ScienceDaily: Mind & Brain News

Fear of terror may lead to job burnout over time Posted: 08 Jan 2015 11:48 AM PST The direct link between terrorism and increased incidence of job burnout over time has been addressed for the first time in a new study. The research examines how the fear of terrorism can lead to insomnia, a major player in job burnout, which is the state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion. The study suggests that fear of terror should be considered as a major job stressor.

Neuroprosthetics for paralysis: Biocompatible, flexible implant slips into the spinal cord Posted: 08 Jan 2015 11:47 AM PST New therapies are on the horizon for individuals paralyzed following spinal cord injury. The e-Dura implant can be applied directly to the spinal cord without causing damage and inflammation, scientists report.

Exposure to nanoparticles may threaten heart health Posted: 08 Jan 2015 11:13 AM PST While nanotechnology has led to countless advancements, a group of researchers is now raising a flag of caution about its effects on our health. They say exposure to tiny silica-based particles can play a big role in increasing heart attack and stroke risks.

Nasal spray with insulin equivalent shows promise as treatment for adults with mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s dementia Posted: 08 Jan 2015 11:13 AM PST A human-made form of insulin delivered by nasal spray may improve working memory and other mental capabilities in adults with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease dementia, according to a pilot study. The researchers also sought to determine if the insulin detemir doses would cause any negative side effects, and found only minor adverse reactions among the subjects.

Rihanna's music eases kids' pain after surgery Posted: 08 Jan 2015 10:01 AM PST Pediatric patients who listened to 30 minutes of songs by Rihanna, Taylor Swift and other singers of their choosing -- or audio books -- had a significant reduction in pain after major surgery, according to a new study. Audio therapy avoids risky side effects of opioid drugs, which can cause breathing problems in children. Because caregivers usually limit the amount of opiods prescribed, children's pain can sometimes be not well controlled.

Requirements of implementing next generation science standards Posted: 08 Jan 2015 10:01 AM PST A new report offers guidance to district and school leaders and teachers on necessary steps for putting the Next Generation Science Standards into practice over the next decade and beyond.

Smoking, alcohol, gene variant interact to increase risk of chronic pancreatitis Posted: 08 Jan 2015 10:00 AM PST Genetic mutations may link smoking and alcohol consumption to destruction of the pancreas observed in chronic pancreatitis, according to a 12-year study. The findings provides insight into why some people develop this painful and debilitating inflammatory condition while most heavy smokers or drinkers do not appear to suffer any problems with it.

Practice really does make perfect Posted: 08 Jan 2015 10:00 AM PST New research into the way in which we learn new skills finds that a single skill can be learned faster if its follow-through motion is consistent, but multiple skills can be learned simultaneously if the follow-through motion is varied.

Facial motion activates a dedicated network within the brain Posted: 08 Jan 2015 10:00 AM PST Like humans, rhesus macaque monkeys have a network of small areas within their brains that respond to images of faces. But it hasn't been clear if these same areas in the monkey's brain are responsible for processing changing expressions and other facial movements. New research confirms that they are.

Monkeys can learn to see themselves in the mirror Posted: 08 Jan 2015 10:00 AM PST Unlike humans and great apes, rhesus monkeys don't realize when they look in a mirror that it is their own face looking back at them. But, according to a new report, that doesn't mean they can't learn. What's more, once rhesus monkeys in the study developed mirror self-recognition, they continued to use mirrors spontaneously to explore parts of their bodies they normally don't see.

Alcohol warnings from parents matter Posted: 08 Jan 2015 09:59 AM PST Parenting practices and restrictions when it comes to alcohol use can make a difference with adolescent drinking, and there is considerable value to consistent and sustained parental attitudes about drinking, according to new research.

Could gut microbes help treat brain disorders? Mounting research tightens their connection with the brain Posted: 08 Jan 2015 09:59 AM PST The community of microbes that inhabits the body, known as the microbiome, has a powerful influence on the brain and may offer a pathway to new therapies for psychiatric and neurological disorders, according to researchers.

Best job performance comes from match between first, later work experiences Posted: 08 Jan 2015 08:38 AM PST What's better for an employee's long-term success: starting off at a company when the good times are rolling? Or, when money is tight? The answer may be neither, says a new paper. What really makes a difference is how closely the economic environment an employee lands in initially aligns with the one they end up working in later.

Huntington's disease: Therapeutic potential of triheptanoin confirmed Posted: 08 Jan 2015 08:38 AM PST The therapeutic potential of triheptanoin in 10 patients with Huntington's disease has been demonstrated by researchers. Huntington's disease is a genetic disease; mutation of the gene encoding the huntingtin protein results in a progressive degeneration of the neurons, especially in regions of the brain involved in the control of movement, thereby causing serious neurological, motor, cognitive and psychiatric problems. Weight loss is also observed in patients at an early stage in the disease, despite normal or even increased food intake. These two observations (degeneration of neurons and loss of weight) led the researchers to propose the hypothesis that an energy deficit in these patients might play an important role in the onset and progression of the disease symptoms.

Focusing on lasting legacy prompts environmental action Posted: 08 Jan 2015 08:37 AM PST Prompting people to think about the legacy they want to leave for future generations can boost their desire and intention to take action on climate change, according to new research.

New recommendations for return to activity after concussion in military personnel Posted: 08 Jan 2015 08:35 AM PST Military service members with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), or concussion, should follow a six-step process of progressive activity, leading to return to active duty, according to new clinical recommendations by an expert panel.

All in a good night's sleep: How quality of sleep impacts academic performance in children Posted: 08 Jan 2015 08:35 AM PST A good night's sleep is linked to better performance by schoolchildren in math and languages -- subjects that are powerful predictors of later learning and academic success, according to a study. The researchers reported that "sleep efficiency" is associated with higher academic performance in those key subjects. Sleep efficiency is a gauge of sleep quality that compares the amount of actual sleep time with the total time spent in bed.

Ethnic discrimination and health: Direct link found Posted: 08 Jan 2015 05:49 AM PST Women who experience racial discrimination while pregnant suffer significant health impacts that are passed on to their infants, new research has found.

Study suggests worsening trends in headache management Posted: 08 Jan 2015 05:48 AM PST Each year more than 12 million Americans visit their doctors complaining of headaches, which result in lost productivity and costs of upward of $31 billion annually. A new study suggests some of that cost could be offset by physicians ordering fewer tests and an increased focus on counseling about lifestyle changes.

Mind-body connection not a one-way street Posted: 07 Jan 2015 12:07 PM PST We usually think our mind is in control and telling our body what to do. But there is a lot of scientific evidence that shows the chatter between mind and body goes two ways, and the body is an integral part of how we think. In a new book, one expert provides the latest scientific evidence about the body’s influence on our psyche, drawing on work from her own laboratory and from colleagues around the world.

Two brain regions join forces for absolute pitch Posted: 07 Jan 2015 05:17 AM PST People who have "absolute pitch" can identify notes immediately without relying on a reference tone. Intensive research is being conducted into the neuronal basis of this extraordinary ability. The researchers have now detected a close functional link between the auditory cortex in the brain and the frontal lobe in these extraordinary people -- a discovery that is not only important in theory, but also in practice.