Articles tagged with Sensory Perception
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.
A research team led by NJIT's Tara Alvarez is enrolling 100 participants with persistent symptoms of convergence insufficiency (CI) post-concussion for clinical trials. The study aims to establish guidelines for diagnosing and treating CI, a disabling eye disorder causing blurred vision, headaches, and cognitive difficulties.
Researchers have developed a new interface technology that can provide natural sensory feedback from robotic prosthetics to amputees, reducing abnormal sensations and cognitive burden. The innovation uses ultra-small recording sites and molecular guidance cues to stimulate sensory axons selectively, improving control of robotic limbs.
A new VA study finds a strong connection between PTSD symptom severity and anxiety sensitivity among female Veterans who experienced military sexual trauma. Treating anxiety may ease core PTSD symptoms, suggesting anxiety sensitivity as a potential target for treatment.
Novice participants in a three-week online meditation course showed improved emotional wellbeing, concentration, and motivation. Effects were strongest among those with high levels of self-control and motivation, highlighting the importance of individual differences in response to mindfulness interventions.
Researchers discovered a brain circuit that combines excitatory and inhibitory neurons to enforce reliability in visual processing. The team found that activity among two types of inhibitory neurons, PV and SST, work together to control the gain of excitatory neurons and improve representation consistency.
Researchers at University of Toronto found that the brain's prefrontal cortex generalizes perceptual experiences from different senses, producing sensations even without direct experience. The study used functional magnetic resonance imaging and massage stones to capture neural activity patterns in the brain.
A pilot study from North Carolina State University found that a gene associated with autism spectrum disorder and pain hypersensitivity may decrease itch response. Contactin-associated protein 2 (CNTNAP2) is expressed in sensory neurons responsible for transmitting sensations of both pain and itch.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE explores the experience of pure consciousness during meditation, identifying 12 key factors that characterize this state. These findings provide insight into human consciousness and have implications for further research, including potential applications beyond meditation practices.
A team of neuroscientists at the Beckman Institute discovered a new neuronal circuit that selects sensory information relayed to the auditory cortex. The study reveals a 'non-linear response' mechanism, allowing humans to focus on specific sensory inputs.
Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology developed a virtual walking system that induces illusory walking sensations without actual limb movement. The system combines a head-mounted display, four vibrators, and a walking-avatar to simulate footsteps.
Researchers developed a VR walking simulator that replicates the sensation of walking using full-body or hands-and-feet-only avatars. The device uses optic flows and rhythmic foot vibrations to create a realistic walking experience, potentially enhancing VR users' experiences.
A research team has discovered a metabolic footprint associated with the perception of satiety, revealing that higher concentrations of glycine and linoleic acid are linked to increased satiety. The study involved 140 volunteers with overweight and obesity, showing that certain metabolites in the blood can predict postprandial satiety.
A new study measures curiosity styles using Wikipedia browsing, finding 'hunter' and 'busybody' archetypes with distinct network structures. The study also explores the drivers of these changes and links them to well-being indicators.
A new study has identified and characterized neurons that regulate nausea-like responses in mice, shedding light on the sensation of nausea. The findings reveal a division of labor between area postrema neurons, with different neuron types responsible for detecting and raising the alarm for various substances.
Research from the University of Göttingen found that broad beans can be used as a protein-rich alternative to soybeans in poultry feed without compromising meat quality. The study also showed that dual-purpose chicken breeds can produce high-quality eggs and chicken meat while improving animal welfare.
A recent study reveals the hierarchical representation of color in the brain, from cone-activation signals to isotropic hue representation. The study found that different areas of the cortex process color information in a progressive manner.
A study led by Jennifer Todd at Anglia Ruskin University found that paying attention to internal bodily sensations can increase appreciation of one's body. The researchers measured gastric interoception and found a link between feelings of fullness and positive body image in adults from the UK and Malaysia.
A new study from the University of Pittsburgh's Rehab Neural Engineering Labs has repurposed spinal cord stimulators to provide sensory feedback to amputees, generating sensations such as touch and pressure. The devices were found to be stable and effective in restoring feelings of touch in users.
Researchers found that human participants consistently biased their movements toward a perceived stronger odor source, even when unable to report nostril detection. The study suggests that humans navigate with stereo olfaction, similar to the binocular and binaural senses that enable 3D perception.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed mind-controlled arm prostheses that deliver sensations of touch, revolutionizing prosthetic technology. The new neuromusculoskeletal prosthesis is connected to the user's nerves, muscles, and skeleton, enabling patients with arm amputations to experience a sense of touch i...
A study by UTSA researchers found a significant link between cultural values and how individuals express illness. Participants who identified as stoics or had lower household incomes were more likely to claim being sick. The study's findings have implications for understanding sickness behavior and its relationship with social norms.
Research finds that low levels of infection can cause chronic bladder dysfunction and magnify sensations felt by patients with urinary tract infections. Understanding how nerves transmit different sensations to the brain could help limit bladder dysfunction in overactive bladder patients.
Liberals and conservatives experience moral violations in distinct areas of the body, interpreting them as complex feelings that inform moral judgments. The study suggests that at least some differences between emotional processes can be attributed to political affiliation.
A team from the University of Rochester found that non-monogamous relationships succeed when all parties are comfortable with each other. Monogamous and consensual non-monogamous groups reported high levels of functioning in their relationships, while partially open and one-sided non-monogamous groups showed lower levels of functioning.
Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a neuroprosthetic system that allows leg amputees to feel sensations from the prosthesis, giving them a sense of control and confidence while walking. The system involves tiny electrodes implanted in the nerve, allowing the brain to perceive the prosthesis as an extension of the body.
A new study found that pill testing services at music festivals may be most effective in reducing harm for people trying ecstasy for the first time, as they are most cautious after a pill test. However, prior users who are high in sensation seeking are at the greatest risk of harm, even with a pill test. Introducing counselling and dru...
Patients often downplay minor symptoms, fearing a waste of doctor's time, and may struggle to revisit their GP after reassurance, highlighting the need for increased awareness and timely investigation.
Dry eye disease is linked to an increased risk of migraine headaches, with symptoms including stinging, burning, or scratchy sensations. The study suggests a possible association between the two conditions, warranting further research into diagnostic and treatment options.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that brain areas responsible for movement and sensation alter their functional communication after a limb amputation. Researchers discovered that sensitive and motor areas of the brain exhibited abnormal patterns of communication among hemispheres, even in patients without phantom pain.