Articles tagged with Human Behavior
A study suggests that immune cells outside the brain may contribute to depression, with elevated levels of interleukin-6 linked to increased depressive behaviors in rodents. Researchers found that mice transplanted with high-responding donors exhibited increased depression-like behaviors compared to those with low-responding donors.
A recent study by USC Marshall faculty explores the influence of moral preferences on ethical behavior, finding that considering others' ethics can reduce dishonesty. The research suggests that people with formalist and utilitarian moral backgrounds respond differently to third-party beneficiaries' perspectives, with formalists being l...
A recent study found that consumers who believe their fate can change are more likely to exhibit impulsive or indulgent behavior after reading a negative horoscope. On the other hand, participants who believed in a fixed fate were able to resist temptation and stay focused on their day ahead.
A 35-year study by Cardiff University found that regular exercise significantly reduces the risk of dementia and cognitive decline. The study identified five healthy behaviors as key to a disease-free lifestyle, with exercise being the strongest mitigating factor.
Researchers found that Caribbean reef sharks prefer to approach humans from behind, indicating they can detect body orientation. The study suggests sharks use this information to hunt more effectively.
Researchers have identified a specific region of the brain that responds to electrical stimulation by inducing feelings of determination and motivation. This region, the anterior midcingulate cortex, is linked to emotions, pain, and decision-making, and its stimulation can help individuals anticipate challenges and overcome them.
A study found that 14% of veterinarians burn out within 10 years of qualifying, with women being almost twice as likely to experience burn-out, and reaching it faster. The causes include job demands and low self-efficacy among female vets.
A new study reveals that ocean acidification causes anxious behavior in juvenile rockfish, affecting their ability to forage and navigate. The researchers found that the affected fish preferred dark areas and showed altered behavior even after being returned to normal seawater.
A University of Toronto study reveals that fear of being single is a predictor of settling for less in relationships among both men and women. People with stronger fears about being single are more likely to stay in unhappy relationships or date individuals who aren't good for them.
A study analyzing 25 research studies found that computer-based training programs for ADHD have no significant long-term impact on children's cognitive abilities or behavior. However, the researchers suggest that future programs focused on working memory may be effective if designed to improve this aspect of brain functioning.
A study by Cornell Food & Brand Lab found that extraverted kids are more influenced by bowl sizes, serving 33.1% more cereal when given a large bowl compared to introverts, who served only 5.6% more. When served by adults, all kids requested more cereal in the large bowl, highlighting the impact of personality traits on portion control.
A new review article suggests that certain probiotics have the potential to exert behavioral and immunological effects in patients with depression. These psychobiotics can alter the intestinal microbial balance and regulate inflammatory responses, which may be involved in the modulation of mood and behavior.
A new monkey study links impulsivity, rewards, and ADHD medication Ritalin, shedding light on the brain's reward processing mechanism. The study found that methylphenidate improved impulsive behavior in monkeys, but did not eliminate it, suggesting a potential link between the drug and temporal discounting.
Researchers from the University of Helsinki have developed a method to extract information about vehicular movement patterns from smartphone accelerometer measurements. The technique can detect most common public transportation types with over 80% accuracy, making it suitable for daily monitoring and fine-grained modeling of human tran...
A new study found that seven in 10 primary care patients with anxiety disorders eventually received adequate medication or psychotherapy, but this took years and was less likely for minorities. The study also showed that people with higher education levels were more likely to receive care.
Researchers at University of British Columbia successfully reduced behaviors associated with problem gambling in rats by blocking dopamine D4 receptors. The study found that rats treated with the drug exhibited reduced levels of behaviours like near-misses, offering new hope for treating gambling addiction.
A global study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Internal Medicine found that Mondays are when smokers are most likely to think about quitting. The research monitored Google search query logs from six languages and revealed a consistent pattern of quit smoking searches throughout the week.
A new study found that financial deprivation can lead to a decline in ethical principles, resulting in workplace sabotage and theft. People who experience financial loss are more likely to judge others' unethical behavior more leniently.
A study by University of York scientists has found that wild chimpanzees produce alarm calls intentionally to warn others of danger, similar to human language. The research suggests that language may have originated from a multimodal vocal-gestural communication system.
Researchers found that irregular bedtimes disrupt natural body rhythms, causing sleep deprivation and undermining brain maturation. Children who switched to regular bedtimes showed improvements in behavior, while those with inconsistent schedules had worsening behavioral scores.
Researchers at Caltech developed a new stimulus to study mouse visual behavior, finding that mice respond with immediate reflex-like responses to a looming black disk, freezing or fleeing depending on the environment. The study validates the mouse model for studying visual processing and has implications for understanding animal behavior.
Researchers found that chimpanzees with similar personality types spent more time together, suggesting a preference for self-like friends. This similarity in gregariousness and boldness may be adaptive, ensuring reliable cooperation between partners.
A Princeton University study finds that recalling personal unethical acts imbues feelings of guilt that are embodied as increased sensations of weight. This phenomenon is grounded in embodied cognition and has implications for understanding how humans perceive guilt.
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered a link between newborn infections and later behavior and movement problems. The study found that inflammation in the brain blocks cells from accessing iron needed for brain development, leading to reduced myelination and behavioral impairments.
A study published by the University of Copenhagen has found that certain genetic variants can make overeating a normal behavior in pigs, and may also be linked to human obesity. The research used genomic chip technology to map the DNA of nearly 1,200 pigs and discovered key genes involved in human obesity.
A new study reveals that clinician observations of preschoolers' behavior can predict the likelihood of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at school age. Parent reports and teacher assessments are also crucial in identifying children at risk, but clinician observations during psychological testing hold prognostic utility.
A study published in Evolution & Human Behavior suggests that parents and children's mate preferences conflict due to an evolutionary struggle for resources. This conflict arises when parents distribute resources unevenly among their children, leading them to prioritize a partner who offers less support.
Researchers found a widespread neural network responsible for human imagery manipulations, resembling the 'mental workspace' theorized to facilitate creative thinking and problem-solving. The discovery may help advance artificial intelligence by understanding how humans create new ideas and think flexibly.
Researchers from McMaster University found that pregnant women's nesting behavior is an adaptive mechanism to protect and prepare for childbirth. Women exhibit selective company choices and intense cleaning and organizing, peaking in the third trimester.
A study by UC Davis researchers has found that wild Asian elephants retreat from both leopard and tiger growls, which could help Indian farmers protect their crops from elephant raids. The work aims to prevent conflicts between human farmers and elephant herds, resulting in the loss of human and animal lives.
A quarter of mature female tiger sharks migrate from Northwestern to Main Hawaiian Islands, coinciding with shark birth season and months of highest bite risk. The researchers found that tiger sharks do not stay resident in specific bays for long periods, debunking the territoriality hypothesis.
A new longitudinal study found that using harsh verbal discipline with teenagers can lead to detrimental outcomes later, including increased depressive symptoms and conduct problems. The study suggests that parents who use harsh verbal discipline may inadvertently increase their children's behavioral issues.
This special issue of Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment brings together diverse perspectives on addressing global environmental challenges. The issue highlights socio-ecological drivers of environmental injustice, explores ways to encourage behavioral change, and emphasizes the role of religion in promoting Earth Stewardship.
Researchers found that cocaine exposure leads to rapid growth of new dendritic spines in the frontal cortex, enabling mice to strongly prefer drug cues over other stimuli. This study sheds light on the brain's role in drug-seeking behavior and may inform strategies for tackling addiction.
A new study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers found that children exposed to lead are nearly three times more likely to be suspended from school by the 4th grade. This highlights a significant disparity in school discipline, with African-American students facing a notable disadvantage.
A small study using functional magnetic resonance imaging found that three non-responsive patients could follow commands and communicate through selective auditory attention. The study suggests that this technique assesses basic human cognition, including reasoning and information processing.
Researchers at UCLA invented a tool called research maps, which helps neuroscientists quickly scan existing knowledge, plan their next study, and optimize investments. The maps classify information into categories and score the weight of evidence based on criteria such as reproducibility and convergence.
Researchers at Cardiff University have linked hormonal imbalance in the womb to anxiety and possible vulnerability to poor mental health in adults. Changes in placental function have been implicated in emotional behavior and brain gene expression related to this type of behavior.
Researchers discovered a genetic mutation in zebrafish that causes chronic stress and depression-like behavior. Adding an antidepressant restored normal behavior, suggesting a link between cortisol regulation and affective disorders.
Research suggests that fetal programming can shape feeding behavior and preferences, with newborns of undernourished mothers displaying stronger reactions to sweet tastes. This study found IUGR rat pups exhibit enhanced hedonic responses to sucrose compared to controls, potentially contributing to adult diseases.
Research suggests that humans still respond to lunar cycles, influencing sleep patterns even when unaware of the moon phase. Studies show decreased deep sleep, slower sleep onset, and lower melatonin levels around full moon.
A study found that people who are overconfident, introverted, or women are more susceptible to phishing attacks. The results showed a disconnect between confidence and actual skill, with many participants misclassifying phishing emails.
Researchers found that physical inactivity, poor diet, and smoking are linked to an increased risk of disability in older adults. The study, which followed over 3,982 participants for 12 years, found that the incidence of disability increased with age, with those over 90 years old at highest risk.
A new study by University of Notre Dame researchers found that unattractive colleagues are more likely to be subjected to cruel treatment at work. The study, published in Human Performance, suggests that physical attractiveness plays a significant role in how employees are perceived and treated in the workplace.
Researchers found that changes in human behavior had the greatest influence on the three-wave shape of the 1918 influenza epidemic. Behavioral responses, such as avoiding large gatherings and keeping distance from others, reduced infectious contact rates when recent mortality was high.
In a study, cockatoos solved a 5-lock problem by first removing a pin, then a screw, and so on. They adapted their approach when faced with altered sequences, suggesting they understood the structure of the problem. The birds' performance was characterized by flexible and sensitive reactions to changes in the sequence.
Researchers found that cockatoos employ a 'cognitive ratchet' process to solve the problem, suggesting they have a representation of the goal. After mastering the sequence, birds reacted with immediate sensitivity to changes in the puzzle box.
Databrary aims to accelerate scientific discovery by enabling widespread data sharing in the developmental and behavioral sciences. The platform will facilitate access to rich video data from studies around the world, allowing researchers to build on each other's efforts and pursue new lines of inquiry.
Researchers found that partition dependence, where breaking down possible outcomes into specific intervals, leads people to overestimate the likelihood of certain events. This bias was observed in various prediction markets, including lab experiments and natural markets, such as horse racing.
Dogs demonstrate a 'secure base effect' when interacting with their owners, showing increased motivation for rewards when owner is present. This study reveals the importance of ownership for dog behavior and confidence.
A personality test conducted on grey mouse lemurs found distinct personalities among the animals, with some exhibiting shy behavior and others being bold. The study aims to improve breeding programs and reintroduction efforts for these endangered primates.
Researchers at UCSB have discovered the mechanisms behind salt-mediated behaviors in fruit flies, shedding light on sensory biology and its connection to human brain function. The study reveals that two distinct types of neurons compete to regulate behavioral outputs, with one type activated by low-salt and another by high-salt.
A new NIH grant will support research at UC Irvine's Conte Center on Brain Programming in Mental Disorders, exploring how maternal signals and care before and after birth influence adolescent cognitive and emotional problems. The study aims to identify children vulnerable to mental health disorders and develop effective treatments.
Eve Marder's groundbreaking discoveries have fundamentally changed our understanding of how neural circuits operate and produce behavior. Her research on the stomatogastric ganglion has broad implications for studying neurological diseases like schizophrenia, depression, and chronic pain.
Researchers found that brain circuits controlling obsessive-compulsive behavior are intertwined with those controlling food intake and body weight. The study suggests that minor disruptions in this system may lead to disorders like anorexia nervosa or OCD, as well as obesity, where individuals overconsume high-fat foods.
Researchers at MIT have made significant progress in understanding the neural mechanisms of compulsive behavior by activating a specific brain circuit that controls compulsive behavior. By using optogenetics, they were able to block compulsive behavior in mice and demonstrate potential new approaches for treating diseases such as OCD.
A new technique developed by Dr. Fred Helmstetter and his research group studies the brain's reaction to anticipated pain, focusing on the amygdala's role in emotional learning and behavior. The study uses a combination of MRI and MEG to map amygdala activity over time, providing new insights into anxiety disorders and psychopathology.
Researchers have discovered similar brain structural abnormalities in dogs with canine compulsive disorder (CCD) as those found in humans with OCD. This study may lead to the development of new therapies for OCD and related conditions.
A nationwide poll of over 18,500 adults found that healthy behaviors like exercise and a balanced diet are associated with better self-perceived memory abilities. Those who engaged in more than three healthy behaviors were 111% less likely to report memory problems.
UCLA will study the use of videoconferencing technology to deliver integrated behavioral and mental health services to children in community primary care settings. The project aims to provide effective, efficient, and family-centered care to children in low-income communities.