Nearly a year after Pokémon Go and its legion of devout fans hit the streets, researchers are starting to see societal benefits in augmented reality.

Praphanit Doowa reports on the findings of a new study by researchers from the University of Washington.
The study, titled "'It wasn’t really about the Pokémon': Parents’ Perspectives on a Location-Based Mobile Game" [pdf] found that "parents who regularly play Pokémon Go with their children spend more time outdoors, exercise more and have more family bonding time," according to Doowa.
The multi-generational appeal of Pokémon Go is one of the clear takeaways of the study.
Researchers from the University of Wisconsin – Madison also recently released a study into the effects of the Pokémon Go craze of 2016. That study, published in the journal Media Psychology, "shows that Pokémon Go users were more likely to be positive, friendly and physically active," according to an article on Science Daily. That study focused on the social benefits of the mobile game.
FULL STORY: The Pokemon Go autopsy: It got people outside

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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
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