AutismFeaturedNeuroscience·April 8, 2025·5 min readAI and VR System Detects Autism in Kids with Over 85% AccuracyResearchers have developed a virtual reality and AI-based system that can detect autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in young children with over 85% accuracy—outperforming traditional assessment methods. The system observes children's motor movements and gaze patterns while they engage in tasks within immersive virtual environments, enabling more naturalistic responses than typical lab settings.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·March 25, 2025·6 min readVirtual Reality Reveals Hidden Brain Patterns in Kids With ADHDResearchers used a virtual reality game and functional MRI to uncover how children's brains with ADHD respond differently during active tasks. Unlike traditional brain scans taken during rest, this immersive approach revealed distinct patterns of neural communication in ADHD, especially in deeper brain structures.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·February 28, 2025·5 min readNew Tech Lets You Taste Digital FoodScientists have developed e-Taste, a novel technology that digitally replicates taste in virtual environments. Using chemical sensors and wireless dispensers, the system captures and transmits taste data remotely, enabling users to experience sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami flavors.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·November 18, 2024·4 min readConfined Spaces Change How We Smell and Experience FoodResearchers found that confined environments, like the International Space Station, alter the way people perceive food aromas, with emotions significantly coloring their responses. Using virtual reality to simulate space conditions, participants reported stronger smells for most aromas, except lemongrass, compared to a microgravity posture.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·October 23, 2024·6 min readYouth Face Rising Risks of Harassment and Exploitation in the MetaverseA new study reveals that youth are vulnerable to various forms of harm in the metaverse, including bullying, harassment, and sexual exploitation. Using data from over 5,000 U.S. teens, researchers found significant incidents of hate speech, sexual harassment, and grooming behavior in virtual reality (VR) spaces.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·May 20, 2024·4 min readVR Unveils Brain’s GPS Response to IllusionsResearchers successfully induced illusions of self-location in participants using multi-sensory virtual reality (VR). They observed corresponding changes in the brain's grid cells, which are responsible for spatial navigation. This study is the first to demonstrate that purely cognitive changes in self-location, without physical movement or visual cues, can trigger activity in grid cells.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·May 6, 2024·5 min readVirtual Reality Shows Promise in Treating DepressionA new study demonstrates the potential of virtual reality (VR) in treating major depressive disorder (MDD). Using extended reality-enhanced behavioral activation (XR-BA), researchers found that VR interventions could match the effectiveness of traditional behavioral activation therapies.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·April 29, 2024·4 min readNew VR Technique Enhances Dance LearningResearchers developed a groundbreaking virtual reality technique called WAVE to enhance the learning of dance choreography. The technique uses a wave-like visualization of model dancers, enabling learners to anticipate and execute dance moves without prior rehearsal.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·March 6, 2024·7 min readPTSD: Virtual Reality and Magnetic Stimulation Provide ReliefResearchers demonstrated promising results for PTSD treatment in military veterans by combining brain stimulation with virtual reality exposure therapy. The clinical trial showed significant reductions in PTSD symptoms among participants who received low electrical current brain stimulation during virtual reality sessions designed to simulate warzone experiences.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·February 29, 2024·5 min readImpaired Spatial Navigation May Signal Early Alzheimer’sResearchers have pioneered a study using virtual reality (VR) to identify early signs of Alzheimer’s disease through impaired spatial navigation in asymptomatic adults at risk. By testing 100 middle-aged adults with genetic, familial, or lifestyle risk factors for Alzheimer's, the study discovered that spatial navigation difficulties in VR environments precede traditional cognitive decline symptoms.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·November 14, 2023·5 min readPhantom Touch: VR Reveals New Insights in Human PerceptionResearchers discovered a 'phantom touch illusion' in virtual reality (VR), where users feel sensations without physical contact. This study, involving 36 volunteers, demonstrated that participants experienced a tingling sensation when virtually touching their bodies.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·August 28, 2023·8 min readWatch to Eat Less: VR Videos Curb Candy CravingsResearchers find that watching immersive videos of candy consumption can significantly reduce one's craving for sweets. Participants who viewed the video 30 times ate an average of a third less candy compared to the control group.Read More
