Research on the brain basis of behavior. Covers reward and pleasure signals, attention in children, taste circuitry, and adaptive AI models.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Researchers discovered that younger people struggle to ignore secondary targets due to an undeveloped frontal cortex, leading to rapid eye movements and multiple saccades. This study may hold clues for understanding developmental delays in cerebral palsy patients.
Researchers find that chronic stress can lead to damage in the brain and body, but also note that certain behaviors like exercise, social support, and coping techniques can modify these effects. Healthy centenarians exhibit slower insulin rates, higher thyroid hormones, and lower cortisol levels compared to younger adults.
A study published in Developmental Science found that children's attention skills are not yet adult-like until the early teens. Children aged 6-10 struggled to detect changes in their environment, revealing a fundamental difference in their perceptual abilities compared to adults.
Researchers found that a command hormone called ecdysis-triggering hormone (ETH) orchestrates activities in discrete groups of peptide neurons in the brain, initiating innate behaviors such as escape and defensive maneuvers. This discovery could lead to manipulation of behavior in animals and intelligent robots.
Researchers found that nicotine exposure in rat fetuses led to impaired auditory processing and cognitive deficits. The study suggests that prenatal nicotine exposure damages brain receptors, affecting sound sensitivity and higher cognitive functions.
Johns Hopkins researchers show that psilocybin can induce mystical/spiritual experiences descriptively identical to those reported for centuries. Subjects who underwent the experience reported positive changes in behavior and attitude, lasting several months. The study's results have significant implications for our understanding of hu...
Research suggests genetics play a role in aggression, but maternal nurturing can mitigate this effect. Variations in serotonin genes are linked to aggressive behavior, especially among men with lower education levels.
The study, led by Dr Nathaniel Daw and Dr John O'Doherty, used fMRI scans to measure brain activity while subjects gambled for money. Most people switch between exploring and exploiting strategies seamlessly, making it hard to distinguish between them.
Researchers present findings on the impact of stress, puberty, and prenatal programming on brain development and behavior. The studies explore the role of oxytocin in reducing stress during marital conflict and examine the effects of chronic stress on brain mechanisms.
The 2006 winners of the NWO/Spinoza Prize are Prof. J.M. Bensing for her work on doctor-patient communication, Prof. C.G. Figdor for his pioneering dendritic cell therapy, Prof. B.J.G. Scheres for discovering stem cell role in plant roots, and Prof. J.J. Zaanen for high-temperature superconductivity research.
Research studies will explore neuroendocrine changes throughout the lifespan, including potential secrets to longevity and stress reduction. The congress will also examine the links between nature and nurture in disease development and abnormal behaviors.
A study found that ramelteon, a new sleep medication, does not instigate the same cognitive effects as other commonly prescribed sleep aids. The research suggests that ramelteon is unlikely to promote benzodiazepine-type dependence and may be a safer alternative for treating insomnia.
Researchers found correlations between DNA variants in the D4 receptor gene and self-reported sexual desire, arousal, and function. Variants affecting dopamine levels were shown to influence sexual behavior.
Researchers found that chronic exposure to cortisol, a human stress hormone, contributes to symptoms of depression and anxiety in mice. Mice given chronic doses took longer to emerge from a dark compartment into a brightly lit environment, indicating increased fearfulness.
Researchers found that fish raised with environmental features, such as small stones, had larger brains and a more developed cerebellum than those without. The study's findings could impact the design of hatcheries for breeding fish to restock wild populations.
A study of 76 adolescent hamsters found that anabolic steroid use led to increased aggression, lasting up to two years and affecting brain chemistry. The research suggests that humans may experience similar long-term behavioral problems if they abuse steroids during adolescence.
A recent study examined the impact of the 1988 Spitak earthquake on adolescents in Armenia and found that psychotherapy provided sustained benefits even 1.5 years post-disaster. Untreated adolescents had higher levels of PTSD and depressive symptoms, while treated adolescents saw significant improvements in their conditions.
Marder's research on central pattern generators has led to breakthroughs in understanding neural circuit stability and its implications for diseases like mental illness, epilepsy, and chronic pain. Her work with crustaceans has expanded the field of neuroscience beyond mammals.
A new joint neuroscience doctoral training program will be established at New Jersey Institute of Technology, Rutgers-Newark and UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School. The program aims to bring together interdisciplinary approaches to study nerve and brain function, with a focus on addressing complex challenges in the neurosciences.
Research reveals that the number of serotonin receptors in the subgenual prefrontal cortex affects the amygdala's emotional state, influencing behavior in stressful situations. Higher levels of these receptors can reduce rational 'discussion' and lead to increased amygdala activity.
A study of premature babies born at 26 weeks gestation found that certain aspects of brain development were compromised compared to full-term infants. The brains of premature babies showed delayed growth and changes after birth, indicating that early stimulation may hinder normal brain maturation.
Studies on laboratory rats reveal that mixing stress, deprivation, and tempting foods leads to overeating. The brain's opioid system plays a key role in regulating food intake, especially when food is highly palatable. This knowledge may help non-stressed individuals avoid overeating and improve their health.
Researchers at UCLA found that reflecting on personal values can significantly lower cortisol levels after stressful events, providing a potential new method to combat stress. The study involved 80 undergraduates who underwent stressful tasks, with those reflecting on meaningful values showing reduced cortisol responses.
Three finalists, Pingxi Xu, Justin Blau, Paul Frankland, and Johanna Montgomery, have made significant contributions to understanding insect behavior through pheromone signaling. Their research has the potential to develop sustainable methods of pest control and improve human health by preventing disease.
Researchers found that brain regions beyond the injury site play a critical role in understanding behavioral deficits and assessing options for acceleration of recovery from stroke-related spatial neglect. Functional magnetic resonance imaging scans revealed activity changes in distant brain areas correlated with impairment severity.
Dr. Harris-Warrick's lab will explore flexible movements in crustaceans using dopamine and serotonin modulators, shedding light on motor circuit flexibility and homeostasis. The award honors the late Sen. Jacob K. Javits' advocacy for neurological disorder research.
Researchers found that rats bred to prefer alcohol showed more anxiety-like behaviors and drank more alcohol. Reduced anxiety was associated with increased CREB function, suggesting a potential target for therapy.
Researchers found lower mu-opioid receptor binding in the left insular cortex of women with bulimia, inversely correlated with fasting behavior. This study suggests that medications targeting brain opioid receptors may help treat bulimia, a serious eating disorder marked by destructive patterns of dieting and vomiting.
Researchers found that parasitic fly larvae alter tiger moth caterpillar taste organs, favoring toxic plants containing protective chemicals. This change in behavior helps caterpillars escape parasites and survive.
Researchers found that G-protein-coupled receptors involved in detecting odors do not amplify signals like those in the eye, contradicting previous claims. Instead, cells can bind to multiple receptors or express the same receptor to enhance sensitivity.
A study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society reveals that in specific situations, unrelated African cichlid fish helpers must contribute more to their group to gain access and benefits. By analyzing genetic relatedness and behavioral observations, researchers found that under certain ecological conditions, non-relatives ta...