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University of Pennsylvania

·April 22, 2019·5 min read

Brain regions linked to memory and emotion help humans navigate smell

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

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 18, 2019·5 min read

How superstitions spread

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.

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

Featured Psychology

·April 9, 2019·5 min read

Empathy and cooperation go hand in hand

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

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·April 8, 2019·4 min read

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

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

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 5, 2019·6 min read

Unlocking the female bias in lupus

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

Brain scans are shown as described in the caption.

Featured Genetics

·March 4, 2019·2 min read

Genetic Factors Influence Human Brain Expansion

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

Featured Genetics

·February 1, 2019·3 min read

Newly Discovered Gene Governs Need for Sleep When Sick

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.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·January 12, 2019·6 min read

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

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.

Featured Neuroscience

·December 1, 2018·7 min read

Bigger Brains Are Smarter, But Not By Much

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

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 11, 2018·4 min read

Neural Link Between Altruism and Empathy Toward Strangers

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.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 27, 2018·4 min read

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

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.