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stress

·June 4, 2018·2 min read

Simple Touching Fosters Wellness and Relieves Stress For Couples

Researchers report couples who frequently hug or hold hands have lower cortisol levels, have decreased symptoms of physical problems and sleep better.

Featured Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·May 29, 2018·4 min read

Link Between Social Stress and Shortened Lifespan: Mouse Study

In mice, social stress can increase risk factors for cardiovascular disease and shorten life span, researchers report.

Featured Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·May 25, 2018·3 min read

Goal Conflict Linked to Psychological Distress

A new study reports personal goal conflict can increase feelings of depression and anxiety.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 22, 2018·4 min read

Why Do We Yawn and Why Is Yawning So Contagious?

Researchers investigate the biological aspects of yawning and consider why yawning is so contagious.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·May 17, 2018·5 min read

How Social Isolation Transforms the Brain

A new study reveals the neurobiological effects of social isolation in mice. Researchers report a neurochemical called tachykinin is overproduced during long term social isolation, leading to increased aggression and fear.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·May 10, 2018·4 min read

Prenatal Marijuana Use Can Affect Infant Behavior and Size

According to researchers, marijuana use during pregnancy can result in premature birth and smaller babies with lower birth weight. Additionally, babies of mothers who smoked marijuana during pregnancy tend to be more irritable and easily frustrated in later infancy.

Featured Psychology

·May 4, 2018·2 min read

Coloring Reduces Stress and Boosts Creativity

According to researchers, picking up a coloring pencil and book could be beneficial for your mental health. A new study reveals coloring can help to improve mood, reduce stress and boost creativity.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 4, 2018·3 min read

Dancers’ Brains React Quickly to Changes in Music and Display Brain Frequencies Linked to Emotion and Memory Processes

A new study reveals professional dancers' brains react more quickly to musical changes than professional musicians. EEG data reveals dancers display stronger synchronization at a lower theta frequency, which is linked to emotional and memory processing. The study backs up previous findings that indicate both the auditory and motor cortices of dancers develop in unique ways.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·May 4, 2018·4 min read

Even Brief Maternal Deprivation Early in Life Alters Adult Brain Function and Cognition

Babies removed from their mothers for 24 hours when they were 9 days old exhibited significant behavioral and brain structural abnormalities in adulthood, a new study reports. Researchers noted memory impairment and less communication between specific brain regions in those removed from maternal care.

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·May 4, 2018·3 min read

Gray Hair Linked to Immune System and Viral Infection

Researchers have identified a link between the immune system, viral infection and premature hair graying. The study reports mice who went prematurely gray produced unusually high amounts of MITF, a protein that is responsible for releasing interferons, which help to fight viral infections. This suggests genes responsible for controlling pigmentation also work to control the immune system.

Featured Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·April 30, 2018·5 min read

City Upbringing, Without Pets, Increases Risk of Mental Illness

People who were raised in cities and without a family pet show significantly higher levels of an immune system component following a stressful event, researchers report.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 28, 2018·3 min read

Can Microbes Manipulate Our Minds?

Researchers report we may have evolved to depend on our gut bacteria to aid normal brain function, and changes in our microbiome could have effects on our behavior.