Summary: Harvard researchers have created a silicon chip that records intracellular signals from thousands of neurons in parallel, enabling the mapping and characterization of more than 70,000 synaptic connections from roughly 2,000 rat neurons. Using an array of 4,096 microhole electrodes, the team achieved high-sensitivity recordings that reveal not only which neurons connect, but also … Read more

Below is a carefully curated, continually updated guide to online and in-person positive psychology training worldwide. It lists courses, certificates, master’s and doctoral pathways, workshops, podcasts and MOOCs designed for professionals, educators, coaches and anyone wishing to learn applied positive psychology. This resource highlights widely known programs such as the Master of Applied Positive Psychology … Read more

Summary: A coordinated analysis of nine long-term studies shows that loneliness follows a clear U-shaped pattern across adulthood: it is higher in young adults and older adults and reaches its lowest point in middle age. The research also pinpoints consistent risk factors for persistent loneliness—such as social isolation, lower educational attainment, and physical limitations—and underscores … Read more

Summary: Prolactin, the hormone best known for stimulating milk production, also shifts a mother’s behavioral priorities—reducing excessive aggression and encouraging caregiving and focused interactions with offspring. Source: University of Otago Researchers at the University of Otago have identified a previously unrecognized role for prolactin in shaping maternal behavior: rather than promoting aggression, this hormone helps … Read more

In life we often carry anger and resentment that linger far beyond the moment they began. These lingering grievances keep us locked in pain and can undermine both our emotional and physical health. Although the hurt someone has caused may be deep, it is possible to let go and forgive. Forgiveness benefits the spirit and … Read more

Berkeley Lab researchers study mice to shed light on genetic risks of Alzheimer’s and other diseases Many neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, share common symptoms such as impaired motor function. Increasing evidence also points to connections between body weight—particularly obesity in midlife—and the risk or timing of neurological disease onset. However, the … Read more

Summary: A sensitive, high-resolution analysis finds many more DNA copy number variations in people with schizophrenia than in controls, and suggests that genomic instability may contribute to the disorder. Source: Nagoya University International researchers led by Nagoya University applied a highly sensitive method to detect DNA copy number changes and found a greater burden of … Read more

Humans are naturally curious, active, and social. Our drive to learn, connect, and master challenges often springs from intrinsic motivation—the internal desire to understand and grow (Ryan & Deci, 2017). Intrinsic motivation is not automatic. It flourishes when three basic psychological needs are satisfied: competence, autonomy, and relatedness. When these needs are met, people sustain … Read more

Summary: Researchers at the University of Oregon report that writing online journals focused on gratitude increases altruistic behavior and alters reward-related brain activity. Source: University of Oregon Gratitude Journaling Boosts Altruism and Changes Brain Reward Signals New research from the University of Oregon shows that a simple daily habit—writing about gratitude—can increase altruistic motivations and … Read more

Summary: Second-language learners notice pronunciation mistakes made by peers but tend to overrate their own accent, which may hinder improvement. Source: LMU Munich Learners of a foreign language often recognize typical pronunciation errors in others but continue to make the same mistakes themselves. A new study from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU) Munich reveals that many learners perceive … Read more