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Aging | Cognitive aging and dementia prevention: The time for psychology?

Recent studies have identified key psychological processes, such as repetitive negative thinking and self-reflection, that may impact cognitive aging and dementia prevention. Researchers propose incorporating psychological elements to reduce dementia risk through cognitive-behavioral interventions.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 10, 2023

Nightmares in middle age linked to dementia risk

Research at the University of Birmingham suggests that people who experience frequent bad dreams in middle age are more likely to be diagnosed with dementia later in life. The study found that middle-aged individuals with weekly nightmares were four times more likely to experience cognitive decline over a decade.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalEClinicalMedicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 21, 2022
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Older adults with regular activity routines are happier and do better on cognitive tests, study finds

A study by University of Pittsburgh researchers found that older adults with consistent daily routines are happier, less depressed, and have better cognitive function. Participants who rose early, stayed active throughout the day, and followed a regular routine performed better on cognitive tests than those with disrupted patterns.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateSep 12, 2022

What makes us share posts on social media?

A new study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that people share information that is meaningful to themselves or their friends and family. The study analyzed the behavior of over 3,000 individuals and discovered that sharing activates reward centers in the brain and is driven by social relevance.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology General·DateAug 25, 2022

Why thinking hard makes you tired

A study found that prolonged mental labor leads to glutamate accumulation in the prefrontal cortex, causing cognitive fatigue and altering control over decisions. Researchers suggest taking rest and sleep as a solution to overcome this limitation.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2022
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Put down devices, let your mind wander, study suggests

Research finds that people enjoy thinking more than expected, with benefits including problem-solving and creativity. Underestimating the enjoyment of solo thinking may lead to missed opportunities for personal growth.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2022

Study shows creativity assessments progressing slowly, including racialized, gendered approaches

A new study from the University of Kansas found that creativity assessments in education rely on standardized approaches, overlooking many students. The research highlights the need for a more diverse range of assessments to identify and encourage creative young people across different domains and populations.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalReview of Research in Education·TypeLiterature review·DateApr 27, 2022

Lies that 'might' eventually come true seem less unethical

A new study published by the American Psychological Association found that people are more likely to forgive and spread misinformation if they believe it might become true in the future. Participants imagined how false statements could eventually become true, making them less likely to rate the statement as unethical.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateApr 14, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Anyone can be trained to be creative, researchers say

Researchers developed a new method to train people to be creative by making up stories that imagine alternative worlds, shift perspective, and generate unexpected actions. The narrative approach helps individuals tap into their innate creativity, rather than relying on divergent thinking techniques that focus on problem-solving.

SourceOhio State University·JournalAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences·TypeSystematic review·DateMar 14, 2022

Positive teacher-student relationships lead to better teaching

A new study at the University of Missouri found that positive teacher-student relationships lead to better teaching, as teachers who demonstrate 'soft' skills like kindness and compassion tend to use high-impact teaching practices. Students who feel cared for by their teacher are more motivated to learn and engaged in the classroom.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalLearning and Instruction·TypeSurvey·DateMar 7, 2022

Research roundup: E-cigs aren’t safe

A recent review of e-cigarette research highlights the significant health risks associated with vaping, including lung inflammation and injury. The study found that e-cigarettes can cause negative effects in multiple organs, from the brain to the bladder, and may even increase the risk of lung cancer.

SourceVeterans Affairs Research Communications·JournalAnnual Review of Physiology·TypeLiterature review·DateFeb 17, 2022

GIST Researchers develop Terrain-Aware AI for predicting battle outcomes in StarCraft 2

A team of scientists from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology developed a deep learning-based approach to predict SC2 battle outcomes by considering army composition and terrain type. The proposed model leveraged parameter sharing, enabling it to analyze complex factors accurately and make predictions.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalExpert Systems with Applications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 18, 2022
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Creative through movement

A recent study published in Psychological Research found that movement can boost creative thinking by providing freedom to make self-determined movements. Small movements while sitting can have the same positive effects as walking, and forced or suppressed movement can hinder cognitive processes like creativity.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalPsychological Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 14, 2022

Our brains may think two steps ahead when trying to sway others

Researchers at Mount Sinai found that people used forward thinking when trying to influence others, regardless of controllability. This neural activity was linked to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, a decision-making center involved in strategic thinking.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 2, 2021

Fractal brain networks support complex thought

Researchers used fractal analysis to study brain network patterns while listening to a story. The results show that complex thoughts are reflected in high-order dynamic correlations in neural activity patterns.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 30, 2021
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Could a novel light therapy help people with Alzheimer's?

Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital are testing a novel light therapy to slow Alzheimer's debilitating effects, aiming to improve both cognition and sleep. The treatment involves flashing pulses of light designed to enhance electrical brain waves and reset the sleep-wake cycle.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·DateSep 22, 2021

More to pictures than meets the eye: New study

A new study by UBC researchers found that people perceived as being less real and having 'less mind' when appearing within a photo. This discovery has implications for digital communication, particularly in online trials, healthcare, and education, where the perception of a person's mind can influence moral judgement.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 2, 2021
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Heart health problems in your 20s may affect thinking skills decades later

A new study published in Neurology suggests that health problems like high blood pressure and obesity in one's 20s can lead to cognitive decline decades later. Researchers analyzed data from over 15,000 participants and found that cardiovascular risk factors were strongly associated with thinking skills decline.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateMar 17, 2021

What happens in your brain when you 'lose yourself' in fiction

A study published in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience found that highly identified fans of 'Game of Thrones' characters activate the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (vMPFC) when thinking about the characters, similar to how they think about themselves. The vMPFC is a brain area involved in self-referential processing.

SourceOhio State University·JournalSocial Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·DateMar 15, 2021

Research shows that BSers are more likely to fall for BS

Researchers found that people who frequently engage in 'persuasive bullshitting' are actually poor at identifying it, making them more susceptible to fake news headlines. This frequent BSers mistake superficial profoundness for actual profundeness.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalBritish Journal of Social Psychology·DateMar 9, 2021
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Air pollution poses risk to thinking skills in later life, a study says

A study published by the University of Edinburgh found that exposure to air pollution in childhood is associated with a decline in thinking skills up to 60 years later. The research used historical data to estimate exposure levels and analyzed the relationship between air pollution and cognitive change throughout life.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·DateFeb 2, 2021

Use of pronouns may show signs of an impending breakup

A study analyzing Reddit posts found that users' language changed three months before a breakup, becoming more personal and informal. This change persisted for six months after the split, while some users lingered in online communities, rehashing their breakup story.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 1, 2021

How can you declutter your mind? New study offers clues

A new study published in Nature Communications used brain imaging techniques to examine how people purge thoughts from their working memory. The researchers found that 'clear' and 'replace' strategies led to faster forgetting, while 'suppress' was more effective for making room for new information.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 17, 2020
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

A computer predicts your thoughts, creating images based on them

Researchers at the University of Helsinki developed a technique that models visual perception by monitoring human brain signals, allowing computers to generate new information and create images matching users' intentions. The accuracy of this method was 83% in an experiment where participants focused on certain features.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 21, 2020

Kidney problems as a young adult may affect thinking skills in midlife

A study found that individuals with declining kidney function starting at age 30 performed like those nine years older on certain cognitive tests 20 years later. This suggests that preserving kidney function in young adulthood may be crucial for maintaining thinking skills in midlife.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateSep 2, 2020

How the brain's internal states affect decision-making

A study by Matthew Smith and colleagues found that changes in brain activity are linked to shifts in internal states, impacting decision-making. The researchers' discovery could inform understanding of mental conditions like ADHD and improve BCI design.

SourceCollege of Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University·JournalNeuron·DateAug 17, 2020
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

What factors help predict who will keep their memory into their 90s?

A study published in Neurology found that people with normal thinking and memory scores at the start of the study were less likely to develop later problems, even with amyloid plaques. Those with the APOE ε2 gene variant were also more resistant to developing plaques.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateJul 22, 2020

Loneliness alters your brain's social network

Research reveals that loneliness affects the brain's map of social connections, with lonelier individuals having a less distinct neural representation of their relationships. The study used functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine participants' brain activity while thinking about different social categories.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·DateJun 15, 2020

Hippocampus and creative thinking

Disruption of hippocampal activity with TMS impairs future imagining and creative thinking abilities in young adults. Reduced activity in the hippocampus is linked to decreased future imagining and divergent thinking.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 25, 2020
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Aerobics may be a smart workout for your brain at any age

Researchers found that six months of aerobic exercise improved executive function and verbal fluency by 5.7% and 2.4%, respectively. Blood flow to the brain increased significantly with exercise, associated with modest but significant improvements in thinking abilities.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateMay 13, 2020

Continued CO2 emissions will impair cognition

A new study led by CU Boulder suggests that continued CO2 emissions will significantly reduce our basic decision-making ability and complex strategic thinking. Indoor CO2 levels could reach up to 1400 parts per million, leading to a 25% reduction in basic decision-making ability and a 50% reduction in complex strategic thinking.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalGeoHealth·DateApr 20, 2020

Heart health problems in your 20s may affect brain health decades later

A study by Northwestern University found that people with better cardiovascular health in their 20s are more likely to have higher scores on thinking and memory tests, even after adjusting for education level. The researchers also found an association between better cardiovascular health and improved cerebral autoregulation.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·DateFeb 26, 2020
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Can brain injury from boxing, MMA be measured?

A new study found that current boxers and MMA fighters experience brain volume loss in areas related to head trauma, while retired fighters show loss in areas linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. The researchers found a different pattern of brain changes between younger and older athletes.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateDec 23, 2019

Playing board games may help protect thinking skills in old age

A study of over 1000 people aged 70 found that those who played non-digital games scored better on memory and thinking tests. Increasing game playing during their 70s also predicted maintaining certain thinking skills as they grew older.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalThe Journals of Gerontology Series B·DateNov 26, 2019

How will your thinking and memory change with age?

A study found that childhood thinking skills are associated with improved performance on cognitive tests at age 70, even after accounting for education level and socioeconomic status. Participants with amyloid-beta plaques in the brain scored lower on cognitive tests, but this was not linked to sex or other factors.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateOct 30, 2019

Drops in income may not only hurt the wallet, they may harm the brain

A study published in Neurology found that young adults experiencing annual income drops of 25% or more are at risk of having thinking problems and reduced brain health in middle age. Participants with higher income volatility during peak earning years showed worse brain aging, including smaller total brain volume and reduced connectivity.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalNeurology·DateOct 7, 2019

Drops in income may not only hurt the wallet, they may harm the brain

A study found that young adults experiencing annual income drops of 25% or more may be at risk of having thinking problems and reduced brain health in middle age. Participants with two or more income drops performed worse on cognitive tests, scoring 3.74 points lower than those with no income drops.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateOct 2, 2019
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

AAN recommends people 65+ be screened yearly for memory problems

The AAN suggests annual assessments to identify mild cognitive impairment early, which can lead to earlier intervention and improved quality of life. Doctors should also document mild cognitive impairment in patients' medical records to ensure timely care.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateSep 18, 2019

Advanced MRI brain scan may help predict stroke-related dementia

A new MRI analysis technique using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) helped predict thinking problems and dementia related to small vessel disease. Participants with the most brain damage were more likely to develop these conditions, and the scan accurately predicted three-fourths of dementia cases.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateSep 12, 2019

Why creative experts may be better at imagining the future

Research by Dartmouth College and Princeton University researchers finds that creative experts are better at imagining distant experiences due to a unique neural system. They use the dorsal medial system default network, associated with empathy, to think about other people and perspectives.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateMay 8, 2019
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Exercise may improve thinking skills in people as young as 20

A study found that aerobic exercise improved executive function and increased brain thickness in participants between 20-67 years old. Regular exercise was shown to slow or prevent age-related decline in thinking skills, with significant benefits observed at both young and older ages.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateJan 30, 2019

Moving more in old age may protect brain from dementia

A recent study published in Neurology found that older adults who engage in regular physical activity may maintain better thinking and memory skills despite having brain lesions or biomarkers linked to dementia. The study, conducted by Rush University Medical Center, compared cognition test results and activity data for 454 older adult...

SourceRush University Medical Center·JournalNeurology·DateJan 16, 2019
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Moving more in old age may be linked to sharper memory

A study found that moving more, even simple routine physical activity like housework, can protect the brain from damage and preserve memory and thinking skills. The study looked at 454 older adults and found that those who moved more had better thinking and memory skills compared to those who didn't.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateJan 16, 2019

In just 6 months, exercise may help those with thinking problems

A study found that exercise improved executive function, a person's ability to regulate behavior and achieve goals, while having no impact on memory. After six months of aerobic exercise, participants showed significant improvements in thinking skills compared to those who did not exercise.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateDec 19, 2018

Discovery of a novel way synapses can regulate neuronal circuits

Researchers discovered that presynaptic active zones can accommodate additional calcium channels, increasing synaptic strength and overturning previous thinking on channel dominance. This finding opens up a new avenue of research for treating neurological disorders.

SourceUniversity of Iowa Health Care·JournalNeuron·DateDec 17, 2018

Brainwaves suppress obvious ideas to help us think more creatively

A new study reveals that brainwaves play a crucial role in inhibiting habitual thinking modes to access more remote ideas. By stimulating the right temporal part of the brain, researchers can increase the capability of inhibiting obvious links, leading to more creative outcomes.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 10, 2018
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.