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Michigan State University

Featured Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·August 6, 2020·3 min read

Placebos Prove Powerful Even When People Know They’re Taking One

Placebos reduce biomarkers in the brain of emotional distress, even when a patient knows they are taking one.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 19, 2020·4 min read

‘Feeling obligated’ can impact relationships during social distancing

Many of us feel obligated to perform acts for loved ones, such as calling more frequently or running an errand for an elderly friend, during this time of social distancing. Researchers report low-level obligations and acts of kindness can help strengthen relationships, while more substantive obligations can put a strain on relationships.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 10, 2020·4 min read

Toxic masculinity is unsafe…for men

Men who endorse hegemonic ideals of masculinity can become socially isolated as they age, impacting their health, well-being, and happiness.

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Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·January 16, 2020·4 min read

Are bigger brains better?

Greater hippocampal volume is not always a reliable predictor of learning and memory ability in older adults. Faster learning was only found in older adults who had both greater hippocampal volume and more uniform white matter connections to other parts of the brain.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·December 10, 2019·3 min read

Me, me, me! How narcissism changes throughout life

Longitudinal study reveals for most people narcissistic traits such as sensitivity to criticism and imposing your opinion onto others, decreases as we age. However, having high aspirations for yourself increases over time.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 22, 2019·3 min read

Science underestimated dangerous effects of sleep deprivation

Findings debunk the common theory that attention is the only cognitive function affected by sleep deprivation. Lack of sleep also hinders a person's ability to complete activities that require following multiple steps.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 15, 2019·3 min read

Smart people may learn music faster

The strongest predictor of musical skill acquisition is intelligence, followed by musical aptitude.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·November 11, 2019·4 min read

How meditation can help you make fewer mistakes

Mindfulness and meditation can help reduce errors. The brain's ability to detect and pay attention to mistakes improves following one session of twenty-minute meditation.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 9, 2019·3 min read

Scientists find gender-distinct circuit for depression

A circuit-specific gender difference in ventral hippocamps to nucleus accumbens (vHPC-NAc) neurons is dependent on testosterone and causes more susceptibility to stress in females.

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Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·September 19, 2019·4 min read

Decoding how kids get into hacking

Study reveals differences in personality types and gender roles between teens who get into hacking.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 26, 2019·2 min read

Can Facebook improve your mental health?

Contrary to popular belief, using social media sites like Facebook can actually help improve mental health in adults. Researchers found adults who use Facebook regularly are 63% less likely to experience psychological distress, such as depression and anxiety, over time.

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Featured Neuroscience

·April 19, 2019·3 min read

Marijuana users weigh less, defying the munchies

On average, cannabis users weight 2 pounds less, and have a lower BMI, than those who do not consume marijuana. The findings contradict the popular belief that those who get the munchies after using the substance gain more weight.