Dr. Howard Smith Reports

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/vQXDHE0Xdj0

The most pleasurable, emotion-evoking music contains unpredictable yet somehow expected chords and riffs that trigger primitive pleasure centers in our brains.  This from a German study of over 1000 chords taken from 745 pop songs and presented to nearly 80 subjects.  

Each chord was computer rated for its uncertainty attributes and by the participants for its pleasurability.  Subjective pleasure rose with unpredictability, and functional MRI imaging confirmed that deviation from the expected proved most capable of triggering the brain’s pleasure, reward, and memory centers.

The investigators speculate that pleasurably-unpredictable may be a winning combination for all art forms.  In fact, we have known for a long time that “variety is the spice of life.”

Vincent K.M. Cheung, Peter M.C. Harrison, Lars Meyer, Marcus T. Pearce, John-Dylan Haynes, Stefan Koelsch. Uncertainty and Surprise Jointly Predict Musical Pleasure and Amygdala, Hippocampus, and Auditory Cortex Activity. Current Biology, 2019; DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.09.067

#Pleasure #music #chords #riffs #memorablesong 

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/vQXDHE0Xdj0

The most pleasurable, emotion-evoking music contains unpredictable yet somehow expected chords and riffs that trigger primitive pleasure centers in our brains.  This from a German study of over 1000 chords taken from 745 pop songs and presented to nearly 80 subjects.  

Each chord was computer rated for its uncertainty attributes and by the participants for its pleasurability.  Subjective pleasure rose with unpredictability, and functional MRI imaging confirmed that deviation from the expected proved most capable of triggering the brain’s pleasure, reward, and memory centers.

The investigators speculate that pleasurably-unpredictable may be a winning combination for all art forms.  In fact, we have known for a long time that “variety is the spice of life.”

Vincent K.M. Cheung, Peter M.C. Harrison, Lars Meyer, Marcus T. Pearce, John-Dylan Haynes, Stefan Koelsch. Uncertainty and Surprise Jointly Predict Musical Pleasure and Amygdala, Hippocampus, and Auditory Cortex Activity. Current Biology, 2019; DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.09.067

#Pleasure #music #chords #riffs #memorablesong 

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/LGnGfHSQUdg

Children without siblings are nearly 5 times more likely to demonstrate unhealthy eating patterns compared with those having brothers and sisters.  University of Oklahoma nutritionists reviewed food consumption diaries from 67 families to determine a Healthy Eating Index for each.

Healthy eating habits are not diminished by time away from home in daycare or pre-school.  Less nutritious eating occurs when mother herself suffers from weight problems and when the family spends added time snacking in front of the TV.

If you have an only child, be cautious about his or her diet.  Eliminate the junk food, fill the fridge with carrots, apples, and grapes, end reduce time eating in front of TV.

Chelsea L. Kracht, Susan B. Sisson, Emily Hill Guseman, Laura Hubbs-Tait, Sandra H. Arnold, Jennifer Graef, Allen Knehans. Family Eating Behavior and Child Eating Patterns Differences Between Children With and Without Siblings. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 2019; 51 (10): 1188 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2019.08.004

#Onlykids #healthyfood #overweight #obesity

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/LGnGfHSQUdg

Children without siblings are nearly 5 times more likely to demonstrate unhealthy eating patterns compared with those having brothers and sisters.  University of Oklahoma nutritionists reviewed food consumption diaries from 67 families to determine a Healthy Eating Index for each.

Healthy eating habits are not diminished by time away from home in daycare or pre-school.  Less nutritious eating occurs when mother herself suffers from weight problems and when the family spends added time snacking in front of the TV.

If you have an only child, be cautious about his or her diet.  Eliminate the junk food, fill the fridge with carrots, apples, and grapes, end reduce time eating in front of TV.

Chelsea L. Kracht, Susan B. Sisson, Emily Hill Guseman, Laura Hubbs-Tait, Sandra H. Arnold, Jennifer Graef, Allen Knehans. Family Eating Behavior and Child Eating Patterns Differences Between Children With and Without Siblings. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 2019; 51 (10): 1188 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2019.08.004

#Onlykids #healthyfood #overweight #obesity

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/X6LuNJS8iP0

A just published study from Pittsburgh’s Carnegie-Mellon University disproves the urban myth that boys surpass girls in mastery of mathematics or math-based science.  The psychologists studied 104 children 3 to 8 years of age .

Using MRI, the researchers determined the subjects’ math brain function while observing a video about counting and addition.    The scans were compared with each other but also with those from adults who watched the same math videos.

The conclusions:  no girl-boy differences in brain function, development, or maturity while thinking about math principles. 

These results plus previous work showing gender-equal ability to use math should encourage girls as well as boys to seek careers in math and science.

Kersey, A.J., Csumitta, K.D. & Cantlon, J.F. Gender similarities in the brain during mathematics development. npj Sci. Learn. 4, 19 (2019) doi:10.1038/s41539-019-0057-xx

#Math #science #girls #MRI

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/X6LuNJS8iP0

A just published study from Pittsburgh’s Carnegie-Mellon University disproves the urban myth that boys surpass girls in mastery of mathematics or math-based science.  The psychologists studied 104 children 3 to 8 years of age .

Using MRI, the researchers determined the subjects’ math brain function while observing a video about counting and addition.    The scans were compared with each other but also with those from adults who watched the same math videos.

The conclusions:  no girl-boy differences in brain function, development, or maturity while thinking about math principles. 

These results plus previous work showing gender-equal ability to use math should encourage girls as well as boys to seek careers in math and science.

Kersey, A.J., Csumitta, K.D. & Cantlon, J.F. Gender similarities in the brain during mathematics development. npj Sci. Learn. 4, 19 (2019) doi:10.1038/s41539-019-0057-xx

#Math #science #girls #MRI

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/ea4aQpMgii8

We think of those with the anorexia eating disorder as skinny, undernourished teens and 20 somethings.  The latest research from UC-San Francisco shows that anorexics may have normal body weights, be overweight or obese.  They can also suffer profound metabolic disturbances that may be fatal.

Such patients suffer from so-called Atypical Anorexia.  The investigators compared 50 atypical anorexics with 66 underweight anorexics.  More than 90% were female with an average age of 16.  

Atypicals and standard anorexics both have cardiac problems and menstrual irregularities.. Atypicals have more negative feelings about their bodies and are more likely to have experienced large, rapid, and continuing weight losses.

Anorexia is dangerous.  If you suspect it, get professional help.

Andrea K. Garber, Jing Cheng, Erin C. Accurso, Sally H. Adams, Sara M. Buckelew, Cynthia J. Kapphahn, Anna Kreiter, Daniel Le Grange, Vanessa I. Machen, Anna-Barbara Moscicki, Kristina Saffran, Allyson F. Sy, Leslie Wilson, Neville H. Golden. Weight Loss and Illness Severity in Adolescents With Atypical Anorexia Nervosa. Pediatrics, 2019; e20192339 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2019-2339

#Anorexia #atypicalanorexia #eatingdisorders

Anorexia, atypicalanorexia, eatingdisorders

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/ea4aQpMgii8

We think of those with the anorexia eating disorder as skinny, undernourished teens and 20 somethings.  The latest research from UC-San Francisco shows that anorexics may have normal body weights, be overweight or obese.  They can also suffer profound metabolic disturbances that may be fatal.

Such patients suffer from so-called Atypical Anorexia.  The investigators compared 50 atypical anorexics with 66 underweight anorexics.  More than 90% were female with an average age of 16.  

Atypicals and standard anorexics both have cardiac problems and menstrual irregularities.. Atypicals have more negative feelings about their bodies and are more likely to have experienced large, rapid, and continuing weight losses.

Anorexia is dangerous.  If you suspect it, get professional help.

Andrea K. Garber, Jing Cheng, Erin C. Accurso, Sally H. Adams, Sara M. Buckelew, Cynthia J. Kapphahn, Anna Kreiter, Daniel Le Grange, Vanessa I. Machen, Anna-Barbara Moscicki, Kristina Saffran, Allyson F. Sy, Leslie Wilson, Neville H. Golden. Weight Loss and Illness Severity in Adolescents With Atypical Anorexia Nervosa. Pediatrics, 2019; e20192339 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2019-2339

#Anorexia #atypicalanorexia #eatingdisorders

Anorexia, atypicalanorexia, eatingdisorders

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/og0ojToxMBs

Children with good self-discipline as preteens and adolescents are significantly more likely to be successful young adults either as students or in a satisfying job.  Psychologists at UC-Davis draw this conclusion from their longitudinal study of 674 youths.

The teens were assessed every 2 years from ages 10 through 16 with a final analysis at 19.  Those who evidence better self-control at younger ages continue that trend and are more successful at age 19.  Girls show better self-discipline than boys, as do children scoring higher on IQ tests.

Home chores have no positive effect.  Instead, delegating responsibilities to young children may be the key to fostering self-control.

Rodica Ioana Damian, Olivia E. Atherton, Katherine M. Lawson, Richard W. Robins. The co-development of chores and effortful control among Mexican-origin youth and prospective work outcomes. Journal of Research in Personality, 2020; 84: 103883 DOI: 10.1016/j.jrp.2019.103883

#Seffcontrol #teen #school #work #chores

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/og0ojToxMBs

Children with good self-discipline as preteens and adolescents are significantly more likely to be successful young adults either as students or in a satisfying job.  Psychologists at UC-Davis draw this conclusion from their longitudinal study of 674 youths.

The teens were assessed every 2 years from ages 10 through 16 with a final analysis at 19.  Those who evidence better self-control at younger ages continue that trend and are more successful at age 19.  Girls show better self-discipline than boys, as do children scoring higher on IQ tests.

Home chores have no positive effect.  Instead, delegating responsibilities to young children may be the key to fostering self-control.

Rodica Ioana Damian, Olivia E. Atherton, Katherine M. Lawson, Richard W. Robins. The co-development of chores and effortful control among Mexican-origin youth and prospective work outcomes. Journal of Research in Personality, 2020; 84: 103883 DOI: 10.1016/j.jrp.2019.103883

#Seffcontrol #teen #school #work #chores