Research on why people act as they do. Covers self-processing across primates, substance use, weight-loss behavior, and nicotine seeking.
A study published in Neurosurgery found that rats with diffuse axonal injury showed no significant abnormalities despite visible evidence of brain damage. This suggests that even subconcussive injury may lead to neuropathological changes, supporting concerns about long-term effects in humans.
Researchers at Princeton University found that male fruit flies adjust the pitch and tempo of their mating song based on the movement and behavior of their desired female. The study provides insights into how organisms make rapid decisions in response to changing environments, a concept relevant to understanding human brain function.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a novel method to objectively measure a person's desire to eat, which could lead to more effective anti-obesity treatments. The method uses brain activity tracking and hand-grip intensity to assess motivation for food rewards, providing a more accurate reflection of true hunger.
A UCLA study suggests that young adult smokers may experience physical changes in their brains due to cigarette smoking, which could explain why adults who began smoking at a young age stay hooked on cigarettes. The researchers found that brain structure changes were linked to the amount of smoking exposure and nicotine dependence.
The study found that teams play similar formations at home and away but with varying degrees of execution. Home teams tend to have more shots on goal due to players being in advanced positions. The researchers developed an automated method for detecting formations, which can be used to summarize game information in a visual form.
Rodents learn visual tasks in a fourth to sixth the number of trials when stimuli are projected onto the floor, outperforming traditional wall projections. Automated visual cognitive research tasks with neural activity recording and brain stimulation can be performed efficiently.
A study published in the Springer journal Annals of Behavioral Medicine found that diet dieters give in to temptations 50% of the time, with alcohol being a stronger trigger than sugary snacks. Mobile phone applications and coping mechanisms can help support weight management programs.
Researchers at Oxford University identified a key molecular component of the brain's sleep switch in fruit flies, which may also apply to humans. The discovery could lead to new targets for novel drugs to improve sleep disorders treatment.
Researchers found that people attribute more status and competence to individuals who display nonconformity in prestigious contexts. This phenomenon, dubbed the 'Red Sneakers Effect,' suggests that intentionally deviating from norms can be a powerful signal of success.
Researchers have pinpointed areas of the brain that act as an 'arbitrator' between habitual and goal-directed systems. This mechanism ensures optimal control over behavior by weighing the reliability of predictions from each system.
LeDoux highlights the confusion in neuroscience research on fear, conflation of behavioral and physiological responses, and how this affects the development of effective treatments for anxiety disorders. He calls for greater precision in defining fear to enhance existing scholarship and create superior remedies.
A new study published in Annals of Behavioral Medicine found that smoking behavior in soldiers is linked to war zone stress and unit support. The study, which examined data from over 1,000 US Army soldiers, found that soldiers who started smoking while in war zones were more likely to consume alcohol and hold junior ranks.
Shu Li from Chinese Academy of Sciences wins $5,000 prize for research on overconfidence using peer-comparison studies, finding male students overestimated ability by 11.8%.
Researchers have established a new biomarker for stress in wild animals, using hair cortisol concentration (HCC) to monitor polar bears affected by global climate change. The technique has been successfully applied to analyze cortisol levels in polar bear hair samples from the past century.
A Michigan State University study found that nighttime smartphone usage for work purposes leads to decreased productivity and increased fatigue the next day. The research suggests that smartphones' blue light emission disrupts melatonin production, hindering sleep recovery.
Researchers will characterize and compare shark behavior when human noises are detectable versus masked, aiming to disrupt detection of humans. They plan to use speakers or personal maskers to broadcast artificial signals that mimic or mask the detected sound cue.
Exposures to some phthalates have decreased since the 2008 federal ban, while others are rising due to industry replacement. The study found significant decreases in exposure to banned phthalates like BBzP and DEHP, but increases in alternative chemicals like DiNP.
A team of researchers used virtual reality to conduct experiments on moral dilemmas, finding that subjects were more likely to choose a utilitarian approach when faced with immediate consequences, rather than adhering to deontological principles.
A study found that conch snails that use a strong foot to leap away from predators either stop jumping or take longer when exposed to high levels of carbon dioxide projected for the end of this century. This disruption affects vital decision-making, making snails more vulnerable to their slow-moving nemesis.
A new study published in Cell journal strengthens the understanding that gut microbes can affect brain function and behavior, particularly in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Feeding mice a beneficial type of bacteria has been shown to reduce autism-like behaviors.
Researchers found that many people are honest and truthful in their dishonesty, contradicting the common notion that everyone lies frequently. The study also showed that some individuals who admitted to lying more often actually lied more often, suggesting a lack of self-awareness.
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 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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.