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Beckman Institute

·September 27, 2024·8 min read

Improving Voice Recognition for People with Speech Disabilities

A new study shows that automatic speech recognition (ASR) systems trained on speech from people with Parkinson’s disease are 30% more accurate in transcribing similar speech patterns. Researchers collected over 151 hours of recordings from participants with varying degrees of dysarthria, a speech disorder common in Parkinson’s patients, and used the data to train ASR systems.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 25, 2024·5 min read

Emotion Boosts Memory for Context

New research shows that emotion enhances memory for contextual details, challenging the long-held belief that it impairs such memory. Brain imaging and behavioral studies reveal that emotional experiences activate cross-talk between emotion-processing and recollection regions in the brain, leading to stronger memories of contextual information.

This shows a drawing of a head and pencils.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 10, 2024·6 min read

Varied Cognitive Training Boosts Learning and Memory

New research shows that varied cognitive training, rather than repetitive tasks, helps older adults improve working memory. Participants who engaged in multiple types of memory exercises saw the greatest improvement compared to those who repeated the same task.

Featured Neuroscience

·March 5, 2024·4 min read

3D Maps Reveal Molecular Complexities of the Brain

Researchers pioneered the use of spatial omics and deep learning to craft 3D molecular maps of the brain, offering new insights into its function across different scales. Their study employs advanced mass spectrometry imaging and single-cell metabolomics to decode the brain's intricate biochemistry.

Auditory Neuroscience Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·February 29, 2024·5 min read

Autism Genes Link to Sound Sensitivity

Researchers are embarking on a pioneering study to uncover how genes associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) converge to affect brain neurons, particularly leading to heightened sound sensitivity. This research aims to identify common neural circuit mechanisms that may underlie the diverse genetic pathways contributing to ASD, focusing on auditory hypersensitivity, a condition that significantly impacts individuals' lives.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 18, 2024·6 min read

Trauma’s Impact on Memory: Sharper Recall After Negative Events

A new study uncovers a unique aspect of human memory: our ability to recall events is sharper after experiencing negative emotions. The researchers conducted experiments with participants who viewed images that elicited negative and neutral emotional responses.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 15, 2023·9 min read

Infant Brain Development and Social Interactions

A new study delves into infant brain development and its impact on social interactions and stress recovery during the first year of life. Through functional MRI scans and interactive tasks with mothers, researchers observe early neural patterns. One study reveals that greater brain network connectivity at 3 months correlates with improved infant-mother dyadic flexibility at 6 months.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·September 28, 2023·4 min read

Protein p53’s Role in Autism-like Behavior and Memory

Scientists have discovered a direct link between the protein p53 and autism-like behavior in mice. The researchers studied the effects of manipulating p53 levels in the mouse hippocampus.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 17, 2023·4 min read

A Lot to Swallow: New SimulScan Technology Enhances Dysphagia Research

Researchers are developing an innovative imaging tool called SimulScan to enhance the understanding of brain's control over swallowing. This imaging tool will help study the neural activity associated with swallowing, aiding in the diagnosis and treatment of swallowing disorders, known as dysphagia.