Articles tagged with Fear
A new study suggests that psychedelics like psilocybin can suppress learned fear responses in individuals with PTSD by altering activity in the amygdala, a key brain region involved in processing fear and anxiety. The findings propose that psychedelic drugs enhance inhibitory signaling from GABAergic interneurons onto excitatory neurons.
A new study published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience has found that fans of action films and comedies react strongly to negative emotional stimuli, while those who prefer documentaries or crime films show a weaker reaction. The research suggests that people choose film genres that optimally stimulate their brains.
A study in Current Biology mapped a brain circuit responsible for detecting threats and forming fear memories. The hippocampus and subiculum are key structures involved, with the subiculum transferring information to the hypothalamus.
A study published in the Journal of Business and Psychology found that evaluators who feel social pressure to avoid exhibiting prejudice deliver more positive feedback to women, even if it means holding them back from growth opportunities. This 'protective paternalism' can ultimately hinder career advancement.
Researchers at University of Bath and Technical University of Darmstadt found that large language models like ChatGPT cannot learn independently or acquire new skills, making them controllable and predictable. The study concluded that LLMs remain inherently safe, but misuse is still possible.
A Wayne State University research team led by Taylor Takla is studying the neural, motor, cognitive and psychological factors underlying fear of falling in multiple sclerosis patients. The goal is to break the cycle of falls, reduced physical activity and social isolation, ultimately improving quality of life for MS patients.
Researchers found that reactivating therapeutically-altered memories during sleep leads to more brain activity related to memory processing, associated with a reduction in PTSD symptoms. Targeted memory reactivation (TMR) also reduced the inclination to avoid traumatic memories in patients.
A new study has found that fear of vaccines directly reduces people's intention to get vaccinated, leading to increased adoption of conspiracy beliefs. The researchers conducted three online studies with almost 1,000 participants to explore the impact of fear on vaccine hesitancy and anti-vaccine conspiracy beliefs.
Researchers highlight acute need for mental health services and support for men with prostate cancer. The study found that 15% of prostate cancer patients started anti-anxiety and antidepression medications at diagnosis, while only 6% sought help from mental health services.
Salk researchers created tools to study neuropeptides, finding they control the brain's fear response in mice. Neuropeptides are released during a mild stimulus, triggering fear behaviors, which can be reduced by silencing their release.
Researchers are developing a framework to combine AI and human intelligence in process safety systems, aiming to enhance safety and efficiency. The study identifies challenges and benefits of using Intelligence Augmentation (IA) and proposes strategies for effective implementation to minimize risks.
Researchers at UC Davis discover that uncertainty drives anxiety by changing how we perceive hazard rates. The study found that when the timing of a potential threat is unknown, our brains respond with increased anxiety.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have identified clear stress patterns among children undergoing dental treatment, particularly during anesthetic injections. The study used a sensor tool to monitor hand movements and sweating, revealing that invasive treatments were significantly more stressful for longer periods.
Research from the University of South Australia found that people with knee OA unconsciously believe exercise is dangerous, despite medical advice. The study developed a tool to detect and evaluate these implicit beliefs, suggesting they can be a better predictor of actual behavior than reported attitudes.
A new study led by researchers at UC San Francisco found that a virtual emotion-centered program called TunedIn can reduce diabetes distress by half and improve glucose control. The program incorporates elements of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and was delivered virtually to 276 adults with Type 1 diabetes.
A study from Binghamton University reveals that men with 'toxic masculinity' tend to act on passive responses, regardless of consent. Men who display hostile masculinity view situations as more consensual and are more likely to escalate intimacy.
A Washington State University study found that robot-phobia increases job insecurity and stress among hospitality workers, leading to greater intentions to leave their jobs. The impact is pronounced even for managers, highlighting the need for employers to communicate technology's limitations and human workers' roles.
A new Dartmouth study has found that prolonged contact between locals and migrants in Afghanistan did not reduce prejudice against migrants. The researchers tested psychologist Gordon Allport's 'contact theory' through a vocational training program, but found that structural changes are needed to address the issue.
A University of Kansas scholar argues that democratic values have been transgressed in recent years, and proposes seven accountability standards to prevent further erosion. The standards focus on authority, rights, tolerance, truth claims, and professional deference.
A new clinical trial reveals that a novel writing therapy can significantly reduce cancer-related trauma, depression, anxiety, and hopelessness in late-stage cancer patients. By confronting their greatest fears through written exposure-based coping (EASE), participants experience improved mental well-being.
A new study by Ohio State University found that Black youth feel less safe when visiting predominantly white areas of their city. The study, which involved 1,405 11- to 17-year-old youths, showed that Black kids who spent more time in white-dominated areas felt less safe and had higher levels of chronic stress, measured by hair cortiso...
A study found that emotional reactions to climate change influence policy preferences. Guilt and anger are linked to support for personally costly policies, while hope and sadness back proactive approaches. Fear is associated with support for regulatory policies across the board.
A new study published in BMC Psychiatry explores the fear of depression recurrence (FoDR) among people with major depressive disorder. Researchers found that FoDR can lead to increased anxiety and negative mood changes, while also triggering avoidance behaviors.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that fear specifically provokes different types of time-bound decision making for women versus men. Women experiencing fear tended to prioritize smaller short-term gains compared to men, while men's decisions appeared unaffected by their emotional state.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that virtual reality evokes stronger emotions and motivates climate action more effectively than traditional video. Loss-framed messages were most effective in VR, while gain-framed messages performed better in video format.
Researchers have solved the long-standing question of what triggers the alarm response in fish by identifying two distinct chemical signals: Daniol sulphate and Ostariopterin. These substances convey separate pieces of information that must be detected simultaneously to trigger a flight-or-freeze response.
Researchers at UC San Diego discover that acute stress triggers a switch in neurotransmitters, leading to generalized fear responses. They also find that suppressing GABA production and using antidepressants can prevent this effect.
A recent study conducted by the University of East Anglia found that over a third of people with smell disorders have experienced gas safety scares in the last five years. The research also showed that 32.2% of respondents had encountered safety concerns related to food, while 14.8% experienced gas incidents involving hurt individuals.
A Curtin University study reveals Australian Gen Z's major concerns about climate change, manifesting as anxiety, fear, and feelings of powerlessness. The study suggests that while online activism is important, Gen Z may need to engage in more traditional areas of activism to drive meaningful change.
Two new studies by UCL researchers found that nearly half of teenagers are worried about having children due to fear, self-doubt, and lack of education on reproductive health. The studies also highlighted gaps in sex education, with many students expressing concerns about endometriosis, infertility, and the impact of lifestyle on ferti...
A study by Ruhr-University Bochum found that therapy targeting spider fear can also reduce fear of heights. Exposure therapy increased self-efficacy, potentially leading to a common denominator between the two fears.
Researchers examine the dynamic nature of fear responses in varied environments, shedding light on physical manifestation of memory in the brain. The study reveals that fear memories are linked to pathological states like PTSD and generalized anxiety, with direct translational relevance for disorders involving dysregulated fear responses.
Growth hormone influences regulation of anxiety via a specific group of neurons, according to researchers at the University of São Paulo. The study identified somatostatin-expressing neurons as key players in modulating GH's anxiolytic effect, with increased anxiety observed in mice lacking these neurons.
A Washington State University study found that watching videos of a soft robot working with a person at picking and placing tasks lowered the viewers' safety concerns and feelings of job insecurity. Soft robots have a potential psychological advantage over rigid robots, as proximity does not increase negative reactions.
Researchers developed a new diagnostic tool to identify and treat Hikikomori, a condition characterized by prolonged physical isolation or social withdrawal. The Hikikomori Diagnostic Evaluation (HiDE) assesses the severity of social withdrawal, providing a practical guide for clinicians.
A new study analyzing cyberstalking research identified sociodemographic and background factors as the largest contributors to perpetration and victimization. The findings highlight the need for targeted prevention strategies considering overlap between offline violence and cyberviolence. Experts emphasize the importance of allocating ...
A new UniSA study reveals that over-represented sharks in 'creature feature' films contribute to excessive fear of sharks. Dr. Brianna Le Busque warns that safety measures should balance people's safety with access to the ocean, rather than exacerbating fear.
A newly developed labeling method allows for visualization of intraregional synaptic connections between inhibitory interneurons and excitatory engram cells. Researchers have identified the role of inhibitory interneurons in memory expression, suggesting that they suppress fear expression by inhibiting fear engram cells.
A new study finds that individuals with PTSD symptoms exhibit a blunted responsiveness to cortisol, leading to impaired fear extinction and other biological alterations. Researchers used a genetically selected rat model to demonstrate the causal link between low glucocorticoid levels and PTSD vulnerability.
A recent study led by ecologists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem investigated how desert isopods select burrow sites amidst looming predators. Larger female isopods displayed a preference for safer burrows, emphasizing the importance of size and safety in their breeding site choices.
A study by UC Riverside researchers found that communities of color in Inland Southern California experienced fear and mistrust of institutions due to historical, cultural, and social traumas. The study highlights the need for culturally sensitive health interventions to address these traumas and promote community-based approaches for ...
Researchers have discovered that traumatic memories create new neural networks and associations between distinct networks, enabling fear-based learning and recall. The study used optical and machine-learning approaches to visualize the dynamics of brain activity during memory formation.
Research reveals UK immigration system's reliance on anger, disgust, suspicion, and fear to cast migrants as 'threatening, polluting and irrelevant', leading to deportability and disposability. The system employs emotional governance to disenfranchise migrants, fostering racial categorization and domination.
A new study from North Carolina State University explores how racism shapes Black motherhood in the US, revealing distinct challenges and stresses faced by Black mothers. The study categorizes these effects into three areas: protective mothering, resistance mothering, and encumbered mothering.
Historian Dr Philippa Carter argues that jobs like food preparation, childcare, and dairy production left women exposed to witchcraft accusations. These occupations, often performed by women, were perceived as a threat to social order, increasing the likelihood of suspicion and accusation.
A new approach to PTSD treatment may involve targeting cerebellar inhibitory interneurons, which play a critical role in fear memory formation. The research found that these interneurons drive fear memory consolidation via learning-induced HCN plasticity.
A study found that LGBTIQA+ Australians are 20 times more likely to consider suicide, but face unique barriers to accessing support due to intersecting identities. The research highlights the need for targeted early interventions and affirming services in remote areas.
A new study found that boys' sleep patterns remain stable until around age 12, suggesting that social and behavioral factors may play a role in sleep problems. After this age, changes in sleep patterns may begin to occur, making it essential for parents to seek help when needed.
Despite increased problem behaviors like stranger aggression and training problems, shelter dog owners reported high satisfaction rates of 94% due to improved behavior over time. Owners also noted a decrease in separation-related behaviors as their dogs became more assured of return home.
A cluster of neurons in the brains of fruit flies has been found to control visual aversion to scary objects. The researchers discovered that these neurons release a chemical called tachykinin, which regulates vision when feeling afraid.
Researchers found that people generalize expectations of pain to conceptually related tasks, leading to avoided activities and reduced mobility. Participants learned to associate certain routes with pain and extended this association to other tasks in the same category.
Internet search trends indicate a growing prevalence of biophobias worldwide, particularly in countries with large urban populations. Researchers analyzed search interest for various biophobia types and found an association between urban living and increased fear of certain organisms.
Scientists at the University of Tokyo have discovered a pheromone that reduces fear in rats, which could lead to more humane methods of pest control. The researchers found that this pheromone, 2-methylbutyric acid, can calm both lab and wild rats, reducing their fear responses.
Researchers argue that negative emotions can be beneficial when leveraged correctly, rather than seen as counterproductive. By analyzing scenes from three blockbuster movies, they show how teams can shift fear to anger and use shared identity and values to overcome challenges. To help teams adapt, experts recommend paying attention to ...
Victims of sexual assault are often blamed for not fighting back, but neuroscientific research suggests this may be due to involuntary immobility. Thirty per cent of women experience sexual assault or rape in their lifetime, and 70% report being 'frozen' during the ordeal.
A new Dartmouth study reveals high rates of childbirth fear in US pregnant people, associated with factors such as racism, low income, and pre-existing conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these fears, leading to increased stress and anxiety during labor.
Researchers found that psilocybin facilitates fear extinction in mice by promoting hippocampal neuroplasticity. The study's results improve our understanding of the restorative effects of psilocybin on the brain and may lead to alternative treatments for PTSD.
A WVU research team has created an OPTIMAL model to help students overcome fears of learning code and enhance critical thinking skills when using ChatGPT, a popular AI chatbot. The model facilitates chatbot-aided scientific data analysis and aims to improve coding skills and prompting abilities.
Researchers led by Nicolas Ajzenman found that immigrants don't increase crime rates, but people's perception of crime does. In Chile, migrants' presence sparked concerns among citizens, with those exposed to immigration inflows more likely to rank crime as a top concern.
A UCF research team, in partnership with the City of Orlando, aims to prevent falls among older adults through a low-cost, portable technology-based intervention. The project seeks to address public health disparities and support the development of affordable housing options.