Articles tagged with Attention
Researchers found that trying to stifle boredom prolongs its effects and that alternating boring and meaningful tasks helps prevent the negative impact on productivity. Boredom serves an important purpose, signaling the need for change, but ignoring it can lead to decreased productivity.
Researchers at Brown University's Carney Institute for Brain Science discovered how the brain coordinates attention and filtering functions to perform complex tasks. The study found that multiple brain regions work together to adjust focus and filter out distractions, providing insight into human cognitive flexibility.
High levels of air pollution have a significant negative impact on teams' ability to solve complex problems, such as developing clean energy technologies and vaccines. The study used escape-room games data to estimate that high-pollution days can lead to up to 5% longer completion times for teams.
A study published in British Journal of Psychology found that regular gamers performed better on tasks measuring cognitive functions such as attention and memory. They were able to complete number-letter tasks and maze activities faster than non-gamers, with no significant difference in cognitive fatigue experienced.
A study by WVU researcher Nancy McIntyre reveals that individuals with ADHD tend to use routines and patterns to store stimuli from their environment, allowing them to make connections and file away resources for future use. This helps entrepreneurs with ADHD excel in qualities such as alertness, adaptability, and entrepreneurial intent.
Researchers at the University of Utah found that participants who walked through nature showed improved executive attention compared to those walking in urban areas. The study used EEG data to measure brain activity and controlled for factors such as exercise.
Persistent withdrawn and somatic symptoms in adolescence increase the risk of suicidal thoughts in mid-adolescence. The study found that these symptoms persist or increase over time to be particularly concerning for suicidal risk.
Research by Staffordshire University found that caffeine can improve short pass accuracy but negatively affect decision-making and long pass accuracy. The study suggests that coaches may need to adjust training strategies to account for caffeine's effects on young soccer players.
A breakthrough study found that light exercise can improve cognitive health in adults with Down syndrome, leading to improved information processing and attention. After just eight weeks of walking, participants showed significant increases in physical fitness and reductions in errors during cognitive assessments.
Researchers found that bilingual individuals were more efficient at ignoring irrelevant information compared to monolinguals. This ability is thought to arise from the constant language switching required in bilinguals. The study's findings suggest that bilingualism may have cognitive benefits, particularly in attentional control.
New research from Aalto University reveals that sleepiness during virtual meetings is caused by mental underload and boredom. Highly engaged individuals stay active even in virtual settings, while those with low work engagement find them tiring.
Children diagnosed with ADHD at a young age are just as likely to retain the diagnosis in adulthood as their older peers, according to a new study. The research, which examined data from over 6,500 patients globally, suggests that the youngest children in class are not more likely to lose the diagnosis over time.
Digital technologies provide effortless access to novel information, fostering a habit of frequent checking and task-switching. This creates a mismatch between the mind's preference for novelty and modern digital environments' ability to deliver it constantly.
A study by Duke neuroscientists found that curiosity increases people's patience for an answer while making them more eager to hear it. Curiosity also motivated viewers to withhold from hitting the 'spoiler' button and kept watching animated line-drawing videos unfold.
Researchers found that longer nights of better sleep correlate with improved mood, motivation, and reduced sleepiness. Irregular sleep patterns had a negative effect on mental well-being, while daytime naps may alleviate inadequate nocturnal sleep's effects.
A study found that daily mindfulness training at home reduced kids' stress levels and negative emotions, while a remote, app-based intervention showed improvements in mental health. Researchers suggest that mindfulness can support mental well-being and promote mental health in diverse children.
A recent study published in Journal of Advertising sheds light on the effects of in-stream video advertising on ad information encoding. The research found that mid-roll ads elicit negative emotions but do not affect viewers' purchase intention. In contrast, pre- and post-roll ads have a significant impact on memory formation, highligh...
Researchers uncover clues about how chemicals released by brain cells regulate our attention span, finding that two neurotransmitters work together in a precise sequence to regulate signal transmission. This discovery could lead to new treatments for neurological conditions associated with concentration difficulties.
A soft ball designed to support mental health has been invented, giving users a tangible representation of their breath to regulate emotions. The device, called PAWS, shows significant improvement in reducing anxiety and increasing protection against worry-induced thoughts, with an average 75% reduction in anxiety.
A new method can detect drivers' attention levels from their eye movements, enabling the development of more effective takeover signals. The study found that drivers who are engrossed in on-screen activities take longer to respond to warnings, highlighting a potential safety concern.
Two new studies suggest online shopping for activewear may harm women's body image due to body-focused marketing. The research found that women who browsed activewear websites showed lower body gaze and experienced negative self-esteem compared to those browsing casualwear or homewares websites.
Research found that very light exercise can improve prefrontal executive function, with pupil dilation during exercise indicating subsequent improvement. Pupil-linked neural activity was also shown to activate the brain's noradrenergic arousal system.
A three-month mild exercise program improved executive function in middle-aged and older adults by increasing neural efficiency in the prefrontal cortex. The benefits were particularly pronounced in the older adult group, suggesting a positive impact on cognitive function and brain function with minimal physical exertion.
A study found that babies watching live music had higher heart rates and were more engaged than those watching recordings, even with identical audio. The researchers tracked the babies' responses using heart monitors and tablets, and noted that the live performance captured their attention for 72% of the show.
Researchers propose a system that plays brief, targeted sounds to alert individuals near digital signage, while only making the sound audible to those actively viewing it. The system improved participants' attention to signage and reduced distractions.
Research in the US and UK replicates a New Zealand study finding that childhood attention and behavior problems are linked to lower educational attainment, financial struggles, and poor mental and physical health. The studies also found that impulsivity problems predicted greater involvement in the criminal justice system.
A deep learning system accurately classifies autism spectrum disorder and predicts symptom severity based on behavioral responses to social cues. The method offers a digital measurement of joint attention, but further validation is needed.
A new study by Emory University neuroscientists reveals that oxytocin plays a key role in male zebra finches' learning to sing by imitating their elders. The hormone influences young birds' preference for certain 'voice coaches', shedding light on the neural underpinnings of social vocal learning.
A new study developed a mathematical innovation model grounded in psychology to predict adoption trends for new products. The model divides people into four categories: innovator, early adopter, majority, and laggard, and suggests that each group looks for specific properties of adoption trends to inform their purchasing decisions.
A recent study by Sara Valentini and colleagues at Bocconi University found that consistency between online content and the values associated with a brand increases rebroadcasting frequency. Posts containing price promotions also perform well when aligned with the brand's identity, with followers being 109% more likely to share them.
A recent study published in eClinicalMedicine found that eating walnuts on a regular basis can improve attention functions, fluid intelligence, and behavior in adolescents with ADHD. The research, led by the IISPV, suggests that following a healthy diet is crucial for cognitive development during adolescence.
Research found that individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorder have erratic sleep patterns and rigid daily routines, predictive of worse symptoms. The study suggests varying daily routines and incorporating movement can improve brain health and reduce negative mental health symptoms.
Research reveals people misremember events in just seconds, altering memories to suit their expectations. This distortion can significantly impact perceptions of reality.
A study found that monkeys with opposable thumbs were fooled by a sleight-of-hand trick, while those without were not. The French drop trick worked for capuchins and squirrel monkeys due to mirroring in their neural motor system.
Scientists have identified distinct mechanisms by which people remove information from their working memory and found that forgetting requires much effort. They also discovered four brain networks that activate when memories are maintained or purged through different mechanisms.
A Dartmouth study found that COVID-19 can cause 'prosopagnosia,' or face blindness, and impairments in navigational abilities. Researchers worked with a patient who experienced difficulty recognizing faces and navigating, leading to dissociation between face recognition and cognitive map representation.
A survey study of U.S. college students found that individuals who frequently think about their favorite celebrities, feel compelled to learn more about them, and are prone to boredom are more likely to engage in celebrity stalking behaviors. These factors were not associated with anger or thrill seeking.
Researchers found that children with fewer friends are more susceptible to influence from partners who have more friends, promoting compatibility and reducing dissimilarity. Conformity helps preserve existing friendships by strengthening similarities and reducing potential sources of conflict.
A new study has found that adolescent girls who engage in moderate and vigorous physical activity have better attentional control. The study, led by University of Illinois professor Dominika Pindus, suggests that high-intensity exercise may be particularly beneficial for improving cognitive function.
A study by researchers at the Federal University of São Carlos found that 86% of health workers reported burnout and 81% suffered from stress. They also experienced depression, slept badly, and complained of aches and pains. The study aimed to assess the effects of long working hours and burden on physical and mental health.
A UCLA study conducted by Zili Liu and Chéla R Willey found that white, Asian American, and recent Asian immigrant college students performed similarly on a well-known visual perception test, known as the rod-and-frame task. The results suggest that basic visual functions are largely independent of cultural variation.
A study by the University of Exeter shows that urban life leads to a decline in plant awareness, which can be addressed through activities like wild food foraging. The research found that people's interest in plants develops where they have frequent interactions with relevant plants.
Scientists at UC San Francisco's Neuroscape Center have developed video game interventions that improve key aspects of cognition in aging adults, including short-term memory, attention and long-term memory. The games use adaptive closed-loop algorithms to challenge players, keeping them engaged while adapting difficulty levels.
A new study found that children's attention wandered to all parts of a screen while completing a task, but this helped them notice important things when the task unexpectedly changed. Adults, on the other hand, quickly focused their attention on one feature and missed important clues.
A new study found that individuals experiencing stressful life events are more likely to notice their spouse's negative behavior, such as breaking promises or showing anger. This shift in focus can have a toll on the relationship, even during the 'honeymoon' phase.
The Human Brain Project has identified seven new areas in the insular cortex using statistical mapping of cytoarchitecture, providing new insights into its structural organisation. The findings are now available online for future studies addressing relations between structure and function in this complex brain region.
Researchers from the University of Birmingham propose new techniques to test for rhythmic oscillations in visual attention, suggesting that attention may not switch between threats and opportunities in a predictable rhythm. These new statistical tools aim to shed light on brain conditions like attention deficit disorder.
Researchers discovered that face centering, not saliency, plays a key role in guiding attention to faces in videos as people age. The findings have implications for children's television programming and the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.
A study by Max Planck Institute for Human Development found that children use spontaneous strategy changes and broader attentional focus to achieve better results, similar to adults. This broadens the understanding of learning behavior in children.
Researchers found that children with autism process brain waves differently when focused on body movements versus colors, highlighting a key challenge in communication.
A new study found that people with severe speaking difficulties pay more attention to hand gestures when their verbal communication is impeded. This highlights the importance of incorporating gestures into therapy for individuals with aphasia.
Researchers found that people with higher grit scores showed different patterns of cognitive performance, characterized as cautious control, but not necessarily enhanced cognitive ability. Grit was linked to low impulsivity and high mindfulness, related to self-regulation.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that children exposed to road traffic noise in schools have slower attention and working memory development compared to those in quieter environments. The research suggests potential implications for environmental noise policies protecting school environments.
A straightforward questionnaire, called the Attentional Failure during Driving Questionnaire (AFDQ), has been developed to assess older drivers' ability to drive safely. The study found that repeated attentional challenges were a key predictor of crashes among older drivers.
A new study by McGill University researchers has shed light on the complex relationships between concussion symptoms and brain damage in children. The findings suggest that certain combinations of brain injury can lead to specific symptoms, such as attention difficulties and sleep problems.
A new study published in Stroke Journal Report found that about one third of people treated with mechanical clot removal resumed work three months after stroke treatment. Women were half as likely to return to work compared to men, despite having more favorable characteristics for return to work.
A recent study found that children living in areas with tree cover had better early childhood development than those in areas with grass or paved surfaces. The research also showed that tree-filled spaces mitigate air pollution, noise, and heat better than more open green spaces.
Scientists at MIT's Picower Institute mapped thousands of inputs to the anterior cingulate cortex and lateral posterior thalamus, finding that both regions receive input from non-sensory areas. The study provides a detailed roadmap for understanding selective attention in mice.
A new study found that people with sleep apnea are more likely to engage in risky driving behaviors such as speeding and hard braking. The researchers monitored the driving habits of 96 older adults under real-world conditions and collected data on over 100,000 trips. They also assessed cognitive impairments and molecular signs of earl...
A recent study by NYU researchers reveals that our eyes stay focused on what we reach for due to a complex neurological process called gaze anchoring. By inhibiting eye movements, neurons in the brain enhance accuracy when grasping objects.