Articles tagged with Human Behavior
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
Practical application of scientific knowledge and engineering principles to solve real-world problems and develop innovative technologies. Encompasses all engineering disciplines, technology development, computer science, artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, agriculture, materials applications, energy systems, and industrial innovation. Bridges theoretical research with tangible solutions for infrastructure, manufacturing, computing, communications, transportation, construction, sustainable development, and emerging technologies that advance human capabilities, improve quality of life, and address societal challenges through scientific innovation and technological progress.
Study of the practice, culture, infrastructure, and social dimensions of science itself. Addresses how science is conducted, organized, communicated, and integrated into society. Encompasses research funding mechanisms, scientific publishing systems, peer review processes, academic ethics, science policy, research institutions, scientific collaboration networks, science education, career development, research programs, scientific methods, science communication, and the sociology of scientific discovery. Examines the human, institutional, and cultural aspects of scientific enterprise, knowledge production, and the translation of research into societal benefit.
Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
A large-scale study of 2,889 older women found that poorer sleep is associated with worse physical function during the day. Women who slept less than six hours per night walked slower and took longer to complete daily activities. Maintaining good sleep hygiene is crucial for optimal daytime function in older adults.
Scientists have identified three genes associated with dopamine functioning in the brain, predicting individual differences in learning behaviors. These genes affect implicit reward learning and change choice strategies after negative feedback. The study offers insights into the genetic basis for learning differences and potential impl...
Elinor Ostrom proposes a flexible framework for resource management, considering factors such as governance systems, resource users, and innate productivity. The framework aims to improve conservation strategies by working with local people and adapting to unpredictable human behavior.
A new study by Harvard researchers found that non-human primates infer intentions based on rational action, not just surface-level appearances. The primates chose the most accessible food container in each scenario, demonstrating a human-like understanding of others' goals and actions.
A new study is providing highly successful parenting skills to parents with bipolar disorder, using the Triple P Positive Parenting Programme. The program has been shown to improve behavior in children and increase parental confidence, particularly for those experiencing instability of mood and behavior.
Researchers created OCD-like behaviors in mice using genetic engineering and reversed them with antidepressants and targeted a key brain circuit. The study suggests new strategies for treating the disorder by understanding the role of the SAPAP3 gene in glutamate-mediated communications.
Researchers discovered that mice without a key brain protein exhibited OCD-like behavior, including compulsive grooming and anxiety. Restoring the protein improved behaviors, suggesting a possible synaptic defect as the cause of OCD-like symptoms.
Dr. Nancy Kopell received the John von Neumann Lecture for her groundbreaking work on coupled nonlinear oscillators and their application to various biological systems. Her research focuses on understanding rhythmic behavior in networks of neurons and its role in filtering and transforming input patterns.
Researchers found that 13-month-old infants could attribute mental content and exhibit puzzlement when caterpillars didn't follow expected behavior in animations. This suggests the presence of mental structures for predicting others' behavior from a young age.
A University of Iowa study shows that disrupting the acid sensing ion channel protein (ASIC1a) reduces innate fear behavior in mice. The findings suggest that this protein may be a critical component of brain systems underlying innate fear.
Researchers at Tufts University have identified a specific population of glial cells required for controlling circadian behavior in Drosophila, suggesting an autonomous glial mechanism drives circadian rhythms. The study's findings have broad implications for understanding diseases affected by altered biological timing mechanisms.
A University of Oregon research team has found that barn owls' exceptional spatial hearing abilities can help pinpoint problems in the human brain, including those related to hearing and behavior. The study used infrared monitoring to track changes in pupil dilation responses influenced by sound sources around an owl.
Studies reveal a gene-regulating protein that triggers coping mechanisms in mice exposed to inescapable stress, leading to reduced behavioral despair. The discovery provides an animal model for exploring how antidepressants work on the brain circuitry involved in stress response.
A study found that poor sleep hygiene habits in snoring children are associated with negative daytime behavior. The research showed strong correlations between sleep hygiene and externalizing behaviors, such as ADHD symptoms and hyperactivity.
A team of researchers discovered a receptor molecule for serotonin plays crucial roles in fear responses to ambiguous stimuli in mice. The hippocampus brain region is involved in processing and assessing value of stimuli, making it easier to interpret situations as threatening.
A study of nearly 2,000 7-year-old twin pairs suggests a strong genetic connection between hyperactivity and poor academic performance. The researchers found that common genetic factors influence both behaviors, possibly due to genes affecting attention span and classroom learning.
A team of researchers analyzed fruit fly behavior and found it to be non-randomly generated by the brain, suggesting a mechanism for free will in animals. This discovery could lead to the development of robots with spontaneous behavior and help combat human disorders related to compromised spontaneity.
A study by The Miriam Hospital found that web-based intervention programs for inactive adults were just as effective as traditional programs in increasing physical activity. Participants reported approximately 120 minutes of physical activity per week, with a 5.2% improvement in fitness over six months.
Researchers have identified how the brain's dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) compensates for disruption caused by a stroke. The study found that the PMd in the intact hemisphere increases activity to 'rescue' function in the damaged hemisphere, leading to recovery of movement.
The study aims to identify ways to diagnose and treat aging-related diseases earlier, using chimpanzees and rhesus macaques compared to humans with Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment. The researchers hope to develop new treatments based on specific physiological changes.
A community-based study found that women with a lifetime history of migraine performed worse on cognitive tests initially but showed a 17% less decline in performance over time compared to those without migraines. Lifestyle factors such as diet and behavior may play a role in protecting memory.
A new computer model developed at the McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT has been shown to perform as well as humans on rapid visual categorization tasks, even making similar errors. The model follows the organization of the brain's visual system and can help neuroscientists explore brain mechanisms involved in human visual p...
Male crayfish bluff with weak claws to intimidate opponents and gain dominance, while females' claw size is an honest indicator of strength. This study reveals that dishonesty plays a more significant role in animal communication than previously thought.
Researchers found that high long-chain omega-3 intake is associated with increased grey matter volume in areas of the brain related to emotional arousal and regulation. This study suggests that omega-3s may promote structural improvements in brain regions linked to mood disorders.
Researchers at the Salk Institute found that brain area sizes must be optimally tuned to perform tasks, with underperforming mice exhibiting reduced tactile and motor behaviors. Genetic manipulation in mice revealed a correlation between area size and performance, which was reversed by genetic rescue experiments.
A study found that anti-ribosomal P antibodies, associated with SLE, induce depressive behavior in mice by interacting with the limbic system. Fluoxetine treatment reversed this effect, but haloperidol had no significant impact.
A study of 620 people with gastroenteritis found that those who developed IBS were more likely to experience high stress, anxiety, and perfectionism. Cognitive behavioural therapy may be an effective treatment for this condition, which affects up to 15% of adults in industrialised countries.
Researchers found that early brain degeneration can be reversed if prions are depleted in neurons, leading to improved cognitive function and reversal of neurological pathology. This discovery opens new avenues for targeting neuronal prion protein as a therapeutic approach and may enable early intervention in human prion disease.
A Cornell study found that chelation therapy can reduce learning and behavioral problems caused by lead exposure in young rats. However, the treatment also showed lasting adverse effects in rats with no lead exposure, raising concerns about its use in autistic children.
Researchers found that subliminal words can produce a priming effect, where subjects respond faster on tasks related to either the visual or auditory word. TMS applied to specific brain areas disrupted this priming effect, demonstrating top-down processing of subliminal information.
Despite advances in treatment, Alzheimer's care has remained consistent since Alois Alzheimer's first patient presentation in 1906. Non-pharmacological strategies like bright-light therapy and aromatherapy are still used today to manage symptoms.
A study by University of Chicago researchers found that female rats with a more apprehensive temperament are more likely to develop mammary and pituitary tumors and die earlier. The findings suggest that looking at links between behavior traits and cancer in humans may be crucial for research on the development of cancer.
A three-step prompting procedure, implemented consistently, significantly improves preschool child compliance. Instructors using the method report improved results when following a consistent approach, with children responding to instructions more effectively.
A pilot study by Yale School of Nursing and Child Study Center found that Parent Management Training (PMT) successfully controlled moderate to severe levels of oppositional behavior in children with TS, leading to a 51% decline in disruptive behavior. The results showed significant improvement compared to the control group.
Researchers found five proteins overexpressed and three underexpressed in response to chronic alcohol exposure, affecting programmed cell death, cholesterol balance, and signal transduction. The study suggests a progressive increase in behavior disruption with prolonged exposure, highlighting the potential for new therapeutic targets.
A massive 10-year study in Sardinia found no connection between Type A personality and heart disease, contrary to previous studies. The research measured the genes and traits of over 6,000 people aged 14-102, finding a strong genetic component for many traits.
A parent-based intervention program promotes sun-safe behaviors in children, especially when parents and children have a high-quality relationship. The program is most effective in families with a high-quality parent-child relationship, high level of compliance, and low negative communication.
Researchers found that bumble bees can adjust their behavior to estimate elapsed durations, crucial for decision-making tasks like feeding and communication. This ability is rare in the animal kingdom, previously known only in humans and other vertebrates.
A parent-based intervention program encourages sun-safe behaviors and discourages tanning among children with high-quality relationships between parents and children. Family variables such as compliance and monitoring levels also impact the effectiveness of the program.
Scientists studying the brains of flies, moths, and cuttlefish have made discoveries about the mechanics of how the brain regulates behavior. Researchers have identified specific brain chemicals and regions that allow for rapid color changes in cuttlefish, similar to the human motor cortex.
Researchers at UW-Madison presented studies on the ineffectiveness of fish advisories, the role of sulfate-reducing bacteria in mercury contamination, and the long-term consequences of in utero exposure to methylmercury. The findings highlight the need for improved communication, funding, and media coverage to address these issues.
A new study at University College London found that humans often act irrationally when faced with difficult decisions, driven by emotional reactions. Participants were more likely to gamble at the threat of losing £30 than the offer of keeping £20, despite both options resulting in the same outcome.
The substantia nigra/ventral tegmental area (SN/VTA) is activated by unexpected stimuli, emotional arousal, or the need to respond behaviorally. Novelty enhances learning in humans, suggesting a functional loop between novelty and hippocampal function.
Researchers discovered older meerkats introduce dead and injured prey before live food as pups learn to hunt, using calls to gauge age and ability. The helpers monitor pup behavior and adjust prey presentation accordingly.
A new treatment plan involving behavior modification and pharmaceutical treatment has shown marked improvement in nearly half of patients with medically unexplained symptoms. The treatment also emphasizes improved communication between patient and doctor, highlighting the importance of the doctor-patient relationship.
A new brain model, iSTART, describes how imbalanced brain mechanisms underlie autistic behaviors. Individuals with autism exhibit hyperspecific learning, under-aroused emotional responses, and breakdowns in adaptive timing, leading to symptoms like reduced emotional expression and emotional outbursts.
A new study published in PLoS Biology found that avoiding punishment activates the same brain reward centers as receiving a reward. Researchers used fMRI to scan the brains of humans performing an instrumental conditioning task, where participants could either lose or win money. The results showed that the medial orbitofrontal cortex (...
Researchers found 100,000-year-old shells with holes bored into their centers in Israel and Algeria, suggesting that beadworking was widespread long before the explosion of modern culture in Europe. The discovery supports the idea that modern humans developed behaviors gradually instead of emerging later in Europe.
The study, led by Dr Nathaniel Daw and Dr John O'Doherty, used fMRI scans to measure brain activity while subjects gambled for money. Most people switch between exploring and exploiting strategies seamlessly, making it hard to distinguish between them.
Broca's area plays a crucial role in organizing actions and processing hierarchical structures, according to researchers Etienne Koechlin and Thomas Jubault. Their experiments found that this executive function is distinct from the organization of temporal sequences of actions.
Researchers discovered that neurons in the lateral prefrontal cortex process information for future events to generate action plans, enabling monkeys to plan complex behaviors. The study provides new insights into the central function of behavioral planning in this higher brain region.
The Association for Psychological Science has changed its name from American Psychological Society to better clarify its scientific mission. The new name emphasizes the organization's commitment to psychological science and human welfare, as well as its growing international presence.
A McMaster University study found that employees are more willing to share knowledge with trusted colleagues who treat them fairly. The reluctance to share knowledge leads to a contagious tendency to hide important information, causing productivity to suffer.
New research at the University of Liverpool has found that men sense a preference shift in their female partners and find masculine men more threatening during their most fertile phase. Men only behave this way if their female partner does not use oral contraception and is therefore more fertile.
A study led by Binghamton University aims to address cardiovascular disease in rural women, who face unique challenges such as limited access to healthcare and healthy habits. Researchers will employ two techniques: community intervention and nursing interventions, tailored to individual readiness to change behavior.
Researchers propose a theory that the fusiform face area (FFA) recognizes faces based on selective processing of shapes of facial features. Their computational model and experimental studies support this idea, suggesting that face recognition can be achieved by hierarchical shape detectors.
A Rice University study found that women exposed to chemicals from fear-induced sweat performed more accurately on word-association tasks than those in neutral or no-sweat conditions. This suggests that human olfaction can detect chemical signals from fear, leading to more cautious behavior and improved accuracy.
Patients identified seven ideal physician behaviors: confident, empathetic, humane, personal, forthright, respectful, and thorough. Training physicians on interpersonal skills may improve patient outcomes.
A study of 150 healthy married couples found that hostility in women was associated with atherosclerosis, while controlling behavior in men or their wives was linked to increased hardening of the arteries. The findings suggest that low-quality relationships are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
A new study compares handedness of medieval English villagers to modern-day sample, finding that active individuals display a high degree of asymmetry. Researchers used skeletal analysis to determine changes in hand preference over time, shedding light on the evolution of right- and left-handedness.