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Showing posts from August, 2021

Do You Hate Seeing People Fidget? You’re Not Alone

Approximately one-third of people suffer from misokinesia, an anxious or frustrated reaction to watching another person fidgeting. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3t9YqyL

Machine Learning Algorithm Revolutionizes How Scientists Study Behavior

A new AI algorithm can independently discover and categorize an animal's behavior by analyzing patterns of body movements. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3yuFiMV

Closeness With Dads May Play Special Role in How Kids Weather Adolescence

A close relationship with fathers has broad and positive effects across adolescence for both male and female children. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3gK21i7

Voices of Reason? Study Links Acoustic Correlations and Gender to Vocal Appeal

Study explores the interactions between articulatory precision and gender to gauge vocal attractiveness. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3h7V7DF

People Often Avoid Feeling Compassion for Others When They Feel It’s a Lot of Effort

People may actively decide to withhold feeling compassion for others when they believe it is more challenging or requires mental effort. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2Y4g3o8

Mapping the Brain Circuitry of Spirituality

Researchers find a region of the brain stem called the periaqueductal gray may mediate religiosity and spirituality in humans. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3kCYZNL

Why Can’t We Identify Music Notes as Well as Colors? Pitch Perfect Study Provides Answers

Frequency follow response (FFR) is a strong predictor of a person's ability to recognize and name musical notes, and may be an accurate metric for understanding a person's ability to recognize sounds. FFR may not be a fixed trait and can be improved over time. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2Y2FmXF

Brain Cells Conduct Antidepressant Action Even in the Absence of Activity

In the absence of neural activity, BDNF expression can still be activated. The findings shed light on how therapeutic ketamine used has an antidepressant effect and how it works in both the long and short term. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3DwookY

Unease Beyond the Uncanny Valley: How People React to the Same Faces

A new study examines people's responses to cloned faces, which could soon be the norm for humanized robots. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3jwNvw1

Brains Are Most Amenable to Reading Development in the First Two Years of Primary Education

The first two years of primary education are a critical point for the development of the brain's reading network in children, researchers say. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2Wy816O

How Non-Fatal Opioid Overdoses Impact the Brain

Researchers report non-fatal opioid overdoses can result in brain abnormalities and cognitive impairment. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2Wy7XUC

Perceptions of Supernatural Beings Reveal Feelings About Good and Bad in Humans

People's beliefs about good and evil supernatural agents are influenced by how they view their fellow humans and human behavior. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3zx7kJ9

New Microscopy Technique Reveals Activity of One Million Neurons Across the Mouse Brain

A new microscopy technique allows researchers to capture detailed images of the activity of vast amounts of neurons across different depths in the brain at high speed and clarity. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3DvymD1

Struggling to Learn a New Language? Blame It on Your Stable Brain

A new study may answer why it is so difficult for us to learn a second language as we enter adulthood. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3yutQko

How a Racing Heart May Alter Decision-Making Brain Circuits

Heightened states of arousal altered neural circuits in a brain area associated with decision making, resulting in some neurons changing from decision making to internal state monitors. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3BEP5lN

Cholesterol Flags Violence Risk in People With Schizophrenia

Lower cholesterol levels may put people with schizophrenia at higher risk for violent behaviors, including self-harm and suicide. Researchers say lower cholesterol levels make brain cells less sensitive to serotonin, increasing symptoms of depression, impulsivity, and aggression. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3jtpAxa

The Neuroscience of Why Hugs Feel So Good

Whether you hug to show affection to comfort a loved one in pain, researchers explore the neuroscience of why a cuddle feels so good. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3mNjCcH

News and Images From Afghanistan Can Trigger PTSD in Military Veterans

Current events surrounding the withdrawal from Afghanistan and the extensive news coverage can trigger post-traumatic stress in those who served in military conflicts, including Iraq and Vietnam, researchers report. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3BnvDd4

Abusive Messages From a Partner Increase the Likelihood of Experiencing Mental Illness and Suicidal Thoughts

People who receive threatening or obscene text messages and other communications from current or former partners are more likely to experience mental health problems including depression and anxiety, and have an increased risk of suicidal thoughts. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2UWp9Cl

New Ultrasound Scanner Measures Brain Pressure

A new ultrasound technology dubbed Nisonic P-100 allows doctors to quickly determine whether a patient is at risk of a dangerous increase of intracranial pressure. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3jnWwqR

Dunbar’s Number: Why the Theory That Humans Can Only Maintain 150 Friendships Has Withstood 30 Years of Scrutiny

Thirty years ago, Robin Dunbar theorized humans can maintain a friendship group of 150 people, with five intimate friendships. Despite many attempts to challenge the theory, Dunbar's Number has stood the test of time. Backed by neuroscience and statistics, Robin Dunbar explains why his theory still prevails. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3h0hcE7

First Atomic-Level Imaging of Lethal Prions Provide Sharpened Focus for Potential Treatments

Cryogenic-electron microscopy allowed researchers to determine the basic building blocks of prion proteins, including the placements of their amino acids. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3DtmW2L

Light-to-Moderate Coffee Drinking Associated With Reduced Stroke Risk

Drinking up to three cups of coffee a day can help decrease the risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease, researchers report. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/38iIBMJ

A New Model for Group Decision-Making Shows How ‘Followers’ Can Influence the Outcome

A new mathematical model evaluates the influence of social learners in group decision-making and how a critical threshold is key to informed choices. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3DrdYCU

Treatment That May Be Viable For Human Brain Cancer Discovered

A new STING treatment induces immunological responses that allow the immune system to fight otherwise immunological resistant glioblastoma cancer cells, researchers report. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3kz26Gi

Postponed Retirement Slows Cognitive Decline

Working until the age of 67 slows cognitive decline and appears to be neuroprotective against cognitive impairments and dementias. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3DsK15I

Neurons in Visual Cortex of the Brain ‘Drift’ Over Time

Neurons in the visual cortex change their response to the same stimuli over time. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3BkFHDC

Maternal Voice Reduces Pain in Premature Babies

When a mother speaks to her newborn during a medical intervention, the baby's oxytocin levels increase and their expression of pain decreases. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3jp4h04

What’s the Cost of Self-Control? New Study Tabulates the Bill

Study reveals the measures we take to prevent having to exert self-control in daily life. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3sRVNS7

Restoring Chaperone Protein May Prevent Plaque Build-up in Alzheimer’s

Restoring levels of the DAXX protein prevents misfolding of proteins that drive Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3mMgRZ0

Old Habit-Controlling Neurons May Also Help the Brain Learn New Tricks

The delicate balance between learning new behaviors and expressing old habits is controlled by two different populations of neurons in the dorsolateral striatum. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3sUeVPh

Inflammatory Proteins Help Better Diagnose Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease

Testing for specific inflammatory proteins in cerebrospinal fluid can help doctors to diagnose the early onset of Alzheimer's disease and track the progression of the disease in patients. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3mzsfrl

Almost 600 Genetic Locations Linked to Antisocial Behavior, Addiction, and More Identified

Researchers have identified 579 genetic loci associated with increased risk of disorders associated with self-regulation disorders including addiction, ADHD, and anti-social behavior. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/38gQzG3

How the Brain Reacts When Faced With Survival Risk

Researchers identified a signaling system in the brains of C. elegans which changes to redirect behavior when survival is at risk due to lack of food. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3zlcNm2

Brain Circuitry That Motivates Mating in Mice Identified

Study reveals the precise hypothalamic neurons associated with mating motivation in mice. The findings could lead to new treatments for psychiatric disorders which do not impact libido. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/38aR1FT

Virtual Reality Shown to Reduce Pain and Anxiety in Children

Virtual reality helps to relieve pain and anxiety for children undergoing medical procedures, researchers report. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3kpOVrd

Gut Microbiome Health Plays Role in Fighting Depression During Pandemic

There is a growing body of evidence linking depression to microbiome health. A new study proposes focusing on the microbiome may help alleviate some of the symptoms of depression associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3yjKPpF

Add It Up: Could This Test Equal a Way to Determine Dementia Risk?

A new test reveals an association between poor lifestyle choices and an increased risk of cognitive decline leading to dementia. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3yhAomy

Exposure to Sunlight Enhances Romantic Passion in Humans

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation type B increases levels of romantic passion in both men and women. The study reveals sunlight exposure affects the regulation of the endocrine system responsible for the release of sexual hormones in humans. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3DkIZbO

Why the Dreaming Phase Matters

REM sleep significantly increases the flow of red blood cells through the brain's capillaries. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3sMLQFu

Mice Can Learn Much Faster than Previously Thought

Mice learn 1,000 times faster when faced with unfamiliar environment tasks than when learning simple, yet unnatural tasks. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2WpSFR4

Adult Brain Tumor Incidence Rates Are Decreasing but 5-Year Survival Rates Remain Low

While incidence rates of malignant brain cancers have declined over recent years, the five-year survival rate for brain cancer patients remains low. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2WdTYTL

Evoking the Sense of Touch Through Brain Implant Electrodes

Using minimally invasive brain implants, researchers evoked the sense of touch in patients who had lost tactile sensations. The technique could be used to restore tactile sensations to those with paralysis and neuropathy. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3zf2uA9

There’s a Bright Side to Being a ‘Debbie Downer’

A mixed set of daily activities can prompt both positive and negative activities, but that's not a bad thing, researchers say. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3mqCtdv

Transcranial Stimulation Enhances Beneficial Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Gait in Parkinson’s Patients

A new small-scale study reveals transcranial direct current stimulation improved gait and increased the benefits of aerobic exercise in Parkinson's patients. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3B7ReG7

How Do Brains Form?

A new study that utilizes computer modeling and advanced imaging of developing fetal brains will allow researchers to unravel the mystery of how the brain forms and how early brain development sets the stage for neural health throughout life. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3mvmPNO

How the Brain Perceives and Remembers a New Place

Combining virtual reality with neuroimaging, researchers identify how the brain perceives and remembers a novel place or landscape. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3za56z7

Birds Got Rhythm, Telling Us Something About How We Form Speech and Movement

Like humans, zebra finches can recognize songs by their rhythmic pattern, even when the tempo is changed. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2WebIOm

How Music Strengthens the Brain

Learning music can help fortify neural pathways associated with cognitive function and could help to stave off dementia, researchers report. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2WjiEcU

Alcohol Use in Young Adults Is Associated With Early Aging of Blood Vessels

Frequent consumption of alcohol during adolescence and young adulthood was associated with accelerated arterial stiffening, a precursor of cardiovascular disease. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2Whgtqy