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How the brain decides whether to hold 'em or fold 'em

A Johns Hopkins study found that the brain's push-pull dynamic between hemispheres contributes to risk-taking behavior, with cumulative feelings from past bets influencing decisions. Researchers used stereoelectroencephalography to analyze neural signals and developed a mathematical equation to calculate each patient's bias.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 7, 2019

Risk-taking bias in the brain

Researchers discovered that individuals with epilepsy exhibit increased high-frequency brain activity in the right hemisphere when making risky bets and the left hemisphere when avoiding risks. The findings suggest a brain-based mechanism for risk-taking biases, which can be influenced by past behaviors.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 7, 2019

Eye contact reduces lying

A study from the University of Tampere found that direct eye contact with someone can reduce subsequent lying. In an interactive experiment, participants played a lying game on a computer against another person, with the opponent's gaze being either direct or downward towards their screen.

SourceTampere University·JournalConsciousness and Cognition·DateNov 8, 2018

Preventing a dengue outbreak at the 2020 Summer Olympics

Researchers identified 20 critical points for disease detection, assessment, and patient communication to strengthen Japan's preparedness plans. Gaps in current controls, including missed cases at accommodations and communication failures, were highlighted.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateSep 20, 2018

How the brain suppresses the act of revenge

A UNIGE team discovered which brain zones are activated in anger and how the brain suppresses the act of revenge. The prefrontal dorsolateral cortex (DLPFC) plays a key role in regulating emotions, with higher activity during provocation phases leading to less punishment against unfair players.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 21, 2018

Game changing game changes

A new framework, described in a paper published in Nature, models the evolution of cooperation based on repeated stochastic games. The system shows that even if cooperation does not evolve in individual games, it can emerge when combined with multiple games.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature·DateJul 10, 2018

First robotic system plays tic tac toe to improve task performance

Researchers developed a robotic system that plays Tic Tac Toe with rehabilitation patients to improve their real-life task performance. The study found that patients preferred interacting with the robot over computer-controlled LED lights, and the robot's movement influenced human movement, indicating its potential in rehabilitation.

SourceAmerican Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalRestorative Neurology and Neuroscience·DateMay 4, 2018

How the brain responds to injustice

The study found that participants were more willing to punish a wrongdoer when they experienced injustice directly, associating with brain activity in the ventral striatum. Participants receiving oxytocin chose less intense punishments, suggesting the hormone's role in maintaining fairness.

Want people to work together? Familiarity, ability to pick partners could be key

Researchers found that participants were more likely to collaborate when they could alter the structure of a network and had a pattern of relationships with multiple connections. This study aims to better explain the drivers of collaboration and has implications for various settings, including the workplace and the battlefield.

SourceOhio State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 16, 2018

Intervention offered in school readiness program boosts children's self-regulation skills

A daily self-regulation intervention added to a summer kindergarten readiness program significantly improved children's self-regulation skills and early academic skills. The intervention, co-developed by OSU researcher Megan McClelland, uses music and games to help preschoolers learn and practice self-regulation skills.

SourceOregon State University·JournalEarly Childhood Research Quarterly·DateDec 14, 2017