Articles tagged with Human Behavior
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Research by Dr. Robert Drago and Carol Colbeck found that both men and women engage in productive and unproductive bias avoidance behaviors. Productive behaviors minimize family commitments to improve work performance, while unproductive behaviors produce the appearance of commitment without actual benefits.
Researchers found that newborns (10-72 hours old) prefer speech over nonsensical words in a study led by Dr. Athena Vouloumanos. The infants showed increased sucking behavior when hearing human speech compared to speech-like analogues, suggesting an experience-independent component to their preference for speech.
Case scientists demonstrate that motor neurons' behavioral roles change depending on body positioning, with implications for developing robots and prosthetic devices. Their research provides the first demonstration of Bernstein's hypothesis in a behaving animal.
A study by Dr. Jill Halterman found that children with severe asthma symptoms often exhibit behavioral problems, such as anxiety and difficulty focusing, which can impact their learning. The research suggests that addressing both asthma and behavior issues simultaneously is crucial for effective treatment.
A study by Queen's University psychologist Mark Sabbagh found that Chinese preschoolers show better self-control than their North American counterparts. Executive functioning skills, which enable focus on goals despite distractions, develop more rapidly in Chinese children.
Researchers found that cholestasis is associated with a broad activation of immune cells producing TNF-alpha, leading to behavioral changes and alterations in neurotransmitter systems. The study provides a novel mechanism linking liver disease to CNS sickness behavior, potentially informing the development of therapeutic agents.
Scientists used fMRI to study how humans learn to associate brand preferences with rewards, finding key activity in the ventral midbrain and ventral striatum. The study sheds light on the neural mechanisms behind consumer behavior and advertising effectiveness.
A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that genetic variations on chromosomes two and four may affect drinking behavior, potentially preceding alcoholism. The research team analyzed DNA from 158 families with a history of smoking to identify genes related to alcohol addiction.
Researchers found limited changes in brain gene activity in tame silver foxes compared to non-domesticated farm foxes. Tame foxes exhibited dramatic behavioral and physiological changes, but these were associated with only minor genetic alterations.
Scientists have found that injecting a specific amino acid into rats can alter their gene expression, raising hopes for potential treatments for diseases. The study also showed that certain nutrients can influence gene expression in animals even after birth, sparking interest in the role of diet in shaping our genes.
A recent study found that low-income pregnant Latinas are at risk of early-pregnancy drinking and related effects, contrary to stereotypes. The study, which analyzed drinking behavior among 100 pregnant women, suggests that cultural values and language barriers may contribute to this risk.
Researchers discovered 17 genes linked to human anxiety disorders, with many enzymes playing a crucial role in their function. This breakthrough study provides new hope for understanding and treating anxiety-related behaviors.
Researchers have discovered that NPY/AgRP neurons are crucial for regulating eating behavior and body weight. Eliminating these neurons in adult mice resulted in reduced appetite and significant weight loss, highlighting their importance in maintaining normal feeding behavior.
Researchers analyzed brain activity of rhesus monkeys to infer what they knew, finding novel nerve cells representing correct memory associations that persisted even after incorrect choices. Human memory relies on association, and behavioral performance may be influenced by external factors.
Dr. Harris-Warrick's lab will explore flexible movements in crustaceans using dopamine and serotonin modulators, shedding light on motor circuit flexibility and homeostasis. The award honors the late Sen. Jacob K. Javits' advocacy for neurological disorder research.
A team of scientists studied the motor network of marine snails and found that higher-order neurons employ a combinatorial mechanism to produce variations in movement parameters. This hierarchical architecture allows for the generation of large numbers of behavioral variants, a hallmark of brain function.
Researchers found that human subjects learned different levels of a video game in just 20 minutes, adapting to varying environmental difficulties. The study showed that people can rapidly reshape their learning process to best learn new movements.
Researchers at Yerkes develop a transgenic nonhuman primate model of Huntington's disease to study disease development and develop treatments and prevention options. The model will be used in high-resolution imaging scans and behavioral studies.
A study of 12 normal-weight individuals found that their eating behavior did not compensate for overeating, despite gaining weight. Instead, they maintained their usual eating patterns when returning to their normal environment.
Dopamine's prolonged effects may be key to understanding psychiatric conditions, which are characterized by persistently high brain messenger levels. Researchers found a second mechanism by which chronic dopamine affects the brain, possibly indefinitely.
Researchers tracked basking sharks using pop-up tags to study their diving behaviour. They found that sharks in shallow waters exhibit reversed behaviour compared to deep water, indicating a response to changes in zooplankton vertical migration.
A study by researchers at Penn State and Washington state universities found that relying on others outside the family for information is associated with parents being less knowledgeable about their child. In contrast, parents in relational groups were more likely to be informed and had teens engaging in less risky behavior.
A study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society reveals that in specific situations, unrelated African cichlid fish helpers must contribute more to their group to gain access and benefits. By analyzing genetic relatedness and behavioral observations, researchers found that under certain ecological conditions, non-relatives ta...
A recent study published in Psychological Science reveals that consonants play a crucial role in distinguishing between words, while vowels carry grammatical information. The researchers found that listeners are sensitive to this difference and can compute statistical relations among vowel sounds but not consonant sounds.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology has issued a report calling for strengthened codes to prevent similar nightclub fires. The recommendations aim to enhance occupant safety by implementing measures such as sprinkler systems, flammable material restrictions, and emergency preparedness practices.
A recent study using fruit flies has revealed the role of the dFMRP protein in regulating actin dynamics, which is crucial for neuron formation. This research holds promise for a better understanding of fragile-X-syndrome and brain development.
Researchers found that people from Asia and Africa have lower lactase production due to harsh climates and diseases that made dairy farming unfeasible. In contrast, Europeans retain lactase due to historical dairy farming in their ancestral environments.
Researchers found that people altered their behavior after exposure to subliminal happy faces, drinking more and paying triple the price for a mystery drink. Thirst proved necessary for influence, and effects were short-lived, lasting only until conscious awareness arrived.
Researchers found significant improvement in sensory avoiding behaviors and tactile sensitivity after therapy sessions for children with ADHD. The treatment helped children better attend to lessons in noisy classrooms and participate in family activities.
Recent studies have shown that buckyballs can affect biological systems, but a new study assesses their behavior in water. Scientists found that buckyballs combine into nano-sized clumps, which are more soluble in water than individual carbon molecules, and inhibit the growth of soil bacteria at very low concentrations.
The CyberWalk project aims to create a fully immersive virtual environment that allows people to walk freely without restrictions. This will enable researchers to study human behavior patterns under controlled conditions. The platform, called the CyberCarpet, features thousands of pivoted spheres propelled by a treadmill.
Adolescent girls who engage in radical weight-control behaviors, depression, and perceive their parents' weight as obese are more likely to become obese. Erratic eating and lack of exercise do not strongly predict obesity.
Research by Marino and colleagues reveals that dolphins and primates share similar cognitive abilities despite their distinct brain development patterns. The study, which spans 47 million years, uses magnetic resonance imaging and fossil records to compare the encephalization of cetaceans and humans.
Researchers found that treating sleep disturbances in epileptic children improves their epilepsy, daytime behavior, concentration, and learning capacity. The study suggests that addressing underlying sleep disorders can have a significant impact on children's cognitive abilities.
The study found a significant increase in patients becoming up-to-date with screening recommendations and tests, from 38.7% to 56.1%, and the use of posters and brochures about CRC screening increased from 20.5% to 69.3%. Direct discussion of screening was the most common method for educating patients.
A large-scale study identified a genetic basis for certain behaviors, including alcohol consumption, suggesting that genetic make-up may influence drinking habits. The research focused on the dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2) and found a strong association between this gene variant and alcohol consumption.
Researchers have developed a Drosophila fly model for Fragile X syndrome, demonstrating physical and behavioral characteristics similar to those of human patients. Drug treatments blocking mGluR-receptor activity restored memory-dependent courtship behavior in mutant flies and reversed neuronal structural defects.
A study found that parents quitting smoking before their children reached third grade is associated with nearly double the chances of their children quitting smoking in young adulthood. The findings suggest that helping parents quit smoking should be considered in future public-health interventions targeting youth smoking.