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Listening to calls of the wild

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.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCognition·DateMay 23, 2016

Level of self-control linked to environment

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.

SourceSociety for Consumer Psychology·JournalJournal of Consumer Psychology·DateMay 11, 2016

Complex humor is no laughing matter

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.

SourceSpringer·JournalHuman Nature·DateNov 24, 2015

Infections can affect your IQ

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.

SourceAarhus University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 21, 2015

'Haven't my neurons seen this before?'

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.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateAug 24, 2014

Scripps Florida scientists offer new insight into neuron changes brought about by aging

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.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalJournal of Visualized Experiments·DateJan 22, 2014

PCBs still affecting our health decades later

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.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateNov 25, 2013

Millions pass up free health subsidy

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.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateMay 6, 2013

Big brains are pricey, guppy study shows

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.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 3, 2013

Religion replenishes self-control

A new study suggests that religious belief serves to enhance self-control, a crucial cognitive process for fostering valuable social behaviors. The research, published in Psychological Science, found that priming volunteers with religious thoughts improved their discipline and ability to delay gratification.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateMay 14, 2012

Work-focused psychotherapy can help employees return to work sooner

A new study published by the American Psychological Association found that work-focused psychotherapy can help employees return to work faster and improve their mental health over time. Employees who received this therapy were able to fully return to work on average 65 days earlier than those in standard therapy, with significant impro...

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Occupational Health Psychology·DateFeb 27, 2012

Competitive Scrabble makes you smarter

Researchers found that competitive Scrabble players can develop visual word recognition ability in adulthood, recognizing English words up to 20% faster than non-players. They also showed less reliance on the word's meaning and more on its visual appearance, allowing for efficient recognition of letter sequences.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalMemory & Cognition·DateAug 17, 2011

More than a jump to the left

A new study published in Current Biology reveals that children from different cultures articulate spatial relations differently, with German kids using egocentric terms and Akhoe Hai||om kids using allocentric notions. This finding highlights the diversity of human cognition across cultures.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalCurrent Biology·DateDec 15, 2009

Brain mechanisms for behavioral flexibility

The study suggests that neural pathways governing sensory and motor associations accomplish task switching through learning and communication of distinct populations of MT neurons into a downstream decision system. This finding is important for understanding both normal cognition and psychiatric disorders.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateApr 15, 2009

Mirror self-recognition in magpies

A study published in PLOS Biology found that magpies exhibit self-recognition in a mirror test, recognizing their own image as themselves. This discovery indicates that non-mammalian species can engage in self-recognition behavior, challenging the assumption that advanced cognition is exclusive to mammals.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateAug 18, 2008

I do not see it, but my brain knows what it means

Researchers found that hemineglect patients can unconsciously process symbols presented on the left side, even if they cannot consciously perceive them. This suggests that the brain extracts meaning from neglected information, but patients cannot make conscious use of it.

SourceElsevier·JournalCortex·DateMay 29, 2008

Discovery of the oldest adornments in the world

The discovery of small perforated sea shells in Morocco has pushed back the known origin of bead adornments to 82,000 years ago. The findings suggest that modern humans possessed symbolic thought and cognitive abilities earlier than previously thought.

SourceCNRS·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 18, 2007

Physical intelligence in rooks

In a modified trap-tube task, rooks show capacity for physical cognition through rapid learning and transfer test performance, suggesting understanding of physical rules. The results indicate that these birds have the ability to solve problems using rule abstraction, paving the way for future research.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 3, 2006