Articles tagged with Sensory Perception
Researchers discovered bottlenose dolphins' ability to detect weak electric fields, which helps them search for fish hidden in sediment. This newfound sense also enables dolphins to navigate the globe using magnetic maps by sensing the planet's magnetic field at varying speeds.
ASMR clips have been found to induce short-term positive effects on mood and physiology in approximately 25-30% of viewers. EEG studies also show a decrease in delta waves associated with deep sleep, while fMRI studies reveal specific brain areas involved in the ASMR experience.
Researchers developed a non-contact technology that simulates a cold sensation by leveraging human sensitivity to rapid temperature changes. The system uses air flow and light to rapidly switch between cold and warm stimuli, inducing a cold sensation while maintaining skin temperature fluctuations near zero.
A new study finds that experiencing record-breaking heat days increases perceptions that the weather is getting hotter, but has little effect on beliefs in climate change. Record-heat days can drive changes in the general perception that the weather is worsening, regardless of season or media coverage.
Researchers found that different flours foster distinct bacterial communities, contributing to the variation in sourdough aromas and flavors. The study reveals that bakers can influence the aroma of their sourdough by using different flours.
A study published in Nature Human Behaviour has uncovered a neural pathway preferentially involved in pain perception across species. The researchers identified the central role of the medial-dorsal thalamic nucleus in pain perception, which exhibited a more pronounced activation in response to painful stimuli.
A new study resolves a long-standing contradiction in brain function by revealing that familiar stimuli trigger brief neural spikes, known as visually evoked potentials (VEPs), which suppress activity. The findings advance understanding of visual recognition memory, enabling prioritization of attention.
The study reveals that applying cleansers or moisturizers to the skin can alter its state, activating mechanoreceptors and feeding information to the central nervous system. Strong correlations were found between physical stress on the stratum corneum and subjective reports of 'tightness' in surveys of thousands of participants.
Researchers at Aalto University mapped the physical sensations of different types of love, finding a continuum from weaker to stronger loves. The strongest forms of love were felt most widely throughout the body, while others were more localized.
Research finds that skin keratinocytes regulate temperature sensation by controlling the amount of TRPV3 proteins, reducing their activity when bound to TMEM79. This discovery resolves controversy over skin keratinocytes' involvement in temperature detection.
A Nagoya University research team discovered two distinct thermosensory pathways in the brain that transmit temperature information to different areas of the forebrain. Blocking one pathway was found to impair a rat's ability to avoid heat, while blocking another impaired its ability to avoid cold.
Researchers discovered that leaf-cutting ants use the position of their hind legs gripping the leaf edge and head position to guide cutting trajectory. The ants adapt their technique to cut smaller elliptical portions when faced with thick leaves, using a combination of sensory information.
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong developed a novel, wearable, olfaction feedback system with wireless capabilities for virtual reality. The system releases various odours using miniaturized odour generators and has been tested with an average success rate of 93 percent.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute found that ghrelin activates specialized nerve cells in the amygdala, promoting food consumption and conveying hunger feelings. The study uncovers the physiological processes behind feeding behavior, which may lead to novel therapeutic approaches for eating disorders.
This study examined the effects of deferoxamine and ferrostatin-1 on salivary gland dysfunction in ovariectomized rats. The researchers found that these compounds reduced inflammation, fibrosis, and improved salivary gland function, suggesting potential treatments for postmenopausal xerostomia.
A new study reveals that our perception of difficulty in shouting upwind is incorrect. It's not the wind itself that makes it hard, but rather our inability to hear ourselves due to the convective attenuation effect. The study found that sound carries better within the first 100 meters upwind, making it easier for others to hear us.
Researchers from PSI deciphered the structure of an ion channel found in the eye while interacting with calmodulin, a protein that enables cell response to calcium fluctuations. This interaction is believed to be responsible for achieving remarkable sensitivity to dim light.
A study of 1,678 participants found that low benefit expectations, negative experiences, and catastrophizing are associated with COVID-19 vaccination adverse effects. Clinician-patient interactions and public vaccine campaigns may be optimized by contextualizing information about vaccines.
Researchers have created wearable microscopes to produce high-definition, real-time images of mouse spinal cord activity across previously inaccessible regions. This technology enables unprecedented insight into the neural basis of sensations and movement in healthy and disease contexts.
A recent study by Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology at TUM found that a pungent ginger compound puts immune cells on heightened alert. The compound, [6]-gingerol, stimulates white blood cells via the TRPV1 receptor, which plays a role in the perception of painful heat stimuli and spiciness.
Researchers from New York Institute of Technology have made significant findings on how the sense of smell is impacted in individuals with autism. The study analyzed a mouse model of autism and found that scent processing was impaired at a later step, after signals were processed at the olfactory bulb input.
Researchers at University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science developed a new electrostatically controlled clutch that enables soft robotic hands to hold 4 pounds, 40 times more than before. The clutch uses a fracture-mechanics-based model to achieve this feat while requiring only 125 volts of electricity.
Researchers at the University Hospital Bonn have discovered a new function of CRISPR/Cas9 gene scissors, which produce small signal molecules that bind to proteins, activating an emergency response. This discovery opens up new possibilities for treating diseases using CRISPR technology.
Researchers studied the body ownership illusion using integrated information theory, discovering a relationship between local and global brain-body processes. This work may help explain altered states of consciousness, such as the blurring of self and non-self, leading to feelings of uneasiness.
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University developed a VR system that enables users to share their visual and sensory experiences on Segways with remote collaborators. The system reduced VR sickness by 54% and improved user experience, promising new possibilities for remote collaboration.
A team of researchers has created a detailed map of the octopus's visual system, classifying different types of neurons in the brain. The study provides clues to the evolution of brains and visual systems more broadly, with potential implications for understanding human brain complexity.
Researchers at Lancaster University found that 3D printed flavor-based cues can stimulate rich sensory accounts and strong emotional connections in older adults, recalling memories from their youth. This technology has potential applications for dementia care, allowing individuals to relive cherished moments through the power of smell.
Researchers in Cell Reports study neuronal responses to bright and dark surfaces, finding that large bright surfaces activate both light-ON and light-OFF neurons, increasing the combined response with surface brightness and size. This challenges the long-standing assumption that only surface edges drive strong cortical responses.
Research in Psychological Science found that super-recognizers process faces by dividing them into parts and storing composite images. They can recognize faces better than others even when only seeing smaller regions at a time.
A new study found that Alzheimer's disease damages a circuit that connects the vision processing centers of each brain hemisphere, leading to disrupted visual memory. The researchers discovered neurons that extend axons across the corpus callosum, which connect the hemispheres, and showed that these cells play a crucial role in synchro...
A recent study published in PAIN found that mindfulness meditation can reduce pain intensity and unpleasantness by separating pain from the sense of self. Participants who practiced mindfulness reported a significant reduction in pain levels after undergoing painful heat stimuli.
A new study from Aarhus University found that patients with distorted sense of smell differ in food preferences and cooking ability compared to control group. Foods like chili, menthol, and rapeseed oil may help increase patient's enjoyment due to enhanced sensory experience.
Researchers have developed a new type of prosthetic using microfluidics-enabled soft robotics that promises to greatly reduce skin ulcerations and pain in patients who have had an amputation between the ankle and knee. The prosthesis uses integrated pneumatic actuators to control fit, reducing volume changes and pressure ulcers.
Researchers at the University of Rochester have discovered a novel neural mechanism involved in causal inference that helps the brain detect object motion during self-motion. This discovery may have applications in designing artificial intelligence devices and developing treatments for brain disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong developed a simple exfoliation method to prepare ultrathin films of small intestine tissues, which exhibit piezoelectricity. The team's findings reveal the hierarchical structure of collagen fibers as the key to generating the piezoelectric effect.
A team of researchers identified a group of interneurons in the spinal cord required for heat sensation and found a signaling pathway that contributes to heat hypersensitivity. Their study may lead to more effective treatment for chronic, pathological pain.
Researchers conducted an online survey of Orgasmic Meditation (OM) practitioners, collecting over 200 responses. The study found that more than 80% of participants viewed OM as similar to meditation, but not sex or fondling. OM sessions involve manual stimulation and aim to induce a meditative state.
A new study published in Bioelectronic Medicine found that high-frequency spinal cord stimulation (HF-SCS) was more effective at improving perceived pain reduction than low-frequency SCS (LF-SCS). HF-SCS also showed less subsequent use of opioids to mitigate pain.
The 44th AChemS meeting investigates how COVID-19 affects olfactory function, leading to significant symptomology and quality of life impacts. Researchers will discuss recent findings on chemosensory testing and COVID-19, as well as the relationship between smell and depression.
Researchers developed an audio-tactile sensory substitution device (SSD) that converts sound frequencies to vibrations, significantly improving speech comprehension in noisy environments. The technology has shown promise in training hearing-impaired individuals to better understand speech.
A study published in Current Biology found that people share similar odour preferences regardless of cultural background. The researchers discovered that the structure of the odour molecule determines whether a smell is considered pleasant or not.
Researchers found that VR users who experienced odor-enhanced environments showed increased sense of presence and physiological responses compared to those without scent. The study suggests a potential new approach to enhancing virtual reality experiences.
Research reveals that ASMR enthusiasts are hypersensitive to their environment, easily overstimulated by noise and movement. They also possess heightened bodily awareness, noticing physical changes when experiencing emotions.
A new, touch-based device has been developed to ease anxiety in students by mechanically simulating breathing. The 'breathing' cushion was found to be equally effective at reducing anxiety as guided meditation in a study of 129 volunteers.
Researchers found that archerfish can recognize unfamiliar insects as animals based on six essential features. The fish use these features, including shape and texture, to distinguish between animals and plants, similar to human face recognition strategies.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered how 'polyglot' neurons encode and decode sensorimotor chatter, enabling the differentiation between motor and sensory signals. This breakthrough has vital applications in brain-computer interfaces and neuroprosthetics, where accurate decoding is crucial.
A study found a link between ASMR and higher levels of neuroticism and anxiety. Those who experience ASMR reported reduced anxiety after watching an ASMR video, suggesting it could be a suitable intervention for anxious individuals.
A recent study from Ohio State University found that labeling identical products as 'new and improved' resulted in higher overall liking ratings compared to those labeled as 'consumer complaint.' The researchers suggest that this negative bias has a bigger impact on consumer perception than positive labels.
A team of researchers at Washington University in St. Louis used machine learning to understand how locusts can consistently recognize smells despite environmental factors, finding that combining the activity of ON and OFF neurons provides a simple yet effective solution.
Measuring apple liquors' conductivity can provide a more objective assessment of their processing, allowing for better flavor quality. The study found that monitoring conductivity during distillation can identify the best conditions for producing high-quality apple spirits.
Researchers found that urinary incontinence can distract from balance and stability, increasing the risk of falling in older adults. The study showed that the feeling of having to pee acts as a distracting factor, leading to changes in gait patterns similar to those caused by other distracting tasks.
A blind taste test by University of Copenhagen researchers shows Danes prefer conventional and organic farmed smoked salmon over wild-caught. The study reveals that people's expectations about a product affect their overall taste experience.
A study found that adults with sensory impairment experienced a decline in emotional well-being during the pandemic due to lack of social interactions. Researchers hope to develop hybrid solutions for remote access and clear communication.
Researchers used a machine-learning algorithm to identify differences in how the brain responds to various chemicals, including salt and benzaldehyde. The study provides insight into how brains process information and may help understand sensory processing disorders.
Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine identified the anterior insula's role in predicting and emotionally processing pain in HIV-DSP patients. The study suggests that reduced anterior insula activity or increased cingulate activity may improve pain outcomes for these patients.
Researchers uncover how sensory inputs and cognitive processes interact in the brain to create our perception of the world. The study explores the neural basis of perceptual phenomena, shedding light on disorders like ADHD, autism, and Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found that future goals are represented by a pattern of neural activity resembling previous visits, and this activity can re-emerge upon decision to target a location. The orbitofrontal cortex plays a key role in representing future goals during navigation.
Research finds that fruit flies fall asleep when moved in slow circles, and this effect continues in flies missing key circadian clock genes. The study also reveals the role of nanchung receptors, which are sensitive to vibrations and motion, in inducing daytime sleep.
Researchers found that males and females have different heat-sensing systems, which may be related to reproduction and offspring care. This difference leads to segregation between the sexes at certain periods during breeding cycles.
By analyzing pitch, length, octaves, chords, dynamics, and main theme of four pieces from the mid-1800s Romantic era of classical music, researchers created protein songs with improved musicality. The study found that using a specific music style guided the structure of proteins to produce more pleasant melodies and harmonies.