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 studied adolescents' brain connections, impulsivity, and sugar intake to understand the risk of alcohol use and abuse. The findings suggest that reduced executive cognitive functioning and impaired connectivity in key brain networks may contribute to risky behaviors.
A team at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory discovered a population of neurons that can process multiple behaviors at once, blurring the lines of specialization. This finding raises questions about how information is encoded in the brain and may lead to new approaches in understanding cognition and mental disorders.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered that a single neuron in C. elegans can regulate both speed and direction of movement, routing information through multiple downstream neural circuits. This fundamental biological mechanism has implications for understanding human brain function.
Eiman Azim won the 2014 Eppendorf & Science Prize for his research on neural circuits controlling skilled movement. He identified two separate spinal cord pathways that enable rapid updates and regulation of movements.
A new study found that walking workstations significantly improve both physical and mental well-being during work hours. Participants showed increased satisfaction and reduced stress, boredom, and weight-related issues despite having varying levels of exercise habits or body mass index.
Researchers found that zebra finch pairs utilize their innate calls for bonding and cohesion, with brain activity correlating to these calls. This suggests an evolution of songbirds' brain regions from simple vocalization systems to specialized networks for learned songs.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation honored Herbert Pardes with its inaugural Humanitarian Prize for his significant contributions to the field of mental health. The prize recognizes Dr. Pardes' tireless work in education, prevention, treatment, and advocacy, as well as his championing of empathic healthcare.
A recent study published in Biological Psychiatry found that infants' preference for human faces over objects is associated with reduced callous and unemotional behaviors in toddlerhood. The research also showed that mother-child interactions during playtime can influence a child's emotional development.
A team of researchers has successfully recorded sight neurons in a jumping spider's brain for the first time. The study reveals that jumping spiders use different sets of eyes to process acuity and motion, requiring integration of inputs from multiple eyes in the brain.
A new study by Yale School of Medicine researchers has found that about 20% of younger siblings of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) will develop the condition by age 3. The study identified specific social-communicative behaviors at 18 months that distinguish infants with ASD from their peers.
A groundbreaking study led by Brunel University London found that in modern, urbanized societies, people prefer highly feminine women and highly masculine men. The research challenged the theory of social and sexual selection, suggesting that this preference is an urban habit rather than a long-standing tradition.
UC Riverside researchers are investigating the mechanisms of auditory hypersensitivity in Fragile X syndrome (FXS), a genetic disorder that affects social impairments, repetitive behaviors, and cognitive deficits. The study aims to identify underlying neural mechanisms and develop new therapeutic targets for FXS and autism.
Two UC San Diego professors, David Braff and Gregory Light, have been recognized for their contributions to schizophrenia research. They developed innovative methods to identify biomarkers and create new psychosocial and pharmaceutical therapies for the disorder.
A recent study by McMaster University found that only 40% of Canadians engage in exercise as a coping mechanism for stress. Younger, single, more educated, and active adults are more likely to use exercise to relieve stress.
Scientists developed a new statistical method to track the continuous changes in wakefulness during sleep onset, identifying healthy subjects who behave as though awake despite being clinically asleep. The study suggests that understanding how one falls asleep is crucial for improving sleep diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers at Caltech have developed a new tool that uses genetic engineering and light to visualize and map neural networks in living organisms. The tool, which detects changes in membrane voltage, allows for real-time observation of neuronal activity and its effects on behavior.
A first-of-its-kind study on nicotine addiction found that nicotine withdrawal similarly reduced reward responsiveness in human smokers and nicotine-treated rats, particularly those with a history of depression. The study's findings have implications for developing new treatments to aid smokers in quitting.
Researchers at Yale School of Medicine discovered that the volume of the parietal cortex in the brain can predict where people fall on the risk-taking spectrum. The study found that individuals with larger volume in this part of the brain were willing to take more risks.
Researchers found that the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex plays a causal role in enabling honest behavior, suggesting a tradeoff between self-interest and integrity. Participants with damaged areas showed less aversion to lying, but still preferred honesty in certain situations.
Brown University neuroscientists report that they have directly controlled the cells producing gamma brainwaves in mice, resulting in increased touch sensitivity. The study confirms the first direct evidence of gamma brainwaves affecting perception and attention, suggesting a more complex role for these brainwaves than previously thought.
Research at the Center for BrainHealth found that risk-taking teens exhibit hyperconnectivity between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, indicating an imbalance in emotional regulation. This imbalance may be associated with increased activity in the nucleus accumbens, a center linked to reward sensitivity.
Researchers developed flyPAD technology to monitor fruit flies' feeding behavior, finding that they eat by rhythmically extending their proboscis in a stereotyped fashion. The study also shows that the way flies adapt to starvation is similar to how mammals do it.
The LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans School of Nursing has received a $1.05 million grant to train healthcare teams in recognizing risks associated with PTSD, depression, and TBI in veterans undergoing surgery. The project aims to improve care for military veterans and diverse populations with behavioral health disorders.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation recognized six exceptional young scientists with the 2014 Klerman and Freedman Prizes for their innovative research on mental health. The winners were awarded for their work using neuroimaging to identify the biological roots of major mental illness, as well as their discoveries on the genetic m...
Researchers have linked autistic behaviors in Fragile X syndrome to the MMP-9 enzyme, which can be targeted therapeutically. The study found that deleting MMP-9 favorably impacts behaviors associated with FXS, offering new hope for treating the disorder.
Researchers found that increased impulsive behavior in children is associated with altered brain connections, particularly in the posterior cingulate cortex and right angular gyrus. These changes can serve as biological indicators for predicting behavioral problems and social adaptation difficulties.
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 study by Yale University researchers found that obese women were impaired in learning associations between food cues and rewards, but normal-weight individuals and men did not show the same impairment. This suggests a specific behavioral intervention targeting food-specific learning impairments may be effective in treating obesity.
Researchers discovered that hidden differences in neural circuits can account for varying responses to brain injury. The study used sea slugs and found that artificially rewiring the neural circuit made some animals susceptible or invulnerable to injury.
A study by Georgia State University researchers found that subtle variations in neural connections can impact behavior and susceptibility to brain injury. The findings have significant implications for predicting patient outcomes and tailoring treatments.
Researchers at Brown University studied tadpoles' neural signals to understand how they detect approaching visual stimuli. They found that the tectum region of the brain plays a crucial role in distinguishing impending collisions from mere presence, with inhibitory neurons acting as facilitators of network function.
A European teen imaging study has identified 40 predictor variables, including genetics, brain function, and personality, that can predict teenage binge-drinking with 70% accuracy. The study found that having a family history of drug use, sensation-seeking traits, and impulsivity were among the key predictors.
A new smartphone-based system detects changes in patients' behavioral patterns and transmits them to professionals in real time, facilitating patient observation and improving clinical psychiatry. The technology has the potential to greatly improve response time and efficacy of clinical psychiatrists.
Elsevier has launched a new review journal focused on behavioral sciences, providing updates on the field through educational forums. The journal will co-edited by Professors Trevor Robbins and Cindy Lustig, showcasing novel breakthroughs and significant trends.
A new study reveals a correlation between unhappy marital interactions and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as thicker carotid arteries. The research found that individuals with positive marital interactions had an 8.5% greater risk of heart attack or stroke.
Exposure to neuroscientific information diminishes people's support for retributive punishment and perceived moral responsibility. Students who learned about brain processes proposed less severe punishment than their peers, indicating a shift in moral attributions.
Smokers who struggle to quit may have weaker response to rewards in their brains, making it harder to overcome nicotine addiction. Researchers used fMRI to study the striatal response to monetary reward in smokers expecting to smoke and those not planning to do so.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota found that rats were willing to wait longer for certain flavors, indicating individual preferences. The study suggests that regret is a fundamental cognitive process shared among mammals.
New research reveals how a quick-escape circuit in the fly's brain overrides slower behavior when an urgent threat is detected. Flies can choose between long and short escapes, with quicker escapes often resulting in clumsier movements.
Researchers at Yale School of Medicine discovered that leptin affects not only brain cells called neurons but also other types of cells involved in appetite regulation. This finding could lead to the development of new treatments for metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes.
A new study has shed light on the role of dopamine-dependent reinforcement signals in the nucleus accumbens, a region connected to pleasure seeking and drug addiction. The research, using optogenetics, reveals how glutamate-dependent signals from other brain regions interact with these signals.
A study found that observing e-cigarette use increases young adult smokers' desire to smoke both combustible and e-cigarettes. The study suggests a need for policy attention on the secondary effects of e-cigarette use on observers.
In a study published in Science, researchers found that fruit flies accumulate information before making decisions, suggesting a level of intelligence. The study identified a key gene, FoxP, involved in this process, which may also be linked to human cognitive development and language abilities.
Drs. Brian E Chen and Stephanie L Borgland were awarded the CAN Young Investigator Award for their innovative work in neuroscience, with Dr. Chen studying brain wiring encoded in DNA and Dr. Borgland exploring neural mechanisms behind addiction and obesity.
A new study by Sam Houston State University found that gang members are twice as likely to become both victims and offenders of a crime than non-gang members. The study suggests that gang membership is a common source of both forms of violence, with group processes and norms facilitating trading places between victim and offender.
A stress-diathesis theory explains why only a small minority of individuals are at risk of suicidal behavior after exposure to stressful life experiences. Biomarkers based on genetic effects and brain imaging may help detect high-risk individuals.
Researchers found that pain from inflammation reduces sexual motivation in female mice, but has no effect on male mice. Female mice spend less time with a partner and exhibit reduced sexual behavior when in pain.
The BRAIN Initiative aims to map all cell types in the brain, develop methods for large-scale recordings of neuronal activity, and advance computational methods to understand patterned neural activity. The ultimate goal is to shed light on disease processes and suggest new therapeutic approaches.
A study found that teenage drivers with a higher response to stress, as measured by cortisol levels, had lower crash and near-crash rates. Cortisol levels were measured at baseline and over time from saliva samples, and in-vehicle cameras and sensors allowed continuous observation of driving.
Research reveals that Chinese ethnicity is a stronger factor than culture in determining eye movement patterns, contrary to previous reports. The study found that similar numbers of British Chinese and mainland Chinese participants made high numbers of express saccades.
The study found that positive thinkers had less brain activity during a task where they were asked to put a positive spin on graphic images, while worriers showed increased activity. This suggests that positive thinking may be harderwired in the brain and could have implications for how negative thinkers approach difficult situations.
Researchers find the lateral habenula controls sensitivity to the negative effects of drinking alcohol, leading to increased drinking behavior when the region is inactivated. This study provides new insights into addictive behaviors and may help identify individuals at risk of becoming problem drinkers.
Research by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory finds that early-life chronic stress can cause anxiety, depression, and decreased social interaction in adulthood. In contrast, young mice subjected to social defeat stress showed resilience, but still experienced increased aggression as adults.
A 'stop mechanism' was found to regulate drinking behavior by detecting thirst levels and preventing overdrinking. The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, identified brain regions that determine the signals to stop drinking, potentially preventing complications from excessive water intake.
Researchers developed a new technique using spatial light interference microscopy (SLIM) to measure human neural networks, showing how neurons grow, organize, and transport materials. The study provides insights into the formation of neural networks and could lead to advancements in understanding diseases like Alzheimer's.
Researchers have created the first maps of neural activity in behaving zebrafish, recording activity from single cells to entire brains. The study reveals stereotyped patterns of activity between individuals, enabling a functional atlas of the brain to be built.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge and MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit have shown that suppressing unwanted memories reduces their unconscious influence on behavior. The study found that suppressing visual memories made it harder for people to later see the suppressed object compared to other recently seen objects.
Researchers at the University of Montreal found that increased psychological distress and depression symptoms are associated with high cortisol levels, while severe burnout is linked to low cortisol concentrations. This study aims to develop more accurate screening tools for mental health professionals.
Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences, a comprehensive pedagogical text, has been recognized with the 2014 Most Promising New Textbook Award. The award acknowledges the book's innovative approach to introducing research methods, integrating statistical analyses and real-world examples.
A collaborative effort has created a standardized nomenclature for the architecture of insect brains, tripling the number of identified structures. This will enable future research on brain function and disease to be more efficient and accurate.