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University of Pennsylvania

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.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·August 2, 2018·5 min read

Machine Learning Links Dimensions of Mental Illness to Brain Network Abnormalities

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

Featured Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·July 20, 2018·7 min read

Greening Vacant Lots Reduce Feelings of Depression in City Dwellers

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.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 3, 2018·6 min read

Brain Stimulation Decreases Intent to Commit Assault

A new study reveals the desire to carry our physical or sexual assault can be curbed with the help of tDCS. The brain stimulation technique also increases the perception in potential offenders that such violence is morally wrong.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 25, 2018·5 min read

In the Brain, Dislike and Dehumanization Are Not the Same Thing

A new neuroimaging study reveals dehumanization and dislike are processed by two separate brain regions, suggesting there may be two distinct psychological processes at work.

Featured Psychology

·June 19, 2018·3 min read

Liberals Do Drink More Lattes, But Not For the Reasons You Think

A new study reveals more liberal minded people drink more lattes because they are more open to globalization. By contrast, those who support right wing ideologies prefer regular coffee due to their nationalistic tendencies and opposition to what they consider to be 'foreign products'.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 4, 2018·3 min read

Why Do Some Sleep Deprived People Experience Worse Cognitive Function Than Others?

A new study reports microRNAs in the blood are altered as a result of sleep deprivation. Researchers used MiRNA alterations as a biomarker to determine cognitive performance following psychological stress and sleep loss.