FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·September 3, 2019·4 min readNo evidence that testosterone reduces cognitive empathyA new study challenges the existing theory that testosterone levels are linked to reduced cognitive empathy.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·July 19, 2019·3 min readTaking out the Protein Garbage Becomes More Difficult as Neurons AgeIn aging mice, the number of autophagosomes is significantly decreased, and pronounced defects in the structure of autophagosomes increased. Turning on the WIPI2B protein restores autophagosome formation in aged neurons.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·July 4, 2019·5 min readUnraveling the brain’s reward circuitsStudy reveals how ArGP and dopamine neurons are linked, and how food and drugs affect them differently. The findings offer clues for the development of new treatments for obesity and substance use disorders.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurologyNeuroscience·June 21, 2019·4 min readA new drug target for chemically induced Parkinson’s diseaseMitochondrial CYP2D6 may be a powerful target for the treatment of Parkinson's disease induced by MPTP.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·June 2, 2019·5 min readChildren who nap midday are happier, excel academically, and have fewer behavioral problemsChildren 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
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·May 29, 2019·4 min readSeeing disfigured faces prompts negative brain and behavior responsesNeuroimaging 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
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·May 15, 2019·3 min readTwitter image colors and content could help identify users with depression, anxietyCombining artificial intelligence and computer vision technology, researchers were able to determine anxiety and depression risks from peoples' Twitter profile pictures.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·April 22, 2019·5 min readBrain regions linked to memory and emotion help humans navigate smellDuring navigation tasks using a 'smell scape', the entorhinal cortex and ventromedial prefrontal cortex elicit grid cell-like activity.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·April 18, 2019·5 min readHow superstitions spreadA 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
FeaturedPsychology·April 9, 2019·5 min readEmpathy and cooperation go hand in handA 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
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·April 8, 2019·4 min readChildhood trauma has lasting effect on brain connectivity in patients with depressionStudy finds an association between resting state network connectivity abnormalities in those with major depressive disorder who experienced childhood trauma.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurologyNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·April 5, 2019·6 min readUnlocking the female bias in lupusDisruptions in maintaining X chromosome inactivation of T cells may explain why women are more prone to developing SLE than males.Read More