A new national study reveals just how deeply AI chatbots are shaping teen life – and the hidden dangers that may come with them. Surveying more than 3,400 adolescents nationwide, researchers found many teens turn to chatbots not only for entertainment, but also for emotional support, advice, friendship and romantic companionship. Nearly half reported harmful experiences, including manipulation, misinformation and risky interactions, raising urgent questions about safeguards as AI becomes woven into adolescence.

- Achieving an international conservation target to protect almost a third of the world’s land and sea in the next four years could directly affect the lives of almost half the people on the planet, finds a new report.

- The study is the first to consider the social implications of the target at the global level.

- Supporting the people who live near areas that could be designated for nature - financially and otherwise - is vital for success.

Why do some people cope better with stress than others, even under pressure? A new psychological study by researchers at the RPTU University Kaiserslautern-Landau and the University of Amsterdam offers new insights into this question. The results show that higher resilience is associated with placing greater weight on positive aspects in cost-benefit decisions. This link is mediated by a specific way the brain processes negative information. 

Language education plays a key role in helping foreign residents settle into society. However, Japan heavily relies on volunteers for it. New research conducted at Doshisha University investigates how volunteer-led Japanese classes function within national policies and local realities. Using policy analysis and on-field research, the study reveals that this reliance results in a “semi-professional” teaching environment that not only influences learning outcomes but may also limit the potential of volunteers and foreign residents.