New Atlas

Biology Audio available

How our immune system evolved to take control of our decision-making processes

Rich Haridy June 4, 2019

Two new research papers are shedding light on the fascinating relationship between inflammation and behavior, suggesting our immune system can play a significant role in both our motivation and decision-making abilities.

New research suggests inflammatory actions in the brain could reduce motivation and influence the decisions people ...

Medical Audio available

New study suggests mild, long-term MDMA use doesn't damage normal social functioning

Rich Haridy February 10, 2019

As MDMA sits on the precipice of being legally approved as clinical treatment for PTSD in the United States, a team of researchers from the University of Exeter set out to try to better understand what long-term effects the drug has on a person’s ability to emotionally empathize with others.

A new study adds to a body of evidence suggesting mild, long-term MDMA usage is not ...

Biology Audio available

Landmark discovery uncovers first common genetic risk factors for ADHD

Rich Haridy November 27, 2018

A global study has homed in on 12 specific genomic regions associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The research reveals the genetic underpinnings of this highly heritable condition and suggests this discovery is only a small part of the genetic puzzle that makes up ADHD.

New research suggests ADHD is a polygenic condition, triggered by a large number of different genetic ...

Science

MDMA promotes cooperative behavior but only with trustworthy people

Rich Haridy November 19, 2018

MDMA is anecdotally known to make people more open to empathetically interacting with those around them. However, a new study from King’s College London has revealed that while the drug may increase cooperative behavior, it does not make a person more naive to the influence of untrustworthy people.

Image highlighting which brain regions displayed increased activity on MDMA compared to a placebo

Biology

This parasite might turn you into an entrepreneur

Ben Coxworth July 25, 2018

In order to be an entrepreneur, it helps if you're not afraid of taking a risk or two. Well, a University of Colorado Boulder study indicates that if you lack the entrepreneurial spirit, it might help to become infected with a parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii.

Infection with the T. gondii parasite has been correlated with an increase in risky behaviours – ...

Biology

How a spam-filtering algorithm helped decipher mysterious animal behaviors

Rich Haridy April 30, 2018

Study of animal behavior is a slow process, with human observers spending years watching and classifying different actions. A team from Columbia University is determined to develop an easier, and more objective method using machine learning and algorithms often used for spam-filtering purposes.

Hydra neurons can be tracked by a green fluorescence indicator, allowing for behavioral patterns to be ...

Biology

Bonobos are kind to strangers, but why?

Ben Coxworth November 8, 2017

Are human beings the only animals that will help other members of their species out, even if they don't know them? Not according to Jingzhi Tan, a postdoctoral associate in evolutionary anthropology at Duke University. He has observed wild bonobos being nice to bonobos that they don't know.

Bonobos will help out other bonobos that they don't even know, without being asked

Biology

If you're a recklessly impulsive guy, blame testosterone

Eric Mack April 30, 2017

Guys who aren't so great at thinking things through can blame testosterone, according to new research that seems to backup the old stereotype of the hot-headed guy. A new study links the sex hormone to relying on "gut instincts" over self reflection and more deliberate, slow consideration.

More testosterone could mean less thinking things through

Biology

Pavlov's plants? Research suggests animal learning in veggies

Michael Irving December 7, 2016

Research from the University of Western Australia has shown that plants can learn by association, like Pavlov's dogs. The scientists conditioned seedlings to associate light with the wind from a fan, and found that the plants learned to use the fan to predict where light would next appear.

Wearables

Buzzing bracelet is out to stop your nasty habits

Ben Coxworth May 20, 2016

If you know someone with a compulsive behavior such as nail-biting, you may find yourself constantly telling them, "Hey, you're doing it again." The problem is, you can't be watching/stopping them all the time. That's why HabitAware's Liv bracelet was created.

Liv vibrates to let users know when they're subconsciously performing unwanted activities