New research reveals we can swiftly gauge a crowd's trustworthiness by averaging faces' features, even with brief glances. This ability to form "ensemble perceptions" helps us make quick social decisions.
Harvard researchers discovered that zebrafish can develop complex neural circuits and behaviors without sensory input, suggesting genetics alone may shape brain connectivity.
Through a novel verbal associative task, researchers demonstrated how sleep strengthens weak connections and forms new associations between event elements, enhancing our ability to recall interconnected details from minimal cues. This process, linked to sleep spindles, underscores sleep's vital function...
Australian scientists' study in Human Brain Mapping shows brain function during tasks is partly genetic. This insight into how genes and environment shape our cognition and emotion processing could lead to personalized mental health interventions.
Recent research has illuminated why foods high in fats and sugars seem so irresistible. Through detailed study, scientists discovered separate brain pathways activated by fats and sugars, which significantly heighten our desire for such foods. This insight into the gut-brain...
Scientists discovered a gene, "RetroMyelin," from ancient viruses, essential for myelination in vertebrates, suggesting viral sequences in early vertebrate genomes were pivotal for developing complex brains. This breakthrough in Cell unravels how myelination evolved, highlighting its significance in vertebrate diversity.
Researchers discovered dopamine plays a crucial role in adapting decisions to changing situations. Using PET and fMRI scans, they found dopamine increases in the brain's reward center during task changes, aiding learning from mistakes.
New research reveals our internal biological clock significantly influences mood and well-being, with anxiety and depression peaking in the morning. This study, conducted in a controlled environment, offers insights into how circadian rhythms might affect mental health, independent of daily...
A study reveals that our brains better remember and connect information from people we like. Conducted by Lund University researchers, it shows how social preferences influence learning and memory integration, with implications for understanding social biases and polarization.
New research indicates crisis-related stimuli, like Hurricane Harvey and COVID-19, do not significantly disrupt cognitive attention in university students, unlike conventional emotional stimuli. This challenges assumptions about the salience of crises in affecting attentional processes.
Researchers showed that connectivity between different brain regions is more elaborate when letters are formed by hand. This improved brain connectivity, which is crucial to memory building and information encoding, may indicate that writing by hand supports learning.
Researchers discovered oligodendrocytes in the brain boost energy intake in response to neuronal activity, crucial for rapid signal transmission and brain health.
Tokyo University scientists found that oxytocin, a brain chemical, enhances memory in mice. By activating oxytocin-producing neurons, mice improved at recognizing objects over time. This discovery could help address memory disorders and provides insights into cognitive function.
New research explores the potential of AI to not just mimic human conversation but fundamentally supplant many aspects human cognition. The work, published in the journal Neuropsychology, raises concerns about the risks that AI chatbots might pose to higher order...
Researchers have demonstrated that lucid dreamers can control and respond to a virtual environment in their dreams, successfully navigating a virtual car. This study, published in the International Journal of Dream Research, marks a significant advancement in dream control technology.