Articles tagged with Human Behavior
Dr. Marise Parent is studying how the hippocampus inhibits eating behavior at a biochemical level to identify new strategies for treating diet-induced obesity and other eating-related disorders. Memory plays a crucial role in controlling eating behavior, but the exact brain areas involved are not well understood.
Researchers found a clear connection between gene expression and behavior in little male fish building patterns to attract mates. The study also suggests that the genes behind this behavior have human cousins implicated in autism spectrum disorder.
A neuronal circuit in nematode worms modulates locomotion by dopamine and neuropeptide signaling, findings that may provide insights into food-motivated behavior in humans. The study suggests that similar inhibitory balancing mechanisms may be present in mammals.
A recent study published in Nature suggests that gut bacteria play a crucial role in regulating movement in fruit flies. The researchers found that specific bacterial strains, such as Lactobacillus brevis, can slow down the speed of germ-free flies by fine-tuning levels of carbohydrates.
Researchers discovered a new brain mechanism underlying salience processing that facilitates associative learning and survival. The periventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) is activated by salient stimuli, including novel stimuli and reinforcing cues.
Researchers found that using priming can lead to significant changes in competitive behavior among both men and women. The study revealed that when men were primed to exert influence, they became more cautious, while women became more confident. This breakthrough has implications for education and professional training.
Researchers found that vaginal births reduce cell death in brain regions, while C-sections lead to increased ultrasonic vocalizations and altered hormone expression at weaning. Cesarean-born mice also had greater body weight.
The study found that sweet and bitter tastes were quickly detected but took longer to be identified, while salty and sour tastes were vice versa. The researchers also discovered that participants' ratings of pleasantness influenced processing speed for sweet and bitter tastes.
Researchers found greater nerve cell death in Cesarean-born mice, associated with reduced neurons and altered behavior, but no effect on overall brain size or development
Researchers analyzed over 500,000 mouse decisions to identify a brain region supporting a decision-making strategy similar to nonhuman primates. This discovery paves the way for manipulating this circuit using advanced techniques.
A new study found that growth rates of brain circuits in infancy can predict a child's IQ and emotional behavior at age four. Researchers used MRI scans on infants and followed their development to identify early signs of mental, behavioral, or developmental disorders.
A study published in Pediatric Research found that babies born to overweight mothers are more likely to develop regulatory problems, including excessive crying and feeding difficulties. The research suggests that prenatal factors, such as maternal weight during early pregnancy, may contribute to these issues.
Scientists discovered a genetic mutation in the CHRNA5 gene that contributes to nicotine dependence and relapse. The study found that this mutation increases nicotine consumption and rates of relapse, offering hope for developing new therapies to combat tobacco addiction.
Researchers found a correlation between neurobehavioral symptoms and unemployment among individuals with moderate-to-severe TBI. Frontal system neurobehavioral syndromes can predict employment outcomes, highlighting the need for rehabilitative strategies to address these behaviors.
Researchers found that suppressing a specific area of the prefrontal cortex led to a significant decrease in risk-taking behavior in monkeys. The study suggests that this brain region is critical for controlling attraction to big uncertain rewards.
A UofL study found that brief cognitive behavioral therapy significantly reduced depressive symptoms, negative thinking, and chronic stress in female caregivers of children with severe health conditions. The therapy improved sleep quality after just five sessions.
A new study confirms that three viable explanations exist for detection dogs collecting non-target scat, including natural behaviors of non-target species altering the genetic profile of target scat. This finding has important implications for conservation projects using scat-detection dogs to track animal populations.
Researchers found that fruit flies freeze in response to threats at slow walking speeds, but run away when moving quickly. The team identified a single pair of neurons critical for this process, providing insights into the brain's defensive strategies.
Researchers at the University of Tennessee suggest that a genetic mutation may cause Huntington's disease to appear earlier in life. A new drug, Panobinostat, may regulate gene expression and prevent disease progression.
Researchers are mapping the function of specific enzymes that may facilitate the development of new drugs to fight bacterial infections and cancer. The study could also potentially help against neurodegenerative diseases such as autism, Down syndrome, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's.
By 24 months old, children demonstrate awareness that their behavior can be positively or negatively evaluated by others. The study found that even young toddlers are attuned to the judgments of others and adjust their behavior accordingly.
Researchers found a 130% increase in fishing activity in the Phoenix Islands Protected Area before a full ban took effect, setting back conservation efforts. The study suggests that people will adapt rationally to policy changes, leading to unintended consequences for conservation goals.
Researchers at Yerkes National Primate Research Center have successfully reversed the effects of parental stress on offspring by exposing parents to behavioral interventions. The study found that this approach breaks the cycle of intergenerational stress, reducing sensitivity and structural imprints in offspring.
A new study finds that toddlers are attuned to how others may be judging them and modify their behavior accordingly. Children between 14 and 24 months show inhibition when being watched with a neutral or negative expression, but press the buttons associated with positive responses more often.
A study of 63 healthy individuals found a strong association between elevated gut bacteria and stronger brain function in areas linked to reward and emotions. This suggests that indole-producing gut bacteria may contribute to overeating behaviors.
A recent study found that genetic diversity among shelter dogs exceeds expectations, revealing over 125 distinct breeds. Breed labels assigned by shelters often lead to inaccurate assessments, with accuracy rates as low as 10%. Behavioral assessments may be a more informative alternative.
A team of researchers from the University of Oregon has made a groundbreaking discovery about the neural circuitry that controls movement in fruit flies. By mapping the communications between a pair of brain neurons and motor neurons, they found that a single neuron can trigger both forward and backward motion.
A study found that young adults, particularly college students, are high food wasters due to a lack of learned food management behaviors. The study's findings suggest that environmental factors, such as access to refrigerators and cooking facilities, also play a role in their behavior.
A Baylor study reveals that religiosity drives donors to give, but materialism decreases charitable giving. Researchers suggest fundraisers can use this knowledge to boost giving.
A survey of southern California high school students found a correlation between concerns over increasing social discrimination and poorer behavioral health outcomes. The study suggests that public health attention and policy changes may be needed to address the impact of public expressions of discrimination on adolescent mental health.
Researchers studied ants' tunnel excavation to understand optimal traffic flow in crowded environments. They found that idleness, reversals, and uneven work distribution reduced clogs and improved performance. These strategies can be applied to improve movement in engineered systems like robot swarms.
A study published in Age and Ageing found that women whose mothers lived to at least age 90 were 25% more likely to also live to 90 without serious diseases or disabilities. Additionally, if both parents lived to 90, the likelihood of their daughter's longevity increased by 38%.
Researchers link vocal repertoire to brain region size in primates, finding a positive correlation between cortical association areas and vocal complexity. The study reveals the importance of specific brain regions in controlling vocal production, providing insight into human speech evolution.
Researchers created a map of over a billion brain cell connections to understand how memories are formed and recalled. The study revealed diverse patterns of synapses that may be key to recalling information, potentially helping scientists understand memory problems.
Research shows that dogs that remain calm and exhibit empathy during their owner's distress help out faster. Therapy dogs performed as well as other dogs in opening doors, highlighting the importance of traits like obedience over human-animal bonding.
Perinatal exposure to phthalates impairs the development of rats' brains, leading to reduced neurons and synapses. The study also shows deficits in cognitive flexibility, suggesting potential negative effects on behavior. Researchers used environmentally relevant phthalate concentrations to simulate human exposures.
New research reveals how cannabis triggers hunger hormones and changes brain activity to stimulate appetite. The study's findings could lead to targeted treatments for severe appetite loss in various chronic illnesses, improving quality of life and recovery.
A new study published in the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior found that individuals can improve their food choices by adopting a 'health-focused' mindset during meal planning. This approach triggers activity in the prefrontal cortex, linked to self-control and future meal planning.
Researchers developed a technique to quickly teach robots novel traversal behaviors with minimal human oversight, enabling autonomous navigation in environments. The goal is to provide reliable robot teammates to the Soldier, allowing for faster task completion and enhanced situational awareness.
Researchers at Columbia University identified neural-circuit activity in electric fish that enables the brain to tune out self-generated signals, allowing animals to focus on external stimuli. This mechanism may inform studies of sensory disorders like tinnitus, which disrupts the brain's ability to cancel out self-generated sounds.
Researchers developed a video game, VERITAS, that improves players' ability to discern truth from lies. After one hour of training, players can accurately detect truth 68% of the time, compared to 56% initially.
A newly discovered neural circuit in mice regulates feeding behavior, with SST neurons playing a central role. The study reveals that activating these neurons increases eating behavior, while inhibiting them reduces it.
A preliminary study by North Carolina State University researchers found that prospective teachers are more likely to perceive Black faces as angry and judge the behavior of Black children as more hostile. This cultural disconnect may contribute to the disproportionate number of Black students facing disciplinary actions.
Researchers studied barn owls' brain and behavior while tracking dark dots on a screen, finding evidence of perceptual grouping. This ability, crucial for vision-based species, was previously only studied in primates.
Orangutans were once widespread and abundant before humans arrived in Southeast Asia, with teeth found among common animal remains. Long-term interactions with humans may have shaped their behavior and ecology, and conservation efforts should consider this history.
Researchers at UT Health San Antonio used gene editing to decrease repetitive behaviors in mice with fragile X syndrome, an inherited cause of autism spectrum disorders. The approach resulted in significant reduction of symptoms, including digging behavior slowed by 30 percent and leaping behavior reduced by 70 percent.
Researchers found female nipple sizes vary significantly due to functional use in breastfeeding, contradicting previous claims. The study's findings support the idea that highly variable features result from weak evolutionary selection.
A new study from the University of Waterloo found that fewer than 50% of recommended food-handling practices were followed by Ontario high school students. The researchers observed significant improvements in thermometer use after a training program, but many students continued to engage in risky behaviors.
Researchers have discovered a subcellular mechanism by which the brain classifies threat levels and decides when to escape, involving connections between two brain regions. The 'threshold computation' process is weak and unreliable, but becomes sufficient when threat levels rise, enabling animals to make instinctive decisions.
Dogs use different parts of their brains to process negative and positive emotions cued by human facial expressions. They show increased heart rate and stress when exposed to angry or fearful faces, but not surprised ones.
A new study finds that human disturbance is causing mammals to become more nocturnal, with animals increasing their nighttime activity by up to 68% in response. The shift is consistent across species and types of human disturbance, suggesting a widespread impact on wildlife behavior.
A Europe-wide study found that over 95% of people reported seeing litter when visiting the coast, leading to higher concern and willingness to change behavior. The primary causes of marine litter were attributed to plastic use, human behavior, and single-use plastics.
A study published in Pediatric Research found that parents who use digital devices to escape their child's bad behavior are making it worse. The 'technoference' can lead to more frustration, hyperactivity and tantrums in children, as well as increased stress for parents.
Kumamoto University researcher Dr. Wataru Teramoto found that people respond to stimuli in a partner's peripersonal space (PPS) as quickly as they would their own, suggesting PPS remapping is a naturally occurring phenomenon.
Researchers have discovered a new fundamental feature of brain oscillations: they actually move rhythmically across the brain, reflecting patterns of neuronal activity that propagate across the cortex. This movement is important for memory and cognition, and may provide a new type of signal for brain-computer interfaces.
An international team of academics reveals that turn-taking behaviour, a hallmark of human conversation, is remarkably widespread across the animal kingdom. The study proposes a new comparative framework for future research on turn-taking behaviour, which may shed light on the evolution of language.
A study found that maternal depressive mood during pregnancy and postpartum is associated with child sleep disturbances. Increased happiness during pregnancy was found to be protective against child sleep problems.
Researchers at Kyoto University found that bonobos show a strong aversion to food contaminated with feces or soil, indicating an adaptive system of disgust. This instinctual response helps protect against parasites and pathogens in the environment.
A recent study by Melinda Knuth of Texas A&M University explores the importance of efficient water usage in landscaping and horticulture. The research suggests that relying on recycled water can help conserve this diminishing resource, ultimately benefiting both human life and plant growth.
Researchers have found that seismology equipment can be used to detect and classify elephant behaviors, such as panic running, through ground vibrations. This technology has the potential to develop a new kind of alarm system to catch and deter poachers.