Psychology News and Research

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

Study: Neurons interact to drive decision-making

We know that casting a ballot in the voting booth involves politics, values and personalities. But before you ever push the button for your candidate, your brain has already carried out an election of its own to make that action possible. New research from Vanderbilt University reveals that our brain accumulates evidence when faced with a choice and triggers an action once that evidence reaches a tipping point.

12 Oct 2010

Part of brain reorganizes to enhance visual abilities in deaf cats

Deaf or blind people often report enhanced abilities in their remaining senses, but up until now, no one has explained how and why that could be. Researchers at The University of Western Ontario, led by Stephen Lomber of The Centre for Brain and Mind have discovered there is a causal link between enhanced visual abilities and reorganization of the part of the brain that usually handles auditory input in congenitally deaf cats. The findings, published online in Nature Neuroscience, provide insight into the plasticity that may occur in the brains of deaf people.

11 Oct 2010

Portrait painting may help children with craniofacial problems

A group of artists, young people and medical experts are involved in a groundbreaking project at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia that uses the intimate process of portrait painting to help children and young people with craniofacial problems see themselves in a different light.

8 Oct 2010

Researchers reveal neural responses associated with empathy for others' pain

Witnessing a person from our own group or an outsider suffer pain causes neural responses in two very different regions of the brain. And, the specific region activated reveals whether or not we will help the person in need. Researchers at the University of Zurich studied the brain responses of soccer fans and now have neurobiological evidence for why we are most willing to help members of our own group.

8 Oct 2010

Presbyterian Hospital collaborates with New York Center for Autism to establish Institute for Brain Development

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, along with its affiliated medical schools Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and Weill Cornell Medical College, announced its collaboration with the New York Center for Autism to establish the Institute for Brain Development, a comprehensive, state-of-the-art institute dedicated to addressing the pressing clinical needs of individuals living with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disorders of the brain, across their lifespan.

8 Oct 2010

Hard combat can devastate veterans until old age

The trauma from hard combat can devastate veterans until old age, even as it influences others to be wiser, gentler and more accepting in their twilight years, a new University of Florida study finds.

8 Oct 2010

New instrument to determine anxiety level

A new instrument developed by a Washington and Lee University psychologist is designed to help clinicians determine more objectively a patient's level of anxiety.

8 Oct 2010

CDC issues new universal influenza vaccination recommendation for all Americans

With the influenza vaccine already available and more supply anticipated than ever before, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases convened ten of the country's leading medical and public health groups to call on all Americans to get vaccinated this season.

8 Oct 2010

Louise A. Villejo recognized with 2010 Julie and Ben Rogers Award for Excellence in Education

Louise A. Villejo, executive director of the Patient Education Office at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, is the recipient of the 2010 Julie and Ben Rogers Award for Excellence in Education.

7 Oct 2010

New hope for patients with brain injury

New neuroscience research by life scientists from UCLA and Australia may potentially help people who have lost their ability to remember due to brain injury or disease.

6 Oct 2010

BioSante to present LibiGel clinical trial update at NAMS Annual Meeting

BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that it will present a LibiGel clinical trial update at the 21st Annual Meeting of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) being held from October 6-9, 2010 at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers in Chicago, Illinois.

5 Oct 2010

Family based treatment more effective than traditional individual-based therapy for anorexia nervosa

An anorexia nervosa treatment strategy that promotes parental involvement in restoring an adolescent to healthy weight and eating habits is more effective than traditional individual-based anorexia nervosa therapy, according to new research.

5 Oct 2010

Happiness linked to healthy lifestyle, religion and working hours: Study

Earlier belief that happiness is a genetic trait influenced by early life experiences has been contradicted by new research from Germany. This new study found that feelings of happiness and wellbeing respond to external factors such as healthy lifestyle, religion and working hours. The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

4 Oct 2010

Telemedicine can help address mental health needs of elderly homebound individuals

Studies have shown a high rate of depression among elderly homebound individuals, and few patients receive adequate treatment, if any. To address this issue, researchers at Rhode Island Hospital and other organizations have developed a telemedicine-based depression care protocol in home health care.

4 Oct 2010

Lying creates desire to clean the 'dirty' body part: Study

Apparently your mom had it right when she threatened to wash your mouth out with soap if you talked dirty. Lying really does create a desire to clean the "dirty" body part, according to a University of Michigan study.

1 Oct 2010

First preventative approach to improve outcomes in traumatized children

After experiencing a potentially traumatic event - a car accident, a physical or sexual assault, a sports injury, witnessing violence - as many as 1 in 5 children will develop Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

30 Sep 2010

First direct genetic link to ADHD

The latest study shows evidence of a genetic link to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. The researchers from Cardiff University, Wales said the disorder was a brain problem like autism and not due to bad parenting. The paper appeared in the acclaimed journal Lancet.

30 Sep 2010

Midlife crisis is hitting Britons earlier: Survey

The latest British research shows that the tmidlife crisis that was once thought to hit people on their fifties is now affecting people in their mid-thirties. The changes in the work culture may be the main reason say researchers.

30 Sep 2010

Stress-factors leading to mental problems and burnout in IT-industries

According to health insurances, employees in IT-industries are very fit. By using an online-survey, Technische Universität Dortmund monitored this statement in cooperation with some freelancer-networks. Results indicate that this is due to the phenomenon "presentism"- meaning IT-employees do not appear in health insurance statistics as they continue to work even when they are ill. Actually, the sample reported on distinct health problems- predominantly musculoskeletal problems and mental afflictions.

30 Sep 2010

Study shows how different body measurements correspond with ratings of female attractiveness

Scientists in Australia and Hong Kong have conducted a comprehensive study to discover how different body measurements correspond with ratings of female attractiveness. The study, published in the Journal of Evolutionary Biology, found that across cultural divides young, tall and long armed women were considered the most attractive.

30 Sep 2010