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.
Dr. Tracy Rupp won the National Sleep Foundation Young Investigator Award for her work on sleep extension and its effects on performance and task acquisition. She demonstrated that extended sleep has a 'banked' recuperative value, contrary to current thinking.
A study by UC Davis researchers found that an ocean odor, DMSP, attracts reef fish that feed on plankton, providing insight into marine ecology. The release of DMSP also promotes cloud formation, cooling the Earth through reduced sunlight reflection.
Research reveals that wandering albatrosses follow the direction of scent plumes to locate food sources, often flying crosswind and zigzagging into the wind towards meals. This unique hunting strategy allows them to cover a wide strip of ocean while conserving energy.
A new study from the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute suggests that brain-directed antibodies during pregnancy may be a causal factor for some cases of autism. The research found that exposure to IgG antibodies in pregnant monkeys exhibited repetitive behaviors similar to those seen in children with autism.
Researchers found that rats given artificial sweetener saccharin consumed more calories, gained weight, and did not compensate later. The study suggests that breaking the connection between sweetness and high-calorie food can confuse the body's ability to regulate intake.
A new study found that eyeblink conditioning can identify children with probable fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and those without distinctive FAS features. Researchers used eyeblink conditioning in five-year-old children born to mixed-ancestry women, finding a deficit in this area related to prenatal alcohol exposure.
A new review integrates psychological and biological theories of autism, which may help medical professionals detect conditions such as Asperger's Disorder at an earlier stage. This approach could lead to better explanations for parents worried about their child's behaviour and potentially improve remediation.
A study by Penn State researchers found that daily alcohol consumption causes changes in male fruit fly sexual behavior, including increased arousal and decreased inhibition. The research also discovered that repeated exposure to ethanol leads to behavioral sensitization, where flies engage in more inter-male courtship.
Research at Rockefeller University reveals that flies use stereo cues to navigate towards scented targets more accurately when detecting smells with both olfactory organs. By exploiting infrared technology, scientists created an environment where they could visualize and quantify the distribution of smells.
Researchers at the Research Institute of Molecular Pathology have identified a molecular switch responsible for the behavioral changes in female fruit flies after mating. The discovery could lead to new approaches for controlling reproductive behaviors in agricultural pests and human disease carriers.
A team of neurobiologists has discovered a gene controlling fruit fly homosexuality and found it can be turned on and off within hours using genetic manipulation or drugs. The research provides insight into the biological basis of sexual orientation and may one day enable the domestication of insects like fruit flies for useful purposes.
Research suggests glucose powers self-control, which wanes when exercised. Replenishing blood sugar through sugary drinks can improve subsequent self-control efforts.
A new imaging technique has enabled scientists to measure mouse satiety and hunger levels in the brain, offering a more objective understanding of why people become obese. The study used magnetic resonance imaging to observe neuronal activity in the hypothalamus area, revealing that certain neurons 'light up' when mice are hungry or full.
Researchers found that cocaine-addicted individuals have compromised sensitivity to monetary rewards, which may explain why they struggle to change their drug-taking behavior. The study suggests that this altered sensitivity to reward could be a key factor in the difficulty of modifying drug-taking behavior.
A study by UCLA researchers has identified brain circuits involved in hunger that are influenced by leptin, a hormone produced by fat cells. Leptin supplementation reduced activation in regions linked to hunger while enhancing activation in regions linked to inhibition and satiety in three adults with congenital leptin deficiency.
Cold Spring Harbor Protocols features two new methods for neuroscience research: a step-by-step approach to prepare brain slices from rats or mice for growth in culture and how to properly assess courtship behavior in male fruit flies. These protocols allow researchers to examine the structure and function of neurons in their native en...
A new study reveals that the CRF2 hormone receptor system is involved in both feeding behavior and stress responses, suggesting it may not be an ideal target for obesity treatments. The researchers found that stimulating this receptor increased stress-like behaviors and reduced food intake, but not without inducing anxiety-like effects.
Research by McMaster University suggests that men's voice pitch affects reproductive success. Men with low-pitched voices have higher reproductive success and more children born to them, while women prefer deeper male voices as more dominant and masculine sounding. The study offers insight into the evolution of human voice preferences.
Four young University of Chicago scientists, Margaret Gardel and Rustem Ismagilov, will receive $2.5 million each for biological research over five years. Additionally, Kristen Jacobson and Dorothy Sipkins will receive $1.5 million each for psychiatric and medical research, respectively.
A new eating model, ecSatter, suggests that managing weight and staying healthy requires a positive experience of eating. The model, developed by Ellyn Satter and Barbara Lohse, emphasizes permission and discipline to cultivate effective eating attitudes and behavior.
Researchers developed a method for culturing mammalian neurons in small chambers, extending their lifespan to up to 11 days at low density. The technique, described in the journal Lab on a Chip, uses miniaturization and perfusion methods to increase purity and analyze cellular secretions.
Researchers discovered that mice without a key brain protein exhibited OCD-like behavior, including compulsive grooming and anxiety. Restoring the protein improved behaviors, suggesting a possible synaptic defect as the cause of OCD-like symptoms.
Researchers at UCLA developed a mathematical model to assess the severity and predict the consequences of Staphylococcus Aureus outbreaks in the Los Angeles County Jail. The model identified that continuous inflow of colonized individuals is the primary cause of sustained outbreaks.
In a study by Yale University researchers, older mice benefited from either physical exercise alone or combined with mental enrichment. For younger and middle-aged mice, exercise was key to improving spatial memory. The findings suggest that cognitive stimulation can help compensate for declining memory as people age.
Researchers at Tufts University have identified a specific population of glial cells required for controlling circadian behavior in Drosophila, suggesting an autonomous glial mechanism drives circadian rhythms. The study's findings have broad implications for understanding diseases affected by altered biological timing mechanisms.
Gambel's white-crowned sparrows use testosterone to trigger seasonal growth of brain regions responsible for song production. The study found that deafened birds still grew larger song control areas as large as hearing birds, but sang less often.
Researchers used TMS to measure mirror neuron activity in response to American and Nicaraguan gestures, finding higher activity when observing shared culture. This study suggests culture shapes brain's neural mechanisms, influencing behavior and potentially informing motor skill and language learning.
African naked mole-rats live in colonies where only the queen reproduces, suppressing fertility in females and males around her through bullying. This stress-induced block to puberty is thought to affect hormone regulation and reproductive tract development. Understanding the mechanisms behind this social suppression could lead to insi...
MIT researchers have reversed symptoms of mental retardation and autism in mice with Fragile X Syndrome, a leading inherited cause of the conditions. The study identifies p21-activated kinase as a key enzyme that can be inhibited to reverse symptoms.
Researchers discovered that African electric fish engage in 'electric duets' during aquatic courtship, using specific signals and motor displays. The study provides insight into the electrical and behavioral patterns of mating in these fish.
Scientists at University College London discovered that autistic children can understand people's behavior based on stereotypes, such as gender and race. This ability can be used to aid their learning and socialization, and may even help them integrate better into society.
A recent study has found that maternal alcohol use during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of extreme preterm delivery. The effects are more pronounced among women aged 30 years and older. Researchers also found that cocaine use was associated with an increased risk, while smoking had a lesser impact.
Research suggests that antidepressants and psychological therapies like hypnotherapy can alleviate IBS symptoms. Cognitive behavioural therapy is also effective in managing IBS, with benefits lasting longer than medication treatment.
The 2007 L’Oréal USA Fellows are recognized for their innovative research in earth science, neuroscience, oceanography, physical chemistry, and biomedical engineering. Their work tackles key scientific issues and has the potential to shape the future of science and address global challenges.
A new study at Ohio State University found that estrogens increase aggression in mice during short days and decrease it during long days. The researchers identified the mechanisms underlying this interaction, revealing a genomic pathway for estrogen's effects in long-day mice and a different cellular mechanism for short-day mice.
A UCLA imaging study found that autistic children with impaired imitation and empathy skills have reduced activity in the mirror-neuron system, a neural mechanism for automatic understanding of others' actions. This suggests that this system may be the underlying cause of these symptoms.
Current health policy based on voluntary vaccinations is not enough to control severe flu epidemics and pandemics unless vaccination programs offer incentives to individuals. Free vaccinations for entire families could actually increase the frequency of severe epidemics, according to UCLA researchers.
A new study by UCLA researchers suggests that current US control strategies for flu epidemics may not be effective and could even make outbreaks worse. The study found that providing free vaccinations to entire families can actually increase the frequency of severe epidemics due to decreased adaptability among household members.
The study aims to identify ways to diagnose and treat aging-related diseases earlier, using chimpanzees and rhesus macaques compared to humans with Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment. The researchers hope to develop new treatments based on specific physiological changes.
Project Strive, a UCLA research project, aims to reconnect chronically homeless teens with their families, teaching them skills to manage conflict and prevent further runaways. The intervention program offers five short-term sessions between parents and adolescents, focusing on emotional management, communication, and problem-solving.
Thirteen interdisciplinary research teams from UT Southwestern, UT Arlington, and UT Dallas have received grants totaling $1.3 million to pursue collaborative projects. The projects aim to stimulate efforts at the interface between biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, computer science, and mathematics.
Researchers found that red-breasted nuthatches can distinguish between high and low danger threats from the alarm calls of black-capped chickadees. The nuthatches' behavior suggests they learn to interpret the calls through complex social interactions, highlighting their intelligence and adaptability.
Researchers found that people with a specific variation of the PERIOD3 gene, which regulates morning and evening activity levels, experience poor attention and working memory during early morning hours when kept awake. Those with this gene variant spend more time in slow-wave sleep when allowed to sleep normally.
Researchers at the Salk Institute found that brain area sizes must be optimally tuned to perform tasks, with underperforming mice exhibiting reduced tactile and motor behaviors. Genetic manipulation in mice revealed a correlation between area size and performance, which was reversed by genetic rescue experiments.
A study using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging identified the neural networks involved in processing reward-related functions modulated by female gonadal steroid hormones. The research found that women exhibit increased reactivity in regions dealing with emotions, such as the amygdalo-hippocampal region, during the follicular phase.
Researchers have developed a new model of Parkinson's disease in fruit flies, confirming the link between dopamine and a mutant form of the parkin protein. The study found that a single copy of the mutation was toxic to dopaminergic neurons, leading to motor dysfunction.
A study by Stanford researchers found that while 41% of autism research deals with brain and behavior, only 11% of media coverage addresses these topics. Instead, 48% focus on environmental causes, such as the childhood MMR vaccine, highlighting a stark disconnect between scientific research and public perception.
Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch discovered a potential method to prevent failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) by applying a local anesthetic, Lidocaine, to the exposed spinal cord before surgery. The technique successfully blocked the release of chemicals associated with FBSS and reduced sensitivity in rats.
Researchers found that individuals with a preference for immediate rewards had more active ventral striatum regions, which may indicate risk for addictions and gambling problems. The study suggests that understanding individual differences in ventral striatal sensitivity could aid efforts to treat impulsive behavior.
Researchers at UCL and Imperial College London found that positive sounds like laughter trigger a brain response similar to smiling. This response occurs in the premotor cortical region, preparing facial muscles for laughter, and may play a role in building strong bonds between individuals.
A study by Harvard Medical School researchers found that a gene called 'fruitless' is responsible for sex-specific behaviors in fruit flies, including fighting patterns. The findings provide a new model for understanding the biology of aggression and its neural circuitry.
Researchers found that connecting sounds with rewards triggers significant changes in the brain's sensory cortex, enabling better behavioral responses. This study has wide implications for learning and cognitive development, particularly in individuals with language learning impairments like dyslexia.
A new study found that short days increase estrogen's effects on male mice's aggression, while long days decrease it. The researchers identified the mechanisms behind this interaction, which may have implications for human aggression and cancer.
A study by Oregon Health & Science University researchers found that stress triggers a relapse of methamphetamine abuse in mice, validating human studies. The researchers used a compound to mimic metabolic changes during stress and found it was effective in reinstating drug-seeking behavior.
Juvenile hamsters on low doses of fluoxetine exhibit longer and more intense attacks compared to adults. The study suggests that brain maturity during puberty affects drug response, leading researchers to investigate potential negative effects on developing nervous systems.
A new study by University of Florida researchers found that almost all decaffeinated coffee contains some measure of caffeine. This can be a concern for people with medical conditions like hypertension or anxiety disorders who are advised to cut their caffeine intake.
Researchers found that a mammary pheromone in mother's milk facilitates newborns' ability to quickly associate environmental odors with the opportunity to nurse. This learning is efficient from birth and promotes essential skills like suckling instincts.
Researchers have identified a gene mutation in fruit flies that regulates sensitivity to alcohol. The study found that some fruit flies were more resistant to alcohol's sedative effects, and the researchers isolated the specific genetic mutation responsible.
Researchers re-examine the nature of amnesia, questioning whether it's a defect in memory storage or recovery. They propose novel experimental approaches to evaluate the neurobiological basis of memory impairment, building on existing studies of amnesia.
The Methamphetamine Abuse Research Center (MARC) will investigate the genetic basis of addiction and develop targeted therapies. The center aims to create educational programs for school-age children and provide clinical treatments for rural patients affected by meth use.