A Letter of the Alphabet We Can Read But Not Write?Researchers say most people are not aware that two forms of the letter 'g' exist and, for those who are aware, most can not correctly identify or write the typeset version we usually see. The findings suggest the important role writing styles play in letter learning.Read More
Surprise Can Be an Agent of Social ChangeSurprise, researchers say, not only has effects on the beliefs of an individual, but also collective effects on the content of culture. As a result, surprise can lead people to change attitudes, shift preconceptions and inspire social change.Read More
Parkinson’s Disease and Binge EatingA new study sheds light on why some people with Parkinson's disease binge eat. Researchers report working memory impairment and alterations in reward sensitivity could be behind why binge eating can be problematic in those with Parkinson's.Read More
Long Term Caffeine Use Worsens Alzheimer’s SymptomsA new study reports caffeine may worsen neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease. Caffeine, researchers report, exacerbates neophobia, anxiety and cognitive flexibility in mouse models of the disease.Read More
We’ll Pay More for Unhealthy Foods We CraveAccording to a new NYU study, people are willing to pay more money for unhealthy foods when craving them. Additionally, we are willing to pay disproportionately more for bigger portion sizes of the foods we crave.Read More
People Use Emotion to Persuade, Even When it Could BackfireResearchers reveal people tend to be more persuaded towards appeals that are infused with emotion, regardless of whether they are negative or positive.Read More
How to Make a Good Impression When Saying “Hello”A new voice manipulation algorithm allows researchers to visualize the neural codes people use to judge others by the tone of their voices.Read More
Opioid Use Prevalent Among Electronic Dance Music PartygoersResearchers report 10 percent of people who have attended EDM events have misused opioids in the past 12 months. The number, researchers say, exceeds national averages. Oxycontin was reported to be the most widely misused drug within the scene.Read More
From Lullabies to Live Concerts: How Music and Rhythm Shape Our Social BrainsResearchers reveal lullabies help sooth both baby and mom simultaneously. Additionally, playing music to babies help increase their attention and positive displays of emotion to their mothers.Read More
Narcissists Don’t Hunt for Partners Who Are Already Taken, But That Does Not Stop ThemNarcissists show interest in specific targets for relationships, and are not generally concerned as to whether the potential partner is currently in a relationship or not, researchers report. However, researchers note, narcissists are more likely to engage in 'mate poaching' than those who do not have this personality trait.Read More
Strategic Expression: Facial Expressions as Tools for Social InfluenceA new study debunks the assumption that facial expressions simply reveal human emotion. Researchers report our facial expressions stem primarily from our intentions.Read More
Music Lessons Improve Children’s Cognitive Skills and Academic PerformanceAccording to a new Frontiers in Neuroscience study, children who participate in structured music lessons showed enhancements in cognitive abilities over their peers who did not receive music lessons. The researchers note the improvements in short term memory, language based reasoning and planning seen in children who had music lessons had a positive impact on academic achievement.Read More
