Articles tagged with Attention
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 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.
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.
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.
Researchers found that attention-related signals occur independently of eye movement signals, and microsaccades are not required for shifting attention. This breakthrough resolves controversy about brain systems for attention and has implications for understanding attention disorders and behavior.
A recent study found that approximately 1 in 3 heart attack survivors experience significant mental decline in the days and months following their heart attack. Cognitive deficits can impact quality of life and treatment adherence, emphasizing the need for cardiologists to monitor patients regularly.
Researchers found that alpha oscillations are involved in two distinct processes: one related to observation accuracy and the other to internal representation of sensory events. Increasing or decreasing alpha speed and amplitude can independently modulate perception accuracy.
Researchers from Washington State University found that the optimal time of day for different cognitive tasks does not differ based on task type. Participants who felt sleepy should consider postponing important tasks until a later time to avoid performance impairment.
A new study examined caregiver-child interaction in the US and Japan, finding that mothers directed their children's attention differently and Japanese children shifted their attention to become more sensitive to contextual background. The research provides insights into the role of social interaction and cultural diversity in cognitiv...
A new study shows that students with attention problems are more likely to cheat, as inattention can lead to hyperactivity, creating a perfect setup for cheating. The study suggests that many students with attention issues don't receive the help they need, leading them to resort to cheating.
A new study suggests that a behavioral marker in preterm infants can indicate potential development problems. Researchers used digital eye tracking to test the infants' visual motor coordination and found that those who struggled with this task were more likely to face cognitive and social difficulties later on.
The locus coeruleus, a tiny cell structure in the brainstem, regulates our brain's sensitivity to relevant information. Noradrenaline, produced by the blue spot, modulates alpha oscillations, allowing us to focus attention.
Researchers found that delirium and spatial neglect are associated with widespread dysfunction of brain networks, including arousal, attention, and spatial orientation. This imbalance may contribute to chronic cognitive decline after stroke.
Researchers at University of Rochester Medical Center found that the brain processes attended and unattended speech differently, converting attended speech into linguistic units for understanding. This study contributes to developing better wearable devices, such as hearing aids.
A recent study from Tel Aviv University found that mothers' smartphone use reduces toddler interaction by a factor of four. Reduced interaction can have far-reaching consequences on child development, including language and social skills. The study also found no significant difference between browsing smartphones and reading magazines.
A recent University of Cincinnati study investigated how mindfulness affects mind wandering and found that while it can be effective in reducing mind-wandering thoughts, the results differ depending on the research methodology. The study suggests using computer-based testing methods to measure mind wandering for more reliable findings.
Convolutional neural networks trained to identify abnormalities on upper extremity radiographs are susceptible to a ubiquitous confounding image feature: radiograph labels. Covering these labels increases accuracy, while using them alone leads to decreased performance.
Researchers studied head tilting in dogs that could learn toy names and found a relationship between head tilts and processing relevant stimuli. Consistent side tilts were observed for each individual dog over time.
Researchers found no difference between kids exposed to language at birth, regardless of sign or speech. Children with delayed language exposure tend to struggle with executive functioning. The study suggests that 'talking' doesn't just mean speech—sign language exposure is equally nourishing for baby brains.
A study published in the Atlantic Journal of Communication analyzed Instagram posts from 20 celebrity influencers about COVID-19 between March and May 2020. The researchers found that celebrities initially modeled guidance from health experts, normalizing suggested behaviors such as staying home and practicing hand hygiene.
Researchers found that people's pupils dilate more in response to metaphors than to literal or concrete statements. The study suggests that everyday metaphors, often considered clichés, play a significant role in engaging our brains and conveying richer meaning.
A new smartphone-based app, iBehavior, will be tested to improve the accuracy of data in clinical trials involving individuals with intellectual disability. The app uses ecological momentary assessment to track symptoms related to executive function, often associated with ADHD.
A meta-analysis of tDCS studies found that applying tDCS during tasks improved reaction times, particularly in learning and memory tasks and executive function/complex attention tasks. The improvement was more pronounced in older individuals, suggesting that tDCS may increase with age.
A study by University of Texas at Dallas researcher Dr. Sheen S. Levine found that white Americans are prone to making poor decisions when they ignore their Black peers. When given the opportunity to witness Black peers' accomplishments, however, the racial attention deficit subsides, suggesting a remedy for diversity efforts.
Researchers found that subjects' heart rates synchronized even when listening to a story alone, as long as they were paying attention. This synchronization was predictive of conscious processing of the narrative, and had implications for understanding mindfulness and the brain-body connection.
A study of nearly 12,000 kids found that screen time is only slightly linked to attention disorders, disturbed sleep, and lower grades. However, excessive screen time may have social benefits, with kids who spent more time with screens having more close friends.
Research found that COVID-19 patients with more severe symptoms scored lower on reasoning and problem-solving tasks. Cognitive deficits were greatest in those receiving mechanical ventilation, similar to average decline seen over a decade of ageing.
A new study by UBC researchers found that people perceived as being less real and having 'less mind' when appearing within a photo. This discovery has implications for digital communication, particularly in online trials, healthcare, and education, where the perception of a person's mind can influence moral judgement.
A recent study funded by NIH found that excessive daily screen time is associated with cognitive and behavioral issues in extremely preterm children. Children who spent more than two hours on screens per day had lower IQ scores and poorer problem-solving skills compared to their peers.
A new study published in Autism Research found that attention training in autistic children aged 8-14 led to notable improvements in math, reading, writing, and overall attention. The researchers developed a computer programme called CPAT, which showed significant results in both immediate and long-term assessments.
A new study found that a special type of brain training based on neurofeedback enables people with attention deficit disorder to improve their ability to concentrate. The training is linked to an enhanced response from the brain's P3 wave, which reflects integration of information in the brain.
A study published in the Journal of Sleep Research found that disrupted slumber can be associated with cognitive dysfunction in middle-aged and older men. The research suggests that optimal attention and cognitive speed may be affected by poor sleep, particularly in day-to-day activities such as driving and physical activities.
A University of Otago study found that anxiety enhances recall of supernatural agents, leading to the formation of religious beliefs. The research suggests that anxious individuals are initially attracted to the scary traits of gods and other supernatural concepts due to their alarming effects on our expectations.
A recent study found that plant scientists tend to favor visually striking plants in their research, regardless of ecological importance. The study analyzed 113 plant species and found a strong correlation between research focus on certain plant characteristics and attention.
Researchers found that adaptive cognitive training program Cogmed Working Memory Training improved visual working memory, verbal short-term memory, and math fluency in children with SCD. Patients who completed at least 10 training sessions showed the most significant benefits.
Research by Matthew Panichello and Timothy Buschman found that attention and working memory share the same neural mechanisms, with neurons in the prefrontal cortex controlling both. This allows for dynamic transformation of memories to guide behavior, like rotating a paper to read text.
A new study from Northwestern University found that individuals' ideological beliefs about equality significantly impact their perception of social inequality. Egalitarians are more likely to notice disparities affecting disadvantaged groups, while anti-egalitarians are more tolerant of inequality between groups.
Psychologist Darya Zabelina is researching how attention and executive functions relate to creative thinking. She aims to develop training protocols to improve creativity in military personnel, who face unpredictable situations.
A six-week training program improved emotional resilience in veterans by increasing confidence in regulating emotions and reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Brain function changes also occurred, with reduced crosstalk between brain regions involved in emotional processing.
A new study by University of Nebraska-Lincoln psychologist Ingrid Haas found that humans process politically incongruent statements differently, with stronger neurological responses for inconsistent positions. Participants showed increased activity in brain regions involved in cognitive function when reading statements deviating from p...
The article highlights four major challenges in the online world: manipulative choice architectures, personalized information, false and misleading information, and distracting environments. To address these challenges, researchers propose interventions such as boosting tools, self-nudging, and media literacy education.
Professor Stephen M. Robertson at George Mason University is receiving $45,000 from the National Endowment for the Humanities to study the 1935 racial violence in Harlem. He will map the events and analyze how the press and legal system dealt with them.
A new system called SpAtten enables more streamlined NLP with less computing power, achieving speeds of over 100 times faster than competing general-purpose processors and reducing energy consumption by over 1,000 times.
CCNY researchers use standard web cameras to track students' eye movements and predict test scores based on educational videos. They found that attentive students have higher inter-subject correlation of eye movements, making online education adaptable to individual attention levels in real-time.
Research finds cashless payments increase spending on unhealthy food as lower arousal directs attention away from decision risks. Participants with higher education were more willing to pay for desserts under cashless payment conditions.