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Reading pleasure and pain from the brain

Using fMRI, researchers analyzed brain activity while participants experienced sustained pain and pleasure induced by capsaicin and chocolate fluids. The study identified common brain regions activated by both experiences and developed predictive models to capture affective intensity and valence information.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2024
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Do traumatic life experiences impact perception of distressing imagery?

Researchers from Drexel University's College of Nursing and Health Professions found that traumatic life events do impact the perception of trauma-related imagery. Viewers' personal history of adversity and trauma was associated with stronger reactions to images depicting injury/trauma.

SourceDrexel University·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateJun 11, 2024

Optimism wards off procrastination

A study published in Scientific Reports found that people with an optimistic outlook on the future are less likely to be severe procrastinators. The researchers surveyed nearly 300 young people and discovered that those who believed their stress levels would decrease in the future were more likely to overcome procrastination.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScientific Reports·TypeSurvey·DateJun 10, 2024

AI-driven tool for distinguishing Lewy body dementia via changes in vocal emotional expression

A new AI-driven tool can accurately diagnose Lewy body dementia by analyzing changes in vocal emotional expressions. The study found that individuals with Lewy body dementia exhibited more negative and calmer emotional expressions compared to those with Alzheimer's disease and healthy controls.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia Diagnosis Assessment & Disease Monitoring·DateJun 4, 2024
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Rude at work? Feeling guilty can make you a better, kinder worker.

A new study suggests that feeling guilty after behaving rudely at work can motivate individuals to act more politely and work harder the next day. Researchers found that this self-correcting effect helps reduce incivility and improve workplace relationships.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalJournal of Business Ethics·TypeObservational study·DateMay 28, 2024

Baby bonuses and wedding bells: how life's big moments can challenge startups

A study by ECU's Professor Pi-Shen Seet and Associate Professor Wee-Liang Tan found that positive family events have a greater influence on the survival of new ventures, leading to overconfidence and poor decision-making. This can increase vulnerability to making mistakes that harm the venture.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalInternational Entrepreneurship and Management Journal·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 23, 2024

Happy or angry, how the brain recognize emotions

Researchers at IIT have identified a brain network that enables the recognition of others' emotions, which could lead to more effective treatments for neurodevelopmental conditions. The discovery provides insight into how the brain processes social functions and may help develop targeted therapies.

SourceIstituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 20, 2024

Revealing the conflict mechanism between cognition and emotion

A recent study investigated how specific brain circuits regulate emotional responses in depression, revealing a 'top-down' influence of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on the cingulo-striatal network. This finding suggests disrupting this signal might lead to pessimistic decision-making, a hallmark of depression.

SourceInstitute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 17, 2024
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Tepper School study finds not all failures lead to learning

Researchers studied cardiothoracic surgeons and found that accumulating failures triggers forces both increasing the opportunity to learn and decreasing motivation. This effect is higher for surgeons with lower perceived abilities to learn.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalStrategic Management Journal·DateMay 10, 2024

Emotion can also cause chickens to get red in the face

Research found that chickens get red in the face depending on their emotional state, with lighter colors at rest and scarlet red during negative experiences. The study also suggests using facial redness as an indicator of animal welfare, particularly in domesticated breeds.

SourceINRAE - National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment·JournalApplied Animal Behaviour Science·DateApr 23, 2024
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Emotional state transitions in trauma-exposed individuals with and without PTSD

A study found that trauma-exposed individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experience swift emotional transitions between neutral and negative states. Therapeutic approaches to moderate these transitions may help alleviate PTSD symptoms. The research suggests a potential new treatment direction for this condition.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateApr 16, 2024

Mirta Galesic awarded ERC Advanced Grant

Mirta Galesic has been awarded a €3 million ERC Advanced Grant to investigate collective adaptation. The project, hosted at the Complexity Science Hub, aims to understand how human groups navigate complex problem landscapes using computational models and empirical data.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·DateApr 11, 2024
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Decoding spontaneous thoughts from the brain via machine learning

Researchers used fMRI and predictive modeling to decode emotional dimensions of spontaneous thoughts, revealing the involvement of default mode, ventral attention, and frontoparietal networks. The study's findings hold promise for daydream decoding and potential applications in mental health.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 11, 2024

After being insulted, writing down your feelings on paper then getting rid of it reduces anger

Researchers at Nagoya University discovered that writing down one's reaction to a negative incident on paper and then disposing of it significantly reduces feelings of anger. The study found that participants who threw away the paper experienced a significant decrease in anger levels, while those who kept it saw only a small reduction.

SourceNagoya University·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 9, 2024

Dartmouth researchers map how the brain regulates emotions

A new study identifies multiple emotion regulation systems in the human brain, providing targets for therapy. The research reveals that regions in the anterior prefrontal cortex and higher-level cortical hierarchies are involved in emotion regulation.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 3, 2024

Suppressing boredom at work hurts future productivity, study shows

Researchers found that trying to stifle boredom prolongs its effects and that alternating boring and meaningful tasks helps prevent the negative impact on productivity. Boredom serves an important purpose, signaling the need for change, but ignoring it can lead to decreased productivity.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateMar 28, 2024

Research reveals link between menstrual cycles, emotions, and sleep patterns in women

Women experience disruptions in sleep patterns and heightened feelings of anger before their period, with reduced sleep efficiency and increased emotional distress. The study highlights the importance of considering hormonal fluctuations when addressing sleep disorders and emotional distress in women.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalJournal of Sleep Research·TypeObservational study·DateMar 21, 2024
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Machine learning tools can predict emotion in voices in just over a second

Researchers developed machine learning models that can recognize emotions in voice recordings as short as 1.5 seconds with high accuracy comparable to humans. The study used three ML models and achieved an accuracy of over 90%, with potential applications in therapy, interpersonal communication technology and more.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 20, 2024

Breathe, don’t vent: Turning down the heat is key to managing anger

Researchers analyzed over 150 studies involving more than 10,000 participants to find that lowering physiological arousal is key to managing anger. Arousal-decreasing activities such as deep breathing, mindfulness, and meditation were effective in reducing anger, while activities increasing arousal like jogging had no effect.

SourceOhio State University·JournalClinical Psychology Review·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 18, 2024

Study tracks shifts in student mental health during college

A four-year study by Dartmouth researchers tracks changes in student mental health during college, identifying key populations and stressors. The study found that first-year and female students are at risk for high anxiety and low self-esteem, while sophomores experience increased social activity but higher stress levels.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalProceedings of the ACM on Interactive Mobile Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies·TypeObservational study·DateMar 13, 2024

Explicit socioemotional learning can have a key role in PE lessons, study says

Researchers found that explicitly teaching socioemotional skills in PE lessons can have a key role in supporting students' communication skills, handling stress and accepting failure. This approach can be integrated into everyday teaching to ensure young adolescents enjoy positive outcomes linked to wellbeing and academic success.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPastoral Care in Education·TypeObservational study·DateMar 13, 2024
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Live music emotionally moves us more than streamed music

A recent study conducted at the University of Zurich found that live performances stimulate a stronger emotional response in the brain compared to listening to recorded music. The researchers used magnetic resonance imaging to measure brain activity during both live and recorded music sessions, revealing a significant difference in amy...

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 26, 2024

World’s first real-time wearable human emotion recognition technology developed!

A groundbreaking technology recognizes human emotions in real time, combining verbal and non-verbal expression data for accurate emotional information extraction. The system features a personalized skin-integrated facial interface that enables self-powered, flexible, and transparent emotion recognition.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 22, 2024

Uncovering anxiety: Scientists identify causative pathway and potential cures

Delta opioid receptors play a crucial role in anxiety development, and research reveals its therapeutic effects in animal models. KNT-127, a DOP agonist, reduces anxiety-like behavior by suppressing glutamatergic transmission, offering new potential for treating anxiety disorders.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalNeuropsychopharmacology Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 22, 2024
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Expressing workplace anger: Not the way to get ahead

Researchers found that people do not reward the expression of anger with more status, perceiving it as inappropriate and counter-instrumental for workplace goals. The study challenges previous research suggesting a positive correlation between expressing anger and achieving high status in the workplace.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalFrontiers in Social Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 19, 2024

To appreciate music, the human brain listens and learns to predict

Researchers at University of California - San Francisco have developed a precise map of what is happening in the brain’s auditory cortex when someone hears a melody. The study found that some aspects of music are entwined with how we understand speech, while other important aspects stand alone. The brain uses two sets of neurons to ass...

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 16, 2024

Why we hate to wait

A study by Annabelle Roberts explores the internal negotiations that occur when people feel impatient, including the desire for closure. The research finds that people become more impatient as their wait nears an end and offers lessons for marketers to make waiting less annoying.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 15, 2024
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Language and culture may influence how our brain processes emotional faces

A study found that exposure to emotion category words affects how brains process others' facial expressions, with culturally diverse groups showing different neural responses. The findings suggest that AI tools designed to read emotions from faces must account for cultural variation to avoid misinterpretation.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 15, 2024

Migrant and refugee children need early education supports too

Researchers found that childcare workers in informal creche settings need training to better support non-English speaking migrant and refugee children. The study showed that on-site professional learning improved emotional literacies and strategies for supporting these children, resulting in happier outcomes for families.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalEarly Childhood Education Journal·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 13, 2024

How emotions affect word retrieval in people with aphasia

People with aphasia struggle to come up with words when prompted by images and words carrying negative emotional meaning. Researchers found that neutral prompts yield the best results, with negative emotional context disrupting word retrieval. The study has implications for clinical assessments and therapy.

SourceOhio State University·JournalNeuropsychologia·DateFeb 8, 2024
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Study finds easy things we can do to cope with traumatic loss

A new study by North Carolina State University finds that daily activities called 'uplifts' can significantly improve emotional well-being after a traumatic loss. These uplifting activities, such as engaging in hobbies or spending time with loved ones, are found to be particularly beneficial on days when individuals report feeling older.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalApplied Psychology Health and Well-Being·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 7, 2024

Study suggests secret for getting teens to listen to unsolicited advice

A new study found that emerging adults appreciate their parents' unsolicited advice if they are supportive of their autonomy. Parents can foster this by providing clear guidelines and participating in activities interesting to their teens. Conversely, dismissive postures like 'Because I said so' can cause teens to build walls around un...

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalEmerging Adulthood·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 30, 2024

New study unveils emotional hubs that exist across languages

A recent study by Tokyo University of Science has identified central emotions across languages through word association-based colexification networks. The researchers found that concepts like GOOD, WANT, BAD, and LOVE are associated with many other words representing emotions.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalScientific Reports·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 17, 2024

Chung-Ang University study highlights barriers preventing bystander help during gender-based violence

A recent study by Chung-Ang University reveals that lack of success in previous intervention attempts and negative emotions are significant barriers hindering bystander interventions. The research highlights the need for targeted education programs to address these barriers, particularly among university students and those experiencing...

SourceChung Ang University·JournalTrauma Violence & Abuse·TypeSystematic review·DateJan 15, 2024
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Early study shows health benefits of creative arts therapies and nutrition education for postmenopausal women

A recent study from Drexel University explored an art therapy intervention to address the health needs of overweight, postmenopausal women. The integrated approach showed significant improvements in psychosocial wellbeing, quality of life, and body image, with participants also experiencing decreases in BMI and blood pressure.

SourceDrexel University·JournalArt Therapy·DateJan 11, 2024

Distinct sex differences persist in countries with higher standards of living

Despite improved living conditions, sex differences in personality, verbal skills, and negative emotions are larger in countries with higher standards of living. Women tend to benefit more from these improvements, exhibiting greater altruism and cooperative ability, while men show better cognitive skills but at a smaller advantage.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalPerspectives on Psychological Science·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 3, 2024

Perceived time has an actual effect on physical healing

New Harvard study finds that perceived time influences actual physical healing time, challenging conventional beliefs about psychological influence on health. The study used a standardized procedure to mildly wound volunteer subjects and found that wounds healed faster when participants believed more time had passed.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 2, 2024

Glial tone of aggression

Researchers at Tohoku University found that Bergmann glial cells in the cerebellar vermis regulate the volume of aggression in mice. The study suggests that adjusting glial activity in the cerebellum could lead to therapeutic strategies for managing anger and aggression.

SourceTohoku University·JournalNeuroscience Research·DateDec 5, 2023
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Pulling an all-nighter? Don’t follow with an important decision

A study from the University of Ottawa found that sleep deprivation significantly impacts decision-making processes, reducing neural responses to winning and losing outcomes. This can lead to diminished positive emotions in response to winning and negative emotions when faced with losses.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalPsychophysiology·TypeObservational study·DateNov 29, 2023

How certain media talk about AI may have everything to do with political ideology

Virginia Tech researchers analyzed partisan media sentiment toward AI and found that liberal-leaning media tend to have a more negative tone than conservative media. The study suggests that this opposition can be attributed to concerns over AI amplifying existing social biases, such as racial and income disparities.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateNov 22, 2023

MRI reveals brain activity behind fanaticism

Researchers used fMRI to study brain activity in soccer fans, finding that brain activity changes when a fan's team succeeds or fails. The study suggests that zealousness found among some sports fans can serve as an example of intense emotional investment and impaired rationality.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·DateNov 21, 2023
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Why emotions stirred by music create such powerful memories

A study published in Nature Communications found that music-evoked emotions create boundaries between episodes, making them easier to remember. Fluctuating emotions help form separate and durable memories, even from neutral experiences. The research has great therapeutic promise for helping people with PTSD and depression.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 20, 2023
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Guilt not as persuasive if directly tied to personal responsibility

A meta-analysis of studies found guilt has only a small persuasive effect, making it less effective than previously thought. Existential guilt appeals better for broader issues like environmental and educational topics, while personal responsibility-based guilt is less effective in health communications.

SourceWashington State University·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateNov 7, 2023

Teaching expectant mothers to bond with their babies

Researchers found that training expectant mothers can improve their ability to recognize happy baby expressions, leading to fewer signs of depression. This new approach aims to promote healthier emotional development for both mother and child.

SourceEuropean College of Neuropsychopharmacology·DateOct 8, 2023
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

“They yell and I yell back”

A new study by Uppsala University found that pre-school children aged 3–6 years can describe their feelings and family relationships in detail. The research suggests that children seek comfort from others when experiencing conflicts with parents, but also have positive experiences of making up after a fight.

SourceUppsala University·JournalJournal of Child and Family Studies·TypeObservational study·DateOct 5, 2023

Software can detect hidden and complex emotions in parents

Researchers developed a software that can accurately detect intricate details of emotions in parents, even in everyday family life. The study uses machine learning techniques to analyze facial expressions from videos taken at home, providing potential early intervention opportunities for mood and mental health disorders.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalFrontiers·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 4, 2023

New study sheds light on the impact of in-stream video advertising on ad information encoding

A recent study published in Journal of Advertising sheds light on the effects of in-stream video advertising on ad information encoding. The research found that mid-roll ads elicit negative emotions but do not affect viewers' purchase intention. In contrast, pre- and post-roll ads have a significant impact on memory formation, highligh...

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalJournal of Advertising·DateSep 25, 2023