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evolution

·October 8, 2018·4 min read

Small Brained Female Guppies Are Not Drawn to Attractive Males

A new study reports female guppies with smaller brain mass can distinguish between attractive males, but do not find them more appealing or choose to mate with them over less attractive guppies. Researchers say the study sheds new light of the link between mate preference and cognitive ability.

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·October 3, 2018·3 min read

Discovery of First Genetic Variants Associated with Meaning of Life

Researchers have identified two genetic variants for meaning in life and six genetic variants for happiness.

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·September 29, 2018·6 min read

Why Do Only Some People Get ‘Skin Orgasms’ From Listening to Music?

Researchers investigate why some people experience frisson, or aesthetic chills, when listening to certain pieces of music. They report those who experience frisson score high for the openness to experience personality trait.

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·September 20, 2018·5 min read

Octopuses Given Ecstasy Reveal Genetic Link to Evolution of Social Behaviors in Humans

Testing the behavioral reaction to MDMA in octopuses, researchers report they have discovered evidence of an evolutionary link between the sea creatures and humans.

stick figure cartoons of people being active and lazy

Featured Neuroscience

·September 18, 2018·4 min read

Are We Hardwired For Laziness? Brain Must Work Hard to Avoid Sloth

Researchers explore the exercise paradox, the feeling of wanting to become more physically active, but despite our best intentions, people actually become less active. The study reports our brains may simply be wired to want to conserve energy.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 17, 2018·3 min read

Are We Predisposed to Forgive?

A new study reports our cognitive flexibility in judging those who wrong us may shed light on both the human tendency to forgive, and explain why people hold on to those who continue to wrong them.

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·September 12, 2018·3 min read

Aging May Be As Old As Life Itself

Researchers report that, at the molecular levels, aging may have originated at the beginning of the evolution of life. They suggest when it comes to genes, aging may not always be a negative trait, and may help an organism to survive.

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·September 11, 2018·8 min read

The Universality of Shame

Researchers hypothesize shame may have been built into human nature by evolution because it served an important function for our foraging ancestors. The study reports an implicit mental map of how negatively others will perceive a person sets the level of shame they feel for their potential action.

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·September 11, 2018·6 min read

Humans Might Not Be Altruistic ‘Avengers’ After All

Contrary to popular belief, researchers report most people do not interfere when they witness someone abusing a stranger.

Featured Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·September 8, 2018·4 min read

Lonely People Stand Farther From Loved Ones

Researchers theorize social 'survival mode' triggers the preference for greater personal space in lonely people.

Featured Genetics Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·September 7, 2018·3 min read

The Evolution of Psychiatric Disorders and Personality Traits

Researchers have identified a gene that has evolved through natural selection and is implicated in psychiatric disorders and personality traits. The study suggests natural selection has helped shaped our psychiatric traits and helped to maintain human diversity.

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·August 31, 2018·4 min read

Learning to Lie Has Cognitive Benefits

A new study reports there are cognitive benefits for children who learn to lie early in life. Researchers say children who learn to lie early have more self control, better executive function and improved theory of mind.