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behavioral neuroscience

The image shows two small birds sitting on a branch.

·February 27, 2013·4 min read

Songbirds’ Brains Coordinate Singing with Intricate Timing

Researchers discovered that as a bird sings, some neurons in its brain prepare to make the next sound while others are synchronized with the coordination of physical actions.

This is a pencil drawing of a cardinal singing.

Featured Psychology

·February 21, 2013·5 min read

How Human Language Could Have Evolved from Birdsong

Linguistics and biology researchers propose a new theory on the deep roots of human speech. A new study suggests human language is a grafting of two communication forms found elsewhere in the animal kingdom: first, the elaborate songs of birds, and second, the more utilitarian, information-bearing types of expression seen in a diversity of other animals.

The image shows an obesity table with height and associated weight compared.

Featured Psychology

·February 19, 2013·3 min read

Is There a Link Between Childhood Obesity and ADHD?

New research has established a possible link between high-fat diets and such childhood brain-based conditions as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and memory-dependent learning disabilities.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 18, 2013·2 min read

Memory Appears Susceptible to Eradication of Fear Responses

Fear responses can only be erased when people learn something new while retrieving the fear memory according to a new study.

The image shows the major brain structures implicated in autism.

Autism Featured

·February 14, 2013·4 min read

Behavioral Therapy for Children With Autism Can Impact Brain Function

Using fMRI for before-and-after analysis, a team of researchers discovered positive changes in brain activity in children with autism who received a particular type of behavioral therapy.

The picture shows an Antheraea pernyi silk moth.

Featured

·February 6, 2013·3 min read

Insect Drives Robot to Track Down Smells

In a new study, a small, two-wheeled robot was driven by a male silkmoth to track down the sex pheromone usually given off by a female mate.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 5, 2013·3 min read

Grooming Helps Insects Keep Their Senses Sharpened

Studying the functions of the grooming behavior, researchers discover grooming helps insects maintain acute olfactory senses, as well as removing both environmental pollutants and chemicals produced by the insects themselves.

The image shows multi-colored jigsaw pieces around a dictionary definition of autism.

Autism Featured

·February 4, 2013·3 min read

Children with Autism at Significant Risk for Feeding Problems and Nutritional Deficits

A comprehensive analysis of feeding behavior in children with autism spectrum disorders indicates that these children are five times more likely to have a feeding problem, including extreme tantrums during meals, severe food selectivity and ritualistic mealtime behaviors.

The image shows opera singers performing a scene from La Boheme .

Featured Psychology

·January 31, 2013·5 min read

Listeners Mindfulness Enhanced by Meditation Technique

New research explores how mindfulness meditation could enhance both musical engagement and performance. Additional research into mindfulness meditation could potentially lead to new treatment for mental illness and brain injuries.

The image shows Seth Tomchik, Ph.D, the lead researcher of this study.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 29, 2013·2 min read

Study Shows how Brain Cells Shape Temperature Preferences

A new study shows a complex set of overlapping neuronal circuits works in concert to drive temperature preferences in the fruit fly Drosophila by affecting a single target, a heavy bundle of neurons within the fly brain known as the mushroom body. These nerve bundles play critical roles in learning and memory.

Amygdala is shown and the image is explained well in the caption

Featured Neuroscience

·January 28, 2013·4 min read

Neuroscientists Pinpoint Location of Fear Memory in Amygdala

Researchers examine the how fear responses are learned, controlled, and memorized. They show that a particular class of neurons in a subdivision of the amygdala plays an active role in these processes.

Electrophysiology Featured Neuroscience

·January 23, 2013·3 min read

Astrocytes Identified as Target for New Depression Therapy

Neuroscientists found that astrocytes may be responsible for the rapid improvement in mood in depressed patients after acute sleep deprivation. This study identified how astrocytes can regulate a neurotransmitter involved in sleep.