Latest news with #neuroscience
Yahoo
a day ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists unite with AI to record dreams
Dreaming is a fascinating state where creativity runs wild, crafting vivid, cinematic scenes that can feel as real as everyday life—until you wake up and they vanish into memory or disappear from your recollection altogether. But what if there were a way to capture, record, and playback your dreams in the real world? At ATR Computational Neuroscience Laboratories in Kyoto, Japan, a group of scientists unveiled a complex system that uses functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and AI to 'record' people's dreams and play them back in a rough, estimated form. The experiment focused on closely observing the brain's electrical and blood flow activity in a select group of volunteers as they slept. To achieve this, researchers combined an electroencephalogram (EEG) with an fMRI machine, allowing participants to spend several nights sleeping while their brain activity was recorded. During the REM stage of sleep—when brain activity surges and dreams unfold—participants were gently awakened and asked to recount their dreams. This process was repeated hundreds of times, creating a rich database that linked distinct brain-scan patterns to specific dream imagery. Using this carefully constructed database, scientists employed deep learning algorithms to attempt to reconstruct visual content while the volunteers slept. During the tests, the system achieved approximately 60% accuracy, rising to over 70% on more specific categories like people or objects. Professor Yukiyasu Kamitani stated, 'We were able to reveal dream content from brain activity during sleep, which was consistent with the subjects' verbal reports.' The idea of watching your dreams play out like a vintage film is undeniably captivating, but the implications for neuroscience and mental health are equally remarkable. In the future, this innovative approach could be harnessed to explore emotional and cognitive patterns in various mental health conditions, providing a non-verbal and impartial glimpse into the subconscious. As the technology advances, it holds the potential to deepen our understanding of both human consciousness and the subconscious mind. However, while the technology is still in its early stages, the results it produces are often blurry and indistinct. Key elements such as colour, motion, narrative structure, and emotion remain largely elusive for now. Currently, dreams can only be captured in retrospect, after the subject has awakened, rather than in real-time. Dr. Mark Stokes points out that "all of this would have to be done within individual subjects," meaning that a universal classifier capable of interpreting anyone's dreams is not feasible. In essence, a dream-reading machine is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Nonetheless, this experiment represents a significant leap forward in the field of "oneirography," which involves the recording and documentation of dreams. As advancements in fMRI, EEG, and AI continue, the boundary between our internal mental experiences and external observation is starting to blur. "Scientists unite with AI to record dreams" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Fast Company
a day ago
- Health
- Fast Company
3 tiny behaviors that make you the calmest person in the room
In high-stakes meetings or chaotic team moments, the person who stays grounded often becomes the one others follow. And this outcome isn't about status or rank—it's biological. Human groups are wired to seek cues of stability. In uncertain situations, people scan for behavioral signals of calm, control, and composure. Those who project these signals can influence group dynamics in powerful ways, whether or not they hold formal authority. In my work on Leadership Biodynamics, a biology-based approach to executive presence, I train leaders to tune their behavioral signals intentionally. The goal is not to fake confidence, but to engage practices that create real calm in the body and broadcast it to others. This is rooted in the biology of behavior. When your nervous system signals stability, others' systems start to regulate in response. Here are three tiny behaviors that can make you the calmest person in the room. 1. Slow Your Exhale One of the fastest ways to regulate your nervous system is through your breath. Specifically, focus on extending the exhale. A longer out-breath activates the parasympathetic nervous system, signaling to your body and brain that you are safe and in control. In stressful moments, most people unconsciously shorten their breath, which heightens physiological arousal. By contrast, slowing your exhale lowers heart rate variability and helps maintain executive function under pressure. Neuroscience research supports this. Controlled breathing patterns are shown to downregulate the amygdala, the brain's threat detection center, and improve prefrontal cortex performance. In leadership terms, this allows you to think clearly and signal calm even when tension is high. 2. Master the Neutral Face Facial expressions are among the most contagious signals in any room. Subtle cues of tension—tightened jaw, furrowed brow, compressed lips—trigger mirror neuron responses in others, escalating stress contagion. One of the simplest yet most powerful techniques is to practice what I call a neutral face. Relax your facial muscles, release tension from the jaw and brow, and let your gaze soften. This sends nonthreatening signals that calm others' nervous systems. A recent story on how fighter pilots maintain calm in high-stakes situations echoes this principle. Pilots are trained to maintain neutral, composed facial expressions because they know crew members will mirror their affect. The same applies in leadership settings. 3. Use Stillness Strategically Movement is another powerful signal. Rapid, jittery gestures broadcast anxiety. Deliberate stillness, on the other hand, projects control. In tense meetings, practice purposeful stillness. Rest your hands lightly on the table, slow your gestures, and allow silences to stand without rushing to fill them. This creates a grounding presence that helps regulate group energy. Behavioral research confirms that leaders who demonstrate controlled stillness are perceived as more composed, credible, and trustworthy. The effect is amplified when combined with calm vocal tone and centered body posture. Why Projecting Calm Matters at Work These behaviors may seem small, but their effects are anything but. In group settings, emotional states are highly contagious. The person who maintains composure can anchor the emotional tone of the entire room. This is especially critical in hybrid and remote environments, where subtle behavioral cues carry more weight. In my work with global leadership teams, I often see that those who can project calm consistently gain disproportionate influence, not through dominance but through stabilizing presence. In Biohacking Leadership, my book of science-based techniques for better leadership, I emphasize that influence is not about charisma alone. It is about biological signaling. When your own system is grounded, you help others self-regulate. That is what builds trust and followership in high-stakes moments. The bottom line is this: if you want to become the calmest person in the room, start with these three behaviors. Slow your exhale. Relax your face. Use stillness strategically. These tiny actions, grounded in the biology of behavior, can shift not only how you feel, but how others respond to you. And in leadership, that is the signal that often matters most.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Health
- Forbes
5 Surprising Ways Too Much Screen Time Impacts Your Brain
Excessive screen time can impact brain health and productivity, making intentional breaks more ... More important than ever. The average American now spends 12 hours and 36 minutes staring at screens every day, with approximately 104 million people exposed to excessive screen time of seven or more hours daily. While we often focus on physical symptoms like eye strain and neck pain, neuroscience research reveals that excessive screen time is literally reshaping our brains in surprising ways. "The negative effects of screen time are insidious because you can't see what's happening in your brain as you're staring at the screen," explains Maris Loeffler, member of the Stanford Lifestyle Medicine Cognitive Enhancement pillar. "If you scrolled on your phone in bed for an hour just one morning, the negative impacts would be minimal. But if it becomes a habit, day after day, month after month, this behavior can take a toll." Here are five scientifically-backed ways excessive screen time is impacting your brain, along with actionable workplace strategies to protect your mental acuity. One of the most astonishing discoveries in recent neuroscience research is that excessive screen time can lead to physical changes in the brain's structure. Studies show that in adults aged 18-25, excessive screen time can cause thinning of the cerebral cortex, the brain's outermost layer responsible for essential brain functions like memory and problem-solving. Your cerebral cortex is your brain's command center, orchestrating everything from complex reasoning to creative thinking. When this region becomes thinner due to excessive screen exposure, it can impact your ability to focus, make decisions and process information effectively. Implement the 20-20-20 rule recommended by The American Academy of Ophthalmology throughout your workday. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Schedule this as recurring calendar reminders if needed. Additionally, negotiate "cortex recovery" breaks with your employer. Brief 10- to 15-minute breaks every two hours can boost productivity. Use these breaks for activities like brainstorming sessions, walking meetings or reviewing printed materials rather than staying glued to your monitor. Gray matter is your brain's essential tissue responsible for everything from movement to emotions. While gray matter naturally decreases with age, research indicates that adults who engage in excessive screen time have significantly lower gray matter volume compared to their peers. This premature shrinkage is concerning because gray matter houses the majority of your brain's neuronal cell bodies. When you lose gray matter volume ahead of schedule, you're accelerating cognitive aging, which can impact your memory, emotional regulation and overall mental sharpness. To protect and build your gray matter at work, consider these neuroscience-backed strategies: • Take walking meetings: Replace video calls with phone calls while walking, or suggest walking discussions for one-on-one meetings to combine exercise with collaboration. • Prioritize in-person interactions: Choose face-to-face conversations over Slack messages when possible, attend networking events and participate in team-building activities. • Engage in professional development: Attend workshops, take online courses during designated learning time or join professional associations that require active participation and new skill development. The blue light emitted by screens doesn't just strain your eyes; it also affects your sleep. Research demonstrates that screen light can delay the release of melatonin from the brain's pineal gland, disrupting the body's natural circadian rhythm and making it difficult to fall asleep and achieve restorative sleep cycles. When your circadian rhythm is consistently disrupted, it creates a series of problems that neuroscience research has linked to impaired cognitive performance. Poor sleep quality impairs memory consolidation, reduces cognitive performance and can even contribute to mood disorders and anxiety. To protect your sleep and circadian rhythm: • Set clear boundaries: Negotiate with your employer to avoid late-night emails and establish "off-hours" communication policies. • Use protective technology: If you must work late, use blue light-blocking glasses or enable night mode on all devices. • Create a shutdown ritual: Physically close your laptop, turn off notifications and transition to non-screen activities like reviewing tomorrow's priorities on paper. • Propose flexible hours: Consider work schedules that align with your natural circadian rhythm for peak performance. "One of the biggest issues with picking up the phone right away in the morning is that when you have an object close to your face, it's registered as a threat," explains Loeffler. "You wouldn't want to wake up and look a bear in the face every morning. On a physiological level, it's the same thing." When you immediately reach for your phone upon waking and dive into emails, you jolt your nervous system and trigger a fight-or-flight response before you're fully awake. This creates a pattern where your brain defaults to hypervigilance and anxiety throughout the day, making it harder to relax, focus and think clearly. Implement a screen-free first hour of your day. Instead of checking emails immediately, start with activities that regulate your nervous system, like exercise, meditation or preparing a healthy breakfast. Arrive at work early to settle in without the immediate pressure of emails and notifications. Use this time to plan your day, organize your workspace or have informal conversations with colleagues. This approach helps you start work from a calm, focused state rather than reactive stress mode. Research indicates that adults who watch television for five hours or more daily may have an increased risk of developing diseases like dementia, stroke or Parkinson's. This connection likely stems from the combination of factors we've already discussed: reduced gray matter, disrupted sleep patterns, chronic stress activation and the sedentary lifestyle that often accompanies excessive screen time. When these factors compound over years or decades, they can accelerate cognitive decline and increase vulnerability to serious neurological conditions. Take a comprehensive approach to brain health in your professional life: • Seek cognitive challenges: Volunteer for projects requiring strategic thinking, problem-solving and creative solutions, or lead cross-functional teams and mentor colleagues. • Champion workplace wellness: Propose initiatives like lunchtime walking groups, meditation sessions or stress management workshops incorporating neuroscience-based techniques. • Advocate for health support: Push for ergonomic workstations and regular health screenings through your employee benefits. Remember that your brain is remarkably adaptable. By taking control of your screen time and protecting your cognitive health, you can actually rewire your brain's neural pathways, reduce the risk of mental decline and create a healthier relationship with technology that advances rather than hinders your professional success.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Vistagen to Report Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Results and Host Corporate Update Conference Call on June 17, 2025
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., June 12, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Vistagen (Nasdaq: VTGN), a late clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering neuroscience with nose-to-brain neurocircuitry to develop and commercialize a new class of intranasal product candidates called pherines, today announced it will host a conference call and webcast on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time) to report results for its fiscal year 2025 ended March 31, 2025, and provide a corporate update. The conference call is being webcast live, and a link can be found under "Events" in the Investors section of the Company's website. Participants may register to join the live call by following the link here to receive the dial-in numbers and unique PIN to access the call. Those who plan on participating are advised to join 15 minutes prior to the start time. A webcast replay of the call will be available on Vistagen's website about 24 hours after the end of the live conference call and will be accessible for at least 30 days. About Vistagen Headquartered in South San Francisco, CA, Vistagen (Nasdaq: VTGN) is a late clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company leveraging a deep understanding of nose-to-brain neurocircuitry to develop and commercialize a broad and diverse pipeline of clinical-stage product candidates from a new class of intranasal product candidates called pherines. Pherines specifically and selectively bind as agonists to peripheral receptors on human nasal chemosensory neurons and are designed to rapidly activate olfactory bulb-to-brain neurocircuits believed to regulate brain areas involved in behavior and autonomic nervous system activity. They are designed to achieve therapeutic benefits without requiring absorption into the blood or uptake into the brain, giving them the potential to be a safer alternative to other pharmacological options if successfully developed and approved. Vistagen's neuroscience pipeline also includes an oral prodrug with potential to treat certain neurological conditions involving the NMDA receptor. Vistagen is passionate about developing transformative treatment options to improve the lives of individuals underserved by the current standard of care for multiple highly prevalent indications, including social anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and multiple women's health conditions, including vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes) associated with menopause. Connect at View source version on Contacts Investor Inquiries: Mark A. McPartlandmarkmcp@ Media Inquiries: Michelle P. Wellingtonmwellington@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Forbes
4 days ago
- Health
- Forbes
Your Office Design Can Quietly Fuel Employee Burnout. Here's The Fix
Environment plays a key role in burnout mitigation. There are many workplace issues top of mind for leaders today. None more so than the pervasive and persistent issue of burnout. It rarely shows up dramatically and isn't confined to one specific dimension. One person may experience it physically, another emotionally, while others may experience it spiritually or mentally. However, despite its various manifestations, burnout often shares a common core: diminished focus, a sense that work feels heavier than it used to, and growing disengagement. According to Gallup's recent State of the Global Workplace report, employee engagement declined by two percentage points in 2024. That seemingly small drop translated into an estimated $438 billion in lost productivity globally. Quiet quitting, low morale, and heightened stress—fueled by work uncertainties—have become everyday realities in corporate life. While many leaders are taking steps to address these challenges through revised benefits, adjusted workloads, or management training, there's one hidden contributor rarely discussed: the physical workspace itself. Ann Hoffman, Director of Workplace Strategies at FCA, believes one overlooked contributor and antidote to burnout is what she calls "environment-tuning." Because burnout begins in the brain, she argues, leveraging neuroscience-backed design is an effective way to protect performance and mitigate employee decline. Leaders can think of the office as a second nervous system. It sends constant signals, subtle or loud, telling people whether they're safe, valued, supported, or invisible. Yet workplace design is often treated as an afterthought. When it's considered, it's centered on logistics, not biology. Companies optimize floor plans without asking how space affects an individual's attention, memory, mood, or stress response. That's a missed opportunity. As Hoffman told me, 'Your employees experience your workspace as if I have my arms outstretched. That's their world. And everything in that world—light, layout, noise, color, control—shapes how well they think and feel.' Younger employees are especially attuned to these environmental cues. For them, design and wellness aren't perks. They're expectations. "They demand it," Hoffman says. 'Older generations are surprised by it, but they like it too.' Design isn't just about how a space looks; it's also about how it functions. It's about how it feels to use your brain in that space. When done right, it becomes a competitive lever to improve retention, engagement, well-being, and performance without needing new software or budget overhauls. As more companies bring employees back to the office, environment-tuning becomes even more vital. While well-being initiatives are becoming more common, intentionally designed office spaces are still underleveraged. With talent harder to retain and engagement harder to win, leaders should ask: What signal is our environment sending every single day? Here are four strategies to get started: Diagnose before you prescribe. That principle applies to medicine and workplace design. Instead of gutting the office or mimicking the latest trends, companies can begin by asking: "We do this exercise with all our clients," Hoffman told me. 'Sometimes the answers are big. Sometimes, it's as simple as better coffee. Either way, it gets honest feedback—without relying on flat surveys—and opens the door for meaningful, culture-aligned design changes.' Burnout isn't only administrative. It can stem from a lack of environmental support. Choice matters. Even small gestures, such as an adjustable lamp or a sit-stand desk, can significantly impact how someone feels at work. "The only part of burnout I can truly influence as a designer is autonomy," Hoffman said. 'Just knowing your desk can be adjusted, even if you never move it, makes you feel like the company cares.' Autonomy isn't just a management principle; it's a spatial one. Different tasks require different levels of energy and mental focus. Deep focus doesn't belong in the same setting as collaboration. Yet most offices still treat office space as static entities. "Muted tones and soft textures promote calm," Hoffman shared. "Stronger, saturated colors elevate energy and social connection." These effects operate subconsciously, which is why "I go to neuroscience, not just employee opinion." Design for outcomes such as clarity, creativity, and connection and then build backward. Nature soothes your nervous system and elevates your productivity levels. And while outdoor exposure is ideal, simulated nature environments can still be effective. A Harvard study by Jie Yin found that participants in indoor biophilic environments (both real and virtual) experienced: "You don't need a tree growing in your lobby," Hoffman said. "Even a fireplace, a water feature, or a photo of a forest can restore the brain." Burnout is often invisible until the damage is done. Solving it isn't just about adding perks or revising policies. It's about what surrounds your people every day. The physical workplace is increasingly part of the culture and compensation of modern work. "If leaders want resilience and results," Hoffman said, "the workplace has to become part of the wellness strategy." Research supports this. A study in Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences found that office design has a significant impact on performance. Lighting, plants, spatial layout, and materials all influence how people think and feel. Companies can't afford to leave the environment up to chance. "We're not just designing spaces anymore," Hoffman told me. "We're designing experiences." And in a hyper-competitive talent market where burnout is pervasive, that experience might be your most overlooked edge.
