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behavioral neuroscience

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·May 16, 2024·2 min read

Stress May Boost Helping Behavior When Witnessing Injustice

A new study finds that acute stress experienced while witnessing injustice can make people more likely to help victims rather than punish offenders. This shift in behavior is linked to increased activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), a brain region involved in decision-making. The findings suggest that helping others may be a more intuitive response than punishing them, especially under stress.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 15, 2024·5 min read

New Hormone Discovery Explains Monogamy

Researchers found that a hormone-producing cell in the adrenal glands may explain why oldfield mice are monogamous while their close relatives are promiscuous. This hormone, 20⍺-OHP, boosts nurturing behavior, suggesting a link to monogamy.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·May 14, 2024·5 min read

Fever Effect May Improve Autism Symptoms

Researchers are exploring how fever can temporarily improve autism symptoms. They aim to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind this "fever effect" to develop therapies that mimic it.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 10, 2024·6 min read

Gut Microbes Influence Autism-Related Behaviors

A new study demonstrates the profound influence of gut microbes on behavior, particularly in the context of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The study reveals that gut discomfort in mice reduces social behaviors, a phenomenon reversible by specific bacterial introductions.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 3, 2024·3 min read

Does Omega 3 Boost Kids’ Mental Health and Behavior?

Researchers are conducting a study to explore the impact of omega-3 supplements on children’s behavior, mood, and mental health. Recognizing that UK children consume less than half the recommended omega-3 intake, this study, aims to assess whether these supplements can address dietary deficiencies and improve well-being. The online study will involve children aged 6-12 and include assessments of behavior changes through parental questionnaires. This research could inform broader educational and health strategies by identifying which children benefit most from increased omega-3 intake.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 3, 2024·7 min read

Predicting Human Behavior and How We Can Change It

Researchers identify effective behavior change interventions across different crises, such as pandemics and climate change. The study found that common approaches focusing on changing knowledge or beliefs are often ineffective.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 15, 2024·5 min read

Poverty’s Profound Impact on Brain Development and Behavior

A new review connects low socioeconomic status (SES) with significant changes in brain development, behavior, and cognitive outcomes. The review synthesizes existing research to present a unified framework showing how factors common in low SES environments—such as poor nutrition, chronic stress, and substandard living conditions—adversely affect neurodevelopment.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 4, 2024·4 min read

Partner Gender Influences the Pursuit of Orgasm in Women

The gender of a partner significantly affects women's expectations and the likelihood of orgasm. By examining the "orgasm gap" between cisgender men and women, researchers uncovered that women anticipate more clitoral stimulation and have higher orgasm expectations with female partners than with male partners.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 4, 2024·7 min read

Pornography’s Broad Impact Across Genders

A new study examines the phenomenon of problematic pornography use (PPU) across 42 countries, involving over 82,000 people of diverse genders and sexual orientations. The research highlights how PPU affects a significant minority, leading to serious life consequences, yet remains largely unaddressed in terms of seeking help.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·March 4, 2024·4 min read

Astrocytes Play Critical Role in Regulating Behavior

Researchers made a groundbreaking discovery in identifying a unique group of astrocytes, located in the brain's central striatum, that play a crucial role in regulating behaviors linked to neuropsychiatric disorders. This distinct subset of astrocytes expresses the gene Crym, coding for μ-crystallin, a protein associated with various human diseases.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 18, 2024·4 min read

Sexual Rejection Increases Aggression and Stress in Male Fruit Flies

A new study reveals how fruit flies respond to the stress of repeated mating failures. Researchers observed that male fruit flies facing repeated sexual rejection showed increased activity, aggression, and anti-social behavior, indicating a frustration-like stress state.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 2, 2024·12 min read

Unlocking the Brain’s Fear Code: Memory, Behavior, and the Brain

Researchers investigate fear memories and their impact on behavior in various environments. Their study uncovers the concept of fear engrams, shedding light on the physical representation of memory in the brain.