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Decoding the brain’s timekeeping machinery

Researchers discovered that brain regions switch between shared and independent timing, allowing for flexibility in coordination. This finding provides a new framework for understanding how brain regions communicate and enables the development of brain-inspired artificial intelligence and robotic control systems.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 20, 2026

Pupil contraction indicates hidden cognitive fatigue in prolonged esports play across various skill levels

Researchers found that subjective fatigue did not increase until 2 hours of play, while pupillary constriction occurred at 2 and 3 hours, indicating cognitive fatigue despite varying levels of expertise. This suggests that monitoring pupil constriction could help detect cognitive resource depletion in mentally demanding environments.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·DateApr 8, 2024

New study: Immersive engagement in mixed reality can be measured with reaction time

Researchers at University of Massachusetts Amherst have developed a system to measure presence in mixed reality using reaction time. The findings suggest that slow reaction times indicate low presence and high reaction times indicate high presence with 80% predictive accuracy.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalIEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 27, 2023

Fast and facile synthesis of antibacterial amino acid Schiff base copper complexes

Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have developed a fast and facile synthesis method for antibacterial amino acid Schiff base copper complexes using microwave irradiation. The new technique produces high-purity products with promising antimicrobial activity, overcoming the challenge of long synthesis times.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalApplied Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 4, 2022

CAS(ME)3: Next-generation Micro-expression database with depth information and high ecological validity

Researchers have developed CAS(ME)3, a large-scale micro-expression database with depth information and high ecological validity. The database contains 1,109 manually labeled micro-expressions and 3,490 macro-expressions, allowing for more accurate emotional analysis and recognition.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalIEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2022

CityU scientists reveal new neurocircuitry essential for animals to sense environmental cues of imminent danger

Researchers at City University of Hong Kong discovered a new neural mechanism that enables animals to perceive and integrate environmental cues, such as air puffs and sounds, to initiate defensive behavior. This finding has implications for understanding schizophrenia patients' auditory hallucinations.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 3, 2022

Not-so-blind mice can make strategic and acute visual choices

Researchers found that mice can make fine visual discriminations between slightly different lines, suggesting a more complex decision-making process than previously thought. The study's findings highlight the importance of considering non-perceptual biases in understanding animal behavior and decision-making strategies.

SourceRIKEN·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 28, 2021

Gaze direction affects sensitivity to sounds

A new UCL study found that looking away from the sound source while focusing on another one can lead to slower reactions and increased listening effort. The researchers used EEG to monitor brain activity in participants, revealing an increase in oscillatory neural activity when gaze was misaligned with auditory attention.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 5, 2017

Commenters exposed to prejudiced comments more likely to display prejudice themselves

A study found that participants who were exposed to prejudiced comments posted by others showed an increase in their own levels of prejudice toward Asians. They also tended to post more prejudiced comments about Asians themselves. The researchers suggest that anti-prejudiced comments can have a beneficial impact in reducing racial bias.

SourceInternational Communication Association·JournalHuman Communication Research·DateJun 25, 2015

Are billboards driving us to distraction?

Researchers found that emotionally charged words on billboards can provoke an emotional response, distracting drivers and decreasing traveling speed. Positive connotations sped up drivers' responses, while negative words led to drifting and veering from the lane.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalAccident Analysis & Prevention·DateFeb 14, 2013

Deception can be perfected

Lying can be trained to be more automatic, reducing task demands and making it harder to detect. Researchers found that instruction alone significantly reduced reaction times associated with deceptive responses.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateDec 6, 2012