- Categorization, perception, and language
- Child and Animal Learning Development
- Optical Imaging and Spectroscopy Techniques
- Reading and Literacy Development
- Mental Health Research Topics
- Multisensory perception and integration
- Behavioral Health and Interventions
- Color perception and design
- Non-Invasive Vital Sign Monitoring
- Air Quality and Health Impacts
- Noise Effects and Management
- Language Development and Disorders
- Psychological and Temporal Perspectives Research
- Visual perception and processing mechanisms
- Gaze Tracking and Assistive Technology
- Cognitive Abilities and Testing
- Photoacoustic and Ultrasonic Imaging
- Early Childhood Education and Development
- Spatial Cognition and Navigation
- Cultural Differences and Values
- EEG and Brain-Computer Interfaces
- Educational Leadership and Innovation
- Sustainable Building Design and Assessment
- Domain Adaptation and Few-Shot Learning
- Impact of Light on Environment and Health
Durham University
2021-2025
University of Oxford
1999-2024
Economic and Social Research Council
2024
University of East Anglia
2020-2022
Western Sydney University
2020
Much of our basic understanding cognitive and social processes in infancy relies on measures looking time, specifically infants’ visual preference for a novel or familiar stimulus. However, despite being the foundation many behavioral tasks infant research, determinants preferences are poorly understood, differences expression can be difficult to interpret. In this large-scale study, we test predictions from Hunter Ames model infants' preferences. We investigate effects three factors...
experiments.
Significance: Image reconstruction of fNIRS data is a useful technique for transforming channel-based into volumetric representation and managing spatial variance based on optode location. We present an innovative integrated pipeline image using either MRI templates or individual anatomy. Aim: demonstrate with accompanying code to allow users clean prepare location information, standardize anatomical images, create the light model, run 3D reconstruction, analyze in group space. Approach:...
Abstract Adaptations to extreme environmental conditions were investigated in a detailed study of red foxes Vulpes vulpes inhabiting desert region Saudi Arabia. Forty‐two adult live‐trapped during 3 years field work. In contrast studied other areas, no strict territoriality was observed this population. Although close interaction (separation < 1 m) more common between members the same, rather than different, social groups, medium distance interactions similar. Further, intra‐group...
Visual working memory (VWM) is a central cognitive system used to compare views of the world and detect changes in local environment. This undergoes dramatic development first two years; however, we know relatively little about functional organization VWM at level brain. Here, image-based near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) test four hypotheses spatial network early development. Four-month-olds, 1-year-olds, 2-year-olds completed task while recorded neural activity from 19 cortical...
Abstract Stunting is associated with poor long-term cognitive, academic and economic outcomes, yet the mechanisms through which stunting impacts cognition in early development remain unknown. In a first-ever neuroimaging study conducted on infants from rural India, we demonstrate that critical, early-developing cognitive system—visual working memory. Stunted showed visual memory performance were easily distractible. Poor was reduced engagement of left anterior intraparietal sulcus, region...
A shared understanding of terminology is essential for clear scientific communication and minimizing misconceptions. This particularly challenging in rapidly expanding, interdisciplinary domains that utilize functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), where researchers come from diverse backgrounds apply their expertise fields such as engineering, neuroscience, psychology. The fNIRS Glossary Project was established to develop a community-sourced glossary covering key terms, including...
In this study we used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to investigate neural responses in normal-hearing adults as a function of speech recognition accuracy, intelligibility the stimulus, and manner which is distorted. Participants listened sentences reported aloud what they heard. Speech quality was distorted artificially by vocoding (simulated cochlear implant speech) or naturally adding background noise. Each type distortion included high low-intelligibility conditions....
Abstract Objective This research explored arousal levels as a motivating factor for solitude‐seeking. We hypothesized that solitude becomes more desirable when high‐arousal emotions were heightened and individual differences in extraversion neuroticism would moderate this pattern. Method tracked individuals' hourly experiences throughout day. assessed their positive (e.g., excitement) negative tension), whether they alone or with others, preferred situation at the time of signal. gathered...
ABSTRACT Evaluating whether someone's behavior is praiseworthy or blameworthy a fundamental human trait. A seminal study by Hamlin and colleagues in 2007 suggested that the ability to form social evaluations based on third‐party interactions emerges within first year of life: infants preferred character who helped, over hindered, another tried but failed climb hill. This sparked new line inquiry into origins evaluations; however, replication attempts have yielded mixed results. We present...
The language environment to which children are exposed has an impact on later abilities as well brain development; however, it is unclear how early such impacts emerge. This study investigates the effects of children's and socioeconomic status (SES) structure in infancy at 6 30 months age (both sexes included). We used magnetic resonance imaging quantify concentrations myelin specific fiber tracts brain. Our central question was whether Language Environment Analysis (LENA) measures from...
When and how do infants learn color words? It is generally supposed that words are learned late with a great deal of difficulty. By examining infant language surveys in British English 11 other languages, this study shows word learning occurs earlier than has been previously suggested the order acquisition similar related languages. This also demonstrates frequency syllabic complexity can be used to predict variability across In light recent evidence indicating categories have universal...
Abstract Over the past decade, field of psychology has come under increasing fire for replicability purported findings, transparency methods used, and generalisability claims. In general, these criticisms have focused on methodological statistical aspects published work. Herein, we highlight importance diversity both our participant samples in empirical studies researchers within developmental as a barrier to generalisability. Far beyond being purely question, example, heterogenous sampling,...
Previous research has highlighted the difficulty that infants have in learning to use colour words.Even after acquiring words themselves, are reported them incorrectly, or over-extend their usage.We tested 146 from 5 different age groups on knowledge of 6 basic words, red, green, yellow, blue, black and white, using an inter-modal preferential looking task.The results showed show reliable comprehension as early 19-months age.No order acquisition effects were observed.In addition, infants'...
Words direct visual attention in infants, children, and adults, presumably by activating representations of referents that then to matching stimuli the scene. Novel, unknown, words have also been shown attention, likely via activation more general naming events. To examine critical issue how novel interact support word learning we coded frame-by-frame gaze 17- 31-month-old children (n = 66, 38 females) while generalizing nouns. We replicate prior findings shape when nouns, a relation...
Poor air quality has been linked to cognitive deficits in children, but this relationship not examined the first year of life when brain growth is at its peak.We measured in-home focusing on particulate matter with diameter <2.5 μm (PM2.5) and infants' cognition longitudinally a sample families from rural India.Air was poorer homes that used solid cooking materials. Infants showed lower visual working memory scores 6 9 months age slower processing speed 21 controlling for family...
Assessing a child's language in the early years is critical to plan for an intervention and maximize their learning potential. In unique pan-Arabic approach development, we developed new Arabic assessment tool, usable by parents Early Years professionals screen vocabulary children between 8 months 30 across 17 Arab countries. Departing from two relevant original Communicative Development Inventory forms (CDI: Words Gestures CDI: Sentences, Fenson, Marchman, Thal, Reznick, & Bates, 2007), our...
Recent work has investigated the origin of infant colour categories, showing pre-linguistic infants categorise even in absence words. These categories are similar but not identical to adult giving rise an important question about how perception changes with learning Here we present two novel paradigms which 12- and 19-month-old participants English as their first language were assessed on colour, while data word comprehension also collected. Results indicate that participants' colours close...
Significance A shared understanding of terminology is essential for clear scientific communication and minimizing misconceptions. This particularly challenging in rapidly expanding, interdisciplinary domains that utilize functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), where researchers come from diverse backgrounds apply their expertise fields such as engineering, neuroscience, psychology. Aim The fNIRS Glossary Project was established to develop a community-sourced glossary covering key...
Surveys were delivered to the occupants of two university buildings in Sydney Australia collect occupant perceptions related with energy use and impact 'green' rating behaviour. Overall, 100 surveys a 6-star building, rated according certification system Green Star, non-rated from Western University. Occupants inquired about their perception interactions heating, cooling, lighting, windows/doors opening, windows blinds plug loads. This made possible understand if there is significant...
Yarkoni’s analysis clearly articulates a number of concerns limiting the generalizability and explanatory power psychological findings, many which are compounded in infancy research. ManyBabies addresses these via radically collaborative, large-scale open approach to research that is grounded theory-building, committed diversification, focused on understanding sources variation.