Research on why people act as they do. Covers self-processing across primates, substance use, weight-loss behavior, and nicotine seeking.
A new study reveals that mountain lions are afraid of humans and flee when they hear our voices. The findings show that pumas take longer to return to their kills after hearing people, reducing their feeding time by about half. This is significant as it can have implications for their well-being in human-dominated landscapes.
A new study published in The Journal of Neuroscience found that adolescent mice fed a poor diet lacking omega-3 fatty acids showed increased anxiety-like behavior and poorer memory performance as adults. The study suggests that adequate nutrition during adolescence is crucial for brain refinement and function.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have developed a questionnaire-style decision tool to predict young dogs' likelihood of succeeding in guide dog training. The Puppy Training Supervisor Questionnaire (PTSQ) accurately identified 16.9% of dogs, helping trainers assess suitability early and improve training processes.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that older female elk adjust their behavior to avoid hunters, reducing movement rates and using safer terrain when near roads. This suggests that learning plays a role in shaping their avoidance of hunters.
A new review of research on acute exercise found that it improves executive function, enhances mood, and decreases stress levels in humans. Neurophysiological and neurochemical changes also show widespread brain activation after a single bout of physical activity.
Scientists worldwide agree on a dictionary of terms to study sedentary behavior, an emerging global public health priority. The consensus definitions aim to facilitate research interpretation and comparison, helping to reduce confusion and advance the field of sedentary behavior research.
A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that taking antidepressants during pregnancy is not associated with neonatal problems at two to four weeks after birth. Instead, preterm birth was the major factor linked to newborn signs of agitation and restlessness.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry suggests that the MMP-9 enzyme plays a crucial role in motivation for alcohol consumption. Researchers found that mice lacking this enzyme were less motivated to drink and exhibited reduced craving during withdrawal. This discovery may lead to the development of novel treatments targeting ...
A study by the University of Illinois found that younger consumers, particularly those with lower incomes, are more inclined to purchase uniquely shaped fruits. The researchers suggest that marketers can target people who like adventure and seek new experiences by offering avant-garde fruit shapes. The novelty-shaped pears are grown in...
Researchers found that obese children do not need to attend treatment to lose weight with parent-based therapy, which can be more cost-effective than traditional family-based treatment. The study showed similar outcomes in both groups for weight loss, nutrition, physical activity, and parent feeding behaviors.
A new study by NYU's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development found that a parent training program using volunteers, Caring in Chaos, improved parenting behavior, competence, stress, and depressive symptoms for families with children with ADHD. The model has potential to increase access to behavioral parent traini...
Research found that BPA exposure during early development alters genetic pathways, leading to changes in mitochondrial and ribosomal pathways. This can affect cognitive flexibility and memory. The study suggests permanent reprogramming of the brain with developmental exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals.
Research found that high-reputation firms take bigger risks in mergers and acquisitions to meet investor expectations. These moves often result in less related acquisitions and lower stock values. Managers may need to reconsider making risky acquisitions to maintain market trust.
A new Cornell University study has resolved the debate on brain evolution by determining that overall brain size accounts for most differences among vertebrate species. The research found that once a species evolves a larger brain, specialized neural networks develop in brain regions controlling specific behaviors.
A new study found evidence of human-like thinking in tools crafted by modern humans dating back 1.8 million years. The research used advanced brain imaging technology to observe brain activity while crafting simple and complex tools.
Research by Sue Westwood found that parents who gave their children five pieces of praise daily improved their wellbeing, reducing hyperactivity and inattention. The study showed a significant impact of regular parental praise on child behavior over just four weeks.
Research reveals that strong feelings about immigrants are controlled by the immune system, particularly in people with a hypersensitive behavioral immune system. This leads to misconceptions about infection risks and a reluctance to interact with immigrants, blocking integration paths.
A new MIT-developed device can accurately measure walking speed using wireless signals, providing insights into cognitive decline, cardiac disease, and other health issues. The system has 95-99% accuracy and can be placed on a person's home wall without intruding on daily life.
Researchers found that orange essential oil reduced fear responses and diminished immune system markers of stress in mice, suggesting a potential nonpharmaceutical option for PTSD. The study's findings hint at a possible mechanism for the effects of essential oils on brain gene expression.
A study by UBC researchers found that placing bins 1.5 metres away from suite doors increases recycling and composting rates by 141%, with a 70% increase in composting rates in apartment buildings. The study suggests that small changes in convenience can significantly impact environmental behavior.
A study found that urban house finches are better at solving new problems than their rural counterparts due to adaptation to human presence. Rural birds who experienced high levels of human disturbance performed poorly on the problem-solving task.
New research from Michigan State University suggests that a boss's mindset can significantly impact employee motivation. Studies found that leaders with a regulatory focus, or mindset, can adapt their behavior to elicit specific mindsets in employees, whether it's innovation or a more conservative work focus.
A mobile sensing system developed by researchers at USC can detect conflict in relationships and send alerts or meditation prompts to reduce stress. The algorithm achieved an accuracy of up to 86% in detecting conflict episodes, using data from wearables, phones, and bio-signals.
A study published in PLOS Computational Biology found that humans' ability to make random choices peaks around age 25 and declines thereafter. The researchers assessed over 3,400 participants and used online tasks to evaluate their algorithmic randomness.
A new study reveals AI systems retain biases seen in humans, with European American names associated more with pleasant stimuli. The research uses statistical analysis of word associations to demonstrate these findings, which have implications for understanding cultural stereotypes.
Researchers found that many Culex species lay eggs on terra cotta and mangrove roots instead of open water. This discovery challenges previous generalizations about mosquitoes' egg-laying habits and may aid in better targeting mosquito control efforts.
Researchers identified kappa opioid receptors as key players in stress-induced relapse to cocaine addiction. A new medicine, norBNI, was shown to reverse relapse even a day after stress occurred by restoring normal GABA signaling via the JNK pathway.
Cognitive biologists found dogs can correctly interpret cues by humans and find hidden food even if they cannot see it. Dogs adopt human perspectives by following gazes and understanding who knows what, enabling them to identify informants and successfully complete tasks.
A recent study has identified a gene mutation as the cause of delayed sleep phase disorder (DSPD), a common sleep disorder affecting up to 10% of the public. The CRY1 protein plays a crucial role in regulating the circadian clock, and a single-point mutation can lead to prolonged sleep onset times and irregular sleep patterns.
Researchers developed a new vending machine system with a 'delay' bar and LED screen to display delay times for unhealthy snacks. The DISC system led to a 2-5% increase in healthy snack purchases without harming total sales volume or revenue, offering a viable option for vending machine owners.
A new study describes the key mechanism in the brain that allows animals to recognize and react to subtle sensory signals. In a mouse model, detecting a faint screech or a tiny black speck can signal the presence of a hawk, highlighting the importance of multisensory integration.
Research at The Mount Sinai Hospital found excessive histone acetylation in heroin users, leading to increased gene expression and addiction behavior. Treatment with JQ1 reduced heroin self-administration and drug-seeking behavior, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits.
A new study by University of California - Santa Barbara researchers found that sharks can interact with humans without long-term behavioral impacts. The research used video surveys to monitor shark abundance and behavior at sites with and without a history of scuba diving, revealing no significant differences.
Researcher Neil Johnson studied sub-second delays in electronic stock exchange data, finding that natural delays already exist in these systems, which can become correlated and cause unexpected behaviors. Introducing more delays could be disastrous, as humans wouldn't be able to respond quickly enough.
The study found that increasing physical activity time by one hour a day reduces the presence of cardiometabolic risk factors such as obesity and diabetes. Conversely, watching TV increases these risks. Replacing sedentary activities with moderate-intensity exercise provides greater protection against cardiometabolic disease.
A new multilab replication project partially replicated a 2012 study on cooperation under time pressure. When noncompliant participants were included in the analysis, time pressure had little or no effect on cooperation. The findings raise concerns about the best approach to measuring this relationship.
A new study published in the BMJ Journal for Medical Humanities found that shared reading can be a useful therapy for chronic pain sufferers. The study compared shared reading to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and found that shared reading provided a more comprehensive approach to managing emotional pain.
Researchers found that interactive health apps with back-and-forth conversations can promote healthier lifestyles. However, a conversational tone may lead users to feel less susceptible to health risks like obesity and diabetes.
Research published in The FASEB Journal found that mice fed nutrient-enriched diet during early life learned faster and were more motivated to obtain rewards. This study suggests that adolescence is a critical period for reversing negative effects of poor maternal diet during pregnancy.
In a groundbreaking study, UNC School of Medicine scientists have uncovered the brain circuitry behind reward-seeking behavior, revealing two distinct populations of prefrontal neurons that promote or suppress motivation. The research has major implications for understanding addiction, depression, and other neuropsychiatric disorders.
A Northwestern University study found that eliminating certain receptor genes in mice leads to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)-like behaviors, such as excessive grooming. The research provides strong evidence for the biological basis of OCD and may lead to new treatments for the disorder.
Researchers at OIST have adapted a parent-training program for ADHD to support Japanese families, resulting in reduced child symptoms and improved parent-child relationships. The study suggests that the new program could become an effective mainstream treatment for ADHD in Japan.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have discovered that traumatic brain injuries can lead to persistent attention problems in children, with severe injuries five times more likely to develop secondary ADHD. The study also shows that effective parenting and optimal home environments can mitigate these effects.
A study by academics at the University of East Anglia suggests that insights from behavioral science can help design road signs to encourage drivers to switch off their engines while waiting at railway crossings. Researchers found that simple visual and written cues doubled the rate of people turning off their engines, with a more effe...
Duke University researchers identified the caudate nucleus as the brain structure responsible for forming direct links between environmental stimuli and enhanced focus. By repeating exposure to specific faces, participants could trigger automatic focus and bypass distractions.
A study by Salk Institute scientists reveals that adolescent roundworms exhibit erratic behavior when seeking food, unlike adult worms which show efficient behavior. This discovery provides insight into the drivers of neurological development and may shed light on human brain function and diseases.
Researchers found that hummingbird brains are uniquely attuned to detect fast visual motion in any direction. This discovery sheds light on the birds' remarkable ability to zoom and stop quickly while sipping nectar. The findings have implications for understanding flight behaviors, competitive interactions, and courtship displays.
The journal Translational Behavioral Medicine now publishes research with null results, providing a unique opportunity for scientific researchers. This shift in publication policy sets it apart from other behavioral medicine titles and supports the advancement of science by learning from unexpected outcomes.
A study by UMass Amherst researchers found that bisphenol S (BPS) exposure during pregnancy and lactation impaired maternal behavior in mice, including increased infanticide rates. The compound also affected brain regions sensitive to estrogen, leading to changes in nesting behavior and care of offspring.
Research by Maria Gartstein and Sam Putnam found that toddler temperament differs significantly across cultures, with Chilean infants being the most active and Polish babies displaying sadness. The study suggests that parents' cultural values influence their children's behavior and overall temperament.
A Yale-NUS professor has discovered an 'alarm response' in medaka fish to a semiochemical released due to physical injuries, providing insights into the brain's processing of danger. This finding will facilitate comparative neural circuit analysis between medaka and zebrafish, shedding light on fear mechanisms.
A new study by Johns Hopkins University researchers found that subsidized housing significantly influences young people's standardized test scores and behavior. High-achieving children who lived in subsidized housing scored 8% higher on tests than similar peers, while low-performing students saw their scores drop. The study suggests th...
Researchers found that disrupting the brain's internal clock causes depression- and anxiety-like behaviors in mice. The study provides new evidence on the relationship between circadian rhythms and mood regulation, suggesting a causal link between functioning internal clocks and mood disorders.
A new study found that parental confidence in helping children get enough sleep is positively associated with child sleep duration. Additionally, higher parent sleep duration was also linked to increased child sleep duration, suggesting that addressing insufficient sleep among children may require family-based interventions.
A new study found that rats with low blood alcohol levels do not consume more calories, contradicting previous assumptions. However, rats with high blood alcohol levels consume fewer calories and lose weight, suggesting a different relationship between feeding behavior and intoxication.
Scientists have found that protein and salt in food can drive post-meal sleepiness in fruit flies, leading to longer naps. The study used a system to measure feeding and sleeping behaviors of individual flies, revealing that larger meals result in longer sleep periods.
Researchers discovered that flies slept more after consuming larger meals, with protein and salt promoting sleep. The study suggests that 'food coma' might be a natural adaptation to maximize gut absorption of essential nutrients.
Researchers found that common probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum decreases stress-related behavior and anxiety in zebrafish, leading to increased signaling of neurotransmitters. Probiotics may have a positive impact on human stress levels, as their effects on the central nervous system are being studied.
Parents of children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) who attribute misbehavior to disabilities tend to use effective pre-emptive strategies, reducing unwanted behaviors. These strategies, such as adapting the environment and using one-step instructions, can improve outcomes for families.
Teachers contact parents less often from different racial/ethnic backgrounds, perpetuating existing stereotypes. Math teachers reach parents of Black students over disruptive behavior more frequently than those of White students.