Cognitive Science
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Here’s How Astronauts Maintain Health in Space
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) face unique health challenges due to the effects of microgravity. Ongoing research focuses on monitoring cardiovascular health, muscle fitness, cognitive performance, and sensory perception. Wearable Bio-Monitor sensors track vital signs such as pulse rate and blood pressure, while devices lik...
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Early Human Ancestors Had Plant-Based Diets, Research Suggests
New research reveals that Australopithecus africanus, an early human ancestor, primarily ate plants. Fossilised tooth analysis suggests meat was not a major part of their diet. This study, published in Science, challenges the idea that early hominins relied on animal protein for cognitive development. Researchers point out the possibility of insect...
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Green Tea May Protect Aging Brains, New Study Suggests
A study by Kanazawa University has linked daily green tea consumption to reduced white matter lesions in older adults without dementia.
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What Delusions Can Tell Us About The Cognitive Nature Of Belief
Beliefs are convictions of reality that we accept as true. They provide us with the basic mental scaffolding to understand and engage meaningfully in our world. Beliefs remain fundamental to our behaviour and identity, but are not well understood.
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Study Reveals Chimpanzees Exhibit Varying Nut-Cracking Skills Within Same Group
A new study has revealed significant variation in the nut-cracking abilities of chimpanzees within the same group, highlighting differences in their cognitive and motor skills. Researchers analysed 3,882 video-recorded attempts by wild chimpanzees in Bossou, Guinea, to crack open oil palm nuts. The study found that some chimps were highly skilled, ...
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Dogs Demonstrate Intentional Communication Using Soundboards, Study Finds
New research from UC San Diego reveals dogs can use soundboards to communicate intentionally, forming two-word combinations like "outside" and "potty" to make specific requests. The study, based on 21 months of data from 152 dogs, shows these behaviours are deliberate rather than random, with potential to transform human-canine relationships. Futur...
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Ancient Fossil Bird Skull Reveals Roots of Avian Intelligence, Finds New Study
Researchers have uncovered a well-preserved skull of Navaornis hestiae, an ancient bird from 80 million years ago, marking a crucial discovery for understanding the evolution of avian intelligence. Found in Brazil, this fossil bridges a 70-million-year gap in bird evolution between Archaeopteryx and today's birds, showcasing intermediate brain deve...
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Cats Associate More with Words Compared to Human Babies, New Study Reveals
New research shows cats have the ability to link words and images faster than toddlers, suggesting a surprising cognitive ability in felines. Conducted at Azabu University in Japan, the study used visual cues to reveal that cats could recognise altered word-image pairings, showing signs of confusion and attention to detail. The findings, published ...
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Research Shows What Happens to Your Brain When You Watch a Movie
Neuroscientists have mapped brain activity in people watching movies, showing how different networks respond to scenes involving people, objects, and action. Complex scenes activated brain regions linked to executive functions like problem-solving, while simpler dialogues primarily engaged language processing areas. The study, based on data from th...
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Ancient Trade Symbols on Cylinder Seals: Key to Proto-Cuneiform and the Roots of Writing
Researchers have highlighted the influence of ancient Mesopotamian trade symbols on cylinder seals in shaping the earliest forms of writing. These symbols, used in trade transactions, may have evolved into proto-cuneiform, marking a key cognitive shift from image-based to structured writing in early cities like Uruk. The findings aim to bridge unde...
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Aerobic Exercise Improves Cognitive Function in Women Undergoing Chemotherapy
A Canadian study found that women with breast cancer who engaged in aerobic exercise during chemotherapy experienced improved cognitive function, often referred to as “chemo-brain.” This clinical trial, involving 57 women, highlighted the positive effects of physical activity on mental clarity and overall quality of life. Although formal cognit...
-
Mental Fatigue Linked to Heightened Cravings and Unhealthy Choices, Study Shows
A recent study published in PNAS Nexus finds that mental fatigue from cognitive tasks can increase cravings, leading to a stronger preference for unhealthy choices. Both rats and humans exposed to mentally demanding tasks showed heightened appeal for rewards, with rats consuming more drugs and humans craving salty snacks. Findings suggest that cogn...
-
Brain Injuries May Raise the Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease, Say Researchers
Recent findings from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center suggest that traumatic brain injuries (TBI) may significantly increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The study highlights the role of the BAG3 protein in clearing harmful proteins from the brain. Enhancing BAG3 could potentially mitigate the cognitive decline assoc...
-
Here's How Creativity Helps Brain Health and Emotional Resilience
Engaging in creative activities, such as painting, music, and writing, provides numerous benefits for brain health and emotional resilience. Research in neuroarts demonstrates that creativity enhances cognitive functions, improves memory retention, and reduces anxiety levels. Simple creative outlets like doodling or crafting can significantly aid i...
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Brain Ageing in Monkeys Delays After Being Given Diabetes Medicine Metformin, Study Shows
A recent study has highlighted the potential of metformin, a commonly used diabetes medication, in slowing the ageing process in monkeys. Published in Cell on 12 September, the research shows that daily doses of metformin can preserve cognitive function and delay the ageing effects on various tissues, particularly the brain. This study brings forwa...
-
Here’s How Astronauts Maintain Health in Space
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) face unique health challenges due to the effects of microgravity. Ongoing research focuses on monitoring cardiovascular health, muscle fitness, cognitive performance, and sensory perception. Wearable Bio-Monitor sensors track vital signs such as pulse rate and blood pressure, while devices lik...
-
Early Human Ancestors Had Plant-Based Diets, Research Suggests
New research reveals that Australopithecus africanus, an early human ancestor, primarily ate plants. Fossilised tooth analysis suggests meat was not a major part of their diet. This study, published in Science, challenges the idea that early hominins relied on animal protein for cognitive development. Researchers point out the possibility of insect...
-
Green Tea May Protect Aging Brains, New Study Suggests
A study by Kanazawa University has linked daily green tea consumption to reduced white matter lesions in older adults without dementia.
-
What Delusions Can Tell Us About The Cognitive Nature Of Belief
Beliefs are convictions of reality that we accept as true. They provide us with the basic mental scaffolding to understand and engage meaningfully in our world. Beliefs remain fundamental to our behaviour and identity, but are not well understood.
-
Study Reveals Chimpanzees Exhibit Varying Nut-Cracking Skills Within Same Group
A new study has revealed significant variation in the nut-cracking abilities of chimpanzees within the same group, highlighting differences in their cognitive and motor skills. Researchers analysed 3,882 video-recorded attempts by wild chimpanzees in Bossou, Guinea, to crack open oil palm nuts. The study found that some chimps were highly skilled, ...
-
Dogs Demonstrate Intentional Communication Using Soundboards, Study Finds
New research from UC San Diego reveals dogs can use soundboards to communicate intentionally, forming two-word combinations like "outside" and "potty" to make specific requests. The study, based on 21 months of data from 152 dogs, shows these behaviours are deliberate rather than random, with potential to transform human-canine relationships. Futur...
-
Ancient Fossil Bird Skull Reveals Roots of Avian Intelligence, Finds New Study
Researchers have uncovered a well-preserved skull of Navaornis hestiae, an ancient bird from 80 million years ago, marking a crucial discovery for understanding the evolution of avian intelligence. Found in Brazil, this fossil bridges a 70-million-year gap in bird evolution between Archaeopteryx and today's birds, showcasing intermediate brain deve...
-
Cats Associate More with Words Compared to Human Babies, New Study Reveals
New research shows cats have the ability to link words and images faster than toddlers, suggesting a surprising cognitive ability in felines. Conducted at Azabu University in Japan, the study used visual cues to reveal that cats could recognise altered word-image pairings, showing signs of confusion and attention to detail. The findings, published ...
-
Research Shows What Happens to Your Brain When You Watch a Movie
Neuroscientists have mapped brain activity in people watching movies, showing how different networks respond to scenes involving people, objects, and action. Complex scenes activated brain regions linked to executive functions like problem-solving, while simpler dialogues primarily engaged language processing areas. The study, based on data from th...
-
Ancient Trade Symbols on Cylinder Seals: Key to Proto-Cuneiform and the Roots of Writing
Researchers have highlighted the influence of ancient Mesopotamian trade symbols on cylinder seals in shaping the earliest forms of writing. These symbols, used in trade transactions, may have evolved into proto-cuneiform, marking a key cognitive shift from image-based to structured writing in early cities like Uruk. The findings aim to bridge unde...
-
Aerobic Exercise Improves Cognitive Function in Women Undergoing Chemotherapy
A Canadian study found that women with breast cancer who engaged in aerobic exercise during chemotherapy experienced improved cognitive function, often referred to as “chemo-brain.” This clinical trial, involving 57 women, highlighted the positive effects of physical activity on mental clarity and overall quality of life. Although formal cognit...
-
Mental Fatigue Linked to Heightened Cravings and Unhealthy Choices, Study Shows
A recent study published in PNAS Nexus finds that mental fatigue from cognitive tasks can increase cravings, leading to a stronger preference for unhealthy choices. Both rats and humans exposed to mentally demanding tasks showed heightened appeal for rewards, with rats consuming more drugs and humans craving salty snacks. Findings suggest that cogn...
-
Brain Injuries May Raise the Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease, Say Researchers
Recent findings from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center suggest that traumatic brain injuries (TBI) may significantly increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The study highlights the role of the BAG3 protein in clearing harmful proteins from the brain. Enhancing BAG3 could potentially mitigate the cognitive decline assoc...
-
Here's How Creativity Helps Brain Health and Emotional Resilience
Engaging in creative activities, such as painting, music, and writing, provides numerous benefits for brain health and emotional resilience. Research in neuroarts demonstrates that creativity enhances cognitive functions, improves memory retention, and reduces anxiety levels. Simple creative outlets like doodling or crafting can significantly aid i...
-
Brain Ageing in Monkeys Delays After Being Given Diabetes Medicine Metformin, Study Shows
A recent study has highlighted the potential of metformin, a commonly used diabetes medication, in slowing the ageing process in monkeys. Published in Cell on 12 September, the research shows that daily doses of metformin can preserve cognitive function and delay the ageing effects on various tissues, particularly the brain. This study brings forwa...
