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Study shows attitude makes a champion

A recent study found that elite athletes possess an internal drive and commitment to their sports, which enables them to overcome obstacles. In contrast, 'almost' great athletes lack this motivation and may avoid challenging training exercises. The study's results suggest that attitude is a key factor in determining success.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateApr 25, 2016

The brain on LSD revealed: First scans show how the drug affects the brain

Researchers from Imperial College London have visualized the effects of LSD on the human brain for the first time, revealing complex changes in brain activity that underlie psychedelic experiences. The study found that LSD alters the way brain networks process information, leading to a more integrated and unified brain state.

SourceImperial College London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 11, 2016

Concert hall acoustics influence the emotional impact of music

Researchers at Aalto University found that acoustic concert halls play a significant role in the emotional impact of music. Identically selected performances of classical orchestra music evoked stronger emotional responses when presented in acoustics of Vienna Musikverein or Berlin Konzerthaus, shoebox-type concert halls.

SourceAalto University·JournalThe Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·DateMar 23, 2016

Photographs and music lessen patients' anxiety before surgery

A new study reveals that viewing photographs combined with listening to music can significantly reduce patients' anxiety before surgery. The findings suggest playing videos with photos and music in preoperative waiting rooms as a simple and affordable way to improve care without medications or invasive treatments.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Advanced Nursing·DateFeb 16, 2016

Practice makes perfect, York U brain study confirms

A new brain study confirms that practice makes perfect in professional ballet dancers, showing the long-term effects of learning complex dance motor sequences. The study found an inverted 'U' learning pattern, where brain activation increases during initial learning and performance, but then decreases as mastery is achieved.

SourceYork University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 29, 2016

The waiter's weight

A study by Cornell Food & Brand Lab found that diners ordering from heavier wait staff were four times more likely to order dessert and 17% more alcohol. The research suggests that a waiter's weight can play a significant role in influencing diner behavior, particularly when it comes to indulging in treats.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalEnvironment and Behavior·DateJan 6, 2016

Singing calms baby longer than talking

Researchers from the University of Montreal found that singing calmed infants twice as long as talking, with an average duration of 9 minutes for songs and 4.5 minutes for baby talk. The study suggests that singing has emotion-regulatory properties that can help parents soothe their children.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalInfancy·DateOct 27, 2015

Singing's secret power: The Ice-breaker Effect

A new study by University of Oxford researchers found that singing groups bonded more quickly than creative writing or craft classes. Singing broke the ice better, getting classmates closer right at the start of the course, but in the longer term, all group activities brought people together similarly.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateOct 27, 2015

Reproducible neuroscience with real tango

Researchers replicate previous finding on how the brain processes music using a naturalistic free listening context, demonstrating reliable results and ecologically valid findings. The study fine-tunes previous findings, concluding which brain areas are involved in processing different musical elements.

SourceAcademy of Finland·JournalNeuroImage·DateSep 25, 2015

First-of-its-kind study finds music therapy lowers anxiety during surgical breast biopsies

A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that music therapy significantly lowered anxiety levels for patients undergoing surgical breast biopsies. The study involved 207 patients who received either live or recorded music before surgery, with results showing a 43% reduction in anxiety compared to usual care.

SourceUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateAug 17, 2015

When surgeons listen to their preferred music, their stitches are better and faster

A study by the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston found that listening to surgeons' preferred music reduces repair completion time by 7% while maintaining improved wound closure quality. The effect is more pronounced for senior residents, with a 10% reduction in time and an overall improvement in work quality.

SourceUniversity of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston·JournalAesthetic Plastic Surgery·DateJul 30, 2015

Humans across the world dance to the same beat

A new study by University of Exeter and Tokyo University of the Arts found that songs from around the world share features like strong rhythm to enable coordination and group bonding. The researchers analysed 304 recordings of diverse music, revealing dozens of statistical universals related to pitch, rhythm, and social context.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 29, 2015

Big Data reveals classical music creation secrets

A study analyzing classical music networks reveals the evolution of cultural styles and predictions for the recording market. The research, published in EPJ Data Science, uses modern data techniques to understand how composers collaborate and influence each other.

SourceSpringer·JournalEPJ Data Science·DateApr 30, 2015

Tango dancing benefits Parkinson's patients

A new study by McGill University researchers found that a 12-week tango course improved balance and functional mobility in 40 Parkinson's patients, while also showing modest benefits in cognitive functions. The dance style's social interaction and physical activity may have therapeutic value for PD patients.

SourceMcGill University·JournalComplementary Therapies in Medicine·DateApr 13, 2015

Communicating emotions

Researchers at McGill University found that visual cues are crucial in recognizing emotions conveyed by music, whereas speech relies on acoustic cues. In their study, participants identified emotions better with video and audio combined compared to just audio or speech alone.

SourceMcGill University·JournalQuarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology·DateFeb 24, 2015

Even animals compose

Researchers from the University of Vienna found cross-species parallels in song production and perception among animals. Some species, such as songbirds and parrots, can learn to produce new sounds and even identify beats, similar to human music abilities.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London·DateFeb 17, 2015

Music cuts across cultures

Researchers discovered that despite cultural differences, listeners from various groups responded similarly to the excitement and calmness of music. The study used emoticons and physiological measurements to compare reactions to Western and Pygmy music.

SourceMcGill University·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateJan 7, 2015

What's on your surgeon's playlist?

The study suggests that music can have a calming effect on surgeons and theatre staff, improving communication and efficiency. The authors recommend specific songs, such as Stayin' Alive by the Bee Gees, to play in the operating theatre.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateDec 11, 2014

So, you think you can clap to the beat?

Researchers discovered that beat-deafness is a problem of synchronizing with sounds, not just motor skills. Beat-deaf individuals can perceive rhythms but struggle when moving to the beat, indicating deficits in biological rhythms.

SourceMcGill University·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateNov 9, 2014