Articles tagged with Behavioral Neuroscience
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
Practical application of scientific knowledge and engineering principles to solve real-world problems and develop innovative technologies. Encompasses all engineering disciplines, technology development, computer science, artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, agriculture, materials applications, energy systems, and industrial innovation. Bridges theoretical research with tangible solutions for infrastructure, manufacturing, computing, communications, transportation, construction, sustainable development, and emerging technologies that advance human capabilities, improve quality of life, and address societal challenges through scientific innovation and technological progress.
Study of the practice, culture, infrastructure, and social dimensions of science itself. Addresses how science is conducted, organized, communicated, and integrated into society. Encompasses research funding mechanisms, scientific publishing systems, peer review processes, academic ethics, science policy, research institutions, scientific collaboration networks, science education, career development, research programs, scientific methods, science communication, and the sociology of scientific discovery. Examines the human, institutional, and cultural aspects of scientific enterprise, knowledge production, and the translation of research into societal benefit.
Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
Researchers created a mathematical model that reproduces the animals' internal calculations, revealing the existence of a 'separatrix angle' that changes throughout the day. The model predicts real-life behaviors in flight simulators and provides insights into monarch navigation.
Researchers found that observing others' risk-taking behavior changes one's own attitude towards risk, with the brain responding to this change in activity levels. The study also found that participants could learn and predict the risk-taking preferences of an observed peer.
New research reveals that stressful events result in DNA de-methylation, leading to the suppression of gene expression and facilitating adaptive behavioral responses. The study also found a link between SAM, a compound produced by the liver, and stress-related responses in the brain.
A new study has found that neuroligin-2 may contribute to chronic pain by disrupting the body's inhibitory networks. This discovery provides a second theory for what drives the GABAergic system's loss of efficacy in people with chronic pain.
A CU-Boulder study found that daily monetary incentives increased fruit and vegetable consumption among participants. Internal motivation to eat such produce also increased over time, suggesting a potential direction for future incentive research in terms of psychological factors related to changing behavior.
Researchers identified a specific brain circuit involving DR2 nerve cells that predicts risk-taking preferences in rats. The findings expand on human research, suggesting the circuit may also be relevant to humans.
Researchers at University of Oregon developed a line of transgenic mice expressing green fluorescent protein to visualize neural activity. The technique allows for real-time imaging of brain-wide activity across cortex, enabling studies of sensory processing, cognition, and brain development.
Researchers found that pyruvate increases brain energy reserves and improves cognitive function in mice, including enhanced exploratory behavior and spatial learning. The findings suggest potential therapeutic applications for Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Max Planck Florida scientists have optimized techniques for studying motor learning in neurons of the cerebellum, enabling prolonged assessment of neural activity. This breakthrough allows for further characterization of continuously engaged neurons during motor activity and normal behavior.
Scientists discovered the chemical circuits and mechanisms in the brain that separate food consumption from cravings. The study found that dopamine is involved in the approach or craving phase, while orexin-A is linked to consumption. These findings could lead to more specific and effective treatments for overeating and drug addiction
A study by UCSB psychologists found that challenging a person's belief in free will corrupts intuitive cooperation and leads to impulsive selfishness, but allows for recovery with time. Participants who were asked about their agreement with the statement 'I have free will' showed significant differences in their level of cooperation.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that writing a message to the perpetrator can disrupt the chain of unfair behavior, calming negative emotions and leading to fairer interactions. The researchers suggest this strategy as a way to stop the spread of injustice.
Researchers discovered a 'circadian circuit' in which clock neurons send signals to the central brain areas that regulate activity and sleep. This mechanism allows time information to be transmitted through the brain.
Research reveals that dopamine regulates both rewarding and aversive behaviors in mice, enabling them to learn and remember to avoid negative situations. The study's findings have implications for understanding post-traumatic stress syndrome.
A study published in Nordic Psychology suggests that ageism can have a significant impact on lifespan, regardless of age. Negative attitudes towards aging are linked to a shorter lifespan, highlighting the need for awareness and debate about this complex issue.
Two NYU faculty, Marc Gershow and Katherine Nagel, have been awarded Sloan Foundation research fellowships. The fellowships provide $55,000 over two years to support their research in fields such as neuroscience and physics.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University discovered how bats determine what's worth paying attention to, finding that their brains selectively respond to certain sounds. This discovery has implications for understanding how humans focus attention and process sensory information.
Researchers studied 23 active cocaine users and found they exhibited an impaired ability to adjust their behavior and were less fulfilled once they achieved their desired reward. This disconnect between craving for a drug and regulating behavior may be key to breaking the cycle of addiction.
Researchers found structural differences in brain connectivity match behavioral differences between men and women, with stronger motor skills linked to male performance and social cognition skills linked to female strengths. The study provides new insights into sex differences in the brain and behavior, potentially advancing treatment ...
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have found a potential treatment for depressive-like symptoms in alcoholics using ketamine and an endocannabinoid system booster. The study, published in Neuropsychopharmacology, validates a mouse model of alcoholism and shows promise for developing novel treatments for mood disorders.
Cognitive neuroscientist Rosie Cowell is using a five-year grant to develop and test a theory of memory interaction with fine-grained visual perception. She will use computational modeling and memory experiments to investigate how the medial temporal lobe affects both memory and visual perception.
New research by Duke University scientists suggests that habits like sugar addiction manifest in the brain's basal ganglia circuitry, leading to a 'go' signal that primes cravings. The study found that mice with formed habits had altered brain activity patterns, including a change in timing between go and stop signals.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia found that adding flashing lights and music to a 'rat casino' model led to problem gambling behavior in rats. Blocking a specific dopamine receptor corrected this behavior, suggesting a common biological cause for risky decision-making across vices.
A study by McMaster University found that teenagers with food allergies are more likely to have depression, anxiety, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) compared to their peers without allergies. Mothers of teens with food allergies are also more likely to report these emotional and behavioral problems.
David Freedman, a neuroscientist from the University of Chicago Medical Center, has been awarded the 2016 Troland Research Award for his groundbreaking research on how the brain learns and recognizes visual categories. His work reveals that individual neurons in the parietal and frontal cortices can encode information about categories.
The brain initially represents and decides between competing action options by planning multiple movements simultaneously. Researchers found that participants planned a movement for each potential target and executed these movements simultaneously when the target was uncertain.
A new study found that conveying emotions affects brain's creativity network, with 'happy' and 'sad' music evoking different neural patterns. The research suggests emotion plays a crucial role in creative states, with varying degrees of activation in brain regions.
Scientists recorded 3-D footage of neural activity in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, a worm species with a nervous system containing just 302 neurons. The study revealed surprising correlations between neural activity and behavior, including turning movements.
Harvard Medical School scientists developed a computational technique to analyze mouse movements, organizing them into distinct pose sequences with their own syllables and grammar. This breakthrough solves the problem of objectively studying complex animal behavior without human observers.
The UCLA-developed FOCUS program significantly improved the ability of military families to cope with deployment-related stresses and combat injuries. The eight-week program reduced anxiety and depression by half and improved family dynamics, particularly in areas such as communication and problem-solving skills.
Scientists developed implantable probes with tiny LEDs that can control and record individual neurons, shedding light on neural communication. The new technology could lead to breakthroughs in understanding and treating neurological diseases like Alzheimer's, which affects hundreds of millions worldwide.
A new study found reduced grey matter volume in key brain areas of youths with behavioral problems, including the amygdala, insula, and prefrontal cortex. These regions are crucial for decision-making, empathic responses, and emotion regulation.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry reports the successful reduction of fear in spider-fearful participants following a 2-minute exposure combined with a single dose of propranolol. The treatment resulted in drastically reduced avoidance behavior and increased approach behavior, with effects persisting for one year.
Researchers found that door holders who made a high effort were more likely to receive reciprocation, with recipients saying "thank you" more often. The study also showed that small favors can inspire reciprocal acts, but verbal thanking and helping are not inherently correlated.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a technique that allows them to read the mind of a fly by lighting up active conversations between neurons during behaviors or sensory experiences. This can provide valuable insights into the computational processes underlying human brain function.
Researchers develop compound SR1078, which increases expression of genes linked to autism, reducing autistic behavior in mice. Studies with human brain cells also show increased gene expression, offering new hope for treating the underlying disorder.
A new scientific model developed by Michigan State University researchers provides a better understanding of depression and its complex drivers. The model, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, incorporates various biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors that contribute to the illness.
Researchers found that people with CFS are more vulnerable to pattern-related visual stress, a condition that causes discomfort and exhaustion when viewing repetitive striped patterns. This discovery may help in diagnosing the illness, which is difficult due to its similar symptoms to other conditions.
Scientists at the University of Nottingham are exploring the use of car driving simulators to train and test drivers, aiming to reduce road traffic accidents. The research uses a new facility that records eye movements and brain activity while participants drive in both simulated and real-world environments.
Robots develop self-taught behaviors through sensory input and adaptation, mirroring natural sensorimotor development. This concept has implications for understanding early stages of evolution and may lead to new strategies for robotic learning.
Research finds that men who process negative feelings with aggressive music react negatively to the emotion, while females exhibit increased activity in the mPFC. The study suggests long-term effects of music listening styles on brain activity and mental well-being.
Researchers studied female fruit flies' auditory pathways to understand how external stimuli become behavior. They found that longer song segments prompt females to slow down and let males approach, a finding relevant to humans' ability to recognize patterns in the environment.
Matthew Lovett-Barron received the $2,500 prize for his innovative approach combining pharmacogenetics, neural recordings, and optogenetics to study fear learning and its neural mechanisms. His work has significant implications for understanding panic and anxiety disorders.
William B. Kristan is recognized for his outstanding contributions to neuroscience education and training. He has established the Neurobiology Boot Camp course at UCSD, which provides students with a comprehensive understanding of neuroscience.
Male fruit flies release a specific pheromone, 9-tricosene, that attracts females to lay eggs near food sources. This discovery sheds light on how flies navigate complex environments using odorants, and its potential application in controlling mosquito-borne diseases like malaria.
A recent study published in Nature Neuroscience has found that individuals with anorexia nervosa exhibit distinct brain activity patterns when making food choices, including increased activation in the dorsal striatum. These findings have significant implications for developing new treatments and understanding disease mechanisms.
Ryohei Yasuda, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience Scientific Director, has received a $4.8 million NIH Pioneer Award to support his lab's high-risk, high-reward projects in biochemical signaling and mental disorders like dementia and autism.
Scientists found that specific neurons, required for dopamine production, drive parental care in females while serving a different function in males. Elevating these neuron's activity enhances oxytocin levels and triggers maternal actions in female mice.
A study in mice reveals that specific brain areas control paternal versus infanticidal behavior. The activation patterns of these areas determine whether a male mouse will show caring or aggressive behavior towards newborn pups. This discovery could have implications for understanding societal problems such as child-directed aggression...
A new study by Oxford University researchers found a strong correspondence between positive lifestyle and behavior traits and specific variations in brain connectivity. Those with classically positive lifestyles had different brain connections to those with classically negative ones.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation has awarded $13.3 million in NARSAD Young Investigator Grants to 191 promising young scientists working on groundbreaking neurobiological research to identify causes, improve treatments and develop prevention strategies for psychiatric disorders affecting one in four people.
Research led by Duke-NUS scientists has linked abnormal behavior of BDNF and DTNBP1 genes to the underlying cause of schizophrenia. By understanding how these genes interact, researchers have identified potential treatments that could rescue signalling balance in the brain, offering new hope for schizophrenia patients.
Scientists have discovered a new role for basal forebrain neurons in controlling action, enabling rapid stop of planned behaviors. This discovery opens the door to novel approaches for neurological and psychiatric conditions affecting cognitive functions.
Scientists have successfully reversed an animal's behavior by altering a single synapse in its neural network. This groundbreaking study provides new insights into the stability of neural circuits and their role in controlling behavior.
A study found that repeated exposure to anesthesia during infancy can alter emotional behavior, which persists for at least five months. The research used a rhesus monkey model and found that exposed subjects exhibited anxious behaviors compared to healthy controls.
Researchers found significant gender differences in the severity of repetitive and restricted behaviors in girls with autism compared to boys. The study also identified distinct brain structure differences between boys and girls with autism, particularly in motor regions.
Researchers found that activation of same brain regions can produce both reward and aversion responses, leading to cancelled effects in patients. This discovery may help develop more targeted treatments for addiction and depression.
Two Stanford University researchers, Maria Barna and Carolyn McBride, received the award for their pioneering work on ribosome processing and mosquito behavior. The Rosalind Franklin Young Investigator Award recognizes outstanding contributions to genetics research in human and non-mammalian systems.
The larger Pacific striped octopus exhibits unusual hunting tactics, displaying subtle tap-like movements to startle prey. It also displays high levels of sociality, forming groups of up to 40 individuals and engaging in cooperative behaviors such as sharing meals.
The International Dose-Response Society's official journal, Dose-Response, is now published by SAGE, covering experimental findings and non-linear dose-relationships. The journal aims to expand the reach of its research on hormone-like effects in low doses.