Brain mechanisms involved in learning also drive social conformity...

Jan 13, 2022 by

Research reported in the journal Psychophysiology has shown that the same brain systems known to play a role in learning from trial and error are also engaged when people conform to social norms. This indicates that changing your behavior...

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Math ability predicted by neurotransmitter levels

Sep 7, 2021 by

Researchers have discovered that a person’s math ability might be linked to levels of two chemical messengers in the brain: glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Oddly enough, the correlations were reversed in adults (lower GABA and higher glutamate =...

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Cognitive flexibility key to learning and creativity

Jul 22, 2021 by

Researchers from the University of Cambridge have found that cognitive flexibility appears to make people smarter in ways that aren’t always captured on IQ tests. Even in children, cognitive flexibility appears to improve reading abilities and school performance....

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Therapy dogs enhance college students’ thinking skills

Jul 20, 2021 by

A new piece of research from Washington State University has found that programs focused on petting therapy dogs increased the thinking and planning skills of stressed-out college students better than programs that included traditional stress-management information....

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Summer catch-up programs need to focus on teens’ wellbeing, not just academics...

Jul 15, 2021 by

New research published in the Journal of Affective Disorders indicates that it’s just as important that summer programs be focused on helping teens ages 11-6 with loneliness, social contact, parental relationships and mental health as academic progress...

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Anxiety associated with faster Alzheimer’s onset

Dec 15, 2020 by

Research presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North American have found that anxiety is associated with an increased rate of progression from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease....

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Stress in pregnancy may influence baby’s brain development

Dec 10, 2020 by

A team from the University of Edinburgh found that infants’ brains may be shaped by levels of stress their mother experiences during pregnancy....

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