Astronomers using ALMA observed a binary star system with two protoplanetary discs, finding that the discs are mutually misaligned. The discs' misalignment suggests that planets forming in such systems can end up in highly eccentric and tilted orbits.
A study of high school students found that teen insomnia is independently linked with depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. Eveningness chronotype – being more active in the evenings – is also an independent risk factor for insomnia and depression among teens.
A study found that people who appreciate weight-related humor tend to hold negative attitudes towards obese individuals, believing in stereotypes such as laziness and unintelligence. In contrast, those who dislike the humor are less likely to believe in these stereotypes.
Researchers studied Vietnam War veterans' brain injuries to understand how the brain works. They found that brain regions contributing to social functioning also support general intelligence and emotional intelligence.
A psychology researcher proposes a new theory, 'selective engagement,' to explain why older adults show declining cognitive ability in lab settings but not in daily life. Motivation plays a key role in this disparity, with tasks deemed personally relevant eliciting higher cognitive performance.
The Medical College of Georgia's psychology residency training program has received federal funding for five consecutive cycles, focusing on interdisciplinary training and care for the underserved. The program trains nine psychologists annually, with plans to expand to ten next year, and provides special emphasis areas in working with ...
Researchers advocate for a new discipline combining benefits of neuroscience and psychology treatments to address mental disorders. The 'mental health science' approach aims to uncover mechanisms of existing psychological treatments and leverage neuroscience insights to create improved therapies.
A recent study published in Health Psychology found that people who experience persistent sleep problems after a divorce may be at risk for increased blood pressure. The longer the sleep problems persist, the more likely they are to have an adverse effect on blood pressure.
A study from Oregon State University found that young women with sexy social media photos are viewed by their peers as less physically and socially attractive. The research suggests that posting such photos may have negative consequences, including reduced task competence.
A study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that women perceive a woman in red as more sexually receptive. In experiments, participants rated the woman in red as more attractive for sex and showed increased derogation towards her fidelity but not financial resources compared to white or green.
The University of Nevada, Reno has won a $10 million COBRE grant to study brain and neurological disorders. Researchers are using visual illusions like the Dynamic Ebbinghaus illusion to gain insights into sensory perception and the visual brain.
A study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that individuals with low dispositional attitudes (haters) spend more time on each activity than those with high dispositional attitudes (likers), despite doing fewer activities. This suggests that haters may be more focused and skilled in their chosen tasks.
A study found that over 50% of minors have exchanged explicit text messages, with most unaware of the legal ramifications. Researchers highlight the need for education and specific laws to address this issue. The study revealed a significant relationship between awareness of legal consequences and sexting behavior as minors.
Pittsburgh researchers explored how engineers innovate, finding that creativity is a stepwise process of incremental mental advances. They discovered that inspiration sparks perspiration, and companies can accelerate innovation by encouraging peer discussion and collaboration.
Women with weight problems exhibited impulsive behavior when presented with images of food, suggesting a possible predisposition to binge eating. The study found that these individuals lacked contemplative will power and were more stimulated by food images.
Researchers at NYU found that economic duress can lead to racial discrimination by altering how people visually perceive another person's race. In experiments, subjects identified mixed-race faces as Black when linked to economic scarcity, even if the face was only 35% Black.
Children who are physically fit have faster and more robust neuro-electrical brain responses during reading, corresponding to better language skills. The study found higher amplitude N400 and P600 waves in fitter children, suggesting they processed information more quickly and efficiently.
A NYU study finds that a program reducing behavior problems improves math and reading skills among low-income kindergartners. The INSIGHTS intervention, which addresses social-emotional development, is shown to enhance learning outcomes and decrease behavioral issues.
Researchers developed a new cognitive test that can accurately distinguish between memory impairments caused by very mild Alzheimer's disease and those due to normal aging. The test assesses relational memory abilities and reveals unique impairments specific to Alzheimer's, allowing for more precise diagnosis.
Research suggests that when women in developing countries own land, they gain power and are less likely to experience violence. Women use land as a proxy of power, strategically leveraging it to change the power dynamic in their relationships.
Researchers at Princeton University found that punishment is only satisfying if the offender changes their attitude as a result of punishment. The study suggests that punishment alone does not bring about moral change in offenders.
A Baylor University study reveals that making amends gives permission to let go of feelings of guilt and shame, allowing individuals to forgive themselves for past wrongs. The research also found that women are less self-forgiving than men and that the more serious the offense, the less likely one is to self-forgive.
A new study from social psychology researchers found that while Osama bin Laden's assassination may have satisfied some Americans' sense of justice, it did not fully quench their desire for revenge. Respondents who felt justice was achieved also showed a stronger desire for further revenge against those responsible for the 9/11 attacks.
Researchers found that brain activity is more similar to that of speakers when listeners can predict what they will say, even before a sentence is spoken. This suggests the brain acts as a prediction machine, anticipating events in communication.
A new study suggests that adolescents who find pleasure in pro-social activities are less likely to become depressed than those who engage in risk-taking behaviors. The research found that activity in the ventral striatum brain region predicted whether depressive symptoms would worsen or lessen over time.
Research from Duke University shows that interest in pursuing goals enhances performance while reducing mental exhaustion. The study found that individuals who experienced activities as enjoyable and personally significant performed better and were less exhausted than those who did not.
A study using infant hair from rhesus monkeys found higher levels of cortisone and estrone in babies born to young mothers, suggesting a link between prenatal hormones and development. The findings raise questions about the impact on gender differences and chronic disease risk.
Research suggests that irrational health beliefs are associated with lower adherence to cardiac rehabilitation programs. Patients with more irrational health beliefs completed a lower percentage of sessions than those with fewer such beliefs. Providing evidence-based medical information may help enhance adherence to the program.
A worldwide review of studies on animal interventions in healthcare settings for children found a major gap in scientific knowledge. Despite theories emerging since the 1960s, research has been limited, leaving many questions unanswered.
A UCLA psychology study reveals that a diet high in processed foods leads to weight gain, fatigue, and cognitive impairments. The research suggests that junk food diets, not lack of exercise or discipline, are responsible for obesity and related health issues.
A study published in Legal and Criminological Psychology found that law students perceive child victims as more credible when expressing emotions. The researchers emphasize the importance of considering the credibility of a child's testimony without being influenced by stereotypes or emotional reactions.
A recent study by University of Toronto researchers found that kids' books with anthropomorphized animals lead to less factual learning and misattribution of human behaviors in children. Using realistic animal portrayals can promote more accurate biological understanding.
A new study found that genetic factors explain about 40 percent of individual differences in math anxiety, while environmental factors account for the rest. The research suggests that genetic predispositions can both exacerbate and reduce the risk of poor math performance.
A University of Virginia study reveals that racial bias in pain perception emerges during middle childhood, strengthening by age 10. Parents and teachers should address these biases early, before they develop into adulthood.
Researchers at UNH found that by age 25, most people have made the most important memories of their lives, with a 'reminiscence bump' between ages 17 and 24. This period is characterized by an over-representation of positive and negative memories.
New research shows how psychology affects our daily lives, revealing insights into common emotions, love, and meaning. Scientists explored emotional connections to spaces, the impact of micro-moments on well-being, moral questions and myths about life's meaning.
New research found that merely thinking about money reduces parental meaning, especially in women. Parents experience more joy when they meet their social roles and fulfill basic human needs. A new model categorizes parents into different happiness types based on factors like age, gender, and marital status.
Researchers are leveraging big data from social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to better understand human behavior and social dynamics. Studies have found differences in communication patterns between parents and children, as well as predictors of postpartum depression.
A study by New York University researchers shows that the capacity of working memory is better explained by the quality of memories stored rather than their number. The analysis of over 130,000 subject responses found that memory performance decreased with an increase in recalled information.
A new study published in PNAS found that recording the activity of just 50 neurons can accurately capture the behavior of larger neural networks. This challenges decades-long research on response time and accumulator models in psychology and neuroscience.
A study involving 174 couples found that discussing five relationship movies over a month can reduce the three-year divorce rate for newlyweds in half. The inexpensive and fun movie-and-talk approach was found to be as effective as other more intensive therapist-led methods, with only an 11% divorce rate after three years.
Shu Li from Chinese Academy of Sciences wins $5,000 prize for research on overconfidence using peer-comparison studies, finding male students overestimated ability by 11.8%.
Studies conducted by University of Tennessee researchers found a strong link between alcohol consumption and increased risk of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse in intimate partner relationships. In contrast, marijuana use was not associated with an increased risk of violence. The findings suggest that domestic violence prevent...
A recent study from UC San Diego found that nearly half of patients experience shame or guilt during doctor visits, with weight and sex being common triggers. Focusing on behaviors rather than self-attributions can lead to positive changes in patient behavior and health outcomes.
A new study published in Personnel Psychology found that narcissists are more likely to emerge as group leaders, but excessive narcissism undermines effectiveness. Moderate levels of narcissism achieve a balance between self-confidence and negative traits.
A study by Jessi L. Smith and Meghan Huntoon found that gender norms about modesty contribute to women's reluctance to brag about their achievements. Interventions can help women communicate effectively about their successes. The research suggests that cultural shifts are needed, but practical strategies like promoting female friends' ...
Nine-month-old infants can infer whether people are friends or not based on their reactions to shared evaluations, such as eating the same food. This suggests that infants track social relationships from an early age and make inferences about others' behavior.
UCSB psychology professor Brenda Major found that weight-stigmatizing messages can actually lead to increased eating and reduced self-control in overweight women. The study suggests that these messages can exacerbate feelings of helplessness, causing individuals to engage in unhealthy eating habits.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a decision-making model that compares and weighs multiple variables to predict the optimal choice. By using this 'predictive advantage index' in personalized medicine, clinicians can make more informed decisions based on a comprehensive analysis of relevant data.
Research at Arizona State University has found that the mirror neuron system can be modified by language use, affecting visual perception. The study demonstrates how the MNS is used in both action and simulation processes, shedding light on its role in comprehension and language learning.
A new study examines whether objectifying women in TV shows causes harassing conduct, finding a causal link between the two. The researchers suggest that these portrayals create a normative context conducive to gender harassment.
A recent study found that while mainstream psychotherapists and clinical psychologists are more skeptical about recovered memories than they were 20 years ago, there remains a significant gap between researchers and clinicians in their beliefs about memory. The divide has implications for clinical practice and the judicial system.
A University of Toronto study reveals that fear of being single is a predictor of settling for less in relationships among both men and women. People with stronger fears about being single are more likely to stay in unhappy relationships or date individuals who aren't good for them.
Researchers found a stark contrast in sexual regret between men and women, with women more likely to regret casual sex due to potential reproductive costs. The study suggests that regret can play a functional role in guiding adaptive sexual decisions.
Researchers in Manchester explore urban environments using mobile methods and documentary strategies to document the impact of gentrification. The study considers the role of the researcher as academic, activist, and artist in shaping the research process.
Researchers found that the brain processes visual input at a level of understanding its meaning, even if we never consciously perceive it. The study used EEG monitoring to show that participants' brainwaves showed a signature, or N400 waveform, when viewing objects hidden in silhouettes.
Researchers found that brainwaves indicate the brain processes and understands hidden objects in everyday life, despite the subjects not consciously perceiving them. The study challenges existing models of how the brain processes visual information, suggesting a more complex role for the brain in interpreting visual input.
Research suggests that living through war leads to increased solidarity among members of one's own group, shifting motivations toward greater equality. This effect is most pronounced when the war experience occurs during middle childhood and adolescence, leaving a lasting impact on psychology.
UC Riverside researchers found that recipients prefer to hear bad news first, while news-givers prefer good news. However, the timing of good news can impact behavior change, with a good-bad-good delivery strategy potentially undermining its effectiveness. The study suggests a good-then-bad news order may be more beneficial for recipie...
A UCSB anthropologist examines the enduring practice of hazing, finding a connection between its persistence across cultures and our shared evolved psychology. He suggests that group benefits may be a key factor in hazing behavior, as individuals with automatic benefits are more likely to haze.