Articles tagged with Attention
A study by University of Illinois researchers found that third-graders who spend a class session in a natural outdoor setting are more engaged and less distracted in their regular classroom afterward. The effect was large and occurred week after week, regardless of teacher expectations.
A study conducted by primary school pupils found that exercising at their own pace significantly improves a child's mood, attention, and memory. The research used over 11,000 schoolchildren across the UK, who completed various physical activities before answering tests on concentration and happiness.
Researchers found that real objects exert a stronger influence on attention and manual responses compared to computerized images of the same objects. This effect was observed even when stimuli were out of reach or behind a barrier, suggesting that the potential for action plays a key role in attention allocation.
A new study isolates two key practices in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and finds they have distinct effects on attentional control and emotional non-reactivity. The findings suggest that focusing on attention can improve attentional control, while open monitoring promotes emotional non-reactivity.
Post-stroke delirium and spatial neglect affect approximately half of individuals with right-brain stroke, increasing their risk for prolonged stays and rehospitalization. Stroke survivors with spatial neglect are more likely to develop delirium, suggesting that these conditions may share a common brain mechanism.
As people age, their ability to filter distracting information and consider others' perspectives declines, increasing the risk of oversharing. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh and Northwestern University found that older adults are more likely to reveal irrelevant details in conversation.
A study by University of Miami researchers found that individuals with specific patterns of salience network dynamics were better able to resist tempting distractors and perform tasks. The study, published in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, sheds new light on the neural mechanisms underlying self-control and temptation res...
A recent study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that children who live close to green spaces have improved attention skills. The study analyzed data from over 1,500 children and showed a positive correlation between residential exposure to greenness and better scores on attention tests.
New research from the University of Portsmouth found that dogs produce more facial expressions when humans are looking at them. The study, led by Dr Juliane Kaminski, showed that dogs use these expressions to communicate with humans and not just due to excitement. Brow raising was the most commonly used expression in this research.
A study found that women tend to gossip more about their rivals' physical appearance and enjoy it more than men. Men, on the other hand, often gossip about others' achievements, demonstrating sex differences in gossiping behavior.
Researchers found that anxious mothers' babies spend more time looking at angry faces before turning away, suggesting a genetic component to anxiety development. This study could help predict which children are at risk for anxiety and potentially prevent its development.
A new study reveals that preterm children have more medical sleep problems, such as restlessness and breathing issues, compared to full-term children. However, they are more likely to fall asleep on their own without assistance.
Researchers at Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science have made a breakthrough in auditory attention decoding (AAD) methods, bringing cognitively controlled hearing aids closer to reality. The new system can automatically separate individual speakers from a mixture, determine which speaker the user is listening t...
Researchers found that middle-aged participants with higher levels of lutein had neural responses more similar to those of younger individuals. This suggests that lutein may have cognitive benefits for early life stages. The study aimed to understand how diet impacts cognition throughout the lifespan.
Scientists found greater cortical thickness in elderly female yoga practitioners' brains, associated with improved cognitive functions like attention and memory. Long-term yoga practice appears to shape the brain structure and could offset age-related cognitive decline.
Experts warn that concussions in Para athletes are a growing concern due to the high-risk nature of certain sports. Key findings include a lack of guidance on managing concussion in Para sports and inadequate assessment tools, making it challenging to identify and address potential head injuries.
A new research article proposes that stress-adapted children's traits, such as heightened vigilance and empathic accuracy, should be leveraged to enhance learning and intervention outcomes. These skills may allow at-risk children to perform better than peers from low-risk backgrounds when faced with uncertainty and stress.
New research finds that strategic students can adapt to study conditions and recall important information despite distractions. Learners compensate for limitations by prioritizing key information.
Recent studies suggest that excessive neural activity in specific brain regions can impair memory and attention. Inhibitory neurotransmission, mediated by GABA, plays a crucial role in regulating neural activity. The review highlights the importance of balancing aberrant neural activity to restore cognitive function.
FSU researchers found that viewing plus-size models improves women's psychological health by reducing social comparisons and increasing body satisfaction. Women paid more attention, remembered more, and reported higher levels of satisfaction when exposed to average and plus-size models compared to thin models.
Researchers from McGill University and the University of Minnesota warn that humans are driving the sixth mass extinction, threatening biodiversity. However, they offer specific strategies to turn this tide, suggesting investments in conservation could provide economic benefits.
A recent study from the Center for BrainHealth found that strategic brain training positively affects neural connectivity for individuals with TBI. The research challenges the widely held belief that recovery from a TBI is limited to two years after an injury.
Young adults who alternate between short sleep periods and long snoozes show worse cognition in attention and creativity. Consistent habits are more important than total sleep length, the study suggests. Research found that only one participant slept seven hours or more nightly.
The study found that about 42% of players experienced an epiphany, committing to playing zero after realizing it was the best choice. Participants who had epiphanies showed signs of learning, such as increased pupil dilation and attention to low numbers, before making the commit decision.
Research found that instrumental intros in top-10 songs decreased from 20 seconds to 5 seconds between 1986 and 2015, while song titles became shorter and lyrics started earlier. The 'attention economy' of modern pop music is prioritizing quick hooks over lengthy introductions.
A recent Penn State study suggests that aphasia may be a broader cognitive disorder affecting not just language, but also hearing, vision, motor processing, attention, and executive functions. The findings imply that treating aphasia requires a more holistic approach, considering these interconnected brain networks.
Research reveals that people deliberately avoid information that challenges their beliefs, leading to harm in individual wellbeing and societal polarization. By understanding the reasons behind information avoidance, governments and firms can develop effective strategies to reach their audiences.
Researchers are studying novice drivers with autism to determine if specialized training can improve their driving skills and reduce collisions. They will use a high-tech driving simulator and on-road driving to compare the performance of drivers with and without autism.
A new study found that 20% of homeowners who could have benefited from refinancing didn't, resulting in thousands of dollars paid over the life of the loan. The researchers suggest that behaviors like inattention and procrastination are preventing people from taking advantage of long-term benefits.
A University of Oklahoma study clarifies the risk factor for delayed medical attention during a heart attack. Low patient numeracy is associated with longer decision delay, increasing the risk of complications and mortality.
Researchers found that structured physical activity training can improve cognitive deficits in stroke survivors, regardless of rehabilitation program length. Combining aerobic and strength training programs yields the largest cognitive gains, with benefits observed even in patients with chronic stroke.
A new study by Michigan State University researchers found that children with a growth mindset tend to focus more on their mistakes and improve their performance after errors. In contrast, children with a fixed mindset can also recover from mistakes if they pay close attention to the errors.
Researchers discovered a brain-wide chemical signal released in response to attention-demanding situations, which is boosted by current Alzheimer's treatments. This signal could lead to new ways to enhance cognitive function and memory in healthy individuals.
A new study from the University of Missouri found a link between working memory and how children learn, suggesting that teaching techniques can be tailored to individual needs. The study suggests that educators can help children with language learning disabilities by reducing information overload and focusing their attention on one task.
A combination of methylphenidate and cognitive-behavioral rehabilitation has been shown to improve attention, episodic memory, working memory, and executive functioning in adults with traumatic brain injuries. The study compared the effectiveness of two forms of cognitive therapy with and without the use of methylphenidate.
A combined pharmacological therapy and rehabilitation program shows promise in treating persistent cognitive difficulties after traumatic brain injuries, with modest yet significant improvements noted in verbal and nonverbal learning abilities, working memory, and divided attention.
Researchers at The University of Texas at Arlington are studying the ideal physical and mental states to help individuals pay attention and practice self-control. They use computer-game testing combined with heart-rate and skin activity analysis to understand how people respond to tasks requiring attention and self-regulation.
A study found that Transcendental Meditation produces unique brain activity patterns, including high default mode network activation and theta waves, differing from eyes-closed rest. Extensive practice duration does not impact frequency of Transcendental Consciousness experiences.
Every year, approximately 30,000 sports-related eye injuries in the United States result in ER visits, with most cases occurring among children under 18. Basketball and cycling are identified as the most common causes of these injuries. Protective eyewear can significantly reduce the incidence of such injuries.
A new UT Dallas study concludes that settling territorial conflicts has a greater impact on rival nations' relations than democratization or ending civil wars. Nations with settled boundaries are 30% more likely to be at negative peace, which reduces the risk of transitioning back into contentious relationships.
A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that infants as young as 5 months old give more attention to objects presented by their native speaker. This preference for native language is thought to aid infants' quick acquisition of societal knowledge and cultural adaptation.
A new study estimates that human hookworm infection results in over 4 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) globally, with China facing up to $6.7 billion in productivity losses annually. The infection is estimated to cost between $7.5 billion and $138.9 billion in productivity losses worldwide.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham found that faulty inhibitory neurotransmission and excessive activity in the hippocampus impair memory and attention. The study highlights the importance of well-balanced neural activity within brain regions, suggesting that both too much and too little activity can cause impairments.
Researchers found that infants selectively paid attention to native speakers of their language, even when the information was not transmitted through verbal speech. This behavior was replicated with 5-month-old infants and suggests that children use native speakers as a way to efficiently learn relevant cultural knowledge.
A study by Markus Paulus found that preschoolers (3-5 years) expect reciprocity in social interactions, even before it's explicitly taught. This strategic behavior is rooted in the understanding of relative amounts of social capital they build with others.
A new Duke University study examines how early childhood characteristics affect academic performance, finding that children with attention problems were 40% less likely to graduate from high school. Social acceptance by peers also predicted grades in fifth grade.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that individuals with a strong drive to understand and build systems, known as systemizing, tend to excel at hacking. This skillset is positively correlated with code-breaking performance, suggesting new opportunities for autistic individuals in security professions.
New research from Texas A&M University finds that standing desks can increase productivity in adults by 46%, with workers completing more successful calls per hour. Standing for shorter periods also reduces body discomfort and improves cognitive functioning.
A new study from North Carolina State University finds that nonprofit executive transitions are often plagued by problems and challenges. Most executives do not leave due to voluntary retirement, but rather for reasons such as dismissals for wrongdoing or new job opportunities. The study highlights the importance of a good fit between ...
A new University of Toronto study examines the effect of infant vocalizations on adult cognitive conflict processing and attention. The research found that infant cries reduce attention to tasks and trigger greater cognitive conflict than infant laughs.
Research by Gillian Murphy found that drivers who listen to traffic reports while driving are more distracted and perform poorly on tasks like obeying road signs. The study's results suggest that auditory distractions can be just as problematic as visual ones in reducing driver attention.
A one-week language course improves attention levels in students of all ages. Regular practice maintains these benefits. The study found that acquiring a new language enhances cognitive functions, particularly for older adults.
Researchers created a growth chart for brain networks to identify early signs of attention difficulties and potential ADHD. The chart showed underdeveloped networks in children with attention issues, predicting poor attention performance.
A new study by researchers from the University of South Florida found that certain types of training can improve driving skills in older adults. The training, known as SPT, improved mental quickness and attention, leading to increased driving frequency among participants.
Researchers found that the brain automatically pays attention to social context in everyday actions, suggesting a high level of sensitivity for absorbing social information. The study used hypnosis to switch off top-down attention processes and showed that mu-suppression was stronger in hypnotised participants.
A new study in veterans with PTSD finds that mindfulness training can enhance the ability to manage thoughts and emotions, leading to reduced symptoms. Brain scans reveal stronger connections between brain networks involved in attention and inner thoughts, suggesting a potential tool for emotional regulation and trauma processing.
Researchers found intentional mind wandering is more common when tasks are boring and less common when tasks are challenging. This challenges the common view that all mind wandering is unintentional, highlighting the need to distinguish between two unique subtypes of mind wandering.
Researchers found that unpredictable components in memory training enhance episodic memory recall, particularly in older adults. The study suggests that training with unpredictability increases cognitive control, leading to better performance in recalling autobiographical events.
A study by Kansas State University researcher Lester Loschky suggests that film viewers' eye movements are separate from their understanding of the film. Despite this, subtle differences in eye movements were found between those who had context and those who didn't, indicating a high degree of attentional synchrony.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University discovered how bats determine what's worth paying attention to, finding that their brains selectively respond to certain sounds. This discovery has implications for understanding how humans focus attention and process sensory information.