Daniel A. Yudkin and colleagues analyzed a rich dataset of real moral conundrums, the “AITA?” board on the social media site Reddit. A look at 369,161 posts and 11 million comments using qualitative, quantitative, and machine-learning methods finds that dilemmas concerning relational obligations were the most common type of dilemma explored on the board. Researchers often use moral dilemmas to probe the contours of human moral intuitions, but such studies typically take place in depersonalized contexts in which the precise relations between actors are unspecified—an intentional design to omit the potentially confounding noise of relational contexts. Yet most real-world moral dilemmas occur in the context of various familial, work, or community relationships. Daniel A. Yudkin and colleagues analyzed a rich dataset of real moral conundrums, the “AITA?” board on the social media site Reddit. Posters to the board describe their own behavior in context, and ask for opinions about whether they are acting like a jerk—although the board’s full name includes a more profane synonym. A look at 369,161 posts and 11 million comments using qualitative, quantitative, and machine-learning methods finds that dilemmas concerning relational obligations were the most common type of dilemma explored on the board—e.g. spouses worried about being disloyal; roommates seeking fair distributions of rent; parents unsure whether they were doing too much or not enough to care for their children; and so on. Over 80% of posts involved an identifiable relationship between actors. Looking at the responses to posted dilemmas, the authors found that violations of trust, such as lying and cheating, were, on average, evaluated more negatively than acts of harm. The third most negatively evaluated dilemma type pertained to judgmentalness—a potential moral wrong often overlooked in academic studies. According to the authors, the lack of relational context in many studies of morality risks confounding responses as the nature of the relationship between actors may be a constitutive feature of moral cognition.

Researchers at Incheon National University explored how domestic public opinion influences foreign policy alignment decisions among U.S. allies during great power competition. Using a survey experiment centered on South Korea’s potential Quad membership, they found that leaders face audience costs when reversing alignment commitments, particularly from pro-U.S. constituents. The study highlights how shifting public preferences can strengthen or weaken alignment credibility in international politics.

Kyoto, Japan -- Stifling heat and sticky air often make summertime in the city uncomfortable. Due to the heat island effect, urban areas are significantly warmer than nearby rural areas, even at night. This, combined with more frequent extreme weather events caused by climate change, often render the city an unpleasant environment in the summer.

Urbanization and climate change modify the thermal environment of urban areas, with an expectation that urban disasters from extremely hot weather and heavy rainfall will only become more severe. Mitigating potential damage involves reducing the intensity of the heat island effect and adapting to climate change.

Motivated by this problem, a team of researchers at Kyoto University set out to investigate how the reduction in urban heat release could help mitigate and control the rapid development of thunderstorms and local rainfall.

Research proposes action fronts to increase the organizational capacity of these units in municipalities; expanded coordination with other areas is one of the next steps for the sector.

New research from The University of Texas at Arlington aimed at improving the effectiveness of radiation therapy to cure cancer and other diseases will be recognized in July by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine.