Articles tagged with Cognition
Researchers from UNIGE used a database of over 100,000 people to study the relationship between physical and cognitive abilities after 50 years of age. They found that cognitive decline precedes physical activity, suggesting prioritizing brain exercise may slow down an inevitable decline.
Dr. Paul R. Sackett has made significant contributions to the knowledge of individual differences in cognitive ability, job knowledge, integrity, personality, and more, impacting various fields including education, military, and private organizations.
Insects can perform numerical estimation and compare sets of objects, recognizing larger quantities. Researchers found a simple model for neural networks to learn numerical cognition tasks using a single neuron.
The US Preventive Services Task Force finds no conclusive evidence to support or refute screening for cognitive impairment in older adults. Current guidelines recommend against routine screening due to the potential risks and limited benefits.
A new study by researchers at the University of Limerick found that men and women employ different strategies to solve spatial cognition tasks. The research used eye-tracking technology to investigate cognitive proficiency in individuals and gamers, with results showing no male advantage in mental rotation abilities.
Researchers at Cornell University discovered that wasps can recognize individual faces, a rare ability among insects. This finding sheds light on how intelligence evolves and has implications for other species, including humans.
Researchers observed two instances of puffin tool use: one on Skomer Island in 2014 and another on Grimsey Island in 2018. Puffins used wooden sticks to dislodge parasites or scratch their chests, which may have been more effective than using their beaks.
A study analyzing data from over 10,000 cadets found that noncognitive attributes like grit were better predictors of graduation than cognitive ability. Cognitive ability was strongly linked to academic and military grades, while physical ability predicted physical grades.
Research by Juan Manuel Toro and Carlota Pagès Portabella finds that musical training alters how humans perceive music. Brain scans reveal trained musicians distinguish between different types of musical irregularities, while untrained listeners do not.
Researchers at Newcastle University discovered that stripes can conceal speeding prey in miniature cinema experiments with praying mantises. The study found that narrow stripes were harder for the mantises to spot when moving at fast speeds.
Researchers at Kessler Foundation found that blindfolding a patient with spatial neglect improved her posture and gaze, reducing postural asymmetry. This study suggests eliminating visual input could increase spatial awareness on the contralesional side.
Research by American Psychological Association found that a poor fit between reasoning abilities and job demands can lead to premature retirement of valuable employees. Older workers who have matching abilities and demands tend to experience fewer health issues and work longer.
Researchers Maayan Stavans and Renée Baillargeon found that infants as young as 17 months old expect leaders to rectify transgressions. The study suggests that abstract expectation of authority is part of the basic structure of human moral cognition.
A new U of T study found that extroversion is linked to greater motivation, more frequent positive emotions, stronger communication skills, and better job performance. These advantages appear to have a cumulative effect on workplace success across the lifespan.
Researchers aim to determine if stopping anticholinergic medications improves cognition and potentially delays or prevents dementia. The 'Reducing Risk of Dementia through Deprescribing' study will enroll 344 older adults and monitor the impact on cognitive function over 2 years.
A study published in AJOB Neuroscience found that the general public views cognitive enhancers as acceptable in the workplace when positively framed and used by non-students and athletes. However, misuse continues to rise among adolescents and adults, with limited evidence supporting their cognitive benefits.
A study comparing human and chimpanzee brain networks reveals that humans have a more modular network with stronger connections between language areas. The research suggests that evolutionary modifications to the brain's architecture may have contributed to human cognitive advancements.
Researchers investigated factive and counterfactive constructions in aphasia, finding that individuals with aphasia performed similarly well on factive interpretation tests but struggled with counterfactive ones. The study highlights the relationship between language, cognition, and propositional thought in aphasia.
A recent study published in Developmental Psychology found that brief training with rhythmic gestures has immediate benefits for children's narrative abilities, especially improving story structure. This novel finding demonstrates the importance of gestures in language development and cognitive growth.
People with radical political views tend to overestimate their certainty on incorrect answers, but struggle with recognizing when they're wrong. The study found no difference in task performance between moderates and radicals, despite radicals' higher confidence ratings.
A recent study at the University of Jyväskylä found that older people who persistently strive for their goals but can adjust them to current circumstances tend to move more and participate in outdoor activities. This suggests that tenacity and flexibility are essential resources for maintaining autonomy and quality of life in old age.
The study identifies genes associated with longevity in parrots, including telomerase, which may also play a role in human aging. The researchers also found parrot-specific gene-regulating regions near neural development genes linked to human cognition.
A new study found that young pheasants who strongly favored using their left or right leg to step over a barrier died at a significantly lower rate than those with weaker preferences. The research suggests that favouring one side of the body may bring advantages, but also explains why low levels of 'footedness' exist among pheasants.
A recent study from the Center for BrainHealth at UT Dallas found that cannabis users exhibit increased synchronization and activation of brain waves during rest, compared to nonusers. This 'noisy brain' may disrupt cognitive processes.
A new study on red junglefowl has found that the ability to learn quickly is heritable, while optimism can be explained by environmental factors. The researchers tested over 300 chicks with various cognitive tasks and found that genetic factors play a larger role in fast-learning abilities.
A study found that air pollution exposure was associated with decreased cognitive test scores, particularly in verbal abilities. Reducing fine particulate matter concentrations could lead to significant improvements in cognitive performance, equivalent to a shift from median to 63rd percentile scores.
Researchers found that lower-paid microworkers were more likely to reduce their efforts and experience cognitive dissonance, which can impact study results. The study's findings suggest that low pay may lead workers to feel conflicted and struggle with rationalizing their actions.
A study published in Springer's journal Memory & Cognition found that men tend to take shortcuts and navigate more efficiently than women in known environments. Women, on the other hand, follow learned routes and are more likely to wander, leading to slower navigation times.
Researchers found slight improvements in vision after eating dark chocolate, particularly in visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. The effects of dark chocolate on vision remain unknown beyond the short-term, and further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
A six-month treatment with idalopirdine failed to slow cognitive decline in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. The study involved over 2,500 participants and used a combination of idalopirdine and cholinesterase inhibitors.
Researchers analyzed birth and school records to examine environmental moderation of genetic influence on cognitive ability. They found no evidence supporting increased genetic influence in socioeconomically advantaged children.
A new study found that cognitive abilities in adolescence are positively related, suggesting a 'mutualism' model where skills help each other develop. This research has implications for understanding developmental challenges and life outcomes, such as academic success and longevity.
A study from Northwestern University found that preterm infants establish a strong foundation for linking language and meaning, similar to their full-term counterparts. This discovery challenges previous obstacles in language and cognitive development observed in preterm infants.
Researchers found that parental characteristics were equally important in supporting child cognition in the US and UK. However, they identified areas where policies can make a difference, such as child allowances and National Health Service in Great Britain.
Researchers found that taurine supplementation improved symptoms in patients with first episode psychosis, particularly in depression and overall functioning. However, cognitive function remained unchanged.
A new study found that listening to human vocalizations helps infants form categories, while nonhuman primate vocalizations preserve their early link between signals and categorization. This research highlights the importance of language exposure in early development.
A recent study found that individuals with neurotic personalities thrive in urban environments, while those who are less neurotic benefit from natural settings. The research suggests a correlation between environment and self-control, which could have implications for health outcomes and consumer behavior.
Researchers create a detailed semantic atlas of the brain's language processing areas, revealing similarities in semantic topography across individuals. The study has potential applications in brain-machine interfaces, decoding difficult-to-speak patients, and translating languages.
A new study maps the human brain's semantic atlas, revealing how different areas respond to words with similar meanings. This discovery holds promise for decoding inner dialogue in individuals who struggle to communicate, such as stroke or ALS patients.
Todd Gureckis, NYU associate professor, awarded PECASE for pioneering research on human cognition and machine learning. The award recognizes his innovative work in comparing human intelligence to intelligent algorithms.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo found that slowing down typing improves essay writing sophistication and vocabulary, possibly due to more time for internal word search. The study's results suggest that excessive speed can impair writing quality, regardless of tools used.
Research finds that cognitive constraints on mentalizing limit joke complexity to maintain humor; two-character jokes with up to five levels of intentionality are most effective. Professional comedians must balance cleverness with audience comprehension.
A vision test that involves rapidly reading numbers can detect concussions in 86% of athletes. The King-Devick test was effective when combined with balance and cognition assessments.
Researchers aim to teach robots to understand forces during object movement and react to changes, enabling human-robot collaboration. The goal is to develop robots that can work together with humans on tasks like lifting objects, such as tables.
A nationwide Danish register study tracking 190,000 individuals found a clear correlation between hospitalization due to infections and impaired cognitive ability. The study shows that even after treatment, patients can experience lasting effects on their IQ scores.
A recent study found that young adults raised in educated households have higher cognitive ability than those from less ideal environments. The study compared IQ scores of Swedish male siblings raised by biological or adoptive parents, with adopted males showing a significant 4.4-point advantage.
Scientists found that brain activity patterns are shaped by neural connectivity and have limitations on how adaptable they are during learning. The study used a brain-computer interface to train animals and showed that subjects learned easier-to-learn patterns more readily, while harder-to-learn patterns were entirely new.
A new study reveals that neurons in the brain's inferotemporal cortex fire strongly and selectively when exposed to familiar images, especially those seen many times before. This finding suggests that the brain uses this mechanism to track a rapidly changing visual environment and may lead to improvements in perception and cognition.
Research found that neutralizing a specific cytokine in the brain impaired cognitive flexibility in stressed and nonstressed rats. However, restoring low levels of this cytokine in a specific region of the brain corrected the deficit.
Researchers at Scripps Florida Institute discovered significant changes in gene expression and neural circuitry as neurons age, shedding light on cognitive decline and potential therapeutic targets. The study, using the marine snail Aplysia californica, highlights the complex interplay between aging and neuron communication.
A study by University of Montreal researcher Maryse Bouchard found a significant association between PCB levels and cognitive abilities among individuals aged 70-84 years. Higher exposure to PCBs in older age groups led to greater diminution in cognition, particularly in women.
Economic downturns in mid-life may lead to lower cognitive ability and memory problems later on, with men experiencing more severe effects. Analyzing data from 12,000 Europeans, researchers found that those who faced economic recessions during their 40s had poorer cognitive performance at age 50.
A University of Michigan study found that high-ability whites are less likely to report prejudiced attitudes but still support policies that benefit the dominant group. Intelligent whites may genuinely believe in racial equality but fail to take action due to their privileged position.
A recent study by the American Sociological Association suggests that high-ability whites are more likely to conceal their prejudice than report it. Despite supporting policies in principle, they are less likely to support actual policies aimed at addressing racial discrimination.
A new UCSF project creates choirs for seniors in San Francisco to assess the impact of singing on cognitive, mobility, and overall wellbeing. The study aims to provide scientific-based evidence that community arts programs can promote health among older adults.
A new study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that childhood cognitive ability accounts for more than two-thirds of the association between cognitive ability and cortical thickness in old age. The research used standardized intelligence tests and MRI brain scans to compare the results of 588 people taken at different ages.
Researchers from Royal Holloway University found that white Caucasians who experienced an illusion of having dark skin had reduced racial bias. The study used the Rubber Hand Illusion to create this effect, which involved touching a fake hand while also being touched on their own hidden hand.
A new study from Harvard Medical School reveals that millions of eligible seniors are turning down free prescription drug coverage due to impaired cognitive abilities. The researchers suggest that the design of the program needs to be changed to make it easier for low-income adults to enroll and access the benefit.
Aerobic exercise increases critical brain structures and improves cognition in children and older adults. Physical activity also reduces susceptibility to diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and osteoporosis.
A new study on guppies reveals that bigger brains come at a cost, with larger brain sizes associated with reduced reproductive output and smaller guts. The research supports the idea that relative brain sizes among species are shaped by a balance between selection for increased cognitive ability and the costs of a big brain.