Researchers finally make bike-sharing work
They’re everywhere, from Berlin to Beijing, brightly coloured bicycles you can borrow to move around the city without a car.
The Brighter Side of News features good news, compassionate news and inspirational news from around the world
Sign up for the Brighter Side of News newsletter
Joshua Shavit
- Sep 3
Craft coffee is everywhere! New research reveals how we got there
The push toward specialized products, including your cup of coffee, is transforming markets as big and small firms inspire one another.
Joshua Shavit
- Jul 17
Experts don’t always give better advice—they just give more
For tasks ranging from solving word puzzles to throwing darts, better performers didn’t give better advice—they just gave more of it.
Joshua Shavit
- Jul 4
An engaging leadership style boosts employee engagement
Research shows that “engaging leadership” can boost employees’ engagement and enhance team effectiveness within the workplace.
Joseph Shavit
- May 26
What's in your weed? You might want to look again
Labels like indica, sativa and hybrid—commonly used to distinguish one category of cannabis from another—tell consumers little about them.
Joseph Shavit
- May 9
Candy-coated pills could prevent pharmaceutical fraud
CandyCode uses tiny multicolored candy nonpareils or “hundreds and thousands” as a uniquely identifiable coating for pharmaceutical pills.
Joseph Shavit
- May 8
Remote work doesn’t negatively affect productivity, study suggests
Researchers found that employee and company resiliency may be enhanced through the opportunity for employees to work remotely.
Joseph Shavit
- Feb 2
Picture warnings on sodas? A promising tool to fight childhood obesity
Study conducted in "mini mart" laboratory setting shows parents less likely to choose sugary drinks with health warnings
Joseph Shavit
- Feb 1
Employee benefits can help build a healthy, productive team
These days, it’s more critical than ever to ensure your company is doing what it can to attract and retain top talent.
Joseph Shavit
- Jan 20
Giving project teams more autonomy boosts productivity and customer satisfaction
Organizations that take a hands-off approach to the structure and governance of project teams create an environment of creative flexibility.
Joseph Shavit
- Jan 18
Celebrities vs influencers: New research determines a winner
New research looks at who we trust more for product marketing: celebrities or beauty influencers.
Joseph Shavit
- Jan 13
The Surprising Power of Simply Asking Coworkers How They’re Doing
When people feel like they belong at work, they are more productive, motivated, engaged and more likely to contribute to their fullest.
Joseph Shavit
- Jan 7
Employee training pays off with fewer layoffs
Companies that invested more in employee training before the pandemic were less likely to lay off their employees and reduce their workforce
Joseph Shavit
- Dec 6, 2021
How you speak up at work can affect whether you’re picked for a team
New research shows another, more subtle and often overlooked form of speaking up has a big effect on the way work gets done.
Joseph Shavit
- Dec 3, 2021
NASA Selects Companies to Develop Commercial Destinations in Space
NASA has signed agreements with three U.S. companies to develop designs of space stations and other commercial destinations in space.
Joseph Shavit
- Nov 29, 2021
Shopping carts save shoppers money as pushing reduces spending, finds new study
Shoppers are likely to save money in the run up to the holiday season if they use standard shopping carts, new research has found.
Joseph Shavit
- Nov 8, 2021
Are women more or less competitive than men? New study has the answer
Researchers found that women enter competitions at the same rate as men—when they have the option to share their winnings with the losers.
Joseph Shavit
- Nov 5, 2021
A 15-year-old girl invented a solar ironing cart that's winning global respect
Vinisha Umashankar and her solar ironing cart. She came up with the idea when she was 12 — then worked with engineers to create a prototype.
Joshua Shavit
- Oct 27, 2021
$1,000,000,000,000? Elon Musk could become the world's first trillionaire due to SpaceX
Elon Musk could become the world's first trillionaire, according to a prediction made by investment firm Morgan Stanley.
Joseph Shavit
- Oct 23, 2021
Would you get an eye scan in exchange for free cryptocurrency?
It sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie — metallic orbs that scan people’s eyes to pay them in digital currency.