Face value
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.
Human Behavior
Research on why people act as they do. Covers self-processing across primates, substance use, weight-loss behavior, and nicotine seeking.
Hungry? A newly discovered neural circuit may be the cause
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.
Owls see as humans do
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.
Prospective teachers more likely to view black faces than white faces as angry
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.
Rethinking the orangutan
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.
Majority of teenagers need food safety education
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.
Gene editing curbs autism symptoms in mice
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.
SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateJun 26, 2018
What nipple size means for evolutionary biology
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.
Fright and flight: Deciding when to escape
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 understand what's written all over your face
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.
Who is to blame for marine litter?
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.
Mammals going nocturnal to avoid humans
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.
Digital devices during family time could exacerbate bad behavior
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.
Waves move across the human brain to support memory
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.
Sharing spaces: Your brain considers other people's personal space as your own
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.
You talking to me? Scientists try to unravel the mystery of 'animal conversations'
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.
SourceUniversity of York·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateJun 5, 2018
Maternal depressive emotion associated with children's sleep problems
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.
A sense of disgust in bonobos?
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.
SourceKyoto University·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateJun 3, 2018
Determining effective methods of irrigation as water becomes increasingly scarce
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.
Could seismology equipment help to protect elephants from poachers?
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.
Animal cyborg: Behavioral control by 'toy' craving circuit
Researchers at KAIST have identified a neural circuit in the hypothalamus governing obsessive behavior towards non-food objects in mice. The MPA-PAG circuit modulates object craving and facilitates hunting behavior, allowing for controlled mammalian behavior with optogenetics.
SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateApr 23, 2018
Fight, flight, or freeze
Researchers found that coordinated brain activity between the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and olfactory system is linked to freeze behavior in mice. The study suggests that rhythmic breathing can help regulate emotional states and provides potential avenues for anxiety-reducing therapies.
Modeling prosocial behavior increases helping in 16-month-olds
Researchers found that observing others' helping behavior enhances infants' prosocial development, particularly when adults model helpful behaviors. The study suggests that having prosocial role models plays a crucial role in shaping young children's helping habits.
Association for Chemoreception Sciences (AChemS) 40th Annual Meeting
The AChemS 40th Annual Meeting features research on the roles of smell and taste in human and animal health. New findings will be presented on topics such as smoking's effect on salt sensitivity and inflammation in gum disease.
In animal studies, stimulating a brain pathway reduces depressive behavior
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia have identified a brain pathway that, when stimulated, leads to 'antidepressive' behavior in animals. The study suggests that targeting this circuit could lead to a novel treatment for depression.
Crowded urban areas have fewer songbirds per person
Research by the University of Exeter and the British Trust for Ornithology found that people in crowded urban areas see fewer songbirds but more nuisance birds. In contrast, green and leafy suburbs have up to three and a half times more songbirds and woodpeckers, associated with positive human wellbeing.
Sitting is bad for your brain -- not just your metabolism or heart
A study by UCLA researchers found that sedentary behavior is a significant predictor of thinning in the medial temporal lobe, a region critical for memory formation. Regular physical activity, even at high levels, is insufficient to offset the harmful effects of prolonged sitting.
Binge-eating mice reveal obesity clues
Mice fed on high-fat or chocolate-based diets exhibit abnormal feeding behaviors such as snacking and bingeing. The study reveals that extended access to hypercaloric diets impairs control of food seeking behavior, leading to negative effects on learning, motivation, and behavioral flexibility.
Human daily rhythms: Clocks vs. light/dark cycle
A study by University of Seville finds that human primary activities are synchronized with the winter day as a synchronizer, rather than clock time. The study characterizes laborer's activities along the daily and yearly cycle of light and dark, revealing latitudinal patterns tied to the light/dark cycle.
New study finds younger aged children with symptoms of ADHD have reduced brain size
Children as young as four years old with ADHD symptoms showed reduced brain volumes in regions essential for behavioral control. The study provides an indication that anomalous brain structure is evident in the early stages of development and could help predict which children are most at risk for developing ADHD.
SourceGolinHarris DC·JournalJournal of the International Neuropsychological Society·DateMar 26, 2018
Looking deeper into brain function
Researchers propose a new concept to uncover connections between brain regions and cognitive functions, using a bottom-up approach. Recent advances in statistical methodology and brain imaging data provide the basis for this new method, which could help reveal the core functions of brain areas.
Columbia scientists locate nerve cells that enable fruit flies to escape danger
Researchers identified the nerve cells responsible for a fly's escape response, providing clues into comparable survival mechanisms in humans. The study's findings shed light on conditions like allodynia, where gentle touch triggers pain-like sensations.
Exposure to low levels of BPA during pregnancy can lead to altered brain development
Research in mice found that exposure to low levels of BPA during pregnancy can lead to altered brain development and behavior later in life. The study, presented at ENDO 2018, shows that even low doses of BPA can affect the timing of neuron birth and lead to permanent changes in brain function.
Altering songbird brain provides insight into human behavior
Researchers use optogenetic methods to control songbird neurons, prompting birds to change specific syllables in their songs. The study provides insight into how the brain guides the learning of vocal behaviors in humans.
Candidate voice pitch influences voters, but does not lead to better leaders
Researchers found no relationship between a candidate's voice pitch and their leadership ability, contrary to previous findings that voters tend to favor lower-voiced candidates.
Psychopathy and perspective
A study of 106 incarcerated male participants found that psychopaths and non-psychopaths could take others' perspectives, but psychopaths excelled only on tasks requiring deliberate consideration. This cognitive deficit may underlie facets of psychopathic behavior.
SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 12, 2018
Serotonin promotes perseverance
A new study suggests that serotonin enhances active persistence in a task, even in the face of uncertainty. This challenges previous ideas about serotonin's role in behavior and may help understand depression treatment.
Mapping the neural circuit governing thirst
Caltech scientists have identified a hierarchical neural circuit in the mouse brain that regulates thirst, involving excitatory and inhibitory neurons. The study reveals how this circuit integrates signals from the subfornical organ and organum vasculosum laminae terminalis to initiate drinking behavior, while also providing insight in...
Bonobo and chimpanzee gestures share multiple meanings
Researchers have discovered that bonobo and chimpanzee gestures share multiple meanings, with many gestures having similar functions across the two species. The study, published in PLOS Biology, defines the meaning of each bonobo gesture by analyzing reactions and satisfaction levels.
The 'loudness' of our thoughts affects how we judge external sounds
A team of researchers from NYU Shanghai and NYU found that the 'loudness' of our thoughts affects how we judge external sounds. This is because imagery and perception activate the same auditory brain areas, leading to a decrease in sensitivity to actual loudness perception.
Robo-picker grasps and packs
A new robotic system developed by MIT engineers can grasp and pack items with high accuracy, making it suitable for various applications such as warehouse sorting and kitchen tasks. The system uses an object-agnostic grasping algorithm to assess a bin of random objects and determine the best way to grip or suction onto an item.
Study finds that a surprise stimulus helps people stop an action
Researchers found that an unexpected sound increased brainwave activity and improved stopping outcomes by up to 15%. The study offers insight into the brain's communication with the motor system and could lead to new treatments for motor-control disorders like Parkinson's disease and ADHD.
Palm oil in your Valentine's chocolate?
A diet rich in saturated fat results in inflammation in the nucleus accumbens, a part of the brain that controls mood and reward. This inflammation leads to depressive, anxious, and compulsive behaviors associated with metabolic dysfunction and obesity.
SourceUniversity of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM)·JournalMolecular Metabolism·DateFeb 13, 2018
Too much TV at age 2 makes for less healthy adolescents
Researchers found that toddlers who watched more TV had poorer eating habits and lower school performance in adolescence. They also reported consuming more junk food, sugary drinks, and snacks, leading to a higher risk of obesity and related health issues.
Wage increases do not have a persistent effect on job satisfaction
A study by Dr. Patric Diriwaechter and Dr. Elena Shvartsman found that wage increases temporarily boost job satisfaction due to expectations and social comparisons, but this effect fades out within four years as individuals adapt to their new salary levels.
Twitter reveals how future-thinking Americans are and how that affects their decisions
A new study found that individuals who think further into the future tend to avoid risks, but this is not related to investment behavior. Instead, those with longer future-sightedness are more likely to choose waiting for future rewards.
Fruit fly hunger games: Taste neurons in control
A team of neuroscientists has discovered that specific taste neurons located in the fruit fly's proboscis are responsible for its protein craving. The study, published in eLife, identifies two groups of neurons that regulate the fly's feeding behavior.
Researchers reverse symptoms in neurologic disease model
A recent study by Case Western Reserve University researchers has reversed symptoms of respiratory and cognitive abnormalities in a mouse model of Rett syndrome. The findings suggest that stimulating neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex could be therapeutic for Rett patients, potentially leading to improved breathing and cognitive f...
Children view people's behavior, psychological characteristics as shaped by environments
A new study found that young children do not endorse beliefs about race as natural determinants, but instead expect behavior to be shaped by the environment. The extent to which these beliefs develop varies depending on exposure to diversity in neighborhoods and child care.
Researchers identify a specific group of neurons that is sufficient and necessary to induce dietary
An international team of researchers identified activation of CRH-positive neurons in PVH as sufficient and necessary to induce dietary preference for carbohydrates over fats. The study reveals the role of AMPK and CPT1c in regulating food selection behavior.
Researchers devise decoy molecule to block pain where it starts
A team of researchers has devised a decoy molecule to disrupt the inception and persistence of pain memories. The RNA-based medicine reduces pain-associated behaviors by blocking the creation of pain-signaling proteins.
Army scientists improve human-agent teaming by making AI agents more transparent
Researchers developed the Situation awareness-based Agent Transparency model to enhance agent transparency, improving human-agent team performance. Higher levels of transparency led to better trust calibration and overall team effectiveness.
SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·JournalTheoretical Issues in Ergonomics Science·DateJan 11, 2018
The biennial rainfall relationship in the tropical western hemisphere has weakened in recent decades
A recent study found that the biennial rainfall relationship between Central America and equatorial South America has weakened remarkably since 2000. This weakening is attributed to changes in El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and tropical North Atlantic sea surface temperature (SST) patterns.
SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateJan 9, 2018
Breast size dissatisfaction affects self-examination
Research from Anglia Ruskin University found that women dissatisfied with their breast size are less likely to perform regular self-examinations for breast cancer. Greater breast size dissatisfaction also leads to lower confidence in detecting changes and delayed medical consultations.
Can't switch your focus? Your brain might not be wired for it
A new study at Drexel University suggests that brain signals 'stick' to white matter networks are associated with cognitive flexibility. The research found that the alignment between brain signals and structural anatomy is linked to greater flexibility, but also a measurable mental cost.
Can brain lesions contribute to criminal behavior?
Research reveals that brain lesions affecting a specific network involved in moral decision-making are more common among individuals exhibiting criminal behavior. This finding highlights the potential link between brain dysfunction and crime, but also emphasizes that genetic, environmental, and social factors play important roles.
SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 18, 2017
The fear of losing control and its role in anxiety disorders
A Concordia University study found that people who believe they're going to lose control exhibit checking behavior more frequently. The research suggests treating this fear may reduce symptoms of OCD, panic attacks, and other anxiety-related problems.
SourceConcordia University·JournalJournal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders·DateDec 13, 2017
A good decision is not made in one go
Scientists at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam found that averaging all estimates yields significant accuracy gains, especially when considering multiple people. Taking the average of estimates from different individuals is a more effective approach for good decision-making than relying on personal expertise.
Once they start composting, people find other ways to be 'green'
A new study by Ohio State University found that a composting program in Costa Mesa, California led to residents increasing their energy and water conservation efforts. The research suggests that when people start engaging in one environmentally friendly behavior, they are more likely to adopt other pro-environmental habits.
How can humans keep the upper hand on artificial intelligence?
Researchers at EPFL have developed a method to prevent AI from learning to circumvent human commands, allowing for safe and controlled operation of autonomous systems. By introducing 'forgetting' mechanisms into the learning algorithms, they can ensure that interruptions do not affect the way machines learn.