a better chance of being able to successfully manage a crisis than did communities with fewer outside connections.

Medical marijuana for children with developmental and behavioral disorders? Posted: 05 Feb 2015 09:27 AM PST As medical marijuana becomes increasingly accepted, there is growing interest in its use for children and adolescents with developmental and behavioral problems such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a new review.

Opinions on vaccinations heavily influenced by online comments Posted: 05 Feb 2015 06:52 AM PST With measles and other diseases once thought eradicated making a comeback in the United States, healthcare websites are on the spot to educate consumers about important health risks. Researchers say that people may be influenced more by online comments than by credible public service announcements.

Only two-thirds of donations to Ebola crisis have reached affected countries Posted: 03 Feb 2015 04:02 PM PST As of Dec. 31, 2014, pledges to the Ebola outbreak reached at least $2.89 billion, yet only around two-thirds ($1.9 billion) has actually reached affected countries, finds a new report.