Summary: A new study highlights the significant role of imagination in evoking empathy and driving prosocial behavior. While empathy is multifaceted, this research focuses on two aspects: personal distress and…
Category: Psychology
Peptide PACAP’s Key Role in Alcohol Addiction
Summary: Alcohol, the world’s most common addictive substance, leads to $249 billion in annual costs and 88,000 deaths in the U.S. Alcohol use disorder affects millions but is under-treated. Researchers…
RNA’s Pivotal Role in Fear Memory and PTSD Treatment
Summary: Researchers have revealed a groundbreaking role of RNA in fear-related learning and memory. Their study shows how noncoding RNA Gas5 influences neuronal excitability, impacting learning and memory processes. Another…
Lactobacillus Bacteria May Guard Against Anxiety and Depression
Summary: Researchers have discovered the significant role of Lactobacillus, a bacterium in fermented foods and yogurt, in managing stress and potentially preventing depression and anxiety. This research is crucial for…
Reshaping the OCD Brain: How Therapy Alters Neural Connectivity
Summary: A new study reveals that exposure and response prevention (EX/RP), a primary therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), effectively reshapes brain connectivity. This therapy enhances cognitive control by strengthening connections…
Placebo Power: Patient Belief in Treatment Impacts Depression Therapy Effectiveness
Summary: A new study sheds light on the significant role of patients’ beliefs in the effectiveness of neurostimulation treatments for conditions like depression and ADHD. Analyzing five studies, the research…
Internet Usage and Mental Health
Summary: A comprehensive study analyzing data from two million individuals across 168 countries, challenges the widely held belief about the negative psychological impact of internet technologies. Researchers found only small…
Partisan Media Bias Shapes AI Sentiment
Summary: Researchers uncovered how partisan media sentiment influences public perception of artificial intelligence (AI). They analyzed over 7,500 articles from both liberal and conservative media, finding that liberal-leaning media exhibit…
TV Quiz Shows Shed Light on Human Physiology Under Stress
Summary: Cognitive scientists used the British TV show “Mastermind” to study human physiology under high-stress conditions, impossible to replicate in a lab. Analyzing contestants’ blinking patterns, the researchers gained insights…
