CP v2

Category: Relationships

  • NYU study maps a prefrontal naming network, offering new clues to why word retrieval can fail

    Scientists at New York University have mapped a brain network linked to naming and word retrieval, a core function that can break down after stroke, traumatic brain injury, or neurodegenerative disease. The work helps explain why some people can name an object they see but struggle to find words in everyday conversation.

    The study, published in Cell Reports, points to a left-lateralized network involving the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and nearby frontal regions. Researchers say the findings refine how neuroscience understands the step-by-step process of turning meaning into spoken words.

    How researchers mapped naming circuits

    The team analyzed electrocorticography recordings, a method that measures brain activity directly from the cortical surface during clinical monitoring. Data came from 48 neurosurgical patients, allowing unusually precise timing and localization of language-related signals.

    Using computational clustering, the researchers identified two partially overlapping systems involved in naming. One system tracked semantic processing, linking words to meaning and responding to how expected a word was within a sentence.

    Auditory naming highlights dorsal hub

    A second system was tied to articulatory planning and speech production, showing activity patterns that were less dependent on whether words were presented visually or through sound. This network was centered more ventrally in frontal and precentral regions associated with speech motor planning.

    The results also revealed a ventral-to-dorsal gradient across the prefrontal cortex, with a dorsal frontal area emerging as a key hub for mapping sounds to meaning in auditory contexts. The authors argue this dorsal prefrontal contribution has been underappreciated in earlier models.

    Why the findings matter clinically

    Clinicians frequently see anomia, the difficulty of retrieving words, in patients with focal brain damage and in conditions such as primary progressive aphasia. By separating semantic integration from articulatory planning, the study may help guide more targeted assessments and rehabilitation strategies.

    The work could also inform brain-computer interface research aimed at restoring communication, by clarifying which neural signals best reflect the intent to name a concept. While the authors caution that translation to devices and therapies will take time, the map provides a clearer target for future studies.

  • Autism communication study finds no effectiveness gap, pointing to a mismatch in styles

    A new study suggests autistic and non-autistic people can communicate information just as effectively, challenging a common assumption that autism inherently limits social connection. Researchers say many real-world difficulties may stem from mismatched communication styles rather than reduced social ability.

    The research was led by the University of Edinburgh and tested how accurately information was passed along between 311 participants. The team assessed groups made up entirely of autistic people, entirely of non-autistic people, and mixed groups.

    How the communication test worked

    In the experiment, the first participant heard a short story from a researcher and then retold it to the next person in a chain. Each person repeated what they remembered, and the final participant recalled the story aloud.

    Researchers scored how much information was retained at each step to measure communication effectiveness. They found no meaningful differences in accuracy between autistic-only, non-autistic-only, and mixed groups.

    Preference, not performance, stood out

    After the task, participants rated how comfortable the interaction felt, including how friendly, easy, or awkward it seemed. Autistic participants tended to prefer learning from other autistic people, while non-autistic participants often preferred interacting with non-autistic peers.

    The study supports the idea that communication challenges frequently arise when autistic and non-autistic people interact without shared expectations. The authors argue the results add weight to viewing autistic communication as a difference in style, not a deficit.

    Dr Catherine Crompton of the University of Edinburgh said the findings could help shift attention away from attempts to fix autistic communication. She added that reducing misconceptions and improving mutual understanding could help create more inclusive spaces.

  • Study suggests recessive disease carriers face subtle Darwinian selection, challenging genetics textbooks

    New population-scale research suggests that people who carry single harmful variants in recessive disease genes are not always fully unaffected, as many genetics textbooks imply. Using health and reproductive data, the study finds small but measurable disadvantages that could shape how these variants persist over generations.

    Researchers analyzed genetic and life-outcome information from more than 300 000 participants in the UK Biobank, a major long-running resource for biomedical research. They focused on 1 900 genes linked to recessive disorders, where disease typically appears only when both gene copies are affected.

    On average, individuals carried about two potentially damaging variants across these recessive genes, the authors reported. As a group, carriers showed a slightly higher burden of medical diagnoses and a modest reduction in reproductive success, suggesting lower odds of passing these variants on.

    Signals strongest for disability genes

    The pattern was most pronounced for genes associated with intellectual disability, where carrier variants appeared less common than expected. The researchers also observed that carriers of these variants tended to spend fewer years in education, a signal consistent with subtle effects even in people who do not meet clinical thresholds.

    The findings build on earlier work showing many cases of intellectual disability arise from de novo mutations that occur spontaneously in a child rather than being inherited. Because each child typically acquires around 100 new mutations across the genome, rare but consequential changes can still emerge even if selection slowly reduces inherited risk variants.

    Evolution may still be at work

    The authors argue that these small carrier disadvantages are consistent with ongoing Darwinian selection in modern populations, operating through health and reproduction rather than survival alone. They also point to the possibility that social factors, including mate choice, could contribute, echoing Darwin’s later emphasis on sexual selection.

    Experts caution that the reported effects are modest and observed at the group level, meaning they may not predict outcomes for any single person. Still, the results may influence how genetic counseling, population genetics, and the long-term dynamics of disease variants are taught and studied.

  • Study links language networks to visual memory: Why a banana’s color may depend on words

    Our ability to store information about familiar objects depends on the connection between visual and language processing regions in the brain, according to a study published May 20 in the open-access journal PLOS Biology by Bo Liu from Beijing Normal University, China, and colleagues.

    Seeing an object and knowing visual information about it, like its usual color, activate the same parts of the brain. Seeing a yellow banana, for example, and knowing that the object represented by the word “banana” is usually yellow, both excite the ventral occipitotemporal cortex (VOTC). However, there’s evidence that parts of the brain involved in language, like the dorsal anterior temporal lobe (ATL), are also involved in this process — dementia patients with ATL damage, for example, struggle with object color knowledge, despite having relatively normal visual processing areas. To understand whether communication between the brain’s language and sensory association systems is necessary for representing information about objects, the authors tested whether stroke-induced damage to the neural pathways connecting these two systems impacted patients’ ability to match objects to their typical color. They compared color-identification behavior in 33 stroke patients to 35 demographically-matched controls, using fMRI to record brain activity and diffusion imaging to map the white matter connections between language regions and the VOTC.

    The researchers found that stronger connections between language and visual processing regions correlated with stronger object color representations in the VOTC, and supported better performance on object color knowledge tasks. These effects couldn’t be explained by variations in patients’ stroke lesions, related cognitive processes (like simply recognizing a patch of color), or problems with earlier stages of visual processing. The authors suggest that these results highlight the sophisticated connection between vision and language in the human brain.

    The authors add, “Our findings reveal that the brain’s ability to store and retrieve object perceptual knowledge — like the color of a banana — relies on critical connections between visual and language systems. Damage to these connections disrupts both brain activity and behavior, showing that language isn’t just for communication — it fundamentally shapes how sensory experiences are neurally structured into knowledge.”

  • Why doctors are adding numbers to risk talks, and what patients should ask next

    When a doctor describes a complication as rare or unlikely, patients may interpret the danger very differently than clinicians intend. A new analysis argues that relying on vague words instead of clear figures can lead people to overestimate risks and make less informed choices.

    The recommendations come from a paper published April 29 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine by researchers including Ellen Peters of the University of Oregon, Paul K. J. Han of the National Cancer Institute and Clara N. Lee of the University of North Carolina. The authors focus on everyday decisions, from medication side effects to treatment options, where risk communication shapes consent.

    Studies in medical decision-making have found that verbal labels alone can inflate perceptions of harm, especially when patients are anxious or facing complex information. Even when numeracy varies widely, many patients report higher trust when clinicians provide numbers alongside plain-language explanations.

    How to make health risks clearer

    The authors urge clinicians to pair descriptors with specific probabilities, such as stating that a side effect occurs in 7 percent of people. That approach can calibrate expectations and reduce the tendency to assume the worst from a general warning.

    They also recommend simplifying what is shared in the moment by focusing on what is relevant to the patient’s situation. In practice, that can mean doing the math for multi-year risks or skipping options that are not realistic given a person’s condition.

    Context and uncertainty matter too

    Numbers can still mislead if they are presented without context, the paper notes. Comparisons between options, or explaining what clinicians generally consider a low or high risk, can help patients understand whether a figure is meaningful.

    The authors also stress acknowledging uncertainty, since risk estimates come from available evidence and may not capture individual factors. They argue that being transparent about what is known and unknown can improve shared decision-making rather than undermine confidence.

    What patients can do in visits

    One practical tool highlighted is the teach-back method, where a clinician asks a patient to repeat the pros and cons in their own words. It can reveal misunderstandings early and allow the doctor to correct them quickly.

    Patients can also advocate for clearer risk communication by asking for the chance of a side effect or outcome in absolute terms. If the information feels overwhelming, the authors suggest asking to narrow the discussion to the most important benefits and harms for that specific decision.

  • New study links strategic family routines to better workplace adaptability and creativity

    A new study suggests that employees who proactively reorganise life at home may become more adaptable and innovative at work. The research argues that small, deliberate changes in family routines can build confidence that carries into professional settings.

    The study, published in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, was led by the University of Bath School of Management. Researchers followed 147 full-time, dual-income heterosexual couples with children in the United States over six weeks.

    According to the authors, taking initiative at home can create momentum that helps people respond better to change on the job. They link this effect to resilience and a greater willingness to experiment with new approaches at work.

    What strategic renewal looks like

    The researchers describe these purposeful household adjustments as strategic renewal. Examples include changing childcare schedules, redistributing domestic responsibilities, or putting clearer systems in place to coordinate busy weeks.

    Some families used shared calendars, rotated school pick-ups, or held regular household check-ins to revisit chores and priorities. Others redesigned living spaces to support remote work, created quiet zones, or set tech-free time to improve connection.

    Why employers may want to notice

    Professor Yasin Rofcanin of the University of Bath said that when people make deliberate changes at home, they often feel more capable and in control. He added that this sense of control can translate into greater creativity and adaptability at work.

    The study also points to the role of family creativity, or an environment where household members collaborate and try new solutions. The authors say this can make proactive changes more likely and strengthen the positive spillover into work performance.

    With hybrid and flexible work becoming more common, the researchers argue that home and work boundaries are increasingly blurred. They suggest employers can reinforce these benefits through flexible arrangements, coaching, and training that considers work-family dynamics.

    Additional measures such as wellbeing programmes, counselling, and family care support could also help reduce stress and improve functioning across both domains. The team notes that earlier research indicates supportive workplace relationships can, in turn, improve home life and creativity.

  • Therapy horses are shaping social robots: Bristol researchers say the next generation should sometimes say no

    Interactive robots should not just be passive companions, but active partners-like therapy horses who respond to human emotion-say University of Bristol researchers.

    Equine-assisted interventions (EAIs) offer a powerful alternative to traditional talking therapies for patients with PTSD, trauma and autism, who struggle to express and regulate emotions through words alone.

    The study, presented at the CHI ’25: Proceedings of the 2025 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems held in Yokohama, recommends that therapeutic robots should also exhibit a level of autonomy, rather than one-dimensional displays of friendship and compliance.

    Lead author Ellen Weir from Bristol’s Faculty of Science and Engineering explains: “Most social robots today are designed to be obedient and predictable — following commands and prioritising user comfort.

    “Our research challenges this assumption.”

    In EAIs, individuals communicate with horses through body language and emotional energy. If someone is tense or unregulated, the horse resists their cues. When the individual becomes calm, clear, and confident, the horse responds positively. This ‘living mirror’ effect helps participants recognise and adjust their emotional states, improving both internal well-being and social interactions.

    However, EAIs require highly trained horses and facilitators, making them expensive and inaccessible.

    Ellen continued: “We found that therapeutic robots should not be passive companions but active co-workers, like EAI horses.

    “Just as horses respond only when a person is calm and emotionally regulated, therapeutic robots should resist engagement when users are stressed or unsettled. By requiring emotional regulation before responding, these robots could mirror the therapeutic effect of EAIs, rather than simply providing comfort.”

    This approach has the potential to transform robotic therapy, helping users develop self-awareness and regulation skills, just as horses do in EAIs.

    Beyond therapy, this concept could influence human-robot interaction in other fields, such as training robots for social skills development, emotional coaching, or even stress management in workplaces.

    A key question is whether robots can truly replicate — or at least complement — the emotional depth of human-animal interactions. Future research must explore how robotic behaviour can foster trust, empathy, and fine tuning, ensuring these machines support emotional well-being in a meaningful way.

    Ellen added: “The next challenge is designing robots that can interpret human emotions and respond dynamically — just as horses do. This requires advances in emotional sensing, movement dynamics, and machine learning.

    “We must also consider the ethical implications of replacing sentient animals with machines. Could a robot ever offer the same therapeutic value as a living horse? And if so, how do we ensure these interactions remain ethical, effective, and emotionally authentic?”

  • Stanford study maps how brief stimuli can sustain emotions, revealing a shared brain timing signature in humans and mice

    New research from Stanford Medicine offers a clearer look at how fleeting sensory events can set off emotional states that linger well beyond the trigger. The findings, reported in Science, point to a conserved brainwide timing pattern seen in both humans and mice.

    To create a safe, precisely timed negative experience across species, the team used brief air puffs to the eye, similar to a common eye exam test. Participants described the sensation as annoying or uncomfortable, and repeated puffs led to a longer-lasting feeling of irritation.

    A two-phase brainwide response

    In hospitalized epilepsy patients who already had intracranial electrodes implanted for clinical monitoring, researchers recorded widespread neural activity during the eye-puff task. They observed a fast burst of activity within about 200 milliseconds, followed by a slower phase lasting roughly 700 milliseconds that involved emotion-linked circuits.

    When the same task was run in mice, the brain response showed a comparable two-phase pattern. Repeated puffs also produced a more persistent negative state, reflected in reduced reward-seeking behavior after the stimulus ended.

    Ketamine hints at a mechanism

    The team then tested ketamine, a drug known to blunt typical emotional reactions at certain doses while leaving basic sensory awareness intact. In both humans and mice, ketamine preserved the reflexive blink but reduced longer, self-protective eye closure between puffs.

    Neural recordings suggested why: ketamine selectively shortened the slower, sustained phase of activity without eliminating the initial rapid sensory broadcast. By compressing this integrative window, the drug appeared to limit the brain’s ability to maintain an emotional state from a brief event.

    Why timing may matter clinically

    Researchers say these measurable timing properties could help explain emotional symptoms that are either too persistent or too fleeting across psychiatric conditions. They also argue that brainwide synchrony and the duration of integrative activity may be key variables for future diagnostics and treatment research.

    The work builds on a cross-species approach designed to isolate fundamental, evolutionarily conserved principles of emotional processing. While the study focused on mildly aversive input, the authors say similar timing rules may also apply to positive experiences, an area they are continuing to investigate.

  • Waseda Researchers Apply Attachment Theory to Human-AI Bonds: What EHARS Reveals About Anxiety and Avoidance

    As AI chatbots and digital assistants become part of daily life, researchers are looking beyond trust and usefulness to understand the emotional side of human-AI interaction. A team at Waseda University argues that attachment theory, long used to explain human bonds, can also help explain why some people turn to AI for comfort and guidance.

    The researchers developed a new self-report measure called the Experiences in Human-AI Relationships Scale, or EHARS, to capture how users relate to AI in ways that resemble attachment patterns. The work, based on two pilot studies and a formal study, was published in Current Psychology in May 2025.

    Measuring attachment anxiety and avoidance

    EHARS focuses on two dimensions: attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance toward AI systems. Higher anxiety is linked to seeking reassurance and worrying that an AI will respond inadequately, while higher avoidance reflects discomfort with emotional closeness and a preference for distance.

    In the study, nearly 75% of participants reported turning to AI for advice, suggesting that many people already treat AI as a source of guidance. About 39% described AI as a constant, dependable presence, a finding the authors say is relevant to how emotional security can be sought through technology.

    What the findings do and do not mean

    The authors emphasize that the results do not prove people are forming genuine human-like attachments to AI. Instead, the study indicates that established psychological frameworks may help describe patterns in human-AI relationships as these tools become more conversational and socially responsive.

    That distinction matters because AI systems can simulate empathy without experiencing it, potentially shaping user expectations and dependency. Researchers and ethicists have increasingly warned that emotionally persuasive interfaces can heighten risks for vulnerable users, particularly in loneliness and mental health contexts.

    Implications for ethical AI design

    The team suggests EHARS could help designers and researchers evaluate how different users emotionally engage with AI, informing safer interaction patterns. In practice, that could mean more transparent disclosures, careful use of relational language, and guardrails to reduce overreliance where attachment anxiety appears high.

    As AI companions, coaching bots, and therapy-adjacent apps expand, measuring emotional dynamics may become as important as testing accuracy and security. The Waseda study positions attachment-informed evaluation as one tool for aligning AI behavior with user well-being and responsible product design.

  • New research shows when eye contact matters most, and why robots can read it too

    New research shows when eye contact matters most, and why robots can read it too

    For the first time, a new study has revealed how and when we make eye contact — not just the act itself — plays a crucial role in how we understand and respond to others, including robots.

    Led by cognitive neuroscientist Dr Nathan Caruana, researchers from the HAVIC Lab at Flinders University asked 137 participants to complete a block-building task with a virtual partner.

    They discovered that the most effective way to signal a request was through a specific gaze sequence: looking at an object, making eye contact, then looking back at the same object. This timing made people most likely to interpret the gaze as a call for help.

    Dr Caruana says that identifying these key patterns in eye contact offers new insights into how we process social cues in face-to-face interactions, paving the way for smarter, more human-centered technology.

    “We found that it’s not just how often someone looks at you, or if they look at you last in a sequence of eye movements but the context of their eye movements that makes that behavior appear communicative and relevant,” says Dr Caruana, from the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work.

    “And what’s fascinating is that people responded the same way whether the gaze behavior is observed from a human or a robot.

    “Our findings have helped to decode one of our most instinctive behaviors and how it can be used to build better connections whether you’re talking to a teammate, a robot, or someone who communicates differently.

    “It aligns with our earlier work showing that the human brain is broadly tuned to see and respond to social information and that humans are primed to effectively communicate and understand robots and virtual agents if they display the non-verbal gestures we are used to navigating in our everyday interactions with other people.”

    The authors say the research can directly inform how we build social robots and virtual assistants that are becoming ever more ubiquitous in our schools, workplaces and homes, while also having broader implications beyond tech.

    “Understanding how eye contact works could improve non-verbal communication training in high-pressure settings like sports, defense, and noisy workplaces,” says Dr Caruana.

    “It could also support people who rely heavily on visual cues, such as those who are hearing-impaired or autistic.”

    The team is now expanding the research to explore other factors that shape how we interpret gaze, such as the duration of eye contact, repeated looks, and our beliefs about who or what we are interacting with (human, AI, or computer-controlled).

    The HAVIC Lab is currently conducting several applied studies exploring how humans perceive and interact with social robots in various settings, including education and manufacturing.

    “These subtle signals are the building blocks of social connection,” says Dr Caruana.

    “By understanding them better, we can create technologies and training that help people connect more clearly and confidently.”

    The HAVIC Lab is affiliated with the Flinders Institute for Mental Health and Wellbeing and a founding partner of the Flinders Autism Research Initiative.

    Acknowledgements: Authors were supported by an Experimental Psychology Society small grant.