Psychology News and Research

RSS

Psychology is the study of human mental functions, behavior and processes.

Dopamine vital for rhythmic expression in specific brain regions: Research

Daily sleeping and eating patterns are critical to human well-being and health. Now, a new study from Concordia University has demonstrated how the brain chemical dopamine regulates these cycles by altering the activity of the "clock-protein" PER2. Published in the Journal of Neuroscience, these findings may have implications for individuals with Parkinson's Disease with disrupted 24-hour rhythms of activity and sleep.

21 Oct 2010

Study finds different activity patterns of genes in brain of individuals with different genetic backgrounds

Researchers at the Allen Institute for Brain Science have found that the same genes have different activity patterns in the brain in individuals with different genetic backgrounds. These findings may help to explain individual differences in the effectiveness and side-effect profiles of therapeutic drugs and thus have implications for personalized medicine. The study is available in this week's online early edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (www.pnas.org).

20 Oct 2010

Research offers important insight into symptoms of Parkinson's disease

An international collaboration led by academics at the University of Sheffield, has shed new light into Parkinson's disease, which could help with the development of cures or treatments in the future.

20 Oct 2010

Study shows impaired insulin sensitivity may serve as mediator between obesity and cognitive decline

Because of impairments in their insulin sensitivity, obese individuals demonstrate different brain responses than their normal-weight peers while completing a challenging cognitive task, according to new research by psychologists at The University of Texas at Austin.

20 Oct 2010

New ADNI-GO effort enables researchers to study Alzheimer's disease

Volunteers in New York, NY are being sought for a clinical study examining the subtle changes that may take place in the brains of older people many years before overt symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) appear. Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center are specifically looking for people with the very earliest complaints of memory problems that affect their daily activities. The study will follow participants over time, using imaging techniques specifically developed to advance research into changes taking place in the structure and function of the living brain, as well as biomarker measures found in blood and cerebrospinal fluid.

19 Oct 2010

Possibilities of genetics research, personalized medicine, and behavioral intervention

Personalized medicine - improving the fit between patient and treatment - has become a major focus of research in fields from cancer treatment to the psychopharmacology of mental disorders. Genetic studies have suggested that an individual's genetic makeup renders him either more or less sensitive to stressful social environments - but can an individual's unique genotype also determine the effectiveness of preventative or therapeutic behavioral interventions?

18 Oct 2010

Researchers discover blocking beta-arrestin 1 protein can reduce severity of heart failure

A Nova Southeastern University (NSU) researcher has announced a breakthrough discovery to block a protein that can contribute to heart failure. His discovery will appear in an upcoming issue of the prestigious medical journal, the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

18 Oct 2010

Victorian abortion clinics ask for exclusion zones

There is a proposal for exclusion zones around Victorian abortion clinics to stop protesters harassing patients and staff.

17 Oct 2010

Belief in willpower influences behavior

It could happen to students cramming for exams, people working long hours or just about anyone burning the candle at both ends: Something tells you to take a break. Watch some TV. Have a candy bar. Goof off, tune out for a bit and come back to the task at hand when you're feeling better. After all, you're physically exhausted.

15 Oct 2010

A bad job is worse than unemployment: Mental health study

According to the latest research a bad job is worse than unemployment for a person’s mental health. The study was published today in the journal BMC Public Health. Australian National University (ANU) researchers conducted the study.

14 Oct 2010

Highlighting calories, saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium in food packaging nutrition rating systems needed

Nutrition rating systems and symbols on the fronts of food packaging would be most useful to shoppers if they highlighted four nutrients of greatest concern - calories, saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium - says a new report from the Institute of Medicine. These food components are routinely overconsumed and associated most strongly with diet-related health problems affecting many Americans, including obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

14 Oct 2010

Yoga exercises may combat fibromyalgia: Research

According to new research conducted at Oregon Health & Science University, yoga exercises may have the power to combat fibromyalgia a medical disorder characterized by chronic widespread pain. The research is being published in the November 10 online edition of the journal Pain and will appear online Thursday, Oct. 14.

14 Oct 2010

Patients with memory impairment have intact ability to hold information in mind: Research

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, led by Larry R. Squire, PhD, professor of psychiatry, psychology and neurosciences at UC San Diego and a scientist at the VA San Diego Healthcare System, report that working memory of relational information where an object is located, for example remains intact even if key brain structures like the hippocampus are damaged.

13 Oct 2010

Researchers use brain imaging to differentiate pediatric bipolar disorder, ADHD

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago are the first to use brain imaging to examine the effects of emotion on working memory function in children with pediatric bipolar disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

13 Oct 2010

Cancer patients getting unnecessary tests: Study

US researchers revealed that many cancer patients with only a few years to live often continue to get routine mammograms or blood tests for prostate cancer even though they are not likely to live long enough to benefit from them. This not only wastes money but also exposes patients to unnecessary worry and distress.

12 Oct 2010

Trapped Chilean miners might be changed forever: Psychologists

The Chilean miners who have been trapped for more than two months may emerge with psychological problems say experts as the rescue approached. Rescue teams were set to start hoisting up the first of 33 miners, trapped down around 700 metres, to the surface around midnight on Tuesday (1400 AEDT Wednesday), Mines Minister Laurence Golborne said.

12 Oct 2010

Cincinnati Children's, Nationwide Children's Hospital collaborate to improve ADHD care

Doctors at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Nationwide Children's Hospital are collaborating to help pediatricians deliver better care to children with ADHD.

12 Oct 2010

Behavioral management and preventive medication can combat migraine: Research

The combination of preventive medication and behavioral changes offered significant relief for 77 percent of the individuals enrolled in a study aimed at combating frequent, disabling migraine headaches, according to new Ohio University research published this week in the British Medical Journal.

12 Oct 2010

Persistent exposure to light at night leads to weight gain

Persistent exposure to light at night may lead to weight gain, even without changing physical activity or eating more food, according to new research in mice.

12 Oct 2010

Healthy Eating Decisions program helps to reduce childhood obesity

Pittman, a psychology professor at Wofford College in Spartanburg, ran tests in two different elementary schools in his area. He was trying, in part, to convince the children to select white milk instead of sugary, flavored milk for their lunch. And then, with an array of menu selections, to pick the healthiest food for lunch. All this comes at a time when America is confronting an epidemic of childhood obesity.

12 Oct 2010