Research among 9/11 responders reveals that brain's reward processing plays a key role in building resilience after trauma, with highly resilient individuals showing distinct neural responses to positive emotions. This finding supports the potential use of positive emotion-based interventions to prevent or treat PTSD in trauma-exposed ...
SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 10, 2026
A Brazilian study found a bidirectional relationship between hypothyroidism and sleep apnea, with participants experiencing more frequent and severe OSA when diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Hormone replacement therapy improved sleep quality by an average of 49 minutes per night.
A recent McGill University study found that participants in an upright posture performed better at a risk-taking task and reported more positive feelings. The researchers suggest that everyday features of our environment, such as workplace ergonomics, can subtly influence mood and behavior.
A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that the time it takes for a therapist and patient to reach peak heart-rate synchrony during a music therapy session is around 25 minutes. This suggests that therapy sessions may need to allow sufficient time for this synchronization to develop.
A new study found that physically or psychologically aggressive parenting can disrupt a child's ability to regulate stress, leading to more external regulation as they age. Researchers observed 129 mother-child pairs and used heart rate monitoring to measure physiological regulation.
A study published in PNAS found that the brain's social perception is more inclusive when a shared national identity is made salient. The research suggests that this neural flexibility can help bridge divisions and foster harmonious intergroup relations. By emphasizing common identities and shared goals, social cohesion can be improved.
A new study reveals that exposure to extreme heat during pregnancy significantly alters the human sex ratio at birth, leading to fewer male births. In sub-Saharan Africa, this is driven by biological factors, while in India, it is influenced by cultural practices and behavioral changes.
Researchers developed a new approach to treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using noninvasive brain stimulation, which significantly reduced intrusive memories in individuals with the condition. The treatment targeted the hippocampus and surrounding regions, showing promising results in alleviating PTSD symptoms.
A study of 80 couples found that child- and marriage-related stressors affect self-regulation, particularly in fathers. Lower heart rate variability was associated with more difficult child behavior, with marital stress amplifying this effect.
Researchers developed a sensor system to measure piano key movements at 1,000 fps and found listeners could distinguish intended timbres regardless of training experience. Key movement features produce timbre differences, suggesting potential applications in rehabilitation, skill transfer, and human interface design.
A new study by Bielefeld University and the University of Warwick found that morning coffee significantly improves mood and enthusiasm in young adults. The researchers also discovered that caffeine's effects on mood are consistent across individuals with varying levels of anxiety or depressive symptoms.
Mind blanking is a common experience characterized by lapses in attention, memory issues, and cessation of inner speech. Studies have shown that it's associated with specific neural signatures and changes in arousal levels, leading to malfunctions in key cognitive mechanisms like memory and language.
A study of 352 newborn pairs found that maternal childhood trauma can lead to excessive weight gain in male children as early as the first two months of life. This may increase future risk of obesity and diabetes, highlighting a potential intergenerational effect.
Researchers found that cortisol levels were lower in survivors, while heart rate and blood pressure responses were altered. Interleukin 1B was significantly higher, suggesting potential long-term health problems despite healthy symptoms.
Researchers created a fiber computer that can be integrated into clothing to track health conditions and physical activity. The technology achieved an average accuracy of 70% when individually operated, but increased to nearly 95% when connected collectively.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discovered a fundamental mechanism linking breathing to pupil size, which affects vision. The study shows that the pupil is smallest during inhalation and largest during exhalation, impacting visual perception.
Researchers discovered a common cognitive feedback loop used by Buddhist jhāna meditation and Christian speaking in tongues practices to achieve profound focus and joy. This 'Attention, Arousal and Release Spiral' offers insights into cultivating deep states of tranquility and bliss.
People with musical anhedonia still derive pleasure from groovy tunes, and the urge to move appears to drive their experience of pleasure. Research found no differences in either pleasure or urge to move in anhedonics compared to controls, suggesting that the urge to move may itself generate pleasure.
A large study published in BMJ Mental Health found clear time of day patterns in frame of mind, with people generally waking up feeling best in the morning and worst around midnight. The study also revealed seasonal influences on mental health and wellbeing, with better mood during summer months.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that immersive VR exercise sessions resulted in more intense and enjoyable workouts compared to traditional screen-based exercises. The research suggests that virtual reality could be an efficient way to improve physical activity and overall well-being.
Researchers have identified structural grey matter differences in the brains of women with a history of peripartum depression compared to those without. The study found that hormone fluctuations during pregnancy and childbirth may be key to understanding this condition.
SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging·TypeImaging analysis·DateDec 5, 2024
Researchers conducted a caving expedition to gather data on the effects of environmental stressors on human cognition, collecting useful insights despite logistical challenges. The study proposed a framework for future field-based cognitive science research, offering lessons beyond traditional lab settings.
A study at the University of Jyväskylä found that dog and owner heart rates synchronize during interaction, reflecting emotional state. The connection suggests a strong bond between species.
Researchers propose a model that examines the complex relationships between children's appetite regulation and environmental influences. The study suggests that temperamental characteristics play a significant role in shaping children's eating behaviors and provide guidelines for better understanding childhood appetite self-regulation.
The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine has released comprehensive guidelines for protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding in emergency situations. The recommendations aim to safeguard the health and well-being of infants in disasters and conflicts by ensuring safe nutrition and immune protection.
Researchers at UBC Okanagan challenge assumptions about the validity and suitability of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for public health. They argue that evidence-based findings show HIIT is enjoyable and effective for a wide range of populations, despite critics' claims.
A new study published in PLOS Mental Health found a relationship between daily sunlight exposure, physical activity, and depressed state. The research used wrist-based activity sensors to collect data from individuals with depression and those without, revealing that more depressed states were associated with lower daytime activity.
Researchers at the University of Bath have developed sensors that track physical changes experienced by exercisers while using VR headsets, allowing game designers to create immersive programs that adapt to a person's abilities and mood. This technology aims to increase user engagement and adherence to exercise.
Researchers found that air pollution affects people differently, causing some to feel less aroused and more negative. The study suggests that this effect can contribute to increased anxiety risk and inform climate adaptation planning.
A new Reichman University study demonstrates how external representation of physiological signals can improve internal balance. The researchers created an immersive multisensory environment that mirrors the user's breathing pattern, leading to significant improvements in interoceptive sensibility and flow among users.
A team of researchers is creating a socially assistive model for a robotic dog that adapts its behavior based on the owner's physiological and emotional characteristics. The project aims to improve interactions between humans and robots in home and healthcare settings.
A collaborative effort between The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine and Reaching our Sisters Everywhere identified key components of a successful breastfeeding journey as defined by parents and families. The findings aim to inform research priorities and promote patient-centered outcomes in infant and young-child feeding.
A study by Waseda University researcher Ryota Nomura found that synchronized heart rates among concertgoers are linked to reliable physiological reactions rather than emotional response. This discovery could lead to better theater experiences and improved performances.
A new study reveals that physiological synchrony significantly enhances perceived romantic attraction. Super Synchronizers, who naturally synchronize well in social and nonsocial contexts, are perceived as more romantically appealing. This study integrates experimental and observational methods to investigate the mechanisms of romantic...
A new study developed a Touch-Motion Algorithm to explore tactile sensation with spatial components, enabling participants to localize 3D motion through fingertips. The results demonstrated accurate integration of audio and tactile information in challenging environments, opening pathways for enhancing human perception and interaction.
Researchers found that acute inflammation from bacterial endotoxin administration led to a significant reduction in empathy for psychological pain in healthy women. The study highlights the impact of inflammation on both physical and interpersonal relationships.
The study found that heart rate decreases and parasympathetic activity increases when interacting with friends, but not strangers. This suggests that social relationships influence physiological responses during social interactions.
The Wim Hof method has been found to increase epinephrine levels and decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines, indicating a potential anti-inflammatory response. However, its impact on exercise performance is less clear, with some studies showing benefits and others finding no significant difference.
Researchers found a correlation between Parkinson's disease and freezing of gait in 20 studies, noting similar brain injury causes both symptoms. Sleep quality deteriorates when dopaminergic medication is stopped, suggesting treatment potential for freezing of gait.
A recent study conducted at the University of Zurich found that live performances stimulate a stronger emotional response in the brain compared to listening to recorded music. The researchers used magnetic resonance imaging to measure brain activity during both live and recorded music sessions, revealing a significant difference in amy...
A randomized clinical trial found acupuncture to be clinically efficacious and favorably affect PTSD symptoms in combat veterans. The study suggests that further research is needed to explore the efficacy and mechanisms of acupuncture for PTSD treatment.
A new study from the University of South Australia found a link between parents' sideline conduct and athletes' behaviours. When parents behaved well, their child was more likely to project positive behaviour. However, when parents behaved poorly, this was related to greater antisocial behaviours in their child.
A Boston University study of over 2,000 cisgender women found that COVID-19 can impair sexual function, with long COVID having a detrimental effect on arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and pain scores. Women with long COVID had markedly worse sexual well-being, highlighting the need for healthcare providers to address this taboo topic.
A study by Washington State University researchers found a potential link between high maternal cortisol levels and unpredictable birth complications. Cortisol measurements in hair samples revealed elevated stress hormone levels among women who later experienced unexpected birth problems, such as early births or hemorrhaging.
A new study from the University of Illinois finds that high-striving minority youth in early adolescence may experience accelerated puberty development, a potential indicator of 'skin-deep resilience,' which can lead to physiological changes such as inflammation and metabolic disorders.
A new UCLA Health study found that hormonal contraceptive pill users processed stress differently at the molecular and psychological level. They also reported a more negative emotional response to stress compared to non-users.
A recent study conducted by the University of Chichester examines the impact of high-pressure situations on esports players' performance, anxiety, and cognitive symptoms. The research found that university-level competitors performed worse under pressure, while elite players still experienced suboptimal performance and anxiety.
A Concordia University study found that Canadians of all sizes hold negative attitudes towards individuals with overweight and obesity, often internalizing these feelings and blaming their own behavior. The study also showed that females are more likely to report weight bias internalization than males.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed noninvasive wearable sensors that can measure uric acid levels in human sweat, offering faster and more accurate diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis for conditions like anxiety and hypertension. The sensors, called EPICS, have higher sensitivity and better wearability than traditional sensors.
A study comparing dreams from Western and non-Western populations found that non-Western groups produced more cathartic and socially-oriented dreams, while Western groups had more threatening but less emotionally resolving dreams. The results suggest a strong link between societal norms and the function of dreams.
Researchers developed a wearable device to track bipolar disorder patients' skin electrical activity, detecting manic and depressed phases. The study aims to improve diagnosis and treatment with personalized, rapid interventions.
Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark have conducted a study on rats, showing that small doses of psilocybin can increase resilience to stress and reduce compulsive behaviors. The study lends support to the benefits of microdosing as a therapeutic intervention.
A new study from the University of Cincinnati explores the molecular mechanism of psychological loss through enrichment removal, identifying a key area of the brain that plays a role in this experience. The research highlights the importance of understanding how loss affects mental health and may lead to novel therapeutic targets.
A study reviewed the effects of hormone fluctuations on brain structure and behavior in pregnant and postpartum women. The researchers found that estrogen levels triggered plasticity processes in the brain during this time, affecting maternal behavior.
A comprehensive review of sedentary behavior's effects on health found excessive sitting to lead to insulin resistance, vascular dysfunction, and increased body fat. The study emphasizes the need for more research on effective interventions to reduce sedentary behavior.
The study found a correlation between the emergence of sophisticated stone-knapping methods and a relative decrease in large prey quantities. Stone-tipped spears with Levallois technology allowed for more substantial wounds, increasing hunting success.
A study published in Frontiers in Neuroscience found that the activity of zygomaticus major, heart rate variability, and EEG indicators can predict film scores. The researchers used a machine learning model to analyze physiological data from 21 participants who watched short films and rated them on a scale from 1 to 10.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that exposure to night shift work and rotating shift work is associated with higher rates of cognitive impairment among middle-aged and older adults. Cognitive function tests revealed impairment in memory and executive function, suggesting a potential link between shift work and neurodegeneration.
A team from the University of Ottawa has developed a comprehensive screening platform and cellular interrogation tool to facilitate novel drug discovery targeting various human diseases. The 'Tango-Trio' platform can identify small molecule modulators for orphan GPCRs, which have significant untapped therapeutic potential.
Dogs with canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CCDS) display altered brain wave activity during sleep, including reduced slow-wave sleep and increased fast beta waves. This research builds on human studies linking disrupted sleep patterns to cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients.