With flashy feathers and fancy moves, birds of paradise are already known for extravagant looks. But a trick that boosts that zing has been overlooked by science, until now. In…
Category: Life
Low-Normal B12 Levels Linked to Slower Brain Processing
Summary: Even when within the normal range, lower levels of vitamin B12 may contribute to cognitive decline, according to a new study. Researchers found that older adults with lower biologically…
Genetic Mutation Linked to Schizophrenia Alters Brain Function
Summary: Researchers identified a rare genetic mutation in two schizophrenia patients that increased schizophrenia-related behaviors in mice. The mutation led to higher levels of glycine decarboxylase (GLDC), an enzyme that…
Optimism and Pessimism Shape Resilience and Risk
Summary: Researchers examined how optimism and pessimism influenced well-being and behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analyzing data from a large-scale study of older adults, they found that optimism was linked…
The butts of these blowfly larvae mimic termite faces
In the insect world, impostors could be hiding anywhere. When lifting a stone during an expedition in the Anti-Atlas Mountains in Morocco, researchers came across an unusual sight: three blowfly…
How the Brain Ignores Distractions to Stay Focused
Summary: When focusing in noisy environments, the brain adjusts not by concentrating harder but by ignoring distractions that were previously disruptive. Researchers developed a neural network model showing that people…
Backyard birding elevates underrepresented voices in protecting urban biodiversity – Functional Ecologists
In this ‘Postcards from the Field’ blog post, Sebastian Moreno – a researcher and PhD candidate at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst – discusses the remarkable intersection of human behavior…
Vegetable and seed oils vs. Animal fat oil: Which Is the healthy choice
The seed oil versus animal fat debate has gone from a niche topic among wellness influencers on social media to an entire movement. … Many critics promote swapping seed oils…
Spiritual Practices Share a Common Mental Pathway to Deep Bliss
Summary: Researchers found that Buddhist jhāna meditation and Christian speaking in tongues, despite their differences, share a common cognitive feedback loop. This process, called the Attention, Arousal, and Release Spiral,…
15 Key Motives Drive Human Behavior
Summary: Researchers analyzed human motivation from an evolutionary perspective, identifying 15 key motives that drive behavior. These motives, grouped into five categories—environmental, physiological, reproductive, psychological, and social—reflect adaptations that helped…
