All posts tagged: observed

Distinct neural synchrony observed in social interactions involving autistic adults

Distinct neural synchrony observed in social interactions involving autistic adults

Published by José

Adults with autism spectrum disorder prefer to take on a following role rather than leading when engaged in social imitation tasks, according to new research. This preference was accompanied by notable differences in brain activity between individuals with autism and their neurotypical peers during these interactions. The study’s findings, published in the journal Social Neuroscience, shed light on the unique social dynamics experienced by those with autism and underscore the importance of studying these interactions in realistic, dynamic settings. Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how individuals perceive and interact with the world around them. People with autism can have challenges with social communication, such as difficulty understanding social cues, engaging in conversation, or interpreting the emotions of others. Autism is described as a “spectrum” because it encompasses a wide range of symptoms and abilities; some individuals might require significant support in their daily lives, while others are highly skilled and independent. Despite these challenges, many individuals with autism have strengths in areas such as attention to detail, pattern recognition, and logical thinking. Traditional …

Aphantasia linked to abnormal brain responses to imagined and observed actions

Aphantasia linked to abnormal brain responses to imagined and observed actions

Published by José

In a study published in Brain Communications, researchers have found evidence that individuals with aphantasia, a condition where people struggle to create mental images, exhibit significant differences in brain activity related to motor simulations compared to those without this condition. The study found that people with aphantasia do not show the expected increase in brain activity that typically occurs when imagining or observing movements, which contrasts sharply with individuals who can easily generate mental images. Aphantasia is a condition where individuals are unable to generate voluntary mental images—a function most people perform effortlessly, such as picturing a beach scene or visualizing a loved one’s face. For those with aphantasia, the mind’s eye is essentially blind, impacting not just visual imagination but potentially other sensory simulations as well. While the phenomenon has been acknowledged in psychological literature for some time, it was formally named and described in more detail in recent years. Aphantasia varies widely among affected individuals; some report a total lack of visual imagery, while others may have specific deficits in imagining sounds, smells, …

In apparent first, an orangutan was observed using plant medicine to heal itself

In apparent first, an orangutan was observed using plant medicine to heal itself

Published by skeptic

The reddish orange orangutan rubs the mashed up plant on its face. One could mistake this for mindless monkey business, but it is quite the opposite: The wild Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) previously chewed up the Akur tuning plant (Fibraurea tinctoria), extracted its juice and then applied the liquid to a facial wound. In other words, the male orangutan spent more than 30 minutes engaged in a process to treat its injury, which ultimately closed in five days and fully healed within a month, according to scientists studying the incident for the journal Nature. Rakus even seemed to rest more than usual, further suggesting that the animal was intentionally undergoing a self-healing process. Yet this was no ordinary medical treatment. The orangutan — dubbed “Rakus” by the scientists at Indonesia’s Gunung Leuser National Park, where he was spotted — may now be the first documented case of a wild animal treating its own wound with medicine. “This possibly innovative behavior presents the first systematically documented case of active wound treatment with a plant species know to contain biologically …

Orangutan observed using a plant to treat an open wound

Orangutan observed using a plant to treat an open wound

Published by skeptic

Observers have documented multiple animal species using plants for self-medicinal purposes, such as great apes eating plants that treat parasitic infections or rubbing vegetation on sore muscles. But a wild orangutan recently displayed something never observed before—he treated his own open wound by activating a plant’s medical properties using his own spit. As detailed in a study published May 2 in Scientific Reports, evolutionary biologists believe the behavior could point toward a common ancestor shared with humans. The discovery occurred within a protected Indonesian rainforest at the Suaq Balimbing research site. This region, currently home to roughly 150 critically endangered Sumatran orangutans, is utilized by an international team of researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior to monitor the apes’ behavior and wellbeing. During their daily observations, cognitive and evolutionary biologists noticed a sizable injury on the face of one of the local males named Rakus. Such wounds are unsurprising among the primates, since they frequently spar with one another—but then Rakus did something three days later that the team didn’t expect. After …

Military horses that bolted through London being ‘closely observed’ after surgery – with others set to return to duty | UK News

Military horses that bolted through London being ‘closely observed’ after surgery – with others set to return to duty | UK News

Published by skeptic

Military horses that were were injured after they bolted through central London earlier this week will be “closely observed” – as the army says some of the animals will return to duty “in due course”. Two of the five horses had surgery, with one in an equine hospital and the other being cared for at the Household Cavalry barracks. Image: Two horses on the loose bolt through the streets of London near Aldwych. Pic: PA The army said all five horses were being “cared for”, adding that the three not needing surgery “are expected to return to duty in due course”. The Household Cavalry said the animals – which were taking part in what the army called a “routine exercise” in Belgravia on Wednesday – were spooked by builders dropping rubble from a height “right next to them”. The animals smashed into vehicles, including a taxi and a tour bus. Two soldiers remain in hospital after being thrown from the horses, while a third soldier has already been discharged. The army said: “There are no …

Orca observed hunting and killing a great white shark by itself for the first time

Orca observed hunting and killing a great white shark by itself for the first time

Published by skeptic

When their kin aren’t attacking boats and porpoises or monitoring their large adult sons, some pods of orca whales are also known to attack the fearsome great white shark. Groups of these marine mammals are known to hunt and kill these giant fish in an epic battle of apex predators. Now, a solitary orca–aka killer whale–has been observed eating a great white shark for the first time. The findings are described in a study published March 1 in the African Journal of Marine Science. “The astonishing predation, off the coast of Mossel Bay, South Africa, represents unprecedented behavior underscoring the exceptional proficiency of the killer whale,” Alison Towner, a study co-author and shark biologist from Rhodes University in South Africa, said in a statement.  CREDIT: Earth Legacy Foundation Pack hunters–Willy vs. Jaws Typically, orcas work together in groups to catch their prey–most often sea lions, seals, sharks and even other whales. When hunting together in a pod, they surround their prey and use combined strength and intelligence to attack. South Africa’s white sharks are predators …

Surprising link observed between body temperature and depression

Surprising link observed between body temperature and depression

Published by José

In a groundbreaking study that draws attention to the intersection between physiology and mental health, researchers have uncovered a link between depression and higher body temperatures. This discovery, published in Scientific Reports, not only deepens our understanding of depression but also hints at innovative treatments that might involve regulating body temperature to alleviate symptoms of the disorder. The motivation behind this study was rooted in the alarming rise of depression rates globally and the pressing need for new treatment avenues. Depression, particularly major depressive disorder (MDD), has seen a surge in prevalence across various demographics, notably among youth and young adults in the United States. This rise coincides with increased antidepressant usage, despite the limitations of these medications in terms of efficacy. Identifying physiological signatures unique to individuals with MDD could pave the way for developing targeted treatments, especially for those within a biologically homogeneous subgroup. For their study, the researchers harnessed data from 20,880 individuals from the TemPredict Study, a prospective, worldwide cohort study initially designed to identify the onset of COVID-19 using physiological …

Blind date: ‘She observed that my suit would have been more in keeping with a funeral’ | Life and style

Blind date: ‘She observed that my suit would have been more in keeping with a funeral’ | Life and style

Published by skeptic

Susan on Gerard What were you hoping for?I was hoping that Gerard would be a good conversationalist. I was also hoping that there might be a spark. First impressions?Low-key; a little uncertain perhaps, warm, friendly. What did you talk about?We touched on Gerard’s experiences growing up during the Troubles, the long shadows of generational trauma, and Irish politics. We also talked about hill walking and the poetry of Seamus Heaney. Our broad tastes in music found a word in edgeways, along with reflections on our experience of life in Scotland having migrated here. Most awkward moment?I didn’t notice any awkward moments either on his part or my own. Good table manners?Oh yes. We used our cutlery correctly and drank the exquisite wine elegantly. Our waiter gave assurances that the lobster would be without its shell, removing the risk of applying heavy-lifting gear, pickaxes or chisels. Best thing about Gerard?He’s very easy and interesting to talk with, and has a good sense of humour. I noticed his perceptiveness and wisdom gained through years working on the …

The brightest object ever observed in the night sky is a black hole that’s growing by the equivalent of one Sun a day

The brightest object ever observed in the night sky is a black hole that’s growing by the equivalent of one Sun a day

Published by skeptic

A new study published in Nature Astronomy describes the most luminous object ever observed by astronomers. It is a black hole with a mass of 17 billion Suns, swallowing a greater amount of mass than the Sun every single day. It has been known about for several decades, but since it is so bright, astronomers assumed it must be a nearby star. Only recent observations revealed its extreme distance and luminosity. The object has been dubbed J0529-4351. This name simply refers to its coordinates on the celestial sphere – a way of projecting the objects in the sky onto the inside of a sphere. It is a type of object called a quasar. The physical nature of quasars was initially unknown. But in 1963, the visible light from a quasar called 3C 273 was split into all its wavelengths (known as its spectrum). This showed that it was located nearly 2 billion light years away. Given how bright 3C 273 appears to us, and how far away it is, it must be extremely luminous – …

Ocean thunderstorms generate the most intense lightning ever observed

Ocean thunderstorms generate the most intense lightning ever observed

Published by skeptic

The most intense lightning storms occur over the ocean Melidis Alexandros/Shutterstock A new type of thunderstorm, responsible for the most intense lightning ever observed, has been identified by analysing satellite observations. Eighty per cent of lightning occurs over land, where thunderstorms have stronger convection currents. These air currents bring smaller ice particles high up in the cloud and charge them, setting the stage for lightning. But in terms of lightning density, which is the number of lightning flashes in a given time and area, the most extreme storms actually take place over the… Source link