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Behavioral Health
Consuming alcohol leads to epigenetic changes in brain memory centers
Consuming alcohol leads to epigenetic changes in brain memory centers
What drives the biology behind alcohol cravings has remained largely unknown. A new Penn study shows how a byproduct of the alcohol breakdown produced mostly in the liver travels to the brain’s learning system and impacts behavior around environmental cues to drink.
Competition works better than support or collaboration to increase daily step counts
Competition works better than support or collaboration to increase daily step counts
A clinical trial using a behaviorally designed gamification program found that adding competition to motivate exercise is a catalyst for real results.
Hunter-gatherers agree on what is moral, but not who is moral
Hunter-gatherers agree on what is moral, but not who is moral
In determining whether there is a universal concept of moral character, research could provide insight into ways to improve our interactions with one another.
No evidence that testosterone reduces cognitive empathy
No evidence that testosterone reduces cognitive empathy
In the largest study of its kind, researchers found that testosterone administration did not affect cognitive empathy, a measure of the ability to recognize another’s feelings and motivations. The finding calls into question the theory that the symptoms of autism are caused by a hyper-masculinized brain.
Understanding why teachers discriminate against minority students
Understanding why teachers discriminate against minority students
A new study authored by research scientist Emile Bruneau found that biases people may harbor can sometimes inhibit their abilities to do their jobs, based on a study of teachers’ implicit biases towards their students.
A wearable new technology moves brain monitoring from the lab to the real world
A wearable new technology moves brain monitoring from the lab to the real world
The portable EEG created by PIK Professor Michael Platt and postdoc Arjun Ramakrishnan has potential applications from health care to sports performance.
What is a ‘mass shooting’ and how do we talk about gun violence?
What is a ‘mass shooting’ and how do we talk about gun violence?
In a Q&A, criminologist Richard Berk discusses why definitions matter and what role social media and mental illness play in this context.
Uncovering the roots of discrimination toward immigrants
Uncovering the roots of discrimination toward immigrants
New research from political scientist Nicholas Sambanis finds that religion may matter more than ethnicity in how immigrants are treated, even if they comply with local social norms.
Early and ongoing weight stigma linked to internal weight shaming
Early and ongoing weight stigma linked to internal weight shaming
Self stigma surrounding weight is associated with poor mental and physical health, and a new study identifies key characteristics of people who are most prone to this internalization.
Cross-cultural similarities and differences in emoji usage
Cross-cultural similarities and differences in emoji usage
While the idea of emojis unifying people across language barriers is enticing, people of different cultures might not use emojis in the same way.
In the News
CBC News
From vaccines to Froot Loops: Why RFK Jr.’s health-related theories have sparked so much controversy
According to the Annenberg Public Policy Center, COVID vaccine-related deaths reported in the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System are unverified. David Mandell of the Perelman School of Medicine says that numerous studies have disproven a link between child vaccination and increased risk of autism.
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Forbes
Insomnia may be more common than you think. Here’s what to know
According to Penn Medicine, about 1 in 4 Americans experiences difficulty with sleep each year.
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Health.com
Can you really learn from mistakes? New research shows it's harder than you think
Yvette Sheline of the Perelman School of Medicine explains why the best way to learn is being rewarded by success.
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National Geographic
Here’s why planning a trip can help your mental health
Matthew Killingsworth of the Wharton School explains how the anticipation of having a vacation planned can lead to increased happiness.
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The Guardian
Trouble sleeping? This therapy can help with insomnia
Michael Perlis of the Perelman School of Medicine says that the distinctive difference between CBT and CBT-I is the inclusion of the principles and practice of sleep medicine.
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Delaware News Journal
She feared schizophrenia would leave her son dead or in jail. Then, he nearly killed a man
Yvette Sheline of the Perelman School of Medicine says that genetics play a role in schizophrenia, although there’s no agreed-upon single cause.
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