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behavioral neuroscience

This shows a robot yawning with chimps in the background.

·June 7, 2025·4 min read

Robot Yawns Spark Contagious Yawning in Chimps

Chimpanzees have been observed yawning and lying down after seeing a humanoid android mimic a yawning facial expression, indicating contagious yawning triggered by an artificial agent. This study is the first to show yawn contagion in response to an inanimate model, suggesting that yawns may serve as a rest cue in addition to a social reflex.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 3, 2025·3 min read

AI Links Early Life Risks to Behavioral Challenges at Age Five

A new study reveals that emotional and behavioral difficulties in five-year-old children can be predicted using prenatal and early-life risk factors, including maternal smoking, low birth weight, and lack of breastfeeding. Researchers used AI to analyze data from nearly 6,000 UK children, uncovering gender-specific vulnerabilities—boys were more impacted by smoking during pregnancy, while girls were more affected by early fussiness.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 23, 2025·5 min read

Tiny Genetic Code Disruption Alters Brain Wiring and Behavior

A small genetic sequence called mini-exon B plays a surprisingly crucial role in how neurons form synaptic connections, according to new research. Scientists found that deleting this four–amino acid segment from a synapse-building protein, PTPδ, disrupted neural activity and led to anxiety-like behaviors in mice.

$This shows a woman and math symbols.$

Featured Neuroscience

·May 20, 2025·4 min read

Modeling Human Behavior with Math

A new study shows that mathematical models can shape human decisions more effectively than traditional psychological strategies. Researchers introduced “choice engineering,” a data-driven alternative to “choice architecture,” which relies on heuristics and intuition. In a global academic challenge, models like CATIE—designed to reflect real behavioral trends—outperformed both intuitive strategies and standard machine learning tools.

This shows the outline of a person and neurons.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 19, 2025·4 min read

Inflammation Triggers Repetitive Behaviors in ASD and OCD

New research reveals that chronic brain inflammation can directly lead to repetitive behaviors, often seen in conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In mice with a mutated NLRP3 gene, inflammation activated microglia to release IL-1β, overstimulating NMDA glutamate receptors responsible for excitatory brain signals.

This shows different animals in a forest setting.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 17, 2025·6 min read

Hidden Patterns Shape Animal Behavior Across Species

Despite vast ecological differences, animals from meerkats to hyenas appear to follow a shared behavioral architecture in how they switch between activities. By tracking movement patterns with accelerometers and using machine learning, researchers discovered that the longer an animal stays in one behavior—like resting or foraging—the less likely it is to switch, a pattern known as a “decreasing hazard function.”

Featured Neuroscience

·May 16, 2025·6 min read

Astrocytes Control Behavior Through Slow Brain Signaling

Astrocytes, once thought to be mere support cells, are now shown to play a leading role in regulating behavior by modulating neuronal activity through slow biochemical circuits. In zebrafish, researchers discovered that astrocytes respond to norepinephrine by releasing ATP, which is then broken down into adenosine—an important neuromodulator that signals neurons to stop swimming when progress is futile.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 16, 2025·6 min read

Astrocytes Take Center Stage in Brain Function and Behavior

Long thought to be mere support cells, astrocytes are now shown to play a powerful, dynamic role in regulating brain function and behavior. New research in fruit flies and rodents reveals that astrocytes don’t just support neurons—they selectively respond to neurotransmitters and influence which neural signals are prioritized.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 15, 2025·5 min read

AI’s Spontaneously Develop Social Norms Like Humans

Large language model (LLM) AI agents, when interacting in groups, can form shared social conventions without centralized coordination. Researchers adapted a classic “naming game” framework to test whether populations of AI agents could develop consensus through repeated, limited interactions.

This shows two people, one bathed in light, the other in darkness.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 2, 2025·4 min read

Study Reveals the Selfish Side of Karmic Belief

A new study reveals people apply karma differently to themselves and others. While individuals view their own positive experiences as karmic rewards, they tend to interpret others' suffering as deserved punishment.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 30, 2025·5 min read

Dance and Lullabies May Not Be Human Universals After All

New research challenges the long-held belief that dance and lullabies are universal to human culture. Drawing on over four decades of ethnographic work among the Northern Aché people in Paraguay, researchers found no evidence of group dancing or infant-directed singing.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Psychology

·April 29, 2025·5 min read

Brain Lesions Heighten Impulsivity and Social Influence

New research shows that damage to specific regions of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) increases both impulsivity and susceptibility to the impulsive behavior of others. Participants with mPFC lesions were more likely to choose immediate rewards and to be influenced by others who made impulsive decisions.