Mind

Study Reveals How Brain Works During Speech

Everytime we speak, we are engaging nearly 100 different muscles in our lips, jaw, tongue and throat. Now, a new UC San Francisco study shows how the brain works during speech and suggests promising results to help create prosthetic devices for those who are unable to speak. The new study is published in Neuron. More Read More
Screen Time Can Cause Insomnia, Depression in Teens

A new study indicates that higher amounts of daily screen time can cause insomnia and depression in young people. Today, teenagers and adolescents spend a great amount of time texting, gaming, web-surfing, watching videos and scrolling through social media on their devices. These habits are damaging their mental health. “Higher rates of depressive symptoms among Read More
A Healthy Social Life Can Save Grandma’s Memory

Having strong social ties can cause memory improvement in old age, according to a new study by The Ohio State University researchers. They determined that mice living in groups developed better memories and had healthier brains than mice living in pairs of two. “Having lots of friends probably boosts your memory while having fewer makes Read More
Dining Out? Pay Attention to the Music Before You Order

Would you still be in the mood for a cheeseburger and fries if soft, calming music is being played at a restaurant? According to a new study by the University of South Florida, the answer is probably not. The USF researchers found that background music in a restaurant has an impact on diners’ food Read More
Leg Exercise Deemed Pivotal for Brain Health

It’s common knowledge that a healthy body is reliant on a healthy brain, but a new study shows that the ability to walk, run, crouch and use leg muscles to lift things also benefits the brain and nervous system. Researchers from two universities in Italy — the University of Milan and the University of Pavia Read More
Robots: Counselors That Truly Listen

Researchers at the University of Plymouth have proven, for the first time, that robots can conduct a helpful, enjoyable motivational interview (MI). MI is a technique used in psychiatry that involves a counselor asking questions and encouraging someone to explain their need and reasons for wanting change in their lives. The use of robots allows Read More
Better Education Leads to Longer Lifespan

A new study by researchers from the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis and the Vienna University of Economics and Business has found that life expectancy is best predicted by a person’s level of education. The new research challenges the conventional knowledge that connects income level to lifespan. Samuel Preston first demonstrated this connection in Read More
Cognitive Gains From Meditation Remain 7 Years Later

Cognitive gains developed through intensive meditation can last for years, a new study suggests. The study is part of the Shamatha Project, a comprehensive longitudinal study on the varied effects of meditation on human cognition, psychology and biology. The research is published in the Journal of Cognitive Enhancement. Led by Clifford Saron, a research scientist Read More
Lullabies and Rock Shows: How Music Makes Us Social

Music, from a very young age, has an enormous impact on human emotions, development, and social interactions. The more scientists learn about the way people process music, the better they can understand perception, multisensory integration, and social coordination throughout someone’s life. Two separate studies, which were recently presented at the 25th meeting of the Cognitive Read More
New Study Shows How to Overcome Embarrassment

Mental training may be the key to overcoming embarrassment and helping people avoid humiliation or distress, a new study suggests. Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) have found that when people train their mind to be an observer, rather than an active participant, in an embarrassing situation, Read More
Mindfulness Can Improve Problem-Solving Skills

Mindfulness can increase the capacity to solve computer-engineering problems, according to a recent study conducted by a team of researchers from the University of Seville, Spain. The paper is published in the Journal of Systems and Software. What is Mindfulness? In the field of psychology, mindfulness is to be fully aware of the present. The Read More
Visualizing Successful Futures Can Help Students ‘Navigate Everyday Stressors’

Researchers at Northwestern University have found that identity-based motivation, or the practice of imagining a successful future for oneself, can help students get past their everyday challenges and stresses. The study was led by Mesmin Destin, associate professor in the School of Education and Social Policy and the Department of Psychology at Northwestern University, and Read More
Writing ‘To-Do’ Lists Can Help You ‘Fall Asleep Faster’

Researchers at Baylor University have recently demonstrated that writing a “to-do” list before bed may reduce the amount of time it takes to fall asleep. “We live in a 24/7 culture in which our to-do lists seem to be constantly growing and causing us to worry about unfinished tasks at bedtime,” Michael K. Scullin, lead Read More
Mindfulness Training Can Reduce Student Stress Even During Exams

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have proven mindfulness training as an effective way to limit student stress even during exam time. Stress levels among college students have grown tremendously in recent years. According to a University of Cambridge press release, the number of students engaged in counseling services in the UK grew 50 percent Read More
Lancaster University Develops App to Tackle Loneliness

A team of researchers from Lancaster University in the UK has developed an app — the “Social Connectedness App” — that can help cure loneliness in older adults. The research to create the “Social Connectedness App” is part of the “Mobile Age” project, and was funded by Horizon 2020 EU. The “Mobile Age” project has Read More