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Psychology

·July 15, 2017·4 min read

Ga-Ga, Goo-Goo, Why a Baby May Like You

According to a new study in Developmental Science, infants at the age of one already tend to prefer speakers of their native language. However, they do not necessarily view those who speak different languages negatively. Findings suggest that positivity toward familiar groups may be innate, while negativity toward unfamiliar groups may be learned.

Featured Psychology

·July 14, 2017·4 min read

The Ugly Truth About Attractiveness

A new study in Body Image reports women who evaluated as less attractive were more motivated to diet and be thin if they had a husband considered more attractive. The additional motivation to be thin was not apparent in women considered to be more attractive that their partner. In men, the motivation to diet was low, regardless of their own, or their wives' level of attractiveness.

Featured Neuroscience Neuroscience Videos

·July 14, 2017·3 min read

A Neural Switch for Becoming Alpha Male

A new report in Science identifies a neural circuit in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex of mouse brains that may play a key role in social dominance. Using optogenetics, researchers were able to target neurons in the dmPFC to help boost a mouse's chance of 'winning' in an aggressive encounter.

Image shows a stick and ball model of carnitine.

Autism Featured Genetics Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·July 14, 2017·6 min read

Possible Link Between Carnitine Deficiency and Autism

Researchers report a lack of a nutrient required for normal brain development may trigger a mild form of autism. The findings, published in BioEssays, suggests supplementing the diet with carnitine could prevent up to 20% of autism cases.

Autism Featured Genetics

·July 12, 2017·6 min read

How Children Look at Mom’s Face Is Guided by Genetics and Disrupted in Autism

According to a new Nature paper, variation in how children seek social information is under genetic control. Such behaviors are decreases in children with autism, adding further evidence for the link between behavioral presentation in ASD and underlying genetics causes.

Autism Featured

·July 12, 2017·4 min read

Diet Not Connected to GI Problems in Autistic Children

A study recently presented at the International Meeting for Autism Research suggests gastrointestinal problems commonly seen in children with ASD may be a result of stress, and not diet, as previously assumed.

Image shows a person with a TMS machine.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·July 12, 2017·4 min read

When Language Suddenly Fails

Researchers at Max Planck Institute investigate why certain language abilities are lost as a result of a traumatic brain injury, and how others can be regained.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 12, 2017·4 min read

Erratic Time Perception in Schizophrenia

A study recently published in Clinical Psychology Review investigates time perception and temporal information processing in people with schizophrenia. The study reveals the internal clock in schizophrenics does not necessarily run slower or faster than in healthy individuals, but rather it does not run at a consistent speed.

Featured Psychology

·July 12, 2017·4 min read

A New Look at the Killing of Kitty Genovese: The Science of False Confessions

Researchers take a new look at the murder of Kitty Genovese, a case that sparked psychologists interest in the bystander effect. Several new studies reveal that there are a number of instances where the facts of the case do not align with the original story, and also discover evidence of false confessions.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Visual Neuroscience

·July 12, 2017·4 min read

Exposure to a Common Visual Illusion May Enhance Your Ability to Read Fine Print

According to University of York researchers, the ability to read fine print may be enhanced following exposure to a common visual illusion. The researchers found visual acuity may be enhanced by the expanding motion aftereffect optical illusion.

Featured Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·July 11, 2017·4 min read

Depression Affects Male and Female Brains Differently

Exposing depressed adolescents to positive and negative words elicited different effects in specific brain regions depending on the sex of the subject, a new Frontiers in Psychiatry study reports.

Featured Psychology

·July 10, 2017·4 min read

Purpose in Life by Day Linked to Better Sleep at Night

Researchers at Northwestern University report older adults who suffer from sleep disturbances such as sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome might enjoy a better night's sleep by cultivating a purpose in life.