evolutionary neuroscience Archives

How superstitions spread

Neuroscience NewsApril 18, 2019

A new game theory model demonstrates how superstitious beliefs become established in a society's social norms. The model shows how distinct belief systems can evolve as a coordinated set of behaviors which are enforced by a consistent set of social norms.... Read More...

FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology6 min read

This shows a graph detailing the effects of FL exposure to inflammation and immune response

Study links fluorescent lighting to inflammation and immune response

Neuroscience NewsApril 18, 2019

Studies in fish and mice found genome-wide changes in the gene expression of patterns in the skin, brains and liver following exposure to white fluorescent light. Both the skin and brains exhibited increased inflammation and immune response following exposure. ... Read More...

FeaturedGeneticsNeurologyNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles5 min read

This is a drawing of two heads with the word empathy under them

Empathy and cooperation go hand in hand

Neuroscience NewsApril 9, 2019

A capacity for empathy is key in sustaining cooperation between a social group. Findings reveal empathy can evolve through a process of social contagion. ... Read More...

FeaturedPsychology7 min read

An eeg readout of how the brain responds to the earth's magnetic field

Evidence for ancient magnetic sense in humans

Neuroscience NewsMarch 18, 2019

A new study reveals the human brain responds to changes in the Earth's magnetic field. Future studies could provide clues into the evolution and variations of magnetoreception in humans.... Read More...

FeaturedNeuroscience4 min read

Findings Shed Light on Origin of Upright Walking in Human Ancestors

Neuroscience NewsMarch 1, 2019

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

FeaturedNeuroscience6 min read

Uncovering the Evolution of the Brain

Neuroscience NewsFebruary 13, 2019

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.... Read More...

FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles7 min read

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

Neuroscience NewsJanuary 22, 2019

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.... Read More...

FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology6 min read

Genes with Large Effect on Head and Brain Size Discovered

Neuroscience NewsJanuary 21, 2019

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

FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles5 min read

Building a Bigger Brain

Neuroscience NewsJanuary 8, 2019

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

FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles5 min read

Shedding Light on the Evolution of Metabolism

Neuroscience NewsJanuary 3, 2019

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. ... Read More...

FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles4 min read

Peering Into Little Foot’s 3.76 Million Year Old Brain

Neuroscience NewsDecember 18, 2018

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. ... Read More...

FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles6 min read

Neanderthal Gene Gives Clues to Human Brain Evolution

Neuroscience NewsDecember 13, 2018

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.... Read More...

FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles6 min read

News

How cortisol affects exposure therapy for anxiety disorders

Cannabis addiction influenced by genetic make-up

Sleep frees the hippocampus for new memory contents

Neuroscience

How cortisol affects exposure therapy for anxiety disorders

Cannabis addiction influenced by genetic make-up

Sleep frees the hippocampus for new memory contents

Neurology

Off with her head! Did Anne Boleyn really try to speak after being beheaded?

Stem cells from hair follicles have potential to repair myelin sheath in mice

Exercise activates memory neural networks in older adults

AI

Scientists translate brain signals into speech sounds

Artificial intelligence can diagnose PTSD by analyzing voices

Robotics

Heads in the cloud: Scientists predict internet of thoughts ‘within decades’

Robots created with 3D printers could be caring for those in golden years

Robots to autocomplete soldier tasks

Psychology

How cortisol affects exposure therapy for anxiety disorders

Cannabis addiction influenced by genetic make-up

evolutionary neuroscience

Study links fluorescent lighting to inflammation and immune response

Evidence for ancient magnetic sense in humans

Findings Shed Light on Origin of Upright Walking in Human Ancestors

Uncovering the Evolution of the Brain

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

Genes with Large Effect on Head and Brain Size Discovered

Building a Bigger Brain

Shedding Light on the Evolution of Metabolism

Peering Into Little Foot’s 3.76 Million Year Old Brain

Neanderthal Gene Gives Clues to Human Brain Evolution