The ScienceBreaker

The Dark Side of Nudges

Among other methods, governments use highway message signs to encourage responsible driving. Study finds that displaying year-to-day roadside fatality counts leads to an immediate increase in traffic crashes. Researchers argue that the statistics distract drivers at precisely the moments when they should focus on the road.

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The Dark Side of Nudges Among other methods, governments use highway message signs to encourage responsible driving. We find that displaying year-to-day roadside fatality counts leads to an immediate increase in traffic crashes. We argue that the statistics distract drivers at precisely the moments when they should focus o...

The mechanisms behind synchronized hunts in spiders

Spiders are known for their aggressive behavior, but some species are social. This is the case for Anelosimus eximius, a social species that forms colonies with hundreds of spiders living in a common web. When hunting, these spiders synchronize their movements: they start and stop quickly, all at the same time. Analyses explain how this impressive ballet could emerge from simple behavioral rules.

Let's break it down:

The mechanisms behind synchronized hunts in spiders Spiders are known for their aggressive behavior, but some species are social. This is the case for Anelosimus eximius, a social species that forms colonies with hundreds of spiders living in a common web. When hunting, these spiders synchronize their movements: they start and stop quickly, all at th...

When One Disaster Follows Another

Disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires are increasing in frequency, and many locations are experiencing repeated disasters. Each disaster can create legacy conditions that affect the outcome of the disasters that follow. New research is helping to understand and predict these important legacies.


Let's break this down:

When One Disaster Follows Another Disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires are increasing in frequency, and many locations are experiencing repeated disasters. Each disaster can create legacy conditions that affect the outcome of the disasters that follow. New research is helping to understand and predict these important....