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Social & Behavior

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 20-Jun-2026 12:15 ET (20-Jun-2026 16:15 GMT/UTC)

Warning labels on restaurant menus steer diners from sweets, UC Davis research suggests

University of California - Davis
Peer-Reviewed Publication

As California lawmakers consider legislation that would require “high sugar” warning labels on restaurant menus, a University of California, Davis, study shows that the labels are effective in dissuading diners from ordering sugary items.

Researchers tested menus with added-sugar warning labels against unlabeled menus in an online study with more than 10,000 people nationwide during six weeks in 2024-25. Compared to no label, diners ordered on average more than 10 grams less added sugar when they saw triangle icon containing a spoon and exclamation point with explanatory text. Additionally, a noticeable, easy-to-see, icon-only label also caused people in the study to reduce the added sugar in meals they ordered by almost 7 grams.

Journal: The Lancet

Adults with ADHD may pay high price to mask traits and fit in, SFU study finds

Simon Fraser University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Masking ADHD traits may help adults fit in socially, but it can come at a cost to their mental health and well-being, according to new research from Simon Fraser University. A new SFU study found more than 91 per cent of adult participants with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) reported hiding, suppressing or compensating for their ADHD traits to navigate social situations. For example, someone might pretend to pay attention, suppress their urge to fidget, rehearse conversations or over-prepare for meetings to fit social norms.

A plan to preserve wetlands without stopping development

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A study of wetlands conservation policy in Florida and California suggests a way to reduce flood damage while retaining economic gains from development. The study recommends both an offset policy and a locally varying tax on development to compensate for increased flood risk.

Journal: American Economic Review
Funder: George and Obie Schultz Fund

Americans agree: Ultraprocessed foods pose major health hazard

Cornell University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Across partisan lines, Americans broadly believe ultraprocessed foods are addictive and harmful – expressing attitudes strikingly like those that spurred regulation of the tobacco industry, new Cornell University-led research finds.

Journal: American Journal of Public Health

Study shows octopuses' impressive ability to navigate space

Dartmouth College
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new Dartmouth study shows octopuses can use mirrors to find food out of sight, demonstrating spatial cognitive abilities. The results are published in Current Biology.

Journal: Current Biology

Surgeon social jet lag and patient risk of major adverse events

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

This study found that patients operated on by surgeons experiencing substantial social jet lag had a higher associated risk of major adverse events. Interventions promoting regular sleep timing and reducing circadian misalignment may improve surgeon burnout and patient safety. Social jet lag reflects the discrepancy between sleep timing on workdays and free days.

Journal: JAMA Surgery

Out-of-pocket costs and health-related social needs among households with children

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

The findings of this cohort study of U.S. households with children suggest that high out-of-pocket medical costs may make it more difficult for households to afford health-related social needs (i.e., accessing food, paying bills, and living in quality housing), potentially contributing to adverse health outcomes.

Journal: JAMA Network Open

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