Because information about climate change is ubiquitous in the media, researchers Janet Yang from the University at Buffalo and Lee Ann Kahlor from UT - Austin looked at why many Americans know so little about its causes and why many are not interested in finding out more. Their study found that people with negative feelings toward climate change seek out more information. The researchers say the study results present several ways to improve the communication of risk information related to climate change.

Listen to a podcast of Dr. Janet Yang discussing her article, co-authored with LeeAnn Kahlor, "What, Me Worry? The Role of Affect in Information Seeking and Avoidance" from the April 2013 issue of Science Communication.

A new study in the Journal of Communication links verbal aggression to prenatal testosterone exposure. The lead researcher, Allison Shaw, at University at Buffalo -- used the 2D:4D measure to predict verbal aggression. This study is the first to use this method to examine prenatal testosterone exposure as a determinant of a communication trait.

A new study by Thomas Feeley, Ashley Anker, and Ariel Aloe has found that, while the well known 'door-in-the-face' strategy has a significant effect on verbal compliance, its effect on behavioral compliance is statistically insignificant. In other words, it may get people to agree to a donation, for instance, but it is not effective in getting them to follow through with their verbal commitment.

In their project, "Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies: Developing Information Communication Strategies for Reducing Infant and Maternal Mortality Rates in Buffalo," UB's Dr. Helen Wang and Ophelia Morey will conduct research with Buffalo Prenatal-Perinatal Network Inc. (BPPN) aimed at encouraging safer pregnancies.

Research by Dr. Mark Frank explores whether machines can read the visual cues that give away human deceit.

According to research by Dr. Janet Yang, we might expect that when offered an effective—and often free—flu vaccine, college students would get one. But the vast majority do not, and it poses a serious threat to their own health and that of those around them.

The Internet is considered primarily a "visual" medium, as opposed to an aural one, and is thought by many to pose little barrier to non-hearing users. So hearing persons may be surprised to learn how difficult and dangerous the Internet can be for culturally Deaf persons seeking medical or health information.

Mark Frank has spent two decades studying the faces of people lying when in high-stakes situations and has good news for security experts.

Two UB professors were among the authors of a study that explores who tends to be more susceptible to email phishing.

In a study published in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, UB researcher Michael A. Stefanone, PhD, and colleagues found that females who base their self worth on their appearance tend to share more photos online and maintain larger networks on online social networking sites.