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…
Category: Life
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…
Why Some People Remember Dreams and Others Don’t
Summary: A new study explores why some people vividly recall dreams while others forget them. Researchers found that dream recall is influenced by personality traits, sleep patterns, and even seasonal…
Viewpoint: Fox News heads deeper down the science-ignorant fox hole
In the media, every food is either a magical cure-all or a hidden danger lurking in your pantry. Instead of addressing our poor lifestyle choices, they chase sensationalized nutrition fads…
Depression Speeds Up Physical Illness
Summary: Adults with a history of depression develop long-term physical conditions about 30% faster than those without, according to a large study. Researchers analyzed data from over 172,000 participants and…
Prenatal Stress Hormones Alter Brain Development
Summary: Environmental factors like stress and medication exposure during pregnancy can shape brain development, but the mechanisms remain unclear. Researchers used brain organoids to study the effects of synthetic glucocorticoids,…
