Research on why people act as they do. Covers self-processing across primates, substance use, weight-loss behavior, and nicotine seeking.
Researchers analyzed data from the Chicago Police Department and found that Black and Hispanic officers make fewer stops and arrests, use less force than white officers. Female officers also use less force than males. The study suggests increasing diversity in police departments may decrease police mistreatment of minority communities.
Researchers found that human-as-machine representations can lead to unhealthy food choices among consumers with low confidence in their ability to make rational decisions. Adding reassuring messages can increase healthy food choice by 22%. The study highlights the need for a nuanced approach to public health strategies.
Researchers discovered how collective worm behavior helps blobs survive longer against desiccation and respond to temperature gradients and intense light. By studying the worms' movements and interactions, scientists gained insights into the principles of living systems that can be applied to human-designed swarm robots.
Researchers found that lead levels in songbirds' drinking water impaired their ability to produce normal vocalizations and attract mates. The study suggests that even low levels of lead can have negative effects on the brain and learning abilities of these birds.
Scientists have identified neurons responsible for rapidly stopping behaviors and actions in patients with Parkinson's disease. These 'stop signal neurons' are critical in canceling planned movements, a skill that is lost in the condition. The discovery has the potential to improve deep brain stimulation treatment outcomes.
Aarhus University researcher Kasper Vita Kristensen is investigating indoor air chemicals, which affect health, productivity, and learning. His project aims to identify chemical sources, processes, and technologies to create a healthier indoor climate for children.
A new study led by Salk Institute scientists identified a strain of E. coli bacteria that causes female mice to neglect their offspring when living in the gut. The research reveals a direct link between the particular microbe and maternal behavior, adding to growing evidence that microbes in the gut affect brain health and development.
Researchers developed an evolutionary agent-based model to understand the impact of prioritizing discoveries and found that it can lead to reduced quality research and publication bias. However, reforms like scoop protection can help mitigate these issues.
Researchers found that most women's menstrual cycles aligned with synodic months at certain intervals, while also showing synchronization with tropical months in younger women, suggesting a stronger effect on menstrual cycles during long winter nights when exposed to moonlight.
Researchers developed an AI that accurately identifies places with insufficient or out-of-service stations. The tool is particularly effective in micropolitan areas, where population growth may lead to infrastructure issues.
A Carnegie Mellon University study suggests that Duchenne smiles may not be a reliable indicator of true happiness. Researchers found that smiling eye smiles were more closely related to smile intensity than emotional state, highlighting the need for more nuanced understanding of human emotions and facial expressions.
A Northwestern University study finds that deep sleep has an ancient power to clear waste from the brain, including toxic proteins that may lead to neurodegenerative disease. This waste clearance process is substantially enhanced during deep sleep.
Boston University researchers developed a personalized procedure to selectively modulate orbitofrontal brain activity, resulting in reduced compulsive behavior. The five-day treatment showed immediate and sustained improvements, even for those with severe symptoms.
A team of researchers recommends using psychological and cognitive sciences to develop interventions that empower users to control their digital environments. Cognitive tools such as "boosts" can enhance people's agency in online discourse and improve reasoning against manipulation.
Research suggests that goals involving helping others are more satisfying and lead to increased happiness. Acts of benevolence increase positive mood and energy, while narrow self-focused concerns can lead to decreased happiness. Experts recommend focusing on contributing to the world for a happier life.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that both capuchin monkeys and rhesus macaques exhibit the sunk cost phenomenon, persisting longer than optimal when uncertain about outcomes. This behavior is driven by evolutionary mechanisms and uncertainty, suggesting it may be deeply embedded across species.
Two new studies provide insights into preventing workplace accidents and injuries by analyzing human error and cognitive processes. Researchers have developed an error-detection framework that computes the likelihood of human error in occupational settings.
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba found that low-intensity exercise during adolescence can significantly reduce abnormal behaviors in a mouse model of schizophrenia. The study suggests that mild exercise habits during development could have a powerful preventative effect in individuals genetically predisposed to schizophrenia.
A new study found that the tension between awareness of Covid-19's severity and fatigue from pandemic precautions can lead to unusual epidemic patterns. The research team analyzed data and found evidence that individuals tend to increase their activity before the virus wanes, worsening the epidemic severity.
A new study explores how human decision-making impacts engineered systems. Researchers found that people often overestimate their abilities and succumb to biases, leading to inefficiencies in system design.
A nationwide study investigates child nutrition administrative agencies' responses to meal service provision during school closures. Most jurisdictions provided easily interpretable information, but few offered comprehensive implementation guidance or communication with families.
Recent study reveals astrocytes modulate balance of inhibition/excitation in neural networks controlling decision-making. Astrocyte activation improves cognitive performance and regulates gamma oscillations involved in perception, working memory, and other cognitive functions.
A University of California, Davis study found that children who experienced compassionate love from their mothers were more willing to give up tokens for others. The study also showed that being generous had a calming effect on the children, reinforcing the behavior and promoting prosocial orientation.
Algorithms can adopt collusive pricing rules without human intervention, posing a threat to consumers. A multidisciplinary policy design is proposed to investigate AI pricing algorithms for collusion in controlled environments.
A recent study published in Psychophysiology found that the essence of human being remains stable throughout life, with a component of self-awareness remaining intact. The study suggests that changes to physical aspects, attitudes, and values are more likely to occur over time.
New research suggests that T. gondii infection alters human behavior by lowering norepinephrine levels, which control stress response and neuroinflammation. This finding may contribute to the development of antipsychotic treatments for schizophrenia and other neurological disorders.
Researchers found that dogs' looking times were influenced by the owner's expressed preference, but not their fetching behavior. The study suggests that dogs can perceive and respond to human displays of preference, but may not fully understand the subjective nature of desire.
Researchers developed a new method for designing spontaneous behaviors in robots, inspired by complex temporal patterns in animal brains. The approach uses high-dimensional chaos and reservoir computing to implement humanlike cognitive functions.
Researchers studied the use of plastic in nest construction by leaf-cutter bees and found it could change the environment of their nests. They suggest using natural fibers instead to avoid harmful effects on the insects.
A new study by UT Austin found that temperature and humidity have no significant role in coronavirus transmission, while human behavior plays a major role. Travel habits and urban density are among the top contributing factors to COVID-19 growth.
A new study by MIT neuroscientists shows that the activity of norepinephrine-producing neurons in a single brain region, the locus coeruleus, controls both focus to ignore distractions and discipline to curb impulses. Stimulating LC activity improved attentional control tasks, while inhibiting it had the opposite effect.
Researchers from the University of Kansas have discovered a link between people's attachment styles and their trust in artificial intelligence. Attachment anxiety is associated with reduced trust, while enhanced attachment security increases trust. The study suggests that reminding individuals of their secure relationships can boost tr...
Research on Prader-Willi and Angelman syndromes reveals associations between UBE3A gene expression levels and social communication difficulties in PWS, as well as fine motor skills impairment in AS. The study's findings suggest a potential link between inflammatory pathways and disease severity in these conditions.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that individuals with autism spectrum disorder show reduced flexible behavior due to less optimal learning. The research used a developmental approach and examined flexible behavior on a probabilistic reversal learning task in children, adolescents, and adults with ASD.
A study of over 5,000 couples found that nearly all shared unhealthy habits, such as low-quality diet and inadequate exercise. The vast majority fell into the non-ideal category for cardiovascular health, with most sharing these behaviors. Improving one partner's health may positively impact their loved one.
A University of Washington study reveals certain human actions increase survival chances in devastating events. Researchers suggest simple behavioral changes, such as being aware of local hazards and moving to a higher floor, can save more lives than expensive engineering solutions.
Research from Michigan State University and Ohio State University found that empowerment initiatives can be effective when implemented by leaders who value being respected, but can lead to micromanaging and decreased motivation when led by those who prioritize control. The study suggests that candid conversations between employees and ...
A study by Megan Carey and Catarina Albergaria found that altered cannabinoid signalling impairs learning in mice. However, this was not due to direct effects on neural plasticity, but rather the reduced activity levels of the mutant mice. Restoring behavioral state through exercise fully restored learning abilities.
Research from the University of Notre Dame found that artificial light abnormally increases mosquito biting behavior at night in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The study suggests that increasing levels of light pollution could impact the transmission of diseases such as dengue fever, yellow fever, and Zika.
A joint research team has solved the puzzle of non-Fermi liquid behaviour in interacting electrons systems through quantum many-body computation and analytical calculations. The findings provide a protocol for establishing new paradigms in quantum metals, with potential applications in solving the energy crisis.
Researchers developed new AI models inspired by nature, reducing complexity and enhancing interpretability. These models can control vehicles with just a few artificial neurons, outperforming previous deep learning models in tasks such as autonomous lane keeping.
Researchers analyze how our minds plan resource use to reduce excessive energy consumption and carbon emissions. They propose concrete strategies to fine-tune policy instruments and promote sustainable behavior, taking into account cognitive mechanisms such as spillover effects, rebound effects, and mental accounting labels.
A new deep learning model inspired by tiny animals has shown decisive advantages over previous models in tasks such as autonomous driving. The model achieves better performance with fewer neurons and is more interpretable than complex 'black box' systems.
Research published in BMJ Global Health found that viewers who trust right-wing US TV media are less likely to engage in preventive behaviors and more likely to report risky behaviors. This association was observed despite health behaviors becoming more cautious over time.
Researchers developed a new model that describes driving behavior based on a 'human' principle: managing risk below a threshold level. The model can accurately predict human behavior in various driving tasks and may be used in intelligent cars to reduce their 'robotic' feel.
Researchers from VA Boston Healthcare System and Boston University School of Public Health used machine learning to explore streamlining the diagnostic tool for PTSD. They found that six questions could be cut from the SCID-5 while maintaining accuracy, with different questions being more or less important for male and female veterans.
Researchers found that honeybees use a simple counting-based model to learn from visual scenes, unlike humans who employ complex probabilistic learning to recognize patterns. This difference may contribute to human superiority in cognitive capacities.
The US Army Research Laboratory teamed up with Italian Institute of Technology, Harvard Medical School, and University of California, Irvine to study the complexities of the human brain. Researchers used transcranial magnetic stimulation and fMRI to track neural changes after inhibiting a specific part of the brain.
Researchers at the University of Zurich have discovered that the orbitofrontal cortex can reprogram neurons in sensory areas to enable flexible decision-making. This process involves a direct connection between the two regions, allowing for rapid adaptation to new situations.
A recent study found that installing cameras in HGV cabs significantly reduces risky driving behaviors, with coaching further improving results. The analysis of 669 vehicles over two years revealed a 31% reduction in harsh cornering and a 34% decrease in speeding incidents.
Research from the University of Kent found that TRESK plays a crucial role in regulating the brain's central circadian clock. Lowering TRESK levels disrupted the biological rhythm, causing the clock to lose its day-night association.
Researchers at Princeton University have discovered a small molecule named Streptosactin, which exhibits fratricidal activity in the human microbiome. This is the first time a small molecule has been found to kill its own kind.
A new study from North Carolina State University has shed light on the earliest stages of Angelman syndrome, a genetic disorder affecting brain development and function. The research used human cerebral organoids to monitor the behavior of a key gene, UBE3A, revealing its role in early brain tissue development.
A study found that weight stigma in young adults predicted higher levels of stress, depressive symptoms, and binge eating during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research also showed that weight stigma was associated with worse health outcomes for both males and females, regardless of their body weight.
A German-Israeli research team found that nature conservation initiatives rarely lead to behavioral changes, citing the need for a broader range of interventions. The study analyzed eight national strategy papers on pollinator conservation and identified a lack of focus on behavioral change interventions, with most measures relying on ...
A new phone app has been shown to effectively reduce symptoms of eating disorders in college women, including binge eating and depression. The app-based cognitive behavioral therapy provided a convenient and accessible means of intervention, with 83% of participants completing at least some of the program.
A groundbreaking international research network will study how animals use odor information to guide behavior, aiming to understand the brain's evolution and potential applications in robotics and disease research. The project, led by CU Boulder, will reverse-engineer how the brain interprets odors and activate motor circuits.
Despite severe health problems, 93% of flat-faced dog owners want to own their breed again in the future. Positive behavioral attributes and suitability for a sedentary lifestyle are common reasons for reacquisition or recommendation. However, owners acknowledge significant health risks, including respiratory disease and heat stroke.
Scientists at Yale University found that flies perceive motion in static images similarly to humans, using a shared strategy for motion detection. By analyzing specific neuron types and behavior, the researchers developed a theory explaining how optical illusions work, which may also apply to human visual systems.
Researchers studied 25 immature chimpanzees learning to use tools, discovering they acquire complex termite-extracting skills over time. The study provides insights into how technology evolved in human culture and highlights the sophistication of Central African chimpanzee tool-using skills.