Articles tagged with Learning
A study by Penn State researchers found that coaching parents of preschool children improved their child's skills through seventh grade, resulting in fewer conduct problems and higher cognitive skills. The program, REDI, provided play-based instructional aids to support parent-child interactions.
By inducing rhythmic on-and-off activity in small portions of the brain, researchers triggered a recalibration of neural connections that normally only occurs during sleep. This approach offset the effects of sleep deprivation and revealed features of sleep key to its restorative effect, including improved tactile memory tasks.
A systematic review of 73 studies found that early diet may shape cognitive performance and academic outcomes in adolescents. Unhealthy dietary patterns in infancy have lasting consequences for intelligence in adolescence, according to the study.
The LEGO Foundation Fellowship will support up to 10 researchers pursuing ambitious work on how children thrive in crisis and conflict settings, neurodivergent children, and AI-enabled learning. The fellowship aims to deepen understanding of what helps children learn, grow, and thrive.
A new Finnish study found that a healthy lipid profile is associated with better cognitive function in adolescents. Higher blood concentrations of markers indicating lipid dysfunction were linked to slower processing speed and poorer performance on tasks requiring fast information processing.
Researchers pinpoint a specific connection in the brain where song learning first occurs, finding that it hinges on a highly organized process involving a single type of synapse. The study sheds light on how songbirds learn to vocalize by imitating a tutor and shares similarities with human language development.
A new study found that girls struggle to master AI due to low confidence and limited institutional support. To overcome this, schools should provide more female role models and create a supportive classroom environment.
A University of East London study found that creative, practice-based assessments improved engagement and eliminated disparities in attainment linked to ethnicity. Students from minoritised backgrounds achieved high pass rates and degrees with traditional exams replaced by authentic assessments.
A study by Adelaide University researchers found that teacher self-efficacy is critical in creating safe learning environments for young children experiencing trauma. Early years teachers play a vital role in supporting children's wellbeing and helping to break cycles of disadvantage.
A new study from the University of Pittsburgh found that mindfulness training can help students build resilience in the face of emotional threats, leading to increased engagement in college physics. After five days of training, students reported feeling less threatened and more motivated to learn.
A new theoretical framework shows that when interactions shift away from familiar contacts, activity can spread more widely. The study suggests that whether something spreads or stalls may hinge on a simple choice: revisit the same connections or explore new ones.
Research suggests that mental time travel activates the brain's reward system, reinforcing behavior and making it easier to plan for the future. However, excessive mental time travel can also lead to negative emotions and maladaptive behavior, such as catastrophizing projections.
A new study from Florida Atlantic University finds that unsupervised screen time during early childhood increases the likelihood of socioemotional difficulties. Preschool- and kindergarten-aged children who spent at least 10-30 minutes alone with devices daily were more likely to experience adjustment problems.
A recent study using sea slugs identified a cellular mechanism that strengthens long-term memory when exposed to new information at the same time each day. This discovery could provide insights into the most effective learning strategies.
East China Normal University's Faculty of Education has been selected for the 2025 Shanghai 'International Communication of Chinese Culture' initiative, highlighting the growing importance of academic platforms in facilitating global knowledge exchange. The journal ECNU Review of Education plays a central role in advancing this initiat...
The UJI's GRAPE group proposes a paradigm shift in language teaching with a computer tool that analyzes verbal and visual elements. The software, GRAPE-MARS, enables fast labeling of video files and incorporates AI tools for efficient analysis.
Researchers at Dartmouth College developed a mathematical framework to map students' conceptual knowledge from short multiple-choice quizzes, revealing peaks of mastery and valleys of struggle. The technique could enable personalized learning, AI tutoring systems, and more efficient feedback.
Researchers discovered that mild hypoxia shortly after birth hinders learning and memory into adulthood through altered neuron-to-neuron communication in the hippocampus. The study also found a second protein involved in hypoxia's effects on this channel's functioning, which was restored when targeted.
A study led by Waseda University's Associate Professor Chie Nakamura investigated how listeners interpret structurally ambiguous sentences using eye-tracking technology. The researchers found that listeners actively build sentence structure in real-time, predicting how the sentence will continue before all information is available.
Researchers assessed whether people can distinguish between AI-generated and human speech, discovering that short training minimally improves this ability. However, neural responses became more distinct for human versus AI speech, suggesting training can help in the future.
A team of MIT engineers identified tacit knowledge in volunteers who classified images, shifting focus to easier-to-classify areas without awareness. Bringing this concealed knowledge to the surface enhances experts' performance, suggesting a method for boosting learning experience in disciplines requiring keen observation skills.
A new study found that nearly 25% of UK teachers received no training on supporting neurodivergent pupils, with most reporting brief and limited sessions. The researchers highlight a mismatch between the complexity of pupils' needs and the training teachers are currently receiving.
A study from the University of East Anglia found that Covid lockdowns disrupted children's ability to self-regulate, leading to slower growth in executive functions. Reception-age children, who normally learn to socialize and navigate classroom routines, showed significant setbacks in cognitive flexibility and self-regulation skills.
A new study from Nagoya University and Gifu University found that multisensory museum experiences can engage visitors with culturally significant heritage. By incorporating sensory elements like smell and touch, visitors can form personal connections to the artifacts, leading to deeper engagement and conservation efforts.
A new study finds that influencer culture affects girls' self-perception, with many recognizing the inauthenticity of online content yet still feeling pressured to conform. Researchers suggest that shifting attention away from individual girls and onto the culture that profits from their insecurity is key to change.
Research shows that expert birders have more compact attention- and perception-related brain areas, linked to accurate bird identification. These structural changes persist in older birders and may benefit cognition as people age.
A recent study at the University of Helsinki found that short periods of REM sleep impair horses' perseverance and performance in demanding learning tasks. Horses with longer REM sleep duration performed better in a reverse learning test, suggesting that REM sleep is associated with motivation and perseverance.
A new theory asserts that associative learning depends less on repetition and more on time passing between rewards, explaining why students who cram don't perform well. The study's findings could shift the way we look at learning and addiction, potentially speeding up artificial intelligence by borrowing from this new approach.
Scientists have identified specific patterns of brain chemical activity in honey bees that predict how quickly individual bees learn new associations. The findings may help explain why humans learn at different speeds and provide implications for understanding brain disorders.
Researchers used AI to analyze brain activity of 130 two-month-old infants, discovering that they can categorize objects in their brains at just two months old. This challenges earlier thought and highlights the richness of brain function in the first year of life.
A team of researchers from The University of Osaka compared the way humans and machines think about words, finding some strong correlations but also significant discrepancies. Human ratings varied widely across words like prepositions and conjunctions, while LLMs tended to assign consistently low ratings.
Research reveals that Sulf1 is essential for both reward-dependent and aversion learning, highlighting its critical role in adult brain function. The enzyme acts through distinct dopamine D1 and D2 receptor pathways, underscoring its importance in neural circuits involved in learning.
A review of over 1,000 studies found that technology communication reduces engagement and positive emotional responses compared to in-person interactions. In-person communication has been shown to have health benefits, including reduced anxiety and improved educational outcomes.
Research highlights the moderating role of collective innovativeness in teacher collaboration, showing its significant impact on cognitively activating teaching practices. Schools with high innovativeness levels experience stronger positive effects from collaboration.
Researchers found individuals with stronger cue sensitivity tend to have harder time updating beliefs, leading to persistent poor decision-making. This association can lead to biased avoidance or favoritism of cues in people with compulsive disorders, addictions, or anxiety.
Dr. Julio J. Ramirez has been awarded the 2025 Innovative Leadership Award by AIBS for his exceptional leadership in mentoring and promoting inclusive science environments. Over his career, he has received numerous awards and mentored over 150 students, including a Presidential Award from President Obama.
Researchers at Tohoku University demonstrated that taste sensitivity can be enhanced through learning in a novel 'sweet taste recall training.' After just three days of training, participants showed significant improvement in taste sensitivity for all five sweet substances, indicating a sharper perception of sweetness. This finding pro...
Scientists at Salk Institute find protein CCN1, secreted by astrocytes, maintains stable neural circuits in adult brains. The discovery could lead to new therapeutics for brain injury and stroke.
A new study found that brief, light-intensity exercise significantly improves inhibitory control and mood in children, with potential to enhance learning efficiency. The research, conducted at Waseda University, also revealed that even short periods of physical activity can have a lasting impact on cognitive function.
A University of Kansas scholar argues that decades of reform efforts have not improved education, instead trying to fix past problems. The new book proposes a focus on personalized learning and AI to customize education for each individual.
Researchers identified a molecular mechanism linking early-life environments with memory by activating AP-1, which regulates genes involved in neuronal plasticity and learning. Early-life experiences produce long-lasting modulation of AP-1 activity, boosting gene networks that strengthen neuronal connections.
A study suggests personalized algorithms can lead to inaccurate generalizations, even when users know nothing about a topic. Researchers found that algorithmic personalization can bias learning and cause overconfidence in incorrect answers.
Researchers from UC San Francisco have identified the superior temporal gyrus brain region responsible for tracking words in a foreign language. The study shows that this region learns to recognize word boundaries through years of experience, enabling fluent speakers to distinguish individual words.
Therapeutic education is becoming a dominant force in UK primary schools, prioritizing emotional literacy and empathy over traditional moral values. While this approach can build empathy and community, it also risks individualising children's moral development and placing responsibility on the child.
A Dartmouth study finds that AI-powered chatbots can deliver personalized learning to large numbers of students. The researchers created an AI teaching assistant called NeuroBot TA that provides around-the-clock individualized support for students, which they found to be more trusted than general chatbots.
A new study found that the arrival of boll weevils in the US South in the early 20th century led to improved economic outcomes for Black sons born after the agricultural shock. The researchers examined changes in earnings, occupations, and residences for Black males before and after the boll weevil's appearance.
This study confirms the role of negative reinforcement in chronic opioid use, contributing to addiction development. The findings suggest that this mechanism is present even after regular opioid use, highlighting potential for more effective prevention and treatment strategies.
Researchers found that zebra finches categorize calls into about a dozen call-types, similar to how humans hear and group them. The birds' ability to distinguish between calls with similar meaning suggests they have a mental representation of the meaning behind these vocalizations.
Researchers have discovered a key role for the Frazzled protein in fruit fly neural circuits, revealing how it helps neurons form reliable connections. The study showed that when Frazzled is missing or mutated, neurons fail to form proper electrical connections, leading to communication breakdowns.
The journal aims to address disparities and inequities in healthcare through research on bias, gender, ethnicity, and intersectionality in medical curricula. Submissions are encouraged to explore strategies for enhancing professional competence, teaching bias awareness, and promoting diversity and inclusion.
Researchers found that the brain's logical reasoning network was active before learning to code, and continued to engage strongly after acquiring Python skills. This suggests that humans can repurpose cognitive areas involved in reasoning to learn computer programming.
The UK's special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system is facing a worsening crisis, with schools lacking skills and resources to support children. Experts warn that without action, the crisis will deepen, harming the economy and NHS, and perpetuating inequalities.
The University of Phoenix College of Social and Behavioral Sciences has published a white paper on trauma-informed education, outlining strategies to support students' well-being and faculty's mental health. The paper aims to improve learning outcomes, retention, and overall student success among working adult learners.
A new national study highlights the potential of extended reality (XR) in healthcare training, offering experiences that might otherwise be missed. However, poorly designed programs can overwhelm students, while trained faculty, technical support, and sustainable funding are essential for successful implementation.
A new study published in JNeurosci used fMRI to investigate how the brain acquires semantic information. The results suggest that the quality of activity in distinct brain regions can predict whether people successfully acquire knowledge about places and characters in fictional civilizations.
A team of researchers from Yokohama National University has developed a novel compact superconductive neuron device that operates at high speeds with ultra-low power consumption. The device eliminates variation in elemental circuit characteristics, achieving ideal input-output characteristics and resolving the vanishing gradient problem.
Researchers have discovered that deep sleep plays a crucial role in controlling cerebrospinal fluid dynamics, which is essential for clearing waste from the brain. During slow-wave sleep, changes in cerebrospinal fluid signals are time-locked to slow brain waves and other neural events.
Researchers found that students from low-income households, specifically boys, were the most affected by class closures, highlighting growing educational inequality. Smaller class sizes and experienced teachers can reduce adverse effects on disadvantaged students.
Researchers found that teens who view their age group positively are more likely to take on family responsibilities and prioritize schoolwork. This positive outlook is linked to improved academic functioning, motivation, and attachment with parents.