Articles tagged with Fear
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.
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.
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 new Edith Cowan University study found that individuals with fear-based motives are more likely to experience emotion regulation difficulties, leading to depression and anxiety. Understanding underlying motives is crucial for protecting mental health.
A recent study found that anxiety about contracting COVID-19 is a significant predictor of vaccine hesitancy. However, proactive coping, a trait involving future planning, also plays a surprising role in vaccine hesitation, amplifying it at both ends of the spectrum.
A team of researchers used imaging technology to study synapse dynamics in the brains of live mice, revealing that some new synapses formed during fear conditioning are eliminated over time. This finding supports the 'unlearning' hypothesis and could help scientists better understand brain activity in patients with PTSD.
Researchers found that clonidine, a common blood pressure medication, can reduce the consolidation of traumatic memories in PTSD patients. By interacting with the adrenergic receptor axis, clonidine interferes with cofilin's ability to form mushroom-shaped dendritic spines, which are essential for memory formation. This suggests that c...
Researchers found that remote fear memories are permanently stored in connections between memory neurons in the prefrontal cortex. The study suggests that a dysregulation of fear memory consolidation can lead to chronic maladaptive fear in PTSD, affecting about 6% of the population.
A UC Riverside study found that farmworkers in the Eastern Coachella Valley lack information and means to advocate for better public health due to language barriers, job insecurity, and limited access to healthcare. The study highlights disproportionate respiratory illness affecting Latinx children living near the Salton Sea.
AORN Journal researcher Danielle Quintana defines surgical conscience as the moral obligation to perform duties regardless of cost or consequence. Her conceptual model illustrates the importance of consistent, accurate, and safe practice in the perioperative environment.
Researchers discovered that eliminating a serotonin receptor enhances fear extinction, leading to improved therapy outcomes for PTSD patients. This finding may help develop targeted treatment strategies by understanding the role of SSRIs in modulating brain activity.
Researchers discovered that synchronized neural oscillations in the right hemisphere of the brain induce empathic behavior in mice, allowing them to perceive and share each other's fear. The study identified the causal relationship between 5-7 Hz oscillations in the cingulo-amygdala circuit and empathic responses.
Small cell clusters in hippocampus are vital for fear-based memories, while sleep helps stabilize these clusters to improve memory. The study uses immediate early gene imaging to visualize active cells throughout the entire rat hippocampus.
A Swansea University study found that people's fear of COVID-19 has a long-lasting impact on psychological wellbeing, affecting anxiety, depression and sleep difficulties. The study also found that older participants and those from minority ethnic groups were most likely to experience COVID-19 fear.
New research presents neurotechnology as a powerful tool for studying the brain and enabling targeted therapies for neurological disorders. Devices like nerve stimulators and brain implants can monitor or modulate neural activity, offering potential treatments for conditions such as paralysis and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
New research by Lancaster University and Bocconi University finds that Kenyan parents with access to mass media believe the risk of dying in a terrorist attack is 12 times larger than actual rates. This leads to children being kept out of schools, affecting their education and future earnings.
A study by Ural Federal University found that daytime naps and wakefulness both reinforce the formation of fear memories in response to emotional trauma. This research has significant implications for developing strategies for rehabilitating individuals with anxiety disorders.
Researchers found that the brain's defense system is activated during selfless helping behavior, contrary to the long-held idea that empathy drives such actions. The study used fMRI scans to measure brain activity in 49 healthy volunteers who were asked to decide whether to help another person avoid discomfort.
Clinical psychologists need new ways to understand and confront the fear of losing control, which is an understudied construct. Adam Radomsky's research suggests that a deeper understanding of what leads to a client's choices can help therapists make better ones in the future.
Working with robots may lead to increased reports of burnout and incivility among employees. Self-affirmation exercises can help mitigate fears about being replaced by machines.
A new study shows the first-of-its-kind program led to significant declines in anxiety for those with food allergies and improvements in quality of life. The Food Allergy Bravery (FAB) program provides individualized, cognitive behavioral treatment that encourages children to take small steps towards facing allergen-related fears.
Researchers at Linköping University discovered a biological mechanism that increases the strength of fear memories stored in the brain. This finding provides new knowledge on the mechanisms behind anxiety-related disorders and identifies shared mechanisms with alcohol dependence.
A new study suggests that climate anxiety is a significant driver of climate action, particularly among younger people and those with higher generalized anxiety. Media exposure, rather than direct experiences, predicts climate anxiety, which can motivate individuals to make environmentally friendly lifestyle changes.
Researchers at Salk Institute discover a molecule called CGRP that enables neurons to bundle threatening sensory cues into a unified signal, conveying it to the amygdala. The study may lead to new therapies for fear-related disorders such as PTSD and autism.
Recent research has found significant decreases in bias across explicit attitudes in the US over 14 years. Fear responses to imagined stimuli are also acquired and generalized, with no long-term change in implicit attitudes towards age, disability, or body weight. Gender differences in verbal fluency and memory have been identified, wi...
Researchers found that smells can enhance or hinder our ability to recognize emotions in others' faces. The study used a spectrum of emotions, from extreme joy to neutral, and measured participants' response times.
A new study from the University of South Australia identifies five key approaches for parents and caregivers to discuss everyday pain with young children. Teaching children that they can control their pain and empowering them to actively engage in pain management can promote lifelong helpful pain behaviors and encourage recovery. By he...
Researchers say stereotypes and stigma surrounding mental illness can lead to poor workplace behavior. Employees with mental illnesses may face fear of discrimination, which drives inauthenticity and counterproductive work behaviors.
A new study by Linda Tropp found that teachers' implicit racial biases and concerns about being perceived as racist independently contribute to their lower intentions to discuss race with students. Recent teacher training programs have focused on addressing implicit biases, but not conscious concerns about being seen as racist.
A novel study found that vaccine-related fears significantly impact flu shot outcomes, reducing vaccination rates and increasing symptoms of dizziness. Researchers recommend interventions to address fear and potential dizziness, such as applied muscle tension techniques.
A virtual reality app called oVRcome has been shown to reduce symptoms of five common phobias, including fear of flying and needles, by 75% in a six-week trial. The app uses exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy to help patients build up their tolerance to their phobias.
A large international study found that 31.4% of adolescents in 13 European and Asian countries reported feeling unsafe at school. The study highlighted the need for strategies to provide educational environments where all students can feel protected, regardless of their background.
Researchers discovered that stress neurotransmitter norepinephrine stimulates a specific population of inhibitory neurons in the amygdala to generate a repetitive bursting pattern of electrical discharges. This leads to the formation of fear memories, which can be difficult to forget due to their association with traumatic experiences.
Young people aged 18-30 fear influence and control, crime and security, changes in life pace, negative technological consequences, and social inequality. Digital fears reinforce traditional concerns and emerge from uncertainty and growing forces beyond human control.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science identify brain regions and signaling pathways involved in fear extinction via delta receptor activation. The study suggests a potential therapeutic agent for post-traumatic stress disorders by suppressing fearful memories.
Researchers found that NYX-783, a newly discovered drug, modulates NMDA receptor activity in neurons to suppress traumatic memories and spontaneous recovery of PTSD. The drug was effective in reducing fear responses and improving treatment outcomes, particularly in female mice.
A Rutgers study of New Jersey nurses reveals that the combined effect of COVID-19 fears and workplace racism has a devastating impact on nonwhite workers. The research found that nurses of color experience higher levels of emotional distress due to these factors.
A new study from the University of Toronto reveals that immigrants are twice as likely to fear being targeted of stigma during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada compared to Canadian-born residents. Additionally, migrants expressed greater health concerns related to vaccines and accessing healthcare during the early days of the pandemic.
A study of over 1,000 people in Hungary found that those with strong connections to nature had lower fear scores for snakes and spiders. This association may be a protective factor against developing these phobias, which can significantly impact daily life.
Researchers from RIKEN created Nikola, an android child that can convey six basic emotions through facial expressions. The study tested the quality of these expressions and found that humans can recognize them with varying accuracy.
A new study finds that COVID-19 vaccination is associated with statistically significant declines in multiple psychological distress factors. Vaccination was linked to reductions in perceived risks of infection, hospitalization, and death, as well as improvements in mental health and quality of life.
A Bar-Ilan University study reveals a correlation between physiological data collected prior to the pandemic and heightened COVID-related fears. The research found that individuals with larger households and those who experienced financial difficulties during the pandemic were more likely to exhibit elevated worries.
Researchers found increased myelination in areas associated with emotions and memory in individuals with anxiety and PTSD, correlating with specific symptoms. This study provides a possible explanation for individual variation in stress response and may lead to targeted treatments.
An international study found that masks can evoke fears of Covid-19 in anxious individuals, leading to avoidance behavior. Younger people are more cautious than older counterparts, suggesting media consumption plays a role. Policymakers should focus on reducing mask-related dread to promote public acceptance.
The insular cortex processes both positive and negative emotions and receives information from the body, including heart rate and breathing. In mice, the brain uses bodily signals to regulate fear, keeping it within a healthy range.
A UC study found that Ohioans consider various factors beyond distance and cost when selecting an abortion clinic, including personal experiences, online reviews, and clinic type. The research highlights the importance of social myths and risk perception in shaping choices about abortion care.
Researchers at the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre have discovered a new brain circuit that enables mice to override their instincts based on previous experience. The ventral lateral geniculate nucleus (vLGN) inhibits threat reactions when animals feel safe, but activates them when danger is perceived.
Researchers discovered zebrafish neurons that monitor prediction errors to efficiently avoid danger, creating a 'hazard map' in the brain. This study sheds light on brain circuits shared across vertebrates, including humans.
A new VA study finds a strong connection between PTSD symptom severity and anxiety sensitivity among female Veterans who experienced military sexual trauma. Treating anxiety may ease core PTSD symptoms, suggesting anxiety sensitivity as a potential target for treatment.
A new augmented reality app, Phobys, has been developed to help people reduce their fear of spiders through exposure therapy. The app uses a realistic 3D spider model projected into the real world and offers nine levels of training, with game elements to maintain motivation.
A recent NTU Singapore study reveals that individuals experiencing fear, social pressure, and perceived scarcity are more likely to engage in panic buying. The study's findings highlight the importance of addressing the psychological and social components of panic buying to mitigate its detrimental impact on societies.
A recent study reveals that some prostate cancer survivors experience a persistent fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) even many years after diagnosis and treatment. The study identified patient and clinical risk factors linked with FCR, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and psychosocial care.
A recent study has shown that COVID-19 stressors are negatively impacting resettled refugees' mental health, with links to PTSD, depression, and poorer daily functioning. Refugees' past experiences may heighten the impact of the pandemic due to traumatic events and challenges in the post-migration environment.
A global study found that people use music as a coping mechanism for emotional and social stress, with music listening helping to regulate depression and fear. Music making also provides a sense of community and self-reflection, while 'coronamusic' reveals the power of collective creative responses during times of crisis.
Researchers at Brown University introduce 'dignity neuroscience,' arguing that universal rights are rooted in human brain science. The concept posits five core elements - agency, autonomy, and self-determination; freedom from want and fear; uniqueness; and unconditionality - which reflect fundamental features of the human brain.
A new model incorporates human behavior and fears to predict multiple waves of COVID-19 infections. The 'Triple Contagion' model shows how fear can drive disease resurgence, as people may abandon protective measures prematurely or avoid vaccines due to misinformation.
Scientists have identified a unique subset of inhibitory cells in the amygdala known as apITC, which modulates plasticity in fear learning. The apITC connects to various regions, including thalamic processing centers and sensory areas, to regulate fear-related responses.
Researchers at the University of Zurich found that humans respond more quickly and with higher sensitivity to positive screams, which indicate joy, than to negative screams. The study revealed six distinct types of scream calls, including pain, anger, fear, pleasure, sadness, and joy.