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·September 30, 2024·5 min read

AI Tools Predict Future Depression Symptoms from Word Choice

A new study has found that analyzing a person’s word choice can predict worsening symptoms of major depressive disorder. Researchers used human evaluators and ChatGPT to assess written responses, finding that both could accurately predict depression severity weeks later.

This shows a baby with a book that it's mother is holding.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 29, 2024·5 min read

Shared Reading Boosts Early Brain Development

A new study encourages parents to read aloud with newborns and young children to strengthen relationships and promote brain development. Shared reading supports language, literacy, and social-emotional growth, laying the foundation for school readiness.

This shows a computer representation of a hippocampus brainbow.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 28, 2024·5 min read

Hippocampal Cells Track Pronouns to Link Them With People

A new study reveals that certain brain cells, known as “concept cells,” in the hippocampus track pronouns to link them with the correct person in a sentence. Researchers found that these cells respond not only to a person’s name or image but also to pronouns like “he” or “she” that refer to them.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 29, 2024·5 min read

Dogs Using Soundboard Buttons Understand Words

A new study reveals that dogs trained with soundboard buttons can comprehend and respond to specific words, indicating they may truly understand the words and not just react to cues from their owners. Researchers found that dogs responded appropriately to words like “play” and “outside,” regardless of who pressed the buttons, suggesting genuine word comprehension.

This shows a woman surrounded by speech bubbles.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 29, 2024·6 min read

How We Recognize Words in Real-Time

A recent study has identified three distinct strategies people use to recognize words: "Wait and See," "Sustained Activation," and "Slow Activation." These strategies were observed in both individuals with normal hearing and those with cochlear implants, revealing that word-recognition processes are highly individualized.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 7, 2024·5 min read

Child Signals: Vocal Cues Shape Adult Perceptions

Human children depend on caregivers for extended periods, employing complex vocal and cognitive cues to elicit adult attention and care. Recent research shows that adults prioritize vocal cues when assessing children's emotions and perceived helplessness, while cognitive cues weigh more in evaluating intelligence.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 3, 2024·5 min read

Brain Sync: How Words and Context Shape Our Conversations

Researchers have discovered that brain-to-brain coupling during conversation is significantly influenced by the context in which words are used, not just by linguistic information alone. Using high-resolution electrocorticography and GPT-2 language models, they found that specific brain activity in both speakers and listeners is driven by the context-specific meaning of words.

This shows statues with This and That written on them.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 29, 2024·3 min read

How “This” and “That” Shape Language and Social Cognition

A study reveals that demonstratives like 'this' and 'that' not only indicate distance but also direct attention, linking language to social cognition. Researchers found that the meaning of demonstratives varies across languages and is influenced by the listener's focus. This study involved speakers of ten languages and used computational modeling to understand these dynamics. The findings suggest that attention manipulation is an inherent part of language, embedded in demonstratives.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 22, 2024·4 min read

Chimps Use Gestures, Like Humans, to Communicate

Researchers have found that chimpanzees communicate with gestures in a rapid turn-taking pattern similar to human conversation. Studying over 8,500 gestures across five wild communities, they discovered that chimpanzees exchange gestures with pauses averaging 120 milliseconds.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 14, 2024·6 min read

AI Tool Blends Programming and Language for Better Problem Solving

Researchers have developed natural language embedded programs (NLEPs), enabling AI models to solve complex tasks by generating and executing Python programs. This method boosts accuracy in reasoning tasks and improves transparency by allowing users to inspect and correct code. NLEPs also enhance data privacy by processing information locally.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 13, 2024·3 min read

Heat Waves Reduce Politicians’ Speech Complexity

High temperatures lead to simpler language in parliamentary speeches. Analyzing seven million speeches from 28,000 politicians, researchers discovered that heat negatively impacts cognitive abilities. This effect was more pronounced in older politicians. The findings highlight the broader impacts of climate change on human performance and decision-making.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 11, 2024·6 min read

Elephants Use Names to Call Each Other

Wild African elephants use name-like calls to address each other, a rare ability among nonhuman animals. Researchers confirmed this by using machine learning to analyze elephant calls and observing that elephants responded specifically to calls addressed to them.