Articles tagged with Human Behavior
A recent study from University College London suggests that investors' emotional states play a significant role in the stock market's behavior. The researchers argue that 'emotional inflation' - the unchecked enthusiasm and wishful thinking that can lead to excessive risk-taking - is a major contributor to market crashes.
Researchers found that people can develop a general negative mood followed by a specific emotion after quick exposure to emotional stimuli. The study's results support the theory that humans should be able to detect specific emotion-evoking information automatically.
Mark Friedman, a leading researcher in eating behavior, has received a Guggenheim Fellowship to study the effects of diet on obesity. His work aims to elucidate the mechanisms driving diet-induced obesity, with a focus on the interaction between dietary fat and carbohydrate.
Research by George Mason University's Adam Winsler found that talking to themselves boosts preschool kids' performance on motor tasks. The study also showed that children with behavioral problems benefit from private speech, which can help them develop better communication skills.
A study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that significant others generally play a positive and supportive role in diet changes, with some facilitating the change through their own dietary habits or providing motivation. However, these positive roles varied widely in terms of impact on changers' experie...
Researchers examined two emotion regulation strategies: reappraisal and suppression. Reappraisal reduced negative emotions and activated prefrontal cortex, while suppression increased amygdala activity. These findings suggest reappraisal as a more successful coping strategy.
A team of researchers from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has successfully created an AI character in Second Life that can reason about its own beliefs and predict the behavior of human players. The 'Eddie' character, a 4-year-old child avatar, demonstrates reasoning abilities consistent with those of human children of the same age.
A long-term study has found mercury levels impacting common loons' health, reproductive success, and behavior. Loons with high mercury levels spend less time at nests and produce fewer young, while also experiencing sluggishness and flight issues.
Researchers found that chimpanzees activate the same brain region as humans when producing communicative signals, suggesting a shared neural basis for language. The study suggests that this common ancestor may have possessed a 'language-ready brain,' with tremendous plasticity allowing for development of complex communicative signals.
Researchers have explored the brains of flies to understand their ability to integrate sight and smell, finding that panoramic visual cues are essential for accurate odor tracking. The study suggests that odor signals strengthen visual reflexes, allowing flies to navigate complex environments with remarkable accuracy.
A study found that preschool children exposed to both World Trade Center attacks and another traumatic event had significantly more severe behavioral problems than those exposed only to one or neither. Young children may be particularly vulnerable to the adverse psychological consequences of trauma.
Scientists studied prairie voles' mating habits and nervous systems to understand their behavior. The research found that male 'wanderers' lack receptors for spatial memory, leading them to return to territories with high contact with females.
Researchers at Tufts University found that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is critical for mediating satiety in adult mice. Mice with deleted BDNF genes ate more and became heavier, highlighting the protein's role in energy balance.
Belief and disbelief activate different brain regions, including those linked to emotions and taste perceptions. Uncertainty triggers a unique response in the anterior cingulate cortex and caudate region.
A Yale University study found that children follow adults' actions faithfully, even when they are unnecessary, leading to confusion and difficulties in learning. The research suggests that children's ability to imitate can actually hinder their learning process if they observe an adult performing inefficient behavior.
Jay Rosenblatt, a renowned researcher at Rutgers University, has been awarded the Senior Investigator Award from the International Society for Developmental Psychobiology. His work on maternal behavior and learning early in life has had a lasting impact on the field of developmental psychobiology.
A study published in Genome Biology has identified genes associated with alcohol sensitivity in fruit flies. The research team found over 1000 genes that differ in expression between sensitive and resistant flies, including 23 human orthologs that could be linked to alcohol sensitivity in humans.
Children diagnosed with breathing disorders show improved sleep quality and reduced hyperactivity after tonsillectomy, according to a study. The surgery also correlates positively with improvements in cognitive function and ADHD symptoms.
Oxytocin levels in pregnant women predict the formation of an exclusive bond with their infants. Mothers with higher oxytocin levels report more bonding behaviors and are preoccupied with thoughts of their infant's well-being.
A five-year study will investigate patterns of interaction between parents and preschool children to better understand the effects of child maltreatment. The research seeks to identify relationship patterns underlying the severity and type of maltreatment, aiming to inform the development of more effective family therapies.
Researchers discovered specific neuronal subpopulations mediate distinct effects of THC, leading to potential therapeutic use for neuronal disorders. The study provides rationale for developing drugs that selectively activate CB1 in specific neuronal subpopulations.
Researchers at University at Buffalo develop automated system to track individuals' likelihood of committing a terrorist act based on biometrics and behavioral indicators. The system aims to identify perpetrators in real-time, providing a numerical score of malfeasance likelihood.
Florida State University researcher Amy Wetherby has received a four-year, $1.4M CDC grant to screen 16,000 North Florida children for early signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study aims to identify prevalence at two ages in early childhood and inform early intervention efforts.
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...
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.