Consumers' Research

A new survey finds 78% of U.S. homebuyers now use artificial intelligence tools to help with the homebuying process, according to Fast Company. The figure suggests AI has become a routine part of house hunting, from researching listings to comparing prices, raising questions about how traditional real estate agents fit into the process.

Researcher Eric Leas argues in Aeon that while adults may have a right to alter their consciousness, that right does not extend to companies deceiving consumers about what they sell. He examines the booming market for Amanita muscaria gummies, probing what these mushroom products actually contain and how claims about their effects square with the chemistry and the science.

OpenAlex, the open scholarly metadata catalogue, is being shared among researchers as a way to query publication data more efficiently. Users note the service provides a free API key, and that API queries consume only about a tenth of the daily usage quota compared with running the same search through the web interface. Guides to setting up queries with OpenAlex Query Language are circulating to help people get started.

Cosmetics & Toiletries has published a review of advances in scalp health, arguing that treatment strategies should be rethought around a deeper understanding of scalp biology and new technologies. The piece examines how emerging research and formulation tools could shape the future of products targeting the scalp, moving beyond traditional approaches to hair care and dermatological treatment.

Nutrition industry coverage is asking what still stands between microbiome sequencing science and truly personalised, precision nutrition for consumers. While sequencing technology can map an individual's gut bacteria, questions remain over how to translate that data into reliable dietary advice. The debate centres on the gap between research capability and practical, evidence-backed application.

Researchers at Columbia Business School are highlighting a paradox in consumer behavior: novelty can discourage people from trying something new, yet once they do, that same novelty can keep them coming back. The observation, framed around food choices, is prompting discussion about how businesses should balance familiarity and newness when designing products and menus.

A new market forecast projects the global mobile IP messaging market will exceed $195.94 billion by 2030. The projection points to continued strong growth in messaging services as businesses and consumers rely on internet-based communication over traditional SMS. Industry analysts track this segment closely, since messaging platforms increasingly carry customer service, commerce, and enterprise communication alongside personal chat.

The Union of Concerned Scientists is examining how data centers affect public health, pointing to the pollution generated by the electricity they consume. As data center construction accelerates to serve artificial intelligence and cloud computing, researchers warn that power plants supplying them emit pollutants linked to asthma, heart disease and premature deaths, often concentrated in communities near power infrastructure.

Artificial intelligence companies are conducting virtual drug trials, simulating how experimental treatments might perform before testing them in humans. The goal is to identify promising drug candidates earlier and reduce the high failure rates of clinical trials, which are costly and time-consuming. The approach signals growing AI involvement in pharmaceutical research and development.

A new hands-on review of Ecovacs' flagship robot vacuum, the DEEBOT T90S Pro Omni, is drawing attention. The review questions whether the device lives up to expectations, testing whether it is genuinely fast, smart and thorough in real cleaning scenarios. Robot vacuums remain a competitive category, so assessments of Ecovacs' latest Omni model are being closely read by shoppers weighing it against rival brands' offerings.

New research from travel marketing firm MMGY indicates that Americans' desire to travel remains strong, but the U.S. travel market is increasingly split, with travelers diverging in behavior and priorities. The findings, reported by TravelAge West, suggest companies in the sector face a more fragmented customer base as demand continues despite economic and political uncertainty.

President Trump has approved new federal fuel economy standards, according to the Institute for Energy Research. The move sets government requirements for vehicle efficiency across the US auto market. It is likely to draw attention from automakers, regulators and energy policy groups weighing the impact on vehicle costs, fuel consumption and emissions rules.

Vision One Research has released findings indicating that Gen Z travelers are placing growing trust in artificial intelligence when making travel decisions. The study suggests younger consumers are increasingly comfortable using AI tools to research destinations, compare options and plan trips. The findings are drawing attention from travel industry observers tracking how younger demographics adopt new technology.

Yardeni Research has scheduled a sectors call focused on three major US equity segments: Information Technology, Consumer Discretionary and Consumer Staples. The session, flagged in the firm's QuickTakes notes, offers investors analysis of sector trends, earnings outlooks and positioning across the largest weights of the US stock market. The call comes as market watchers weigh the technology sector's rally against the resilience of consumer-facing businesses.

A new review of the Noble Audio FoKus Artemis wireless earphones has been published by audio outlet Headfonics. The article examines the company's latest true wireless model, covering its sound quality, design and overall value for buyers considering premium earbuds. Noble Audio, a brand known for high-end in-ear monitors, continues to expand its consumer wireless lineup.

An Italian-language guide on how to research a product before buying it is circulating online, aimed at helping consumers make more informed purchasing decisions. The piece walks through what to check and consider before committing to a purchase, though little detail beyond its title is available.

New research suggests that consuming sugar while taking antibiotics may intensify the damage the drugs cause, particularly to gut bacteria. The finding adds to growing concerns about antibiotic side effects and has prompted discussion about whether patients should adjust their diets during treatment. Scientists caution more work is needed to confirm the effect in humans.

A major clinical trial has found that diet drinks are just as effective as water for weight loss, challenging the common belief that artificially sweetened beverages undermine dieting efforts. Participants who consumed diet drinks lost weight comparably to those drinking water. Nutrition researchers say the findings could change guidance for people trying to cut calories while still enjoying sweet-tasting beverages.

NIQ has announced the launch of new artificial intelligence tools aimed at retail space planning and merchandising. The tools are intended to help retailers optimise product placement, shelf layouts and in-store assortment decisions using data-driven insights. The announcement positions NIQ alongside other market research firms racing to embed generative and predictive AI into retail analytics offerings for consumer goods manufacturers and store operators.

A study by 8ight found ChatGPT named local businesses with fewer than 25 reviews in 3.4% of tested cases, while Anthropic's Claude cited Yelp in 202 of 218 answers and ChatGPT leaned on BBB and licensing records. The findings raise questions about which sources AI assistants rely on when recommending local service firms like roofers and plumbers.

Circana and Best Buy Ads have released a new study arguing that retail media's influence on shoppers extends far beyond the last click. The research suggests ads run on retail media networks shape consumer behavior earlier in the purchase journey than standard click-based measurement captures. The findings are aimed at advertisers and brands evaluating how to measure and budget for retail media.

Researchers at Northeastern University, working with the nonprofit Consumer Reports, tested 21 vehicles from 19 car brands to examine how much data modern cars collect about their drivers. The privacy and cybersecurity professors found vehicles gather far more personal information than owners likely realize, renewing concerns about automotive data privacy.

USDA research indicates that factory-farmed salmon shows a measurable decline in nutritional quality compared to expectations for the fish. The findings raise questions about industrial aquaculture practices and the health value of farmed salmon sold to consumers, with nutrition experts and shoppers likely to weigh what this means for dietary advice.

Researchers report setting a new record for the world's fastest internet connection, reaching 44.2 terabits per second. At that speed, an entire library's worth of data could be downloaded in seconds, far exceeding speeds available to consumers. The announcement is drawing attention to how far fibre-optic technology could push future networks.

A new market report from Kings Research says fitness trackers are evolving beyond step counts into devices that learn users' behavioural patterns, using data to offer more personalised health insights. The claim points to wearables increasingly relying on pattern recognition and algorithms to interpret activity, sleep and routine data. The report has drawn little visible attention so far, with engagement figures currently unavailable.

Sales of nitrite-free bacon are rising sharply in the UK as shoppers grow worried about the chemicals used to cure conventional bacon. Nitrites, long used to preserve and colour cured meats, have been linked by some researchers to health risks including bowel cancer. Producers are responding with alternative curing methods, and retailers are expanding nitrite-free ranges to meet demand.

Consumer Reports has released new survey research showing that fuel economy remains vitally important to prospective car buyers. The findings indicate shoppers continue to weigh gas mileage heavily when choosing a vehicle, despite growing attention on electric cars and other powertrains.