Campus News Briefs Spring 2023

Eye Movements Reveal Decision-Making 

CU Boulder research into “saccades,” a rapid eye movement from one fixation point to another, has revealed that an individual’s decision-making can be revealed in their eyes. The eye movements are nearly completely involuntary and are faster than a blink, but CU Boulder scientists found that when given a choice between two options, subjects tended to move their eyes faster when they looked toward the option they wound up selecting — and the more vigorous the eye movement, the more they preferred their choice. The scientists believe that more studies into saccades — particularly when they are slowed — could help doctors screen patients for illnesses including Parkinson’s Disease or depression.  

Gardening Benefits Health

A first-of-its-kind CU Boulder study funded by the American Cancer Society found that mental and physical health could be improved by community gardening. Study participants who began gardening were likely to consume more fiber and exercise more often — two ways that can reduce cancer and chronic illness risk. They also reported diminished stress and anxiety levels, regardless of gardening expertise.  

“It’s not just about the fruits and vegetables,” said study senior author and CU environmental studies professor Jill Litt. “It’s also about being in a natural space outdoors together with others.”

In Politics, Does Age Matter? 

Research out of CU Boulder’s political science department found that age is not necessarily a factor when gaining support from voters. The study determined that voters seem to be just as willing to vote for older candidates for office as they are younger politicians. At the same time, young voters more often disapprove of the job that older politicians are doing. The reason may be that voters are more concerned with their political party winning a race than focusing on the candidates themselves, speculated lead study author and PhD candidate Damon Roberts (MPolSci’21; PhD’25). 

Heard Around Campus

“Litigation can only go so far. The battle will be won or lost in the chambers of people’s hearts.”

— Naderev ‘Yeb’ Sano, executive director of Greenpeace Southeast Asia, during the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit, which took place at CU Boulder Dec. 2-4. About 4,300 people representing 99 countries registered to attend the summit — co-hosted by CU Boulder and United Nations Human Rights — in person or virtually.