OUR BRAINS AUTOMATICALLY PROCESS OPINIONS WE AGREE WITH AS IF THEY ARE FACTS
A new study reveals we quickly process opinions we agree with as facts, even if the opinion is non-factual.… READ MORE…
FIGHT, FLIGHT OR FREEZE
Olfactory system neurons appear to play a role in the connection between rhythmic breathing and emotional regulation, researchers report.… READ MORE…
GENE VARIANT INCREASES EMPATHY DRIVEN FEAR: MOUSE STUDY
Researchers have identified a specific genetic variant that appears to help facilitate empathy driven by fear in rodents.… READ MORE…
HAVING AN AUDIENCE MAY HELP YOU PERFORM BETTER
According to researchers, when people are aware they are being observed, brain areas associated with social awareness and reward activate a part of the brain that affects motor control, helping them to perform better at skilled tasks.… READ MORE…
VARIANTS IN NON-CODING DNA CONTRIBUTE TO INHERITED AUTISM RISK
Researchers report newly identified risk factors differ from currently known genetic causes of autism. The variants identified do not alter the genes directly, but disrupt the neighboring DNA control elements that turn genes on or off. Additionally, the variants do not occur as new mutations in autistic children, but are inherited from parents.… READ MORE…
PREGNANT MOTHERS AND OFFSPRING SHOULD LIMIT ADDED SUGARS IN DIET TO PROTECT CHILDHOOD COGNITION
Researchers warn pregnant women and their children to avoid drinking too many sodas, as excessive amounts of sugar in these drinks can negatively impact memory and learning. However, consuming fruits appears to be beneficial for cognitive development, the study reports.… READ MORE…
STUDY SHOWS RAPID RISE IN MASS SCHOOL SHOOTINGS IN THE US
A new study reveals alarming trends related to the growing number of school shootings in the US. Since 2000, there have been more deaths related to school shootings than in the entire 20th Century, researchers report.… READ MORE…
PATHWAY TO SPATIAL RECOGNITION
A new study sheds light on how memory helps guide spatial navigation.… READ MORE…
NEURONS DERIVED FROM SUPER-OBESE PEOPLE RESPOND DIFFERENTLY TO APPETITE HORMONE
According to researchers, neurons generated from super obese people are more likely to dysregulate hormones related to hunger and feeding behaviors.…READ MORE…
AGE AFFECTS HOW WE PREDICT AND RESPOND TO STRESS AT HOME
Researchers say those over 60 are better at predicting stressful events at home than younger people. However, younger people are better at utilizing these predictions to minimize the adverse impact of stress.… READ MORE…
CONNECTION BETWEEN DOPAMINE AND BEHAVIOR RELATED TO PAIN AND FEAR
Using optogenetics, researchers have identified a causal association between dopamine and avoidance behavior linked to pain and fear.… READ MORE…
ALGORITHM WORKS TO SILENCE ONLINE CHATROOM SEX PREDATORS
A new computer algorithm may help to identify sexual predators who target children in chatrooms. The algorithm, dubbed CATT, can identify language differences and self-disclosure in conversations to provide a risk assessment of potential predators, researchers report.… READ MORE…