How culture shapes the way we care for other people's emotions
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 25-Oct-2026 15:15 ET (25-Oct-2026 19:15 GMT/UTC)
A new global study in PNAS shows that culture may shape how people respond to others' emotional distress. Across 17 countries, researchers found that people in more individualistic cultures are more motivated to make others feel better, and more likely to behave in ways that will make others feel better (for instance, expressing care). The findings reveal that trying to help others does not look the same everywhere, informing our understanding of culture, mental health care, and communication in increasingly diverse societies.
A new study shows that if data centers move a significant portion of their energy consumption to non-peak hours, it could help lower average energy costs in the U.S. The environmental impact of these changes, in terms of the type of energy consumed, would differ by region.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is profoundly reshaping education worldwide. While AI tools increasingly support students in brainstorming, drafting and problem-solving, assessment practices often remain narrowly focused on final outputs. This raises a critical question: how can educators truly understand whether students are learning, rather than simply producing polished answers with AI assistance?
A new international study led by The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) provides fresh insights into this challenge. The research reveals that although students frequently engage in idea sharing and social interaction, they devote significantly less time to deeper stages, such as integrating ideas and developing final solutions. The findings underscore the importance of assessing the learning process, not just the product, to cultivate judgment, creativity, and genuine understanding in the AI era.