General intelligence, known as g or IQ, has long been the focus of cognitive genetics research. But what about more specific cognitive abilities, the building blocks that make up IQ? A sweeping new meta-analysis of over 740,000 twins surprisingly suggests: Specific cognitive abilities (SCA) like reading, math and processing speed are just as heritable as …
Psychopathy, a severe personality disorder characterized by emotional coldness, impulsivity, and antisocial tendencies, has long fascinated researchers and the general public alike. A new Italian study sheds light on the relationship between psychopathy and intelligence in female criminal offenders, finding that higher psychopathic traits are associated with lower IQ. Key Facts: Researchers administered psychological assessments …
A study published in Wellcome Open Research has uncovered evidence that exposures experienced by grandparents, including smoking and economic conditions at the time of their birth, may be associated with reduced IQ scores in their grandchildren. The research suggests potential lasting impacts across multiple generations of certain harmful environmental factors. Key facts: The study found …
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex condition characterized by challenges in social communication and repetitive behaviors. One aspect that contributes to the heterogeneity seen across the autism spectrum is differences in intelligence and cognitive abilities. Recent research is shining new light on the intelligence profiles of individuals with ASD, showing a shift away from …
A new study has uncovered an interconnected nexus between state IQ and well-being across the 50 U.S. states. Key findings show that states with higher average IQ tend to have better well-being outcomes across areas like health, income, education and crime. Some key facts: State IQ strongly predicts well-being – they correlated 0.80 in the …
The corpus callosum is the thick band of nerve fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain, acting like a superhighway to allow communication between the two sides. Given its role in integrating information, researchers have long speculated that the size and structure of the corpus callosum may be linked to intellectual …
Researchers have long suspected that brain size affects intelligence, with people who have bigger brains tending to have higher IQs. A new set of studies provides compelling evidence that this relationship is likely causal and not just correlational. Key Takeaways: Among siblings, the one with the larger brain size tends to have the higher IQ. …
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in Scientific Reports evaluated the potential association between chronic fluoride exposure and neurological damage. The study aimed to analyze the impact of fluoride from different sources on neurological disorders in humans. After a thorough literature search, the authors included 27 observational studies in the qualitative analysis. The results showed …
A new review of research finds strong evidence that fluoride exposure, especially during fetal development and infancy, can lead to decreased IQ and other neurotoxic effects. While fluoride may help prevent dental cavities when applied topically, ingesting elevated levels early in life appears to pose risks to long-term brain health. Key facts: Multiple recent studies …
Researchers have found that more intelligent narcissists are less likely to exhibit rivalry and aggression. This suggests higher intelligence may help mitigate some of the negative interpersonal behaviors associated with narcissism. Key Facts: Narcissism has two main dimensions – admiration and rivalry. Admiration involves self-promotion, while rivalry involves aggression and devaluation of others. These two …
