Research on why people act as they do. Covers self-processing across primates, substance use, weight-loss behavior, and nicotine seeking.
A recent meta-analysis of research on implicit bias found that changing people's biases may not necessarily lead to changes in related behaviors. The study, published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, reviewed 492 studies and found no evidence of a causal relationship between biased thinking and behavior.
A recent study from the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity found that weight stigma in men is associated with harmful health consequences, including depressive symptoms and dieting behaviors. Men who experienced or internalized weight stigma had higher rates of binge eating and lower self-rated health.
Researchers are investigating how to make talk therapy treatment more accessible to all women, particularly those with mild to severe symptoms. The study aims to determine the effectiveness of non-specialist delivered interventions, such as nurses trained to deliver behavioral activation therapy, in improving mental health outcomes.
Scientists have discovered how mosquito brains integrate signals from their olfactory and visual systems to identify and track potential hosts for blood meals. Smelling carbon dioxide triggers changes in the brain that initiate a behavioral response, causing mosquitoes to scan their surroundings with their visual system.
A team of researchers identified a link between ghrelin and episodic memory, finding that blocking ghrelin signaling impaired rats' ability to remember specific events. The study also found that vagal ghrelin signaling influences feeding behavior, with animals eating more frequently but consuming smaller amounts at each meal.
Researchers found that mice eating a high-fat diet who fasted every other day had reduced pancreatic fat and lower blood sugar levels. This suggests that intermittent fasting may be a therapeutic approach to prevent type 2 diabetes by reducing fat accumulation in the pancreas.
Researchers found that electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve increases motivation to exert physical effort for food rewards, potentially providing a novel method to alter motivation. The study involved 81 hungry participants who underwent two sessions: one with vagus nerve stimulation and another with placebo stimulation.
A new study from Penn State College of Medicine suggests that atypical eating behaviors may be a sign a child should be screened for autism. Researchers found that 70% of children with autism exhibit unusual eating habits, including limited food preferences and hypersensitivity to textures or temperatures.
A new epidemic forecast model developed by Texas A&M researchers can accurately predict disease trajectories by taking into account human behavior. This allows for more effective resource allocation during outbreaks, reducing the risk of over-preparation and public mistrust.
Researchers review 200 years of non-human primate interactions with their dead, observing behaviors like defense of deceased companions and emotional responses. The study reveals a complex cognitive understanding of death among primates, including an ability to grasp objects and distinguish between living and dead.
A team of researchers has identified a key link between pre-existing brain circuit function and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) vulnerability. The study found that rats with altered neural circuit connectivity were more prone to fearful responses to threats, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms of PTSD.
Researchers model how octopus arms make decisions, finding a bottom-up decision mechanism that coordinates actions without brain input. The study sheds light on the diversity of cognition in the world and the universe.
Researchers at Stanford University developed a new system that combines demonstrations and user preference surveys to set goals for autonomous systems, achieving better results in simulations and real-world experiments. The system improved upon previous methods, reducing the time required to generate instructions by 15-50 times.
Researchers found that children aged 4-6 struggle to comprehend complex moral lessons in TV shows, leading to increased stigmatization and negative attitudes towards characters with disabilities. Explicit explanations or discussions of lessons presented in the show can help improve children's responses.
Researchers at MIT have developed an algorithm that accurately aligns partial trajectories in real-time, allowing motion predictors to anticipate the timing of a person's motion. This breakthrough enables robots and humans to work together in close proximity without unnecessary pauses or conflicts.
A study from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business finds that people perceive liars as successful and competent in jobs requiring high pressure sales tactics. In experiments, participants were more likely to hire deceivers for these roles, even when their own money was at stake.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University have developed a new attack called Malboard that mimics a user's keystroke characteristics to evade detection. The attack can be carried out by a remote attacker or an insider using wireless communication, and it is capable of injecting malicious software into the keyboard.
Researchers developed an automated system using facial recognition to predict high-risk behavior in ICU patients, such as removing breathing tubes. The tool achieved moderate accuracy and has the potential to continuously monitor patient safety.
Research suggests both single neurons and large neural assemblies support spatial navigation; a potential link has been discovered between the two, with EEG oscillations potentially constituting the connection.
A new study led by Penn State found that exercise can help teenagers sleep longer and more efficiently. Participants who engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity fell asleep 18 minutes earlier and slept for 10 minutes longer than those who were sedentary. The researchers also found connections between sleep and activity the fo...
Research from Iowa State University found that cultural values significantly limit the effectiveness of transformational leadership. The four core components of transformational leadership were tested in nearly 200 studies of over 57,000 employees from 34 countries.
A new article in Neuron presents a model of working memory that captures its flexibility through high-dimensional random networks and structured sensory networks. The model suggests a tradeoff between flexibility and capacity in working memory.
A study from the University of Bath aims to address human error in cyberattacks by using technology inspired from exercise and fitness apps. Researchers plan to create a prototype that gently nudges users into changing their passwords, updating privacy settings, and locking screens.
A study found that Wi-Fi location influences online privacy behavior, with people in public spaces like coffee shops being more cautious when using public Wi-Fi. Participants who had a stronger 'publicness heuristic' tendency disclosed less information and engaged in fewer unethical behaviors when connected to public networks.
Researchers found that people tend to trust machines more than humans when it comes to private information, which can lead to online behaviors. The presence of a machine agent on the interface triggers this 'machine heuristic,' making users more likely to share sensitive info.
Scientists studying microscopic worms discovered a brain circuit that underlies repetitive behavior. The study found defects in one protein cause animals to reorient themselves over and over again, similar to human psychiatric illnesses like Tourette's syndrome and autism spectrum disorders.
Marko, a wireless movement-tracking system, transmits low-power radio-frequency signals to analyze reflections and associate them with specific individuals. The system traces movement patterns to provide insights into behavior and health, offering a new passive way to track functional health profiles of patients at home.
A new study found that repeated exposure and child-centered nutrition phrases increased preschoolers' willingness to try and consume new foods. The study suggests that consistent and accurate nutrition messages can help develop healthy eating behaviors in young children.
Research by the University of Saskatchewan found that exposure to inflammation during pregnancy alters brain development, predisposing offspring to psychiatric illness like schizophrenia. Young adult rats exposed to a simulated viral infection displayed abnormal behavior, reduced working memories, and altered fear responses.
Scientists at UCSF have discovered a type of neuron called VIP interneurons that play a crucial role in anxiety-driven decision-making. By shutting off signals from these cells, researchers found they can reduce anxious behavior, offering potential insights into treating brain disorders.
Researchers found that parasitoid wasp larvae use the ecdysone hormone to hack into spiders' internal code, inducing changes in web construction and behavior. This external parasite rides on the surface of the spider's abdomen, injecting psychotropic substances to access the brain.
A study by University of Washington researchers identified common triggers for compulsive smartphone use, including waiting for a friend, tedious tasks, and social awkwardness. The team also found that users can find meaning in phone use through apps like meme generators and Kindle, which promote lasting connections to the real world.
Researchers from the University of Oregon found that female bonobos control meat consumption and sharing, similar to male-dominated chimpanzees. They also observed aggressive behavior towards adult males trying to take pieces of meat, but showed tolerance with subadult males.
A study found that individuals residing near protected areas in France exhibit higher levels of pro-environmental behavior, including increased support for environmental associations and participation in citizen science programs. The research attributes this trend to the inspirational impact of wilder landscapes on nature awareness.
A study by researchers at the University of Buffalo found that nearly two-thirds of cannabis users choose unhealthy snacks like chips when high, despite stereotypes suggesting otherwise.
A Mount Sinai study shows that preschool intervention can improve healthy lifestyle habits in young children, with 12% increase in knowledge and attitudes towards a healthy lifestyle. The intervention group also showed improved behaviors in physical activity, diet, and emotional management.
Researchers found that when we watch people perform actions, our expectations distort our perception of their behavior. However, this distortion does not occur with inanimate objects. The study suggests that our attributions of intention play a key role in shaping our understanding of others' actions.
Scientists have developed a room-temperature liquid metal-based super-stretchable sensor with high repeatability, low cost, and great stretchability. The new device was tested with excellent performance, showing the great potential for application in flexible wearable electronic devices.
Researchers at Duke University have developed an AI-powered algorithm that can accurately identify and segment neurons from video recordings in minutes, comparable to human experts. This breakthrough has significant implications for real-time behavioral studies and could accelerate progress in neuroscience experiments.
A study found that people tend to penalize those who give smaller cash amounts to charity in real terms, without realizing they actually gave more as a proportion of their income. However, when made aware of others' incomes, participants shifted their behavior and penalized the rich for giving less in real terms.
The NASA Twin Study has provided a comprehensive multi-omics view of the human body's response to long-term space flight. The study found increased collagen proteins in urine, correlating with vascular remodeling during space flight.
Researchers developed smart pajamas with self-powered sensors that track vital signs while sleeping. The 'Phyjama' provides detailed information on heart rate, breathing, and sleep posture, helping users and clinicians improve sleep quality.
A UCL-led study found that engaging households in evidence-based face-to-face workshops increases long-term disaster preparedness. Households that received training showed significant improvements in safety measures such as securing objects and having functioning smoke detectors.
Mosquitoes use an olfactory coreceptor called Ir8a to detect acidic volatiles found in human sweat, which is necessary for their host detection system. The study suggests new approaches for designing improved mosquito repellents and potentially even a life-saving perfume.
Research on body-worn cameras found that devices do not produce dramatic changes in police behavior, nor improve citizens' satisfaction with police encounters. However, cameras may reduce complaints against officers and are generally supported by both officers and citizens.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin studied how parent-child collaboration influences children's learning behavior, particularly in a real-world setting. Parents who encouraged their children to explain or explore showed unique effects on child behaviors, with those who explored building more complex gear machines.
A new study published in npj Digital Medicine found that a wearable tracking device called Tingle achieves higher accuracy in position tracking using thermal sensors. The device was able to distinguish between behaviors directed toward six different locations on the head, potentially aiding in the diagnosis and management of conditions...
A new paper proposes that miniaturization is a central tendency in hominin technologies going back at least 2.6 million years. The researchers argue that tiny stone flakes were like disposable razor blades or paperclips, pervasive and easily replaced.
A study by Cornell University found that when robots excel in competitions, people perceive themselves as less capable and less likable. The research suggests optimizing teams of humans and robots to minimize negative effects on human behavior and reactions.
Qi Wang, a neural engineer at Columbia University, has won a $500,000 NSF CAREER Award to develop closed-loop peripheral neural stimulation technology for enhancing perception and cognition. His project aims to use vagus nerve stimulation to control arousal levels and minimize side effects.
Researchers found that collaboration creates a sense of indebtedness, leading people to prioritize the needs of their partner over others. This effect can have problematic implications for ethics, as it may lead to preferential treatment for those who contribute to a cause.
Researchers discovered that the left hemisphere gauges sound changes in time, while the right is more attuned to frequency changes, resulting in alterations in pitch. This finding offers new insights into speech processing and could lead to improved diagnostic and treatment tools for language disorders.
Researchers discovered areas within the motor cortex responsible for muscle control and rapid sensorimotor transformations required for vocal interactions in Alston's singing mice. The study's findings suggest that effective vocal communication may rely on functional separation of sound generation and timing functions.
A new study reveals neural mechanisms responsible for local search in C. elegans, showing that smell and touch responses function independently. The researchers also found that altering brain activity can trigger extended search periods, potentially related to short-term memory.
A review of over 140 studies explores climate change's impact on animal life, including humans, through increased frequency and severity of heat waves. Behavioral changes, such as altered migration patterns and increased water demands, may lead to dehydration and cellular stress.
A new study published in Nature Human Behavior found no evidence of racial or gender bias in the initial review phase of National Institutes of Health grants. Researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison analyzed over 400 reviewer responses and found that reviewers were focused on the grant applications themselves, rather than ...
A new study from Ohio State University finds that women in relationships with men who regularly watch pornography are more likely to report symptoms of an eating disorder. Perceived pressure to be thin is also a significant concern, with some women feeling pressured by their partners to lose weight and have a thin body.
Klodiana Lanaj has made significant contributions to the science of industrial and organizational psychology, producing 25 refereed publications in prestigious outlets and being cited roughly 500 times. She will receive the Distinguished Early Career Contributions-Science Award at the 34th Annual SIOP Conference.
A new study explores how an individual's genetics and brain activity correlate with altruistic behaviors directed toward romantic partners. The team found that pathways related to bonding in other animals showed up in humans, suggesting a link between empathy and altruism more generally.
Researchers identified compounds that can reduce mosquito hunger for blood, acting on hormone pathways. The study used Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and found a drug capable of inhibiting biting and feeding behaviors.