Tech products can turn uncool when they become too popular
When does a tech device lose its edge with users? Researchers sought to find out when — and why. In the tech world, coolness takes more than … Read more
iphone
Study reveals a protein that keeps people organized
Most people think that their planners or iPhones keep them organized, when proteins such as liver kinase b1 (Lkb1) actually have a lot more to … Read more
Why social connection is as important as food and shelter
Facebook and gossip might seem like a waste of time, but they actually serve a basic human need. A growing body of research shows that … Read more
New portable device for common kidney tests
A lightweight and field-portable device invented at UCLA that conducts kidney tests and transmits data through a smartphone attachment may significantly reduce the need for … Read more
Paper-thin e-skin responds to touch by lighting up
A new milestone by engineers at the University of California, Berkeley, can help robots become more touchy-feely, literally. A research team led by Ali Javey, … Read more
We May Be Less Happy, But Our Language Isn’t
“If it bleeds, it leads,” goes the cynical saying with television and newspaper editors. In other words, most news is bad news and the worst … Read more
From teddy bears to iPhones, we overestimate what others will pay for goods
Compared to what they would pay themselves, most consumers overestimate what others are willing to pay for products, according to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research. And that holds true for a large range of items, both real and imaginary.
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World’s tiniest preemies are growing up and doing fine
In 1989, Madeline Mann became the world’s smallest surviving baby after she was born at Loyola University Medical Center. She weighed 280 g. (9.9 oz.) … Read more
Consumer beware: Rejecting an option may make you more likely to choose it later
People make purchasing decisions by choosing between alternatives or by rejecting certain options. But a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research finds that focusing on ruling out an option can lead consumers to reverse their preferences.
“C…
Benign envy sells iPhones, but malicious envy drives consumers to BlackBerries
People are willing to pay more for products that elicit their envy — but that’s only when they are motivated by a positive, benign form of envy, according to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research.
“Our studies showed that people who had…
