Quick Hits
Want to keep yourself informed of what is happening in the world of science, neuroscience, and behavioural science?
My Quick Hits aim to do this: daily updates on recent research (and sometimes older research) giving you short, easy to read updates on what is coming out of the world of behavioural science.
Quick Hits are free to access – sign up to receive an email each time a Quick Hit is posted.
The Negative Social Impact of Dealing with AI in the Workplace
Different areas of the brain are associated with empathy – this new research shows how brain regions synchronise to induce empathic responses.
How the Gut Influences Brain Development in Babies
Different areas of the brain are associated with empathy – this new research shows how brain regions synchronise to induce empathic responses.
Your Brain’s Own Cannabinoid Molecules Calm You Down
Different areas of the brain are associated with empathy – this new research shows how brain regions synchronise to induce empathic responses.
Role of Dopamine in Speed and Accuracy of Decisions
Different areas of the brain are associated with empathy – this new research shows how brain regions synchronise to induce empathic responses.
How Seven Habits Boost Brain Function and Lower Depression Risk
Different areas of the brain are associated with empathy – this new research shows how brain regions synchronise to induce empathic responses.
Diversity in Startup Teams Increases Survival In Changing Environments
Different areas of the brain are associated with empathy – this new research shows how brain regions synchronise to induce empathic responses.
All Work And No Play, Really Does Make Jack A Dull (and Ineffective) Boy
Different areas of the brain are associated with empathy – this new research shows how brain regions synchronise to induce empathic responses.
Do Conservatives and Liberals Have Moral Brains?
Different areas of the brain are associated with empathy – this new research shows how brain regions synchronise to induce empathic responses.
New Discovery: Swirling Spirals Move Across Your Brain
Different areas of the brain are associated with empathy – this new research shows how brain regions synchronise to induce empathic responses.
Zapping the Brain Improves Maths Ability
Different areas of the brain are associated with empathy – this new research shows how brain regions synchronise to induce empathic responses.
Developing Self Control in Children
Different areas of the brain are associated with empathy – this new research shows how brain regions synchronise to induce empathic responses.
Surprising Discovery on the Social Brain
Different areas of the brain are associated with empathy – this new research shows how brain regions synchronise to induce empathic responses.
How Emotional Satisfaction (not “Happiness”) Improves Students’ Grades
Different areas of the brain are associated with empathy – this new research shows how brain regions synchronise to induce empathic responses.
The Little Known Brain Cells that Help You Stay Awake and Keep Your Brain Active
Different areas of the brain are associated with empathy – this new research shows how brain regions synchronise to induce empathic responses.
Unfair! Brain Circuit for Fair Rewards Identified
Different areas of the brain are associated with empathy – this new research shows how brain regions synchronise to induce empathic responses.
Brain Cells of Males and Females Respond Differently to Stress
Different areas of the brain are associated with empathy – this new research shows how brain regions synchronise to induce empathic responses.
Work in the Presence of Others Lowers Stress
Different areas of the brain are associated with empathy – this new research shows how brain regions synchronise to induce empathic responses.
Humans Give Unconditional Small Acts of Kindness – Continuously
Different areas of the brain are associated with empathy – this new research shows how brain regions synchronise to induce empathic responses.
Newly Discovered Ebb and Flow of Brain Chemicals that Drive Learning – Continuously
Different areas of the brain are associated with empathy – this new research shows how brain regions synchronise to induce empathic responses.
Everyday Pleasures Improve Brain Performance
Different areas of the brain are associated with empathy – this new research shows how brain regions synchronise to induce empathic responses.
Brain Scans Show How to Coach and Inspire More Effectively
Different areas of the brain are associated with empathy – this new research shows how brain regions synchronise to induce empathic responses.
You’re Less Productive in the Afternoon – Especially on Fridays
Different areas of the brain are associated with empathy – this new research shows how brain regions synchronise to induce empathic responses.
Flash of Consciousness Before Death
Different areas of the brain are associated with empathy – this new research shows how brain regions synchronise to induce empathic responses.
Smells Shown to Dramatically Boost Brain Power
Different areas of the brain are associated with empathy – this new research shows how brain regions synchronise to induce empathic responses.
Your Brain on Laughter
Different areas of the brain are associated with empathy – this new research shows how brain regions synchronise to induce empathic responses.
How Exercise Helps New Brain Cells Grow
Different areas of the brain are associated with empathy – this new research shows how brain regions synchronise to induce empathic responses.
Light Activity Improves Brain Function
Different areas of the brain are associated with empathy – this new research shows how brain regions synchronise to induce empathic responses.
A Surprisingly Simple Technique to Improve Learning and Memory
Different areas of the brain are associated with empathy – this new research shows how brain regions synchronise to induce empathic responses.
Espresso Combats Alzheimer’s
Quick HitsDaily brief research updates from the cognitive sciences ay, more good news for us coffee drinkers! I am...
New Brain Signature of Empathy Discovered
Different areas of the brain are associated with empathy – this new research shows how brain regions synchronise to induce empathic responses.
How Your Silent Synapses Boost Brain Power
A new form of “dark matter” has been proven to exist in the brains of adults – that’s good news!
Scientists Say They Know the Secret to Waking Up Alert
Who doesn’t want to wake up alert and sprightly – researchers may have the answer…
How Your Brain Slows You Down When You’re Sick
We all know that feeling of wanting to curl up and sleep when sickness hits – but how that is controlled was unknown. Until now that is…
How Immune Cells Can Rejuvenate Your Brain
There are many ways to rejuvenate your brain – but this is a new mechanism discovered…
What is the Impact of Gaming on Teenage Mental Health?
Many parents might be worried that gaming will have negative impacts on their children’s mental health – not true. Or only for a small subset…
Why Children Learn More Quickly Than Adults
It might be obvious that kids learn quicker than adults – but this shows for the first time why.
Right, so artificial networks also need sleep!
We need sleep but we are biological entities – that artificial networks improve performance with sleep is pretty fascinating, and insightful.
Making Voting More Effective for Better Decisions
Most of the most important decisions made in business and society are the result of votes – but not all voting methods are equally effective…
We’re Bad at Remembering How Happy We Were
The past ain’t always better – according to this latest research at least…
100 Years of Research Reveal the Most Effective Methods for Learning
New technologies, new research? No, the old methods are the best, and it’s surprisingly simple.
Why Too Much Talent May Harm Performance
This may sound like a strange thing to say – but talent and team coordination are different things…
How Nutrition Can Increase Motivation – In the Brain
Fascinating study on how antioxidants (and therefore also nutrition) in the brain can increase motivation…
Mindfulness Intervention as Effective as Drugs in Anxiety Disorders
An important study showing how mindfulness is as effective as medication – without the side effects…
New Insights into How the Teenage Brain Develops
Teenagers’ brains go through substantial changes – and now we know more of some of these…
Screen Time Boosts Wellbeing in Teenagers!
Screen time is considered a modern technological evil – maybe not so for teenagers…
Taking Photographs of Slides Improves Memory of Presentations
Taking pictures has been shown to reduce memory – but this study shows the opposite…
How Your Brain Eats Itself – To Improve Memory
Your brain eats itself – gruesome eh! Actually this appears to be a good thing most of the time…
A Regular Routine Makes You Happier and Smarter
Recent research just published shows that a regular routine with plenty of activity protects against depression and preserves cognitive function!
Like Smart Humans, Smart Jays Exhibit Self Control
Jays are smart, that is known. Now we know they can exhibit self-control – but only if they are smart themselves.
Your Dog Can Smell When You’re Stressed – And Reduce Stress
The benefits of pets – but it depends on how healthy your relationship is with them.
Neurons in a Dish Learn to Play Pong
A group of neurons in a petri dish can learn to play a computer game – amazing!
Chirp Up! Birdsong Improves Mental Wellbeing
We know birdsong has positive benefits – and this research is showing by just how much…
Yes, Fake Smiling Does Improve Your Mood
Can just smiling, even if fake, improve your mood? This has been proven, debunked, re-proven and now re-re-proven…
How Your Brain Decides to Help Others in Danger
In times of crises and danger we may hide and flee as our natural instincts would guide us, or do something else: put ourselves at danger and help others.
Two Types of Willpower
There are two types of will power – and one is much more effective…
Our Brains Seem to Use Quantum Computations
It has been proposed that our brain uses quantum processes but this is hard to prove – until now that is…
Insults Trigger the Equivalent of a Slap to the Face in the Brain
What do insults do to our brain wave patterns, do they degrade over time and how do they compare to compliments?
Even a Short Bout of Exercise Can Boost Brain Growth
Exercise is good for you – we all know that. But can just a single bout of exercise do you and your brain any good?
Disagreements Improve Team Perception
We might assume that agreement would be high in high-performing teams – this study shows the opposite…
Brain Cells Adapt to Help You Stay Awake
Falling asleep is a funny thing – you don’t need to think about it when it happens but can cause many people who can’t incredibly frustration…