Latest

University of Oregon

Featured Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·June 24, 2023·5 min read

Octo-eyes: Unraveling Octopus Vision with Neural Mapping

Researchers mapped neural activity in an octopus's visual system, revealing striking similarities to humans. The team observed neural responses to light and dark spots, thereby creating a map resembling the organization of the human brain.

This shows a genetically engineered worm

Featured Neuroscience

·April 23, 2023·6 min read

Worm Model Weeds Out New Insight Into Endocannabinoid System

A new study of worms brings new insight into the workings of the endocannabinoid system and helps answer the question of why cannabis consumption enhances mood and gives people "the munchies". Researchers found cannabis consumption activates the endocannabinoid system and evokes cravings for higher calorie foods.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 27, 2023·4 min read

Even Simple Motions Make Ripples Across Brain

A simple motion like a push of a button can send ripples of activity across neurons spanning the entire brain, a new study reports.

This shows a red figure surrounded by blue figures

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 21, 2023·4 min read

Personality Traits Could Predict Those Prone to Prejudice

Those with dark triad or antagonistic personality traits including narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy are more likely to endorse negative beliefs about others, especially the LGBTQA+ community. People with these personality traits adopt prejudicial beliefs as they downplay the importance of equality and show little interest in protecting others, researchers conclude.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·November 1, 2022·4 min read

A Gut-Brain Connection for Social Development

Healthy microbes in the gut encourage synaptic pruning in brain circuits associated with social behavior. Previous research has linked both poor synaptic pruning and gut health to neurodevelopmental disorders including ASD. The new findings could pave the way for treatments for disorders associated with social behavior deficits.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Visual Neuroscience

·October 31, 2022·6 min read

A New Map of the Octopus Visual System Gives Clues to Brain Evolution

A new map of the octopus visual system classifies different types of neurons in a part of the brain dedicated to vision, shedding new light on the evolution of the brain and visual systems in a more broad sense.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·April 16, 2022·4 min read

A ‘Social’ Gene in Fish Could Contain New Clues to Autism

Mutations to the EGR1 gene disrupt social behaviors in zebrafish models of ASD. Additionally, the mutation disrupts dopamine signaling from specific neurons, contributing to mood and social behavior disorders.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 3, 2022·4 min read

Researchers Predict Rat Behaviors From Brain Activity

Distinct, coordinated activity in large sets of neurons can predict the future behaviors of rats, a new study reports. Based on the findings, researchers have created a "dictionary" that links brain activity patterns to simple behavioral outcomes.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 30, 2021·6 min read

Certain Brain Waves Aren’t Just Background Noise

Findings shed new light on how brain states are regulated and how the brain can switch between them.

This shows a little girl eating cotton candy

Featured Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·October 2, 2021·6 min read

How Parents Feed Kids Is Linked to Emotional Eating

Overall, restrictive eating was the only feeding practice that linked parent and child emotional eating.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 30, 2021·3 min read

Olympian’s Exit Spotlights Pressure on Athletes

In the face of immense pressure, Simone Biles' recent decision to withdraw from Olympic competition to focus on her mental health should be considered an inspirational message, psychologists say.