EurekAlert! News by Subject: Social & Behavior - News by Subject: Social & Behavior

Social & Behavior

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 23-Dec-2025 14:11 ET (23-Dec-2025 19:11 GMT/UTC)

New DNA study unlocks origins, social structure of Neolithic Shimao civilization

Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new study published in Nature on November 26 has shed light on the origins, population structures, and kinship systems of the people of Shimao—one of China's most significant late Neolithic settlements. Analyses of ancient DNA from individuals who inhabited the site reveal genetic links to southern settlements, while also providing evidence of male mass burials associated with human sacrifice.

Journal: Nature

How can SMEs drive a greener and more inclusive Europe?

Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)

The study uses data from 12,000 European companies to show that, as well as large companies, medium and small businesses can also act as agents of change

Journal: Journal of Cleaner Production

Do children imitate communication manners of machines? Experiment on children's response to polite vs. commanding robot

SWPS University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

The presence of robots in schools is no longer surprising. How do elementary school children treat humanoid robots? Are they polite to them, and willing to attribute human-like qualities to them? Researchers from SWPS University have shown that in most cases, children treat robots politely, and younger children and girls are more likely to perceive them as possessing human-like qualities.

Journal: Computers & Education

Public trust in science eroded by UN climate change language, study finds

University of Essex
Peer-Reviewed Publication

The United Nations’ climate change body may unintentionally be eroding public trust in science because of the way it communicates risk, new University of Essex research shows.

The study of more than 4,000 UK residents found language used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) could make the public think scientists are divided and that predictions are extreme or implausible.

Journal: Nature Climate Change

The most affected regions of the brain identified in patients in early stages of schizophrenia spectrum disorders

University of Seville
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers at the University of Seville report that schizophrenia-spectrum disorders may originate in specific brain regions showing early structural damage. Using MRI-based MIND networks, they found reduced structural similarity—especially in temporal, cingulate and insular lobes—linked to worse symptoms. Affected areas showed high astrocyte and neurotransmitter presence, pointing to potential biomarkers and personalized treatments.

Journal: Nature Communications

Most people struggle to spot pain in horses - study

Anglia Ruskin University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

New research from Anglia Ruskin University in England has found that most people struggle to recognise when a horse is in pain – a finding that could have serious implications for animal welfare.

The study, published in the journal Anthrozoös, is the first research to investigate how well people can spot discomfort in the faces of horses compared to in humans.

Journal: Anthrozoös

Life in balance: Research shines new light on ancient Andean scales

University of St. Andrews
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers found that both balance scales and khipus (a method of writing using small knots used by the Inca and pre-Inca societies) were tied to Andean notions of wellbeing that prioritise achieving a state of balance and harmony in social, economic and moral affairs.

Journal: Res Anthropology and Aesthetics

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