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evolutionary neuroscience

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·June 18, 2019·4 min read

Puppy love: Why puppy dog eyes evolved to benefit communication with humans

Domestication transformed the facial muscle anatomy of dogs specifically for facial communication with humans. The muscular movement around the eyebrows resembles expressions humans produce when upset, triggering a nurturing response from the dog's owners.

The auditory cortex is highlighted in this brain scan

Featured Neuroscience Neuroscience Videos

·June 10, 2019·4 min read

Our brains appear uniquely tuned for musical pitch

Study of macaque monkeys reveals speech and music may have shaped the human brain's auditory networks. Researchers found specific areas of the human brain have a stronger preference for pitch than that of primates, raising the possibility certain sounds, which are embedded in music and speech, may have shaped the organization of our brains.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·June 6, 2019·3 min read

Study shows how the nervous system can transmit information across multiple generations

Neural small RNAs regulate germline genes to control behavior transgenerationally in nematodes.

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·June 3, 2019·5 min read

Fathers aid development of larger brains

Reliable and stable paternal care is correlated with the evolution of larger brains in their offspring.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 27, 2019·5 min read

Scientists uncover a trove of genes that could hold key to how humans evolved

Dozens of genes previously believed to have similar roles across different organisms are actually unique to humans. The genetic codes are for transcription factors, which help control gene activity. The findings may help to explain how humans evolved.

Featured Neuroscience Neuroscience Videos Psychology

·May 20, 2019·5 min read

Young children willing to punish misbehavior, even at personal cost

Children as young as three enact costly punishments. Additionally, findings reveal a sense of authority can foster group regulatory behavior amongst children of various different age groups.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 18, 2019·5 min read

How superstitions spread

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.

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

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 18, 2019·3 min read

Study links fluorescent lighting to inflammation and immune response

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.

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

Featured Psychology

·April 9, 2019·5 min read

Empathy and cooperation go hand in hand

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

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

Featured Neuroscience

·March 18, 2019·3 min read

Evidence for ancient magnetic sense in humans

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.

Featured Neuroscience

·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.