University of Pennsylvania Archives

How superstitions spread

Neuroscience NewsApril 18, 2019

A new game theory model demonstrates how superstitious beliefs become established in a society's social norms. The model shows how distinct belief systems can evolve as a coordinated set of behaviors which are enforced by a consistent set of social norms.... Read More...

FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology6 min read

This is a drawing of two heads with the word empathy under them

Empathy and cooperation go hand in hand

Neuroscience NewsApril 9, 2019

A capacity for empathy is key in sustaining cooperation between a social group. Findings reveal empathy can evolve through a process of social contagion. ... Read More...

FeaturedPsychology7 min read

Childhood trauma has lasting effect on brain connectivity in patients with depression

Neuroscience NewsApril 8, 2019

Study finds an association between resting state network connectivity abnormalities in those with major depressive disorder who experienced childhood trauma.... Read More...

FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology5 min read

Unlocking the female bias in lupus

Neuroscience NewsApril 5, 2019

Disruptions in maintaining X chromosome inactivation of T cells may explain why women are more prone to developing SLE than males.... Read More...

FeaturedGeneticsNeurologyNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles7 min read

Brain scans are shown as described in the caption.

Genetic Factors Influence Human Brain Expansion

Neuroscience NewsMarch 4, 2019

Results provide new insight into evolution, IQ and development of the human brain.... Read More...

FeaturedGenetics3 min read

Newly Discovered Gene Governs Need for Sleep When Sick

Neuroscience NewsFebruary 1, 2019

Researchers have identified a single gene that increases the need for sleep when we are fighting sickness. NEMURI helps fight infections with its antimicrobial activity, and is secreted by neurons to drive prolonged sleep during infection.... Read More...

FeaturedGenetics5 min read

Does Opioid Use in Pets Create Higher Risk for Abuse in Humans?

Neuroscience NewsJanuary 12, 2019

Researchers report a 41% increase in the prescription of opioids for small animals over the past 10 years. The study reports the increase could potentially provide human access to the drugs, fueling the opioid epidemic.... Read More...

FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology8 min read

Bigger Brains Are Smarter, But Not By Much

Neuroscience NewsDecember 1, 2018

Neuroimaging information reveals a small but significant positive association between brain volume and cognitive performance.... Read More...

FeaturedNeuroscience9 min read

Neural Link Between Altruism and Empathy Toward Strangers

Neuroscience NewsSeptember 11, 2018

Researchers report those who enter into an altruistic act, such as donating a kidney to an anonymous recipient, are more sensitive to a stranger's fear and pain.... Read More...

FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology6 min read

People Who Don’t Read the News Are Better at Predicting Which Articles Will Go Viral

Neuroscience NewsAugust 27, 2018

High levels of activity in the ventromedial prefronal cortex activity reflect how much people want to read a specific news article, researchers say. Additionally, those who infrequently read the news were better able to predict which news stories would go viral.... Read More...

FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology5 min read

Machine Learning Links Dimensions of Mental Illness to Brain Network Abnormalities

Neuroscience NewsAugust 2, 2018

Researchers use machine learning technology to identify brain based dimensions of mental health disorders. ... Read More...

Artificial Intelligencedeep learningFeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology7 min read

Greening Vacant Lots Reduce Feelings of Depression in City Dwellers

Neuroscience NewsJuly 20, 2018

A new study reports tidying up and greening vacant lots in urban areas, can have a positive influence on the mental health of local residents. Researchers say people who lived within quarter of a mile of greened lots had a 41% decrease in depressive feelings compared to those who lived near overgrown lots.... Read More...

FeaturedOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology8 min read

News

Marijuana users weigh less, defying the munchies

Metabolite may play a role in nicotine addiction

High-risk genes for schizophrenia discovered

Neuroscience

Marijuana users weigh less, defying the munchies

Metabolite may play a role in nicotine addiction

High-risk genes for schizophrenia discovered

Neurology

Skin discovery may help explain why women get autoimmune diseases far more often than men

Blood pressure drug shows promise for treating Parkinson’s and dementia in animal study

General anesthesia hijacks sleep circuitry to knock you out

AI

Artificial intelligence singles out neurons faster than a human can

Heads in the cloud: Scientists predict internet of thoughts ‘within decades’

Robotics

Heads in the cloud: Scientists predict internet of thoughts ‘within decades’

Robots created with 3D printers could be caring for those in golden years

Robots to autocomplete soldier tasks

Psychology

Metabolite may play a role in nicotine addiction

High-risk genes for schizophrenia discovered

Behavioral disorders in kids with autism linked to reduced brain connectivity

University of Pennsylvania

Childhood trauma has lasting effect on brain connectivity in patients with depression

Unlocking the female bias in lupus

Genetic Factors Influence Human Brain Expansion

Newly Discovered Gene Governs Need for Sleep When Sick

Does Opioid Use in Pets Create Higher Risk for Abuse in Humans?

Bigger Brains Are Smarter, But Not By Much

People Who Don’t Read the News Are Better at Predicting Which Articles Will Go Viral

Machine Learning Links Dimensions of Mental Illness to Brain Network Abnormalities