ScienceDaily: Mind & Brain News

Humans, sparrows make sense of sounds in similar ways: Complex set of cognitive skills Posted: 05 Jan 2015 02:00 PM PST The song of the swamp sparrow -- a grey-breasted bird found in wetlands throughout much of North America -- is a simple melodious trill. But according to a new study swamp sparrows are capable of processing the notes that make up their simple songs in more sophisticated ways than previously realized -- an ability that may help researchers better understand the perceptual building blocks that enable language in humans.

Imaging linking cell activity, behavior shows what it means for mice to have sex in mind Posted: 05 Jan 2015 11:17 AM PST An automated method (much more sensitive than fMRI) to detect the activity of neurons during specific behaviors, at the resolution of individual brain cells throughout the entire mouse brain, has been successfully demonstrated. A team shows brain activation patterns when male mice perform two critical tasks: recognizing other individuals and determining the sex of another individual.

The biology of fun and playfulness Posted: 05 Jan 2015 11:16 AM PST Several new articles explore the biology of fun (and the fun of biology). Scientists present what we know about playfulness in dogs, dolphins, frogs, and octopuses. They also provide insights on whether birds can have fun and how experiences in infancy affect a person's unique sense of humor.

Animal study points to a treatment for Huntington's disease Posted: 05 Jan 2015 09:58 AM PST By adjusting the levels of a key signaling protein, researchers improved motor function and brain abnormalities in experimental animals with a form of Huntington's disease, a severe neurodegenerative disorder. The new findings may lay the groundwork for a novel treatment for people with this fatal, progressive disease, researchers say.

Criminal behavior in patients with neurodegenerative diseases studied Posted: 05 Jan 2015 09:58 AM PST Criminal behavior can occur in patients with some neurodegenerative diseases, although patients with Alzheimer's disease were among the least likely to commit crimes, according to a study.

Disparities seen in immigrant application results Posted: 05 Jan 2015 08:24 AM PST Immigrants to the US with job offers often apply for work authorization. But immigrants from Latin America are less likely to have those requests granted than are immigrants from other regions, according to a new study that also suggests a potential remedy for this problem, by finding that this regional disparity does not exist when officials examine cases in greater detail.

Genetic factors contribute to insomnia in children, teens, twin study suggests Posted: 05 Jan 2015 08:24 AM PST Insomnia in childhood and adolescence is partially explained by genetic factors, a new study of twins suggests. "Insomnia in youth is moderately related to genetic factors, but the specific genetic factors may change with age," said a study author. "We were most surprised by the fact that the genetic factors were not stable over time, so the influence of genes depends on the developmental stage of the child."

Women, quitting smoking for New Years? Time it with your period! Posted: 05 Jan 2015 05:18 AM PST The menstrual cycle appears to have an effect on nicotine cravings, according to a new study. "Our data reveal that incontrollable urges to smoke are stronger at the beginning of the follicular phase that begins after menstruation. Hormonal decreases of estrogen and progesterone possibly deepen the withdrawal syndrome and increase activity of neural circuits associated with craving," an investigator said, suggesting that it could therefore be easier for women to overcome abstinence-related withdrawal symptoms during the mid-luteal phrase, i.e. after ovulation, when their levels of estrogen and progesterone are elevated.