Research on why people act as they do. Covers self-processing across primates, substance use, weight-loss behavior, and nicotine seeking.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
Researchers from CSHL have identified key circuit elements that contribute to 'stay or go' decisions in the anterior cingulate cortex. The activity of specific inhibitory neurons, SOM and PV neurons, correlates with start and end of foraging behavior in mice.
A study found that individuals with chronic kidney disease who have a heart-healthy lifestyle are less likely to develop kidney failure. Those with four ideal factors for life's simple 7 tool had nearly half their risk cut, while those with five ideal factors didn't develop kidney failure.
Researchers found that mosquitoes may be responding to an immune challenge rather than manipulating their behavior to transmit malaria parasites. Mosquitoes will wait to feed until the parasites mature and migrate to the salivary glands, but this response is also seen in non-infected mosquitoes.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that tonsil/adenoid surgery improved behavior, quality of life, and other symptoms in children with obstructive sleep apnea. However, there was no significant difference seen in attention and executive function between the treatment groups.
A study found that early removal of adenoids and tonsils can improve behavior, sleep apnea symptoms, and quality of life in children with mild to moderately severe sleep apnea. However, it did not show a significant improvement in attention and executive functioning.
A new study found that a spike in acetylcholine in the right prefrontal cortex activates response to signals, suggesting a potential brain mechanism for switching between behaviors. The findings have implications for treating disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and autism.
A new method developed by Disney Research enables a humanoid robot to receive an object handed to it by a person with natural, human-like motion. By rapidly searching a database of human motion, the robot can predict where the human plans to make the handoff and move its arm accordingly.
Japanese researchers from RIKEN Brain Science Institute have visualized the process of remembering learned behavior in zebrafish. The study uses calcium imaging to trace neural activity and finds that short-term and long-term memories are formed in different parts of the brain.
Research published in PLOS ONE reveals that malaria-infected mosquitoes are significantly more attracted to human odors than their uninfected counterparts. The study suggests that understanding the olfactory changes underlying infected mosquito behavior may help identify new compounds for developing mosquito traps.
A new study found that individual experiences and behaviors contribute to differences in brain structure, even among genetically identical mice. The research suggests that this process is linked to the generation of new neurons in the hippocampus, a region responsible for learning and memory.
A new study from MIT's Marta González and Christian Schneider found that people in Chicago and Paris make secondary trips in a consistent manner, with only 17 out of 1 million possible trip sequences used. This pattern, or 'motif,' indicates that individuals plan ahead and avoid revisiting locations to optimize travel time and distance.
Researchers at UC San Diego found that rats adopt a new chemical code when exposed to large changes in day and night cycle, leading to anxiety and depression. The discovery opens up new ways to treat brain disorders like Parkinson's by switching neurotransmitters.
A new study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that deep brain stimulation can curb binge eating in obese animals, leading to weight loss and improved glucose sensitivity. The therapy targets the dopamine type-2 receptor, providing therapeutic relief for obesity-related behaviors.
The symposium aims to address family dynamics and nutrition policies to prevent childhood obesity. Research focuses on mealtime behavior, parenting strategies, and the impact of changes to the Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) on low-income minority families.
A new study by King's College London and University of Arizona scientists has found deep similarities in brain regulation between arthropods and vertebrates, shedding light on evolution and disease mechanisms. The discovery suggests a common evolutionary origin for brain circuits underlying behavioral choice.
A study found modest but meaningful improvements in children with fragile X syndrome who received minocycline treatment. The antibiotic yielded significant improvements in anxiety and mood-related behaviors, while behavior problems and verbal functioning showed little change.
A new NIH grant will help Dr. Daniel Geschwind expand his research on the genetic causes of autism spectrum disorders to include African American populations. The study aims to identify gene variants associated with autism in individuals of African ancestry and test their relevance in European populations.
Children with fragile X syndrome showed significant improvements in general behavior, anxiety, and mood-related behaviors after three months of minocycline treatment. The study provides evidence for the efficacy of minocycline as a targeted treatment for fragile X syndrome.
Research found that park amenities in lower-income neighborhoods are often lacking, with more basketball courts and fewer trails. Higher-income areas tend to have more aesthetic features like water features or decorative landscaping, while middle-class areas have a mix of both.
A study suggests that humans rely on past experiences to predict future outcomes, which can lead to irrational decisions in games of chance. This strategy may contribute to problem gambling behavior and is resistant to current behavioral intervention strategies.
Researchers discover that unhealthy eating behaviors can worsen moods in women without prior mood changes, leading to a better understanding of the relationship between emotions and eating. The study's findings suggest that this connection may play a role in the development and maintenance of unhealthy eating habits.
A study of over 800 children found that those who avoided scary situations had stable anxiety scores after a year and were more anxious later. The approach may enable identifying kids at risk for anxiety disorders, which cognitive behavior therapy can help address.
The Human Connectome Project has released a major dataset on brain connectivity, featuring high-resolution imaging and behavioral information from 68 healthy adult volunteers. The data will enable scientists to explore relationships between brain circuits and individual behavior.
In a study published in Science, fruit flies were found to lay their eggs in an alcohol-soaked environment when sensing parasitic wasps, forcing larvae to consume booze to combat infection. The discovery suggests that using toxins in the environment to medicate offspring may be common across the animal kingdom.
A study by the University of Bristol has found that almost half of dog owners reported their pet showing fear signs when exposed to loud noises, but only a quarter considered their pet fearful. The research highlights the importance of early life experience and exposure to specific loud noises in developing fear responses.
Researchers at Duke University have found that the genes responsible for human speech share similarities with those used by songbirds. This discovery sheds light on the evolutionary roots of language and suggests a convergent complex trait like speech and song may be associated with similar genetic changes.
Researchers mapped brain regions where individual differences occur, finding variability in areas integrating information and controlling attention. This study provides insights into brain evolution and development, potentially linking diversity of human abilities to specific brain region expansions.
Low-income adults with poor mental health are more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors such as binge drinking and smoking. The study found that symptoms of depression and anxiety, rather than unhealthy behaviors, predict later levels of these health-compromising actions.
New research from Concordia University found that caring relationships in friendships can foster a desire to make a positive impact on one's community and world. Adolescents who exhibit empathic care towards their friends are more likely to develop concern for others beyond their immediate circle.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that playing virtual reality games with superpowers increases helpful behavior in the real world. Participants who played as superheroes were more likely to help others after the game compared to those who passedively completed tasks.
A new study from the Scripps Research Institute found that a complex set of overlapping neuronal circuits in fruit flies drives temperature preferences. The research used imaging techniques to visualize neuron activity and showed that dopaminergic neurons process multiple inputs to generate outputs, influencing behavior.
A new study of over 75,000 Norwegian children found little evidence that day care leads to behavioral problems. The research suggests that Norway's parental leave policies and national standards for child care may have contributed to the findings. The study contradicts earlier US studies on the topic.
Scientists found complex games like chess and Go are hard for humans to master, leading to irrational decision-making. The research has implications for financial markets, where equilibrium theory often fails to predict market behavior accurately.
Research from Fox Chase Cancer Center finds that women are more likely to follow experts' advice on reducing risk of lymphedema after breast cancer surgery if they feel confident in their abilities and know how to manage stress. Women who feel empowered can modify their behavior to avoid the complication, whereas daily behavioral chang...
A group of parasites hijack their victims' nervous systems, reducing them to helpless zombies. These manipulators can have a significant impact on ecology, physiology, and evolution, orchestrating the behaviour of vertebrates and invertebrates.
Scientists have identified a 500 million-year-old genetic mutation that enabled complex thinking in humans and other mammals. This 'accident' provided the ability to learn and adapt, which is now associated with both intelligent behavior and brain diseases.
Researchers discover engraved stone artifact in northwest China, providing evidence of human symbolic and cognitive capabilities during the Late Paleolithic era. The find, dated to approximately 30 ka BP, suggests that humans in East Asia may have possessed complex communicative systems, including language.
Researchers from University of Zurich found turning off specific cytokines reduces Alzheimer's amyloid-ß deposits by 65% in mice. Behavioral testing showed substantial improvements when p40 molecule-blocking antibody was administered, suggesting potential human therapy.
Researchers found that brain activity oscillates in sync with sounds we hear, influencing our ability to detect fleeting gaps in music. The study's findings suggest that the brain uses rhythmic fluctuations to prepare for important incoming information, potentially aiding individuals with hearing loss or stuttering.