Social Drinking Activates Dopamine and Elevates Mood

Summary: New research reveals why alcohol makes people feel happier in social settings but not when drinking alone. Using fruit flies, scientists discovered that dopamine in the brain plays a…

Study Finds Americans Have More Friends Than Previously Thought

Summary: American adults typically have more friends than recent surveys suggest, with fewer reporting no friends at all. The survey found that an average American adult has four to five…

Study Shows Narcissism Declines with Age

Summary: A study reveals that narcissism decreases from childhood to older adulthood, though individual differences remain stable over time. People who are more narcissistic as children tend to stay that…

First Neandertal with Down Syndrome: Evidence of Altruistic Care in Prehistory

Summary: A new study documents the first case of Down syndrome in a Neandertal child named “Tina,” found in Spain. Despite severe hearing loss and vertigo, Tina survived to at…

Autism Social Difficulties Linked to Specific Gene

Summary: Researchers shed light on the genetic underpinnings of social behavior, focusing on the gene GTF2I’s role in Williams syndrome and its contrast in autism spectrum disorders. The study, utilizing…

Shaping Empathy: Adult Brains Can Learn Compassion

Summary: Empathy, often considered a fixed trait, has been shown to be malleable in adults, influenced by observing the empathetic reactions of others. The study utilized Computational Modeling and functional…

Ketamine’s Key to Unlocking Social Bonding in Depression

Summary: Researchers made a significant breakthrough in understanding how ketamine treats depression-related social impairments, focusing on the drug’s effects in the mouse model. Their study shows that (R)-ketamine, as opposed…

Loneliness Linked to Negative Eating Behaviors

Summary: Researchers reveals significant associations between social isolation, loneliness, and detrimental food and eating behaviors, uncovering the intricate relationship between emotional well-being and dietary habits. The study, involving 29 research…

Violence Spreads Like Contagion in Certain Groups

Summary: A recent study highlights how violence among members of the Italian mafia spreads contagiously, with those committing violent acts in groups more likely to continue such behavior in the…

People Likely to Conceal Contagious Sickness for Social Commitments

Summary: A significant number of people, including healthcare workers, conceal infectious illnesses to maintain their work and social commitments. The study, involving over 4,100 participants, found that 75% had hidden…