Articles tagged with Attention
Researchers found that New Caledonian crows use a combination of social learning and trial-and-error methods to acquire tool shapes. The birds observe another crow's actions, then mimic the end result, rather than copying specific actions, suggesting an alternative explanation for their cumulative technological culture.
A study by Scott Adler and Audrey Wong-Kee-You found that C-sections influence spatial attention in babies, slowing their ability to prioritize and focus on a particular area or object. In contrast, cognitive-driven attention remained unaffected.
A new narrative review published in JAMA found that current psychotherapy treatments are less than optimal for PTSD, with non-medical approaches effective but not universally effective. The study suggests a need for broader and more personalized approaches to care.
Neurology researchers evaluated evidence-based tests for clinical cognitive assessment, recommending improvements to determine differential diagnoses and guide intervention. The study aims to enhance quality in cognitive assessment by providing insights on selecting tests for the Neurobehavioral Status Exam.
Researchers found that during high suspense moments, the brain narrows visual attention to focus on the story, while less suspenseful moments broaden attention to surroundings. The study discovered an ebb and flow of brain activity in the calcarine sulcus, increasing processing of critical information.
A unique brain network in humans controls and redirects attention, allowing us to select and prioritize information based on our needs. This network, which includes the dorsal and ventral attention networks, may have evolved to better process complex social cues and distinguish between relevant and irrelevant stimuli.
A study by Leuphana University and George Mason University found that preschoolers with a good understanding of their emotions experienced fewer attention problems. The research suggests that emotion knowledge is a key factor in the development of attention skills, alongside executive functions.
Researchers discovered that infants as young as 7-9 months old possess the ability to identify abstract relations between objects and generalize them to new pairs. This suggests that analogical thinking is an innate cognitive function that precedes linguistic abilities.
Traumatic brain injury affects millions worldwide, with little use of new scientific discoveries about brain workings. Researchers propose therapies targeting specific cognitive control processes, such as attention, memory, and thought.
New research from Brigham Young University suggests treadmill desks can increase physical activity in the workplace without significantly impacting cognitive performance. The study found that walkers showed slight decreases in processing speed and attention, but retained their learning and performed well on non-cognitive tasks.
A special issue of JCEDM explores the current state of situation awareness, a construct that has driven advances in human factors/ergonomics fields. The articles discuss the perception and interpretation of surroundings, workload effects on SA, and its applications in complex work domains.
A recent study by Leuphana University and Saarland University found that using wording that emphasizes the benefits of a proposal can lead to better outcomes. Researchers investigated this effect in eight studies involving over 650 subjects and discovered that parties who focus on their own gains are less willing to make concessions. B...
Researchers found that activity in the medial prefrontal cortex monitors what's happening outside current focus of attention and shifts to a better strategy. The study used MRI scans to track volunteers' brains while they played a game with hidden patterns, revealing specific signals corresponding to color changes.
A new trial will evaluate strategies to improve attention and memory for people with multiple sclerosis, aiming to boost everyday life activities. The 10-week group intervention will focus on improving attention and reducing memory problems in daily life.
A new study in Journal of Consumer Research suggests that partnering with an established brand can be detrimental to a new brand. In three studies, consumers viewed the new brand less favorably when it partnered with an existing brand immediately, but more favorably when the announcement was delayed.
New Northwestern University research suggests that real-world creativity may be associated with a reduced ability to filter 'irrelevant' sensory information. This 'leaky' sensory gating allows individuals to integrate ideas outside of focus, leading to creative achievements.
A new study finds people with disabilities have unmet medical needs and poorer overall health, emphasizing the need for recognition as a health disparity group. This could lead to improved access to healthcare, increased data on the disabled population, and enhanced emergency preparedness.
A study by McGill University researchers found that people tend to choose options that are more salient or attention-grabbing, but may not be aware of why they chose them. In a card trick experiment, participants chose the target card in over 90% of trials, despite feeling they had a free choice.
A new kindergarten curriculum developed by the University of Wisconsin-Madison has been shown to improve preschoolers' academic performance and social skills. The curriculum focuses on promoting kindness, compassion, and self-regulation skills in young children.
A study by University of Illinois researcher Brittany Duff found that people's processing styles and moods can impact their ability to recognize ads while multitasking. Analytic processors tend to focus on specific items, while holistic processors take in everything at once.
Researchers found that music playing alters motor areas of the brain, influencing executive functioning, working memory, and emotional processing. A child's musical background also correlates with cortical thickness in behavior-regulating areas.
Scientists have identified a neural circuit in the mouse brain that regulates attention and sensory processing, providing insight into how the brain filters out distractions. The discovery has implications for devastating psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, which are characterized by significant attention deficits.
A new study published in Psychological Science found that consistent distraction during learning does not hinder learning, but rather helps recall motor skills. The researchers discovered that dividing attention between tasks during learning can create an internal representation that boosts recall when a similar cue is present.
Researchers developed a sound-based training approach to enhance brain's distractibility, improving focus in aged rats and humans. Training reduced distraction-related errors and improved memory and attention spans.
A new RAND Corporation report highlights the ongoing struggles of military veterans in finding civilian employment, despite businesses reporting they make excellent employees. The study found that challenges remain for both veterans seeking jobs and employers trying to hire them.
A new therapy combining computer-based cognitive training and d-cycloserine has shown promise in helping patients with tinnitus better cope with the condition. The study found that patients who received the treatment experienced greater improvements in daily life compared to those who took a placebo.
Researchers discovered a unique population of neurons in the lateral intraparietal area that shift their sensitivity to color and direction based on what's being attended. This study provides new insights into how the brain combines visual information for decision-making and higher-order processes.
A new study from Michigan State University found that messages about intelligence can immediately impact brain activity, making people more willing to work hard. The research suggests that the human brain is receptive to the message that intelligence comes from environment, regardless of its accuracy.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that targeted cognitive training can improve attention and memory in healthy seniors and those with specific brain damage. The researchers developed a predictive model to map the effects of this training on brain function, suggesting potential for improving daily lives.
Researchers at University of California, Berkeley and University of Denver discovered that we rely on a specialized visual process known as 'ensemble coding' to perceive where a crowd is looking. This enables us to tell where a group of people is looking even after just a fraction of a second.
A new study from Concordia University reveals that infants can categorize objects as animate or inanimate even at 10 months old. The study used a visual habituation paradigm to measure how long babies look at different objects, finding that they can distinguish between natural paths of animals and moving cars.
A study published in Psychology and Aging found that older adults who were tested in the morning performed better on demanding cognitive tasks and showed greater activation of attentional control regions in their brains. This suggests that scheduling mentally challenging tasks for the morning can be beneficial for older adults.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles found that prenatal alcohol exposure can alter brain activation over time, leading to persistent cognitive and behavioral problems in individuals with FASD. The study suggests a possible neural mechanism for the attention problems seen in FASD, highlighting the importance of early developm...
Researchers at Harvard University have found that mice can distinguish between specific odors even when surrounded by multiple background smells. The team used fluorescent proteins to create images of how different scents activated neurons in the brain, revealing a neural explanation for how animals separate relevant from irrelevant se...
Researchers tested dogs' reactions to owners' affection for realistic and non-realistic objects, finding stronger jealous behaviors towards the dog-like object. This study suggests jealousy may have a primordial form in animals, including humans.
A recent study found that teens who are sensitive to light or noise after a concussion are more likely to experience emotional symptoms such as anxiety. Researchers also discovered that having anxiety can lead to attention difficulties, while irritability/aggression is linked to problems with attention.
A Tel Aviv University study reveals that parents of newborns experience detrimental effects from frequent night wakings, leading to impaired cognitive function, negative emotions, and decreased alertness. The researchers established a causal link between interrupted sleep patterns and compromised cognitive abilities.
A study found that young adult men who watched more violent TV showed less mature brain development and poorer executive functioning. The researchers measured mental abilities and brain structure using psychological testing and MRI scans, revealing a link between violent TV viewing and irregular brain development.
A pilot study found that self-administered hand shiatsu pressure techniques can help participants with chronic lower-back pain fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. The study's findings suggest that this low-cost alternative may be a valuable tool in addressing the sleep deprivation that often exacerbates chronic pain.
A new study by Concordia University researchers shows that even with mental overload, the brain can automatically detect changes in blur across the visual environment. This finding challenges previous theories on the detection of blurred sight and has implications for daily tasks like driving.
Researchers found that people exposed to core disgusts in movies show higher attention levels and remember content better, even with negative reactions. The study suggests that disgusting content can be a effective device for content creators.
A study found that individuals with alcohol dependence exhibit pronounced executive control deficits, which are strongly correlated with duration of addiction and number of detoxification treatments. Executive control networks were impaired, while alerting and orienting networks showed preserved functioning.
Oregon researchers have successfully captured the handoff of a tracked object between brain hemispheres, a process necessary for processing objects on opposite sides of space. This finding may lead to better understanding individual differences in visual tracking abilities and could provide insights into attention limitations.
Children with FASD often exhibit difficulties with specific aspects of attention, such as shifting attention, but not others like focus. A new study suggests a need for more nuanced understanding of attention skills and to recognize that these children's attention issues may be less important than their overall problems.
Scientists at Beckman Institute use a new method to test brain waves and discover that alpha oscillations can inhibit visual processing, making it hard to see unexpected events. By targeting specific brain regions with electrical stimulation or feedback, they aim to improve attention and awareness in various situations.
Researchers found that people are 7% better at finding targets in the upper half of the screen compared to the lower half. This discovery could improve safety-related technologies like traffic signs and website user interfaces.
Researchers found a connection between the DRD2 gene variant and everyday lapses in attention, including forgetfulness. The study suggests that individuals with this genetic variation are more likely to experience short-term memory lapses and distraction, which can have consequences in daily life.
Researchers found that two-thirds of chimpanzees are missing a genetic element linked to social bonding, leading to improved joint attention. The study suggests that this element may also play a role in autism spectrum disorders, potentially informing new diagnosis and treatment strategies.
A new study explores how doctors and patients interact with computers in exam rooms, highlighting the need for better balance between human and technical attention. Research suggests that using aviation practices can help primary-care providers enhance the physician-patient relationship in an era of exam room computing.
Researchers found pregnant women adapt to changing spatial awareness through practice and movement. Their judgments of possible doorways are comparable to non-pregnant adults.
Researchers found a patient in a vegetative state who could filter out unimportant information and home in on relevant words. Using brain imaging, scientists also discovered that the patient could follow simple commands, providing new insights into the ability of patients in these states to pay attention.
A NYU study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that mindfulness training, combined with cognitive behavioral therapy, improved attentional task performance in incarcerated adolescents. The intervention showed a protective effect on youths' attentional capacity, leading to better self-control and reduced anti-social behavior.
Researchers found that consumers are more likely to buy a product from a different location when a pleasant sound draws attention to the item. This effect is attributed to the ability to visually process products presented in the same spatial direction as the auditory signal, making it easier for consumers to make informed decisions.
Researchers analyzed customer behavior in pubs and clubs to determine effective signals for ordering a drink. They found that positioning themselves directly at the bar counter is a successful signal, while avoiding these behaviors indicates non-ordering intentions.
A new study published in Neurology found that over half of stroke patients have undiagnosed attention problems, which can be addressed with tailored computer games. The study identified three types of attention problems linked to specific brain regions affected by the stroke.
Researchers found that moving attention fluidly and orienting to social information are not key components of autism. Children with high-functioning autism and those without autism showed similar signatures in shifting attention and responding to social stimuli.
A pilot study from North Carolina State University found that switching seats can keep middle school students engaged in educational gaming tasks. The researchers discovered that the student actively playing the game stayed focused, while the second student on the team often lost interest.
Researchers found that choline supplementation improved long-term memory retention and attention in rats, with prenatal choline intake also benefiting offspring. The study suggests a potential link between choline nutrition and cognitive function.
Recent research questions the idea of discrete brain areas for specific cognitive functions like mind-wandering and attention reorienting. Instead, studies suggest that brain activation is due to the release of suppression rather than additional task-related processes.
A study reveals why Puerto Rican lizards don't rapidly extend their dewlaps like Jamaican cousins, instead using alternative strategies to enhance detection of displays. The research shows the island's species lacks physiology for rapid movement, relying on tailoring speed and duration of displays to match forest conditions.