How your brain keeps time: Consistent probability calculations help you react rapidly Humans respond to environments that change at many different speeds. A video game player, for example, reacts to on-screen events unfolding within hundreds of milliseconds or over several seconds. A boxer anticipates an opponent's moves—even when their timing differs from that of previous opponents. In each case, the brain predicts when events occur, prepares for what comes next and flexibly adapts to the demands of the situation. Read More
Hormone estradiol shapes women’s brain responses to threat after trauma, study finds Women are more than twice as likely as men to develop stress-related conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but the biological mechanisms underlying that risk have remained poorly understood. New research from Emory University School of Medicine provides the first direct evidence in humans that the ovarian hormone estradiol plays a key role in shaping how the brain responds to perceived threats after trauma. Read More
‘Motivation brake’ may explain why it’s so hard to get started on an unpleasant task Most of us know the feeling: maybe it is making a difficult phone call, starting a report you fear will be criticized, or preparing a presentation that's stressful just to think about. You understand what needs to be done, yet taking that very first step feels surprisingly hard. Read More
Dry January, T-breaks and the myth of willpower: An alternative reset in the New Year Many Canadians start the new year with attempts to abstain from alcohol and cannabis for the month of January. However, this all-or-nothing approach to a healthier lifestyle may be unsustainable for many due to complex biological and psychosocial drivers that trigger substance use in the first place. Fear not, abstinence isn't the only option. Read More
Pharmacists and female pharmacy technicians face higher suicide risk, study shows A new national study led by researchers from University of California San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences reveals that pharmacists and female pharmacy technicians face a significantly higher risk of suicide compared to their counterparts in the general population. Read More
Why grieving a pet can be as hard as grieving a person For many of us, pets are more than just animals. They are family. So, when a beloved pet dies, the grief can feel overwhelming. Read More
Breastfeeding may lower moms’ later life depression/anxiety risks for up to 10 years after pregnancy Breastfeeding may lower mothers' later life risks of depression and anxiety for up to 10 years after pregnancy, suggest the findings of a small observational study, published in the open access journal BMJ Open. Read More
Blue Monday is a myth but winter blues are real—how to cope in the cold months In 2005, psychologist Cliff Arnall coined the term "Blue Monday" as part of a marketing campaign for a British travel agency to encourage people to book a holiday during the winter. Using a pseudo-scientific formula, the third Monday in January was determined to be the "bluest" day of the year, marked by sadness, low energy and withdrawal from social interaction. Read More
Interpersonal and self-inflicted violence linked to outdoor temperature spikes Warming temperatures are connected to increases in violence-related hospital visits—including both interpersonal and self-inflicted violence—according to a new analysis of 14 years of Medicaid claims data. Read More
Facial expressions decoded: Brain regions work together in surprising new ways When a baby smiles at you, it's almost impossible not to smile back. This spontaneous reaction to a facial expression is part of the back-and-forth that allows us to understand each other's emotions and mental states. Read More