http://phys.org/ en-us Phys.org internet news portal provides the latest news on science including: Physics, Nanotechnology, Life Sciences, Space Science, Earth Science, Environment, Health and Medicine. When a field-goal kicker lines up for an attempt in a football game, television viewers will typically be presented with the kicker's record from that distance—on all attempts from 40 to 49 yards, for instance. Meanwhile, if the kick in question is a crucial last-second attempt, the opposing coach will usually call a timeout, to "ice" the kicker—give him more time to feel the pressure, that is—while television announcers will often discuss the kicker's past performance in such "clutch" situations. http://phys.org/news281346552.html Other Sciences Fri, 01 Mar 2013 07:49:27 EST news281346552 Wildlife conservationists are well aware of the potential conflicts that exist between the endangered species they seek to protect and the human populations which inhabit areas where the animals live. Carnivores, such as tigers, pose a risk to humans and their livestock and can be killed because of this potential risk. Previous research has found that killing of animals can be motivated as much by social and psychological factors, such as perception of danger, as by any actual real risk posed by a species. http://phys.org/news277991716.html Biology Mon, 21 Jan 2013 11:55:36 EST news277991716 (Phys.org)—Ethologists – those who study animal behavior under natural conditions – have long recognized that groups of various species, or animal collectives, use a variety of decision-making systems. For example, some species choose from among various behavioral options based on the number of animals that have already selected each alternative; other species follow Weber's Law, in which the relative number is the deciding factor; and for others, more complicated rules are involved. Recently, however, scientists at Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Spain, identified a single Bayesian-based decision-making rule underlying this observed diversity. Moreover, the researchers then experimentally demonstrated that this single rule quantitatively explains decision-making in zebrafish, and in existing datasets of argentine ants and sticklebacks. This suggests, they conclude, that decision-making based not just on individual behavioral, neurobiological, and psychological factors, but on social information, obtains across species – including humans. http://phys.org/news275047955.html Biology Tue, 18 Dec 2012 10:40:01 EST news275047955 The impact of climate change on many aspects of cultural life for people all over the world is not being sufficiently accounted for by scientists and policy-makers. University of Exeter-led research by an international team, published on 11th November in Nature Climate Change, shows that cultural factors are key to making climate change real to people and to motivating their responses. http://phys.org/news271860675.html Space & Earth Sun, 11 Nov 2012 13:00:26 EST news271860675 New research has added more gloom to the threat of strikes by showing how the emotional strain of protracted negotiations can lock rivals on a path to mutual destruction. http://phys.org/news235915092.html Other Sciences Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:10:01 EST news235915092 They may not dress like Justin Bieber or Selena Gomez, but parents are a whole lot like their teenagers when it comes to their behaviour on Facebook. That's the finding of a new study by University of Guelph researchers. http://phys.org/news229602508.html Other Sciences Mon, 11 Jul 2011 11:28:39 EST news229602508 (PhysOrg.com) -- There are key sociological and psychological factors that affect the way girl and women footballers experience pain, injury and risk according to a new study by a researcher at the University of the West of England. http://phys.org/news215188172.html Medicine & Health Tue, 25 Jan 2011 14:29:49 EST news215188172 Women are underrepresented and on average perform more poorly than men in introductory physics. But a recent study finds that this gap arises predominantly from differential preparation prior to college and psychological factors, rather than differences in ability. http://phys.org/news209917599.html Other Sciences Thu, 25 Nov 2010 14:26:55 EST news209917599 Twenty-two physical symptoms associated with cancer – symptoms often unrecognized and undertreated – are prevalent in all types of cancers regardless of whether the patient is newly diagnosed, undergoing treatment or is a cancer survivor, according to researchers from the Regenstrief Institute and the Indiana University schools of medicine and nursing. http://phys.org/news206034659.html Medicine & Health Mon, 11 Oct 2010 17:10:01 EST news206034659 There's something beyond plain old ignorance that motivates Americans to believe President Obama is a Muslim, according to a first-of-its-kind study of smear campaigns led by a Michigan State University psychologist. http://phys.org/news202474157.html Other Sciences Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:50:08 EST news202474157 New research from the University of Sheffield has found that social and psychological factors have the biggest influence upon women's sexual behaviour during the menopause, rather than biological changes such as declining hormone levels. http://phys.org/news197633051.html Medicine & Health Tue, 06 Jul 2010 11:04:20 EST news197633051 A study of university students found no overlap between those reporting excessive Internet use and those with problem gambling. However, both addictive behaviors are associated with psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, and loneliness, according to a provocative Rapid Communication in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking. http://phys.org/news196958517.html Medicine & Health Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:00:01 EST news196958517 15 March 2010: Scientists at the University of Liverpool argue that anti-obesity drugs fail to provide lasting benefits for health and wellbeing because they tackle the biological consequences of obesity, and not the important psychological causes of overconsumption and weight gain. http://phys.org/news187961753.html Medicine & Health Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:50:05 EST news187961753 The first study to monitor physical activity in breast cancer patients for five years suggests that patients with greater depressive symptoms and a lower emotional quality of life are less likely to exercise as part of their recovery than are patients reporting less distress. http://phys.org/news159540621.html Medicine & Health Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:50:46 EST news159540621