11+ mon, 3+ week ago (773+ words) Summary: Children's love for repeating shows, books, or activities is more than a quirk'it supports learning and emotional wellbeing. Cognitive science reveals that repetition helps kids detect patterns, a process critical for language and cognitive development. It's a familiar feeling for many parents. No matter what you suggest, your pre-schooler just wants to watch that episode of Bluey again, never mind that it's just finished playing. And at bedtime, it has to be a book you've read frequently enough to have developed a repertoire of specific voices for every character. These deep and repetitive interests in a TV episode, game or topic may be frustrating to parents who just want to watch something different. But this repetition actually has great benefits for children's learning and wellbeing. One reason for this is what we can call the "input effect. This isn't…...

6+ mon, 3+ week ago (1293+ words) Neuroscience News posts science research news from labs, universities, hospitals and news departments around the world. Science articles cover neuroscience, psychology, AI, robotics, neurology, brain cancer, mental health, machine learning, autism, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, brain research, depression and other sciences. Summary: A revolutionary microscopy method called LICONN enables scientists to reconstruct brain tissue and map synaptic connections using standard light microscopes. By embedding brain tissue in hydrogel, expanding it, and imaging at nanoscale resolution, researchers achieve a detailed view of neuronal architecture previously only possible with electron microscopy. The technique also maps molecular markers, revealing not just structure but also function within neural circuits. Combining chemistry, neuroscience, and AI-powered deep learning, LICONN makes large-scale mapping of neuronal connections feasible and globally accessible. Our brain is a complex organ. Billions of nerve cells are wired in an intricate network, constantly processing signals,…...

1+ day, 5+ hour ago (715+ words) The effects mirrored key aspects of surgical deep brain stimulation but without implants or incisions. The findings suggest ultrasound could become a safer, personalized tool for reshaping faulty reward circuits in mental health disorders. Source: University of Plymouth The nucleus accumbens is a tiny element of the human brain triggered when we experience something enjoyable, and used to help us learn behaviours that lead to rewards. A new study has shown for the first time that its influence on human behaviour can be altered using transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS). Applying the technique for just over a minute at a time, researchers were able to influence how people learned the links between certain cues and rewards. The result was that they were more likely to repeat a choice that had previously paid off, their learning rates following positive outcomes increased and…...

11+ mon, 3+ week ago (1021+ words) Summary: Human number cognition may be rooted in the putamen, a deep brain structure traditionally associated with movement rather than abstract thought. Neurosurgery patients demonstrated activity in this area while processing numbers as symbols, words, and concepts, suggesting that numerical understanding emerged early in evolution. Researchers also observed activity in expected areas like the parietal lobe, highlighting how different brain regions collaborate in number processing. These findings could improve surgical outcomes by protecting areas crucial for number cognition and open pathways to enhancing math learning through targeted interventions. Source: Oregon Health and Science University New research reveals the unique human ability to conceptualize numbers may be rooted deep within the brain. Further, the results of the study by Oregon Health & Science University involving neurosurgery patients suggests new possibilities for tapping into those areas to improve learning among people bedeviled by…...

6+ mon, 2+ week ago (957+ words) Neuroscience News posts science research news from labs, universities, hospitals and news departments around the world. Science articles cover neuroscience, psychology, AI, robotics, neurology, brain cancer, mental health, machine learning, autism, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, brain research, depression and other sciences. The tool outperformed clinicians in predicting short-term life expectancy for patients receiving palliative radiotherapy, especially when integrated into their decision-making. These findings suggest that facial features could serve as powerful, non-invasive biomarkers for aging and disease, opening new doors in precision medicine. Eyes may be the window to the soul, but a person's biological age could be reflected in their facial characteristics. They found that patients with cancer, on average, had a higher FaceAge than those without and appeared about five years older than their chronological age. Older FaceAge predictions were associated with worse overall survival outcomes across multiple cancer types....

4+ mon, 1+ week ago (1222+ words) Summary: AI chatbots often overestimate their own abilities and fail to adjust even after performing poorly, a new study finds. Researchers compared human and AI confidence in trivia, predictions, and image recognition tasks, showing humans can recalibrate while AI often grows more overconfident. One model, Gemini, performed worst yet believed it did best, illustrating the lack of metacognitive awareness in current AI systems. The findings highlight why users should question AI's confidence and developers should address this blind spot. Artificial intelligence chatbots are everywhere these days, from smartphone apps and customer service portals to online search engines. But what happens when these handy tools overestimate their own abilities?" Researchers asked both human participants and four large language models (LLMs) how confident they felt in their ability to answer trivia questions, predict the outcomes of NFL games or Academy Award ceremonies,…...