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evolution

·March 1, 2019·5 min read

Findings Shed Light on Origin of Upright Walking in Human Ancestors

Researchers say the 4.5 million-year old fossil shows evidence of greater reliance on bipedalism than previously suggested.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·February 13, 2019·5 min read

Uncovering the Evolution of the Brain

Researchers have developed a new technique to study the development of human neurons compared to the neurons of nonhuman primates. The findings shed new light on the evolution of the human brain.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·January 25, 2019·3 min read

Lessons Learned From the Adult Neurogenesis Debate

A new paper looks at the controversies surrounding adult neurogenesis.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 22, 2019·4 min read

All Too Human: The Price We Pay for Our Advanced Brains May Be a Greater Tendency to Disorders

Researchers report the neural code of the prefrontal cortex is more efficient than the amygdala in both humans and primates. The lower resistance of the amygdala to errors in humans may play a role in exaggerated survival responses, such as those seen in anxiety and PTSD.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·January 21, 2019·4 min read

Genes with Large Effect on Head and Brain Size Discovered

Researchers report genetic influences on head circumference remain stable during development and are correlated with genetic factors which contribute to intracranial volume.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·January 8, 2019·4 min read

Building a Bigger Brain

ARHGAP11B, a gene unique to humans and active in the cerebral cortex, causes enlargement of the ferret neocortex when introduced during development.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·January 3, 2019·3 min read

Shedding Light on the Evolution of Metabolism

Researchers report the ability to use sugar as food varies strongly between closely related species. The study identifies a genetic basis for this variation and could shed light on how human populations with different dietary histories may respond differently to modern, sugar rich diets.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 2, 2019·3 min read

Why Are People Religious? A Cognitive Perspective

Researchers investigate both the cognitive and neurobiological basis of why so people have religious beliefs.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·December 18, 2018·5 min read

Peering Into Little Foot’s 3.76 Million Year Old Brain

Researchers create the first endocast reconstruction of nearly the complete brain of the hominin Little Bigfoot. The brain, researchers report, is relatively small and combines both ape like and human like features.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·December 13, 2018·4 min read

Neanderthal Gene Gives Clues to Human Brain Evolution

Researchers report modern humans who carry particular Neanderthal DNA fragments have slightly less rounded heads. The findings shed light on the evolution of modern brain shape and function.