Business conferences, such as the ESTRO Congress (European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology) will bring thousands of delegates to the host city and, are just as important to the economy as major sporting events such as the Olympics, according to new research from the University of Surrey. 

Have you ever noticed how the final digits of a price tag in a store usually follow a similar pattern? Scientists investigated this phenomenon and found that part of it might be down to the culture you live in. Looking at the levels of a society’s individualism, long-term orientation, and uncertainty avoidance, they found a link between these cultural dimensions and just-below, precise, and round prices. This suggests that pricing strategies transcend national borders and are influenced by cultural differences.

Research finds people who learn the basics of debate are more likely to advance to leadership roles in U.S. organizations. A key reason seems to be that debate training makes employees more comfortable about being assertive in the workplace.