University of Pennsylvania Research Articles

This shows a young boy taking a nap on his school desk

Children who nap midday are happier, excel academically, and have fewer behavioral problems

Neuroscience NewsJune 2, 2019

Children aged 10 to 12 have greater happiness, self-control, fewer behavioral problems, increased cognitive performance and academic achievement when they take a brief midday nap, a new study reports.... Read More...

FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology7 min read

This shows brain scans with the lack of anterior cingulate cortex activity

Seeing disfigured faces prompts negative brain and behavior responses

Neuroscience NewsMay 29, 2019

Neuroimaging reveals people experience a diminished neural response in the anterior cingulate cortex when shown images of others with facial disfigurements. A similar response is also seen when people view other stigmatized people, such as those who are homeless. The diminished activity may explain why people are less empathetic toward those who have facial disfigurements and may help explain the underlying neural mechanism for dehumanization. ... Read More...

FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology5 min read

This shows a person looking at the Twitter load screen on a cell phone

Twitter image colors and content could help identify users with depression, anxiety

Neuroscience NewsMay 15, 2019

Combining artificial intelligence and computer vision technology, researchers were able to determine anxiety and depression risks from peoples' Twitter profile pictures.... Read More...

Artificial Intelligencedeep learningFeaturedmachine learningNeuroscienceneurotechPsychology4 min read

Brain regions linked to memory and emotion help humans navigate smell

Neuroscience NewsApril 22, 2019

During navigation tasks using a 'smell scape', the entorhinal cortex and ventromedial prefrontal cortex elicit grid cell-like activity.... Read More...

FeaturedNeuroscience7 min read

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

News

The brain consumes half of a child’s energy, and that could matter for weight gain

Do video games drive obesity?

Stem cells reprogrammed into neurons could reveal drugs harmful to pregnancy

Neuroscience

The brain consumes half of a child’s energy, and that could matter for weight gain

Do video games drive obesity?

Stem cells reprogrammed into neurons could reveal drugs harmful to pregnancy

Neurology

Stem cells reprogrammed into neurons could reveal drugs harmful to pregnancy

Immune system can slow degenerative eye disease: Mouse study

Sleep history predicts late-life Alzheimer’s pathology

AI

The whisper of schizophrenia: Machine learning finds ‘sound’ words predict psychosis

AI used to detect brain’s response to multiple sclerosis treatment

Brain activation provides individual-level prediction of bipolar disorder risk

Robotics

Research moves closer to brain-machine interface autonomy

Six fingers per hand: Polydactyly equals extra motor ability

Dog-like robot made by students jumps, flips and trots

Psychology

Adolescence is the game-changer for schizophrenia

Pregnant women increase peripersonal space to ‘keep dangers at arm’s length’

Many choices seems promising until you actually have to choose

University of Pennsylvania

Children who nap midday are happier, excel academically, and have fewer behavioral problems

Brain regions linked to memory and emotion help humans navigate smell

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