Articles tagged with Human Behavior
Neurobiologist William H. Calvin argues that bigger brain size didn't lead to general intelligence improvements in human evolution. However, after a significant burst of creativity around 75,000 years ago, humans made rapid advancements in complex tasks like art and language.
Researchers have developed two novel robotic devices inspired by the movement of worms and slugs, including an endoscopic device that can navigate complex spaces and a gripping device that can pick up soft objects without damaging them. The devices aim to reduce discomfort and increase compliance during medical procedures.
A two-year study of 127 families found that children's behavioral problems lead to increased parental conflict and vice versa. The researchers identified differences in sibling experiences within stepfamilies, suggesting that each child evokes unique responses from parents.
Researchers at NYU found that pacemaker neurons transmit signals to target cells and modulate light sensitivity, generating a circadian rhythm in visual sensitivity. This discovery may lead to the identification of genes that can be used to treat sleep disorders and jet lag.
A recent study by Robert Kurzban and Daniel Houser found that three main personality types play a crucial role in group projects: Reciprocators, Cooperators, and Free Riders. The study revealed that about 63% of participants are Reciprocators, who tend to hold back before fully committing to a project.
Researchers found that combining behavioral enrichment and antioxidant supplementation significantly improved learning abilities in senior dogs. The study suggests similar benefits may be attained in humans due to biological and behavioral parallels between species.
Neurology researchers have identified an area in the prefrontal cortex that controls collecting behavior, revealing a potential link to hoarding disorders. Damage to this region can lead to abnormal hoarding behavior, interfering with daily life and causing individuals to resist discarding collected items.
Researchers found that people who believed they had become sick from eating hard-boiled eggs or pickles were more likely to avoid these foods in the future. However, the effect was limited to novel food items, with no change in behavior towards commonly consumed foods like potato chips.
Researchers found asymmetries in KNOB and language brain region correspond to right- and left-handedness, challenging previous theory of human-chimpanzee brain differences. The Yerkes National Primate Research Center is a leader in biomedical and behavioral studies involving nonhuman primates.
Working memory develops and improves with maturity, allowing voluntary control over behavior. Adults rely on a third brain area for optimal performance, whereas children and adolescents use different regions of the brain. This study informs understanding of thinking processes and may lead to new treatments for psychiatric illnesses.
Researchers develop mathematical model to predict mosquito-borne infection risk, finding that peak biting rates occur near breeding sites and highest human density. The proportion of infectious mosquitoes peaks where older populations are found, leading to surprising predictions about risk hotspots.
Researchers at NYU used rhesus monkeys to test game theory predictions, finding that monkey behavior matched human behavior. The study's findings suggest the posterior parietal cortex plays a key role in decision-making.
Boston University has been awarded $20.1 million to establish a Science of Learning Center, which aims to develop a model of how the brain learns. The center will bring together educators, scientists, and technologists from four institutions to investigate the foundations of learning across various situations.
A computer program simulated how people who felt threatened would respond to a serial subtraction problem, showing a 25% decrease in performance speed. Increasing knowledge through instruction and practice, or continuously checking results to bolster confidence, can help individuals switch their pre-task appraisal from threatening to c...
A USC study found that the brain processes rhythmic and discrete movements differently, with distinct activity patterns in different brain areas. The research has implications for movement control and rehabilitation, as well as our understanding of music's effect on human movement.
Researchers developed a new trust model to interpret subjects' performance in a simple task. The model factors in doubt and found that many students expressed doubt despite being told it was unlikely. This challenges the assumption that humans are irrational when doubting instructions.
Researchers found children who developed wheezing symptoms after age 3 had significant behavior problems before, compared to those who never wheezed. The study suggests a possible common factor, such as genetics or parental smoking, that accounts for both wheezing and behavior problems in children.
A study found that parents' close relationships with their children and efforts to monitor their behavior can help prevent adolescents from engaging in substance use and delinquent activities. Parental control was also a strong predictor of lower levels of problem behavior, regardless of the level of knowledge gained through monitoring.
Research suggests that dieters experience improved self-image after viewing photos of thin models in popular magazines. However, the study also indicates that those who are highly invested in achieving this ideal may be more likely to develop eating disorders.
Archaeologists discovered perforated shells at Blombos Cave, dated to 75,000 years ago, which were likely strung as beads. This finding supports the theory that modern human behavior developed gradually throughout the Middle Stone Age.
Research suggests that non-physical traits, such as personality and behavior, have a substantial impact on how people perceive physical attractiveness. Studies involving familiar and stranger participants found that non-physical traits known only to familiars had a large effect on perception of physical attractiveness.
Researchers caution against linking strep bacteria to neuropsychiatric disorders like OCD and tics in children. Neurologist Roger Kurlan and Edward L. Kaplan argue that the criteria for establishing a connection between strep and behavioral disorders are too vague, citing a lack of evidence from large, carefully controlled studies.
Archaeologists discovered ochre pencils, bone artifacts, and ostrich egg shell beads at a site in the Serengeti National Park, indicating early development of modern cultural behavior. The findings suggest that symbolic thinking may have emerged earlier than previously thought, around 280,000 years ago.
The study reveals that granular materials exhibit complex rheology, making it challenging for continuum theory to predict their behavior. The enriched continuum model offers a new level of predictive capability, capturing the key transition mechanism and shear bands.
A study by Michael A. Grandner and Daniel F. Kripke found that long sleepers and short sleepers report more sleep complaints than those who sleep seven to eight hours a night. Long sleepers experienced difficulty falling asleep, waking up during the night, and feeling unrefreshed upon waking.
Infants begin to grasp intentional action in the first year, understanding actions as goal-directed and recognizing invisible connections between people and objects. This early knowledge lays the foundation for later developments in understanding intentions.
A recent study found that men are more likely than women to adopt healthy behaviors, such as regular exercise and quitting smoking. Women, on the other hand, were less confident in their ability to make these changes. The researchers hope their findings can be used to assist both men and women with adopting healthier lifestyles.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory found that rats can rapidly and accurately discriminate odors with just one sniff. The study, led by Zach Mainen, reveals vital new information about how the human brain processes information and guides behavior, suggesting that smell is a fast sense rather than a slow one.
Researchers found that 12-month-old infants looked longer at the ball approaching a helpful square, indicating they differentiated between the movies. This suggests that infants have ideas about what type of action would be more likely for the ball given its previous interactions.
A new book published by the University of Colorado Center explores post-disaster research and findings from 22 studies on emergency response, corporate interactions, volunteer behavior, and risk communication. The studies aim to improve public policy and disaster response in the face of terrorist attacks.
A study found that exercising in front of a mirror reduces women's energy, relaxation, and positivity. This effect persists even among those with good body image, suggesting mirrors may hinder physical activity motivation. The findings have implications for exercise promotion guidelines and the use of mirrors in workout centers.
A PET scan study found that only a combination of methylphenidate and a behavioral stimulus resulted in increased dopamine levels. The increases were associated with improved perception of the task as interesting and motivating.
A study by Hebrew University researcher Dr. Ehud Zohary found that blind people's brains reorganize to process touch and memory, leading to superior verbal memory skills. The research opens a window into understanding cortical plasticity in brain systems, potentially leading to improved treatment for neurodegenerative diseases.
A recent study by Louise M. O'Brien found that snoring in children, even without sleep apnea, can lead to significant cognitive issues such as attention deficits and language difficulties. The research involved 87 children aged 5-7 who snored but did not have obstructive sleep apnea, compared to 31 non-snoring peers.
Researchers found that children with behavioral disorders incur similar healthcare costs to those with physical disorders. Children with depression and anxiety had double the overall expenditures as those with disruptive disorders.
Researchers found that positive attitudes toward exercise most strongly influenced intention, followed by control over obstructing factors. Pregnant women who exercised reported improved physical condition, reduced discomfort, and increased energy. Postpartum barriers include exhaustion and lack of time.
A professor at Stanford University suggests a genetic mutation triggered modern human behavior, contradicting the majority of anthropologists. Genetic analysis of the foxp2 gene supports his theory, suggesting it evolved around 50,000 years ago.
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends intensive diet counseling for at-risk adult patients to reduce fat and increase fruits and vegetables. Effective counseling involves multiple sessions and interactive materials, with studies showing significant changes in eating habits and some health benefits.
A study led by VCU researchers identified a genetic link to bulimia nervosa on chromosome 10p, building upon prior research that found the disorder's heritability. The findings aim to inform the search for effective treatments and preventative therapies for bulimia.
A recent NIH study found that families participating in the Checkpoints Program reported imposing stricter driving limits on their teens, both when they got their licenses and three months later. The program includes a video, newsletters, and a parent-teen driving agreement that help parents teach adolescents to drive safely.
A study by University of California - Irvine researchers found that high manganese levels in soy milk formula may cause behavioral problems and lowered dopamine levels in infant rats, similar to those seen in ADHD. The study suggests a potential correlation between high manganese doses and attention deficit disorder.
The study found that pregnant black women were less likely to quit smoking, while those with social support were more likely to quit drinking. Health professionals can help provide social support for these women.
A study by Georgia Tech reveals that individuals with optimistic outlooks, high self-esteem, and conscientious personalities tend to have more success in their job searches. Additionally, a change in daily routine can positively affect re-employment prospects, particularly for older workers.
Young children believe negative traits can be changed, which may help them stay motivated to learn new skills. However, as they grow older, this level of optimism fades and they become more pessimistic about their ability to change.
Researchers can now perform innovative and massive new calculations, including simulating synthetic environments and analyzing genomic data. The tera-scale capability enables the creation of artificial agents with fine granularities, providing a more accurate representation of reality.
Researchers studied monkey behavior in a task that simulates goal-driven actions, revealing a boost in brain signal as the reward neared. The signal is thought to sustain goal-directed behavior and may underlie abnormal activity in the brain area associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
The excavation of a chimpanzee stone tool site in the Ivory Coast reveals new insights into the behavior of our closest living relatives. The site, discovered using archaeological methods, shows that chimpanzees collected rocks from various sources and brought them to nut-cracking sites, creating large refuse accumulations.
A study conducted at Brown University found that 33 percent of psychiatric patients, compared to 13 percent of medical patients, reported significant symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Psychiatric patients were more likely to experience trauma-related symptoms such as thinking about the attacks and avoiding reminders.
A study by Cornell University's Nicholas Nicastro found that cats use acoustic features to convey urgency and demand, but not true language. Cats have become skilled at managing humans for food, shelter, and affection without using complex language.
Researchers report that a critical period between 5-21 days after birth is crucial for normal anxiety-like behavior, triggered by serotonin stimulation of the forebrain receptor. This timing enables long-lasting changes in brain chemistry or structure essential for normal emotional behavior throughout life.
A University of North Carolina study found that individually tailored health promotion programs can significantly improve the lives of working women. The program, which included confidential feedback and lay health advisory programs, boosted fruit and vegetable consumption and improved strength and flexibility exercise among participants.
A study published in Annals of Behavioral Medicine found little to no empirical support for claims that religious involvement leads to better physical and mental health. The researchers analyzed the medical literature and found that most studies on religion and health were irrelevant or had significant methodological flaws.
A study by Rotundo and Sackett found that North American managers were not always in agreement on the most important criteria for rating employee performance. This can lead to inconsistent reviews, highlighting the need for clear communication of valued aspects of job performance.
Researchers found a shift in diet and personal ornamentation, such as beads, around 40-50 thousand years ago, which may indicate increased human population density. This change occurred simultaneously in Africa, Asia, and Europe, suggesting that modern humans did not expand from a single geographic location.
The study, conducted in Olmsted County, Minnesota, found that only a small percentage of people utilize recommended approaches to weight loss. The efforts being undertaken by CardioVision 2020 aim to reduce cardiovascular disease burden through diet and exercise changes. Meanwhile, another study on breast cancer patients highlights the...
A new study found that rural older women with urinary incontinence can significantly improve their symptoms through behavioral management interventions, which reduced severity by 61%. The interventions involved goal-setting, bladder training, and pelvic muscle exercises with biofeedback.
Researchers have discovered abstract representations of ochre pieces in a South African cave, dating back to at least 70,000 years ago. The findings indicate that early humans were able to think abstractly and behave as modern humans earlier than previously thought.
Researchers have found that mice with a knocked-out Hoxb8 gene exhibit excessive grooming behavior, creating bald spots and skin wounds. This discovery suggests that Hox genes may regulate behavior in the adult brain, offering potential insights into human obsessive-compulsive disorders.
Research at Hope School found that animal-assisted therapy improved mobility, communication, compliance, and attention span in severely disabled children. The study suggested that a team effort among administrators, teachers, and staff is necessary for effective therapeutic interventions.
Middle-aged women with obesity, stress, financial struggles, and certain medical conditions are more likely to experience daily functional limitations. A national survey of 16,000 women aged 40-55 found that these factors significantly impact physical function.