Social environment

The surprising key to magpie intelligence: it’s not genetic

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Are their sharp cognitive abilities innate – something coded into their genetic makeup?

Key Points: 
  • Are their sharp cognitive abilities innate – something coded into their genetic makeup?
  • Or are magpie smarts more a product of their environment and social experiences?
  • In a new study, we shed light on the “nature versus nurture” debate – at least when it comes to avian intelligence.
  • Instead, the key factor influencing how quickly the fledglings learned to pick the correct colour was the size of their social group.

Hickey App Enhances Security and Risk Control to Facilitate Users in Online Dating

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 11, 2024

These enhancements mark a significant step forward in ensuring a safer and more enjoyable environment for all Hickey users across both platforms.

Key Points: 
  • These enhancements mark a significant step forward in ensuring a safer and more enjoyable environment for all Hickey users across both platforms.
  • Drawing from extensive platform operation and governance experience, Hickey has refined its community guidelines and security policies .
  • Hickey App is a fresh, and welcoming dating app committed to Fun for ALL.
  • Hickey App boasts a diverse and vibrant user base, providing individuals with the opportunity to explore meaningful connections.

Arizona Science Center Partners with Cosm to Reimagine Dorrance Planetarium into Next-Generation 8K+ LED Dome

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 27, 2024

PHOENIX and LOS ANGELES, Feb. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Arizona Science Center, Arizona's premier destination for science and discovery, today announced a significant investment in its Dorrance Planetarium. In partnership with Cosm, a leading immersive technology, media, and entertainment company, the technology will transform this visitor experience. As one of the most advanced planetariums in North America and an early adopter of category-defining immersive technology, the reimagined Dorrance Planetarium, powered by Cosm Technology, will feature an 18-meter diameter, CX System LED dome display with 8K+ resolution, making it the most technologically advanced planetarium in North America and a global leader in engaging science experiences. 

Key Points: 
  • "The reimagination of the Dorrance Planetarium at Arizona Science Center with this amazing technology will inspire, educate, and immerse visitors for decades to come.
  • Originally opened in 1997, Arizona Science Center's Dorrance Planetarium has welcomed more than two million guests.
  • The integration of Cosm's CX System and the innovative transformation of Dorrance Planetarium position the Arizona Science Center as a long-lasting educational focal point for the state of Arizona.
  • "We are honored and excited that Arizona Science Center selected Cosm and our LED CX System for the renovation of The Dorrance Planetarium.

SeABank enhances management and governance capacity to promote sustainable development

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 23, 2024

HANOI, Vietnam, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- To further promote its sustainable development as well as enhancing governance and management capacity following international standards, SeABank 's Board of Directors (BOD) has issued Resolutions on strengthening Boards of Directors and Executive Management.

Key Points: 
  • HANOI, Vietnam, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- To further promote its sustainable development as well as enhancing governance and management capacity following international standards, SeABank 's Board of Directors (BOD) has issued Resolutions on strengthening Boards of Directors and Executive Management.
  • This could facilitate the Bank's Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy focusing on pillars of Banking governance, Risk management, Human resource capacity building, Organizational culture, Social security and Social environment.
  • To optimize the Bank's asset management activities, SeABank's BOD appointed Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Quynh to act as Chairman cum General Director of SeABank Asset Management Company Limited (SeABank AMC) – SeABank's wholly-owned subsidiary.
  • The consolidation in SeABank's Boards of Directors and Executive Management as well as its subsidiaries is expected to further improve the Bank's management and governance capacity.

SeABank enhances management and governance capacity to promote sustainable development

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 23, 2024

HANOI, Vietnam, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- To further promote its sustainable development as well as enhancing governance and management capacity following international standards, SeABank 's Board of Directors (BOD) has issued Resolutions on strengthening Boards of Directors and Executive Management.

Key Points: 
  • HANOI, Vietnam, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- To further promote its sustainable development as well as enhancing governance and management capacity following international standards, SeABank 's Board of Directors (BOD) has issued Resolutions on strengthening Boards of Directors and Executive Management.
  • This could facilitate the Bank's Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy focusing on pillars of Banking governance, Risk management, Human resource capacity building, Organizational culture, Social security and Social environment.
  • Established in 2008, SeABank AMC contributes to SeABank's safe and sustainable development via managing debts and providing office services for rental buildings nationwide.
  • The consolidation in SeABank's Boards of Directors and Executive Management as well as its subsidiaries is expected to further improve the Bank's management and governance capacity.

Christopher Todd Expands National BTR Footprint with Florida Office

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Christopher Todd, developer of Christopher Todd Communities – one of the nation’s Build-To-Rent (BTR) pioneers and innovators – is growing with plans to open three regional offices, starting in Florida, to support development of new luxury rental home communities.

Key Points: 
  • Christopher Todd, developer of Christopher Todd Communities – one of the nation’s Build-To-Rent (BTR) pioneers and innovators – is growing with plans to open three regional offices, starting in Florida, to support development of new luxury rental home communities.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240214995117/en/
    The award-winning Christopher Todd Communities feature cottage-style Build-to-Rent homes and a resort-inspired lifestyle delivering A New Way To Live®.
  • Existing rental products are being absorbed, and more new rental options are in demand,” said Brent Long, Christopher Todd president of development.
  • Meanwhile, Christopher Todd will be opening a regional development office in Texas as well as one in Utah.

Verbal Beginnings to Open New Early Intervention Comprehensive Autism Services Center in Annapolis, MD

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 9, 2024

ANNAPOLIS, Md., Feb. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verbal Beginnings, a leading provider of comprehensive autism services , is thrilled to announce the opening of a new location in Annapolis, Maryland, serving the greater Anne Arundel County region.

Key Points: 
  • ANNAPOLIS, Md., Feb. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verbal Beginnings, a leading provider of comprehensive autism services , is thrilled to announce the opening of a new location in Annapolis, Maryland, serving the greater Anne Arundel County region.
  • In addition to offering early intervention ABA therapy, the center will also provide Speech-Language Pathology (SLP), Occupational Therapy (OT), and various parent trainings and events, making Verbal Beginnings the provider of choice for families with children on the Autism Spectrum.
  • “By expanding our services to include Speech-Language Pathology and Occupational Therapy, Verbal Beginnings sets itself apart as a leading provider of comprehensive care for children on the Autism Spectrum,” said co-CEO Nick Chappell.
  • “The new Annapolis center solidifies Verbal Beginnings' commitment to delivering exceptional and integrated services, further improving the lives of children with autism spectrum disorder and their families.”
    More information is available at: https://www.verbalbeginnings.com/annapolis-center/

Why do we have single sex schools? What’s the history behind one of the biggest debates in education?

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Protesters have even threatened legal action to defend the 160-year-old tradition of boys’ education at the school.

Key Points: 
  • Protesters have even threatened legal action to defend the 160-year-old tradition of boys’ education at the school.
  • One told Channel 9 they fear the change is driven by “woke […] palaver” that will disadvantage boys at Newington.
  • Read more:
    As another elite boys' school goes co-ed, are single-sex schools becoming an endangered species?

What is the history of the debate?

  • Boys and girls were thought to require different forms of education for their intellectual and moral development.
  • In the 1860s, the colony of Victoria introduced a policy of coeducation for all government-run schools.
  • At that time, education authorities did not believe parents would agree to enrol their children in mixed high schools.
  • Historically, coeducation has been more controversial for older students, but less so for students in their primary years.

A changing debate

  • This was at a time of national expansion of secondary schooling in Australia and new psychological theories about adolescents.
  • This view was in turn challenged during the 1990s, with claims girls were outstripping boys academically and boys were being left behind in co-ed environments.

Which system delivers better academic results?


There is no conclusive evidence that one type of schooling (co-ed or single sex) yields better academic outcomes than the other. Schools are complex and diverse settings. There are too many variables (such as resourcing, organisational structures and teaching styles) to make definitive claims about any one factor. Many debates about single-sex vs co-ed schooling also neglect social class as a key factor in academic achievement.

What about the social environment?

  • Research about the social outcomes of co-ed vs single-sex schools is also contested.
  • Some argue co-ed schooling better prepares young people for the co-ed world they will grow up in.
  • Others have suggested boys may fare better in co-ed settings, with girls acting as a counterbalance to boys’ unruliness.

Why such a heated debate?

  • Often, parents want their children to have a similar schooling experience to themselves.
  • Many of these schools have spent decades marketing themselves as uniquely qualified to educate boys (or a certain type of boy).
  • More concerning are the Newington protesters who suggest this move toward inclusivity and gender diversity will make boys “second-class citizens”.


Jessica Kean receives funding from an Australian Research Council Special Research Initiative grant 'Australian Boys: Beyond the Boy Problem'. Helen Proctor receives funding from the Australian Research Council. Kellie Burns previously received funding from the University of Sydney, Equity Prize.

NordLayer demonstrates a commitment to NGOs with an exclusive 60% discount

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 17, 2024

LONDON, Jan. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NordLayer is proud to announce an initiative in support of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Key Points: 
  • LONDON, Jan. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NordLayer is proud to announce an initiative in support of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
  • It is offering an exclusive 60% discount on its cutting-edge security solutions to strengthen cybersecurity defenses for NGOs.
  • With the discount, NordLayer aims to empower NGOs to achieve more by securing their online presence and sensitive data.
  • NordLayer understands the crucial role NGOs play in creating positive social impact, as well as sometimes complicated budget constraints.

Dave Chappelle has built a reputation for ‘punching down’ on trans people – and now he’s targeting disabled people

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Chappelle recalls being “very disappointed” at having to pretend to be speaking to Kaufman, when he could clearly see it was Carrey.

Key Points: 
  • Chappelle recalls being “very disappointed” at having to pretend to be speaking to Kaufman, when he could clearly see it was Carrey.
  • “That’s how trans people make me feel.” Whether or not non-transgender people find it funny, it is a joke that stabs at the fundamental insecurity of being trans.
  • It takes the stance of biological essentialism: that people have innate and intractable traits by virtue of their biology.

Mirroring prejudice

  • Chappelle is either unaware or just doesn’t care that the term is decades out of date.
  • It slips into mockery when, bereft of understanding, it does nothing more than mirror prejudice.
  • He says:
    there’s probably a handicap in the back right now ’cause that’s where they make them sit.
  • there’s probably a handicap in the back right now ’cause that’s where they make them sit.
  • Instead, it seems he embraces being an “equal opportunity” offender who mocks disability as a defence for his long-running transgender jokes.

The impacts of mockery

  • His jokes rely on prevailing disgust about transgender bodies and increasingly politicised insistence that transgender people are not real women or men.
  • These views shared in popular culture are coming to inform anti-trans policy in healthcare, education and the justice system.
  • As the majority of the general population do not know a trans person, the media has significant influence over perceptions of trans people.
  • Throughout four Netflix specials, Chapelle has made no effort to understand the object of his jokes or the impact of his mockery on their daily lives.


The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.