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Prenatal exposure to flame retardants linked to poorer behavioral function in children

A new study from the University of Cincinnati suggests that prenatal exposure to flame retardants and PFASs may have a lasting impact on executive function in children, characterized by impairments in focus, working memory, delegation of tasks, and emotional control. The research evaluated levels of PBDEs and PFASs in mothers during pr...

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalEnvironmental Research·DateJan 27, 2016

Study finds no link between surgical anesthesia and MCI

A Mayo Clinic study found no association between surgical anesthesia and development of mild cognitive impairment in people aged 40 and older. Researchers evaluated over 1,700 participants and found that exposure to anesthesia did not increase the risk of mild cognitive impairment.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateJan 20, 2016

Zebrafish study sheds new light on human heart defects

A recent study using zebrafish has uncovered new insights into the causes of congenital heart defects associated with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome. The research found that lowering levels of a specific cohesin protein in embryonic zebrafish produces similar types of heart defects as those found in people with CdLS.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalHuman Molecular Genetics·DateOct 15, 2015

Seeing the world through assistive glasses

The ADAMAAS project aims to create a mobile assistance system that identifies problems and provides situation-dependent assistance through intelligent glasses. The technology combines eye tracking, memory research, object recognition, and augmented reality to support users in daily activities.

Autonomous tots have higher cognitive skills

A study by researchers at the University of Montreal found that children whose mothers consistently supported their autonomy had higher executive functioning skills. The mother's ability to teach problem-solving skills and take her child's perspective was crucial in shaping the child's cognitive abilities.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalJournal of Child and Family Studies·DateJan 13, 2015

Infants absorb more than we might think

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.

SourceConcordia University·JournalInfant Behavior and Development·DateAug 12, 2014

Making wireless 10 times faster

Cognitive radio technology could make wireless communications 10 times faster by identifying and using unused radio spectrum, reducing congestion and energy waste. Researchers at the University at Buffalo are developing this technology with a $2.72 million Air Force grant.

New Penn index detects early signs of deviation from normal brain development

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a brain development index from MRI scans that captures normal brain maturation patterns. The study shows a relationship between cognitive development and physical changes in the developing young brain, allowing for early detection of subtle developmental abnormalities.

Developmental delays in children following prolonged seizures

Researchers found that prolonged seizures in children are associated with developmental delays and impairments within six weeks of the event, which persist at one year. The study suggests that seizures may have a long-lasting impact on future development through reorganization of functional brain networks.

SourceWiley·JournalEpilepsia·DateApr 8, 2013

Pig brain models provide insights into human cognitive development

Researchers have developed a model of the pig brain to study human cognitive development, characterizing normal brain growth trajectory from neonatal period to sexual maturity. The model provides unique insights into brain structure and function, including effects of prenatal infections and early-life nutrition on brain development.

Puppies don't pick up on yawns

A study from Lund University found that dogs under 7 months are immune to contagious yawning, but as they age, they start to mimic human yawns, indicating a developmental increase in empathy. This pattern is similar to human development, suggesting that empathy-based social modulatory effects emerge later in life.

SourceSpringer·JournalAnimal Cognition·DateOct 23, 2012

Gestational weight gain generally does not influence child cognitive development

A study from Nationwide Children's Hospital found that excessive or insufficient weight gain during pregnancy does not affect a child's cognitive development. The research controlled for various confounding factors, including genetic and environmental influences, to separate the effect of gestational weight gain on cognition.

SourceNationwide Children's Hospital·JournalInternational Journal of Epidemiology·DateFeb 28, 2012

UCLA brain-imaging technique predicts who will suffer cognitive decline over time

A UCLA-developed brain-imaging tool detects abnormal protein deposits associated with Alzheimer's disease and tracks progression over time. The technique, using FDDNP-PET scans, predicts cognitive decline in individuals with mild cognitive impairment and normal aging, offering potential early detection and treatment of Alzheimer's.

How pregnancy changes a woman's brain

Research suggests that pregnancy's massive hormonal fluctuations prepare a woman's brain for motherhood, leading to improved stress tolerance and baby sensitivity. However, there may be costs to these changes, and more comprehensive studies are needed to develop interventions for at-risk mothers.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalCurrent Directions in Psychological Science·DateDec 21, 2011

Teenagers programmed to take risks

A recent study published in Cognitive Development found that teenagers take the most risks compared to other age groups, particularly between 14-35 years old. The researchers discovered that teenagers enjoy the thrill of taking risks more than other age groups, especially when they have a 'lucky escape'.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalCognitive Development·DateMar 24, 2010

Old math reveals new thinking in children's cognitive development

Researchers used Category Theory to explain why specific reasoning skills, such as Transitive Inference and Class Inclusion, develop in children around age five. These skills involve applying two lines of thinking simultaneously, allowing children to understand complex relationships between objects.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateDec 10, 2009

Long-term follow-up shows Mexico's conditional cash transfer program confers health benefits on children, especially those of mothers with no education

A long-term follow-up study found that Mexico's Oportunidades program conferred health benefits on children, particularly those whose mothers had no formal education. The additional 18 months of inclusion in the program reduced socioemotional problems and improved child growth, especially for those with mothers who were less educated.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateNov 3, 2009