Steve Barrera
@steve-barrera.bsky.social
Assistant Teaching Professor in Cognitive Science. Studying cognitive neuroscience, moral cognition, and teaching methodology. Opinions my own.
Reposted by Steve Barrera
Make it your New Year resolution to add a #workingmemory dataset to OpenWMData so that we can curate our field's precious data, start testing theories and benchmarking models across datasets, conduct secondary analyses and meta-research using the data itself, and help me feel like I'm, like, alive.
OpenWMData
A collection of publicly available working memory datasets
williamngiam.github.io
January 2, 2026 at 4:37 AM
Make it your New Year resolution to add a #workingmemory dataset to OpenWMData so that we can curate our field's precious data, start testing theories and benchmarking models across datasets, conduct secondary analyses and meta-research using the data itself, and help me feel like I'm, like, alive.
Reposted by Steve Barrera
Beautiful experimental philosophy paper on what people ordinarily mean when they say that a statement is “true”
Turns out it’s not always about corresponding correctly to the facts. Sometimes it’s more closely related to a moral ideal of “truthfulness”
philarchive.org/archive/ZYGTJN
Turns out it’s not always about corresponding correctly to the facts. Sometimes it’s more closely related to a moral ideal of “truthfulness”
philarchive.org/archive/ZYGTJN
January 1, 2026 at 6:31 PM
Beautiful experimental philosophy paper on what people ordinarily mean when they say that a statement is “true”
Turns out it’s not always about corresponding correctly to the facts. Sometimes it’s more closely related to a moral ideal of “truthfulness”
philarchive.org/archive/ZYGTJN
Turns out it’s not always about corresponding correctly to the facts. Sometimes it’s more closely related to a moral ideal of “truthfulness”
philarchive.org/archive/ZYGTJN
Reposted by Steve Barrera
GOOD NEWS! Researchers have shown Alzheimer’s disease can be REVERSED- not just prevented. Using a potent neuroprotective compound called P7C3-A20, they found RESTORING balance to a central cellular energy molecule (NAD+) not only PREVENTED disease features but REVERSED them, EVEN at late stages.
December 28, 2025 at 5:00 PM
GOOD NEWS! Researchers have shown Alzheimer’s disease can be REVERSED- not just prevented. Using a potent neuroprotective compound called P7C3-A20, they found RESTORING balance to a central cellular energy molecule (NAD+) not only PREVENTED disease features but REVERSED them, EVEN at late stages.
Reposted by Steve Barrera
Amazingly, reaction times using screens while driving are worse than being drunk or high—no wonder 90 percent of drivers hate using touchscreens in cars. Finally the auto industry is coming to its senses.
Rejoice! Carmakers Are Embracing Physical Buttons Again
Amazingly, reaction times using screens while driving are worse than being drunk or high—no wonder 90 percent of drivers hate using touchscreens in cars. Finally the auto industry is coming to its…
wrd.cm
December 27, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Amazingly, reaction times using screens while driving are worse than being drunk or high—no wonder 90 percent of drivers hate using touchscreens in cars. Finally the auto industry is coming to its senses.
Reposted by Steve Barrera
Genuinely funny fiction novel recommendations, outside of Pratchett and Adams? Ideally laugh out loud, on public transport, embarrassing self in the process
December 27, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Genuinely funny fiction novel recommendations, outside of Pratchett and Adams? Ideally laugh out loud, on public transport, embarrassing self in the process
Reposted by Steve Barrera
"Science is not perfect. It's often misused. It's only a tool. But it's the best tool we have."
— Carl Sagan
— Carl Sagan
December 6, 2025 at 12:57 PM
"Science is not perfect. It's often misused. It's only a tool. But it's the best tool we have."
— Carl Sagan
— Carl Sagan
Reposted by Steve Barrera
Political polarization on confidence in the scientific community accelerated in the 2024 General Social Survey, with moderates now showing a significant downturn.
(Apologies if I missed this updated with 2024 data already)
/1
(Apologies if I missed this updated with 2024 data already)
/1
December 6, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Political polarization on confidence in the scientific community accelerated in the 2024 General Social Survey, with moderates now showing a significant downturn.
(Apologies if I missed this updated with 2024 data already)
/1
(Apologies if I missed this updated with 2024 data already)
/1
Reposted by Steve Barrera
Nature’s 2025 PhD survey asked doctoral candidates worldwide what advice they would give to someone considering a similar degree. Respondents gave advice on choosing supervisors, managing mental health, and surviving academic culture. #Academicsky 🧪
27 things we wish we’d known when we started our PhDs
Nature’s survey of PhD candidates reveals hard-won wisdom on choosing supervisors, managing mental health and surviving academic culture.
go.nature.com
October 13, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Nature’s 2025 PhD survey asked doctoral candidates worldwide what advice they would give to someone considering a similar degree. Respondents gave advice on choosing supervisors, managing mental health, and surviving academic culture. #Academicsky 🧪
Reposted by Steve Barrera
NSAIDs are known to alleviate pain by reducing inflammation. A study in Nature Communications shows that selective inhibition of the prostaglandin E2 receptor in Schwann cells eliminates pain without disrupting the protective and healing functions of inflammation. #medsky 🧪
Targeting prostaglandin E2 receptor 2 in Schwann cells inhibits inflammatory pain but not inflammation - Nature Communications
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are known to alleviate pain by reducing inflammation. To the contrary, here, the authors show that selective inhibition of the prostaglandin E2 receptor (EP2) in Schwann cells eliminates pain without disrupting the protective and healing functions of inflammation.
go.nature.com
October 13, 2025 at 1:03 AM
NSAIDs are known to alleviate pain by reducing inflammation. A study in Nature Communications shows that selective inhibition of the prostaglandin E2 receptor in Schwann cells eliminates pain without disrupting the protective and healing functions of inflammation. #medsky 🧪
Reposted by Steve Barrera
🚨REGISTRATION IS OPEN!🚨
We're so excited to host our first-ever, in-person event! Join us for panel discussions, a keynote address, and the opportunity to meet many amazing women in Neuroscience💜
Please register to attend by November 1st:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
We can't wait!
We're so excited to host our first-ever, in-person event! Join us for panel discussions, a keynote address, and the opportunity to meet many amazing women in Neuroscience💜
Please register to attend by November 1st:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
We can't wait!
October 9, 2025 at 5:03 PM
🚨REGISTRATION IS OPEN!🚨
We're so excited to host our first-ever, in-person event! Join us for panel discussions, a keynote address, and the opportunity to meet many amazing women in Neuroscience💜
Please register to attend by November 1st:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
We can't wait!
We're so excited to host our first-ever, in-person event! Join us for panel discussions, a keynote address, and the opportunity to meet many amazing women in Neuroscience💜
Please register to attend by November 1st:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
We can't wait!
Reposted by Steve Barrera
POSTDOC Opening: I'm hiring a postdoc to work with me, @ayeletlandau.bsky.social, and Yuval Benjamini on a 4-year NSF funded project to understand timing and memorability in the visual system. fMRI, EEG, eye-tracking all included.
If interested, please DM or email me for more information!
If interested, please DM or email me for more information!
Thanks to NSF and BSF, we've received a CRCNS grant!! 🎉
I'll be working with the amazing @ayeletlandau.bsky.social and Yuval Benjamini to explore and understand how our sense of time and image memorability are linked. ⌛🧠
We have 2(!) post-doc opportunities available - details coming soon!
I'll be working with the amazing @ayeletlandau.bsky.social and Yuval Benjamini to explore and understand how our sense of time and image memorability are linked. ⌛🧠
We have 2(!) post-doc opportunities available - details coming soon!
October 8, 2025 at 10:47 PM
POSTDOC Opening: I'm hiring a postdoc to work with me, @ayeletlandau.bsky.social, and Yuval Benjamini on a 4-year NSF funded project to understand timing and memorability in the visual system. fMRI, EEG, eye-tracking all included.
If interested, please DM or email me for more information!
If interested, please DM or email me for more information!
Very interesting implications for active/predictive perception models.
Memory problems will change how you see the world...literally 👀
Across two new papers, we examined the eye movement patterns of younger adults, older adults, individuals with mild cognitive impairment, and amnesic cases.
1/5
Across two new papers, we examined the eye movement patterns of younger adults, older adults, individuals with mild cognitive impairment, and amnesic cases.
1/5
October 8, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Very interesting implications for active/predictive perception models.
Reposted by Steve Barrera
“His mother & nine of her 13 siblings developed Alzheimer’s & died in the prime of their lives. So did his oldest brother, and other relatives going back generations. It is the largest family in the US known to have an Alzheimer’s-causing mutation…Something has shielded him from his genetic destiny”
He Was Expected to Get Alzheimer’s 25 Years Ago. Why Hasn’t He?
www.nytimes.com
October 8, 2025 at 2:06 AM
“His mother & nine of her 13 siblings developed Alzheimer’s & died in the prime of their lives. So did his oldest brother, and other relatives going back generations. It is the largest family in the US known to have an Alzheimer’s-causing mutation…Something has shielded him from his genetic destiny”
Reposted by Steve Barrera
We’re recruiting a postdoctoral fellow to join our team! 🎉
I’m happy to share that I’ve opened back up the search for this position (it was temporarily closed due to funding uncertainty).
See lab page and doc below for details!
I’m happy to share that I’ve opened back up the search for this position (it was temporarily closed due to funding uncertainty).
See lab page and doc below for details!
The Visual Learning Lab at UC San Diego is looking for a postdoctoral research fellow to join our lab!
Read more about our lab at www.vislearnlab.org
Read more about our lab at www.vislearnlab.org
Home | The Visual Learning Lab at UCSD
Lab webpage for the Visual Learning Lab at UCSD, lead by Dr. Bria Long, Ph.D. Launching in July 2024!
www.vislearnlab.org
October 7, 2025 at 2:39 AM
We’re recruiting a postdoctoral fellow to join our team! 🎉
I’m happy to share that I’ve opened back up the search for this position (it was temporarily closed due to funding uncertainty).
See lab page and doc below for details!
I’m happy to share that I’ve opened back up the search for this position (it was temporarily closed due to funding uncertainty).
See lab page and doc below for details!
Reposted by Steve Barrera
Preventing progression to Type 2 diabetes, remission of pre-diabetes, without weight loss, in >20% participants in a prospective clinical trial: the importance of body fat distribution
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Prevention of type 2 diabetes through prediabetes remission without weight loss - Nature Medicine
A post hoc analysis of a multicentre, randomised trial showed that prediabetes remission is possible without total weight loss—providing weight is distributed to subcutaneous deposits as opposed to visceral ones.
www.nature.com
September 29, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Preventing progression to Type 2 diabetes, remission of pre-diabetes, without weight loss, in >20% participants in a prospective clinical trial: the importance of body fat distribution
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Steve Barrera
A nice shift in perceived colour between central and peripheral vision. The fixated disc looks purple while the others look blue.
The effect presumably comes from the absence of S-cones in the fovea.
From Hinnerk Schulz-Hildebrandt:
arxiv.org/pdf/2509.115...
The effect presumably comes from the absence of S-cones in the fovea.
From Hinnerk Schulz-Hildebrandt:
arxiv.org/pdf/2509.115...
September 24, 2025 at 12:04 PM
A nice shift in perceived colour between central and peripheral vision. The fixated disc looks purple while the others look blue.
The effect presumably comes from the absence of S-cones in the fovea.
From Hinnerk Schulz-Hildebrandt:
arxiv.org/pdf/2509.115...
The effect presumably comes from the absence of S-cones in the fovea.
From Hinnerk Schulz-Hildebrandt:
arxiv.org/pdf/2509.115...
Reposted by Steve Barrera
We’re searching for TWO tenure-track cognitive neuroscientists here in the Wesleyan University Psychology Department! Apply here wesleyan.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/careers
Careers at Wesleyan
We welcome your interest in Wesleyan’s diverse, energetic community of employees who, by their creativity, innovative thinking, and generosity of spirit, help make Wesleyan a great place to work. In t...
wesleyan.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com
September 17, 2025 at 9:52 PM
We’re searching for TWO tenure-track cognitive neuroscientists here in the Wesleyan University Psychology Department! Apply here wesleyan.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/careers
Reposted by Steve Barrera
Early unilateral auditory deprivation can cause lasting spatial #hearing deficits. @anbuhlk.bsky.social &co show that unilateral #HearingLoss during development (but not adult-onset) impairs binaural #brainstem function & spatial hearing acuity in guinea pigs @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/46njw1P
September 8, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Early unilateral auditory deprivation can cause lasting spatial #hearing deficits. @anbuhlk.bsky.social &co show that unilateral #HearingLoss during development (but not adult-onset) impairs binaural #brainstem function & spatial hearing acuity in guinea pigs @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/46njw1P
Reposted by Steve Barrera
We teamed up with Society of Behavioral Medicine to share how all of us—scientists, health professionals, and the public—can help combat misinformation 🧠.
This post highlights their toolkit with 10 practical tips to help identify and prevent the spread of misinformation.
This post highlights their toolkit with 10 practical tips to help identify and prevent the spread of misinformation.
September 8, 2025 at 1:43 PM
We teamed up with Society of Behavioral Medicine to share how all of us—scientists, health professionals, and the public—can help combat misinformation 🧠.
This post highlights their toolkit with 10 practical tips to help identify and prevent the spread of misinformation.
This post highlights their toolkit with 10 practical tips to help identify and prevent the spread of misinformation.
Reposted by Steve Barrera
This 2-day workshop @royalsociety.org on the right to participate in science and science as a global public good brings together scientists, philosophers, and policy makers. The event is open to everyone and can also be attended online. Programme coming soon. Registration required 👇
Science as a global public good? From the right to participate in science to science governance | Royal Society
Science+ meeting organised by Professor Geoffrey Boulton FRS FRSE MAE and Professor Michela Massimi FRSE FRAS MAE
royalsociety.org
September 1, 2025 at 3:44 PM
This 2-day workshop @royalsociety.org on the right to participate in science and science as a global public good brings together scientists, philosophers, and policy makers. The event is open to everyone and can also be attended online. Programme coming soon. Registration required 👇
Reposted by Steve Barrera
So here are my suggestions if you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to pronounce names in an official capacity.
1. Read them ahead of time.
2. Ask for help
3. Forvo.com is a great resource
4. Slow down, and use falling tones to give extra gravitas.
5. Apologize and own mistakes
1. Read them ahead of time.
2. Ask for help
3. Forvo.com is a great resource
4. Slow down, and use falling tones to give extra gravitas.
5. Apologize and own mistakes
Forvo.com
September 6, 2025 at 9:18 PM
So here are my suggestions if you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to pronounce names in an official capacity.
1. Read them ahead of time.
2. Ask for help
3. Forvo.com is a great resource
4. Slow down, and use falling tones to give extra gravitas.
5. Apologize and own mistakes
1. Read them ahead of time.
2. Ask for help
3. Forvo.com is a great resource
4. Slow down, and use falling tones to give extra gravitas.
5. Apologize and own mistakes
Reposted by Steve Barrera
Simulating an 80-year-old with MIT Age Lab's gear, Amy Marcus @wsj.com learns about the importance of balance and strength training
www.wsj.com/health/welln...
www.wsj.com/health/welln...
September 6, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Simulating an 80-year-old with MIT Age Lab's gear, Amy Marcus @wsj.com learns about the importance of balance and strength training
www.wsj.com/health/welln...
www.wsj.com/health/welln...
Reposted by Steve Barrera
A challenging paper I'm looking forward to reading. I believe more strongly than I can say in the need to create a positive vision for models and how people use models that is a part of *science* rather than "product." As people in the tech industry we have a responsibility for this.
Finally! 🤩 Our position piece: Against the Uncritical Adoption of 'AI' Technologies in Academia:
doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
We unpick the tech industry’s marketing, hype, & harm; and we argue for safeguarding higher education, critical
thinking, expertise, academic freedom, & scientific integrity.
1/n
doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
We unpick the tech industry’s marketing, hype, & harm; and we argue for safeguarding higher education, critical
thinking, expertise, academic freedom, & scientific integrity.
1/n
September 6, 2025 at 3:30 PM
A challenging paper I'm looking forward to reading. I believe more strongly than I can say in the need to create a positive vision for models and how people use models that is a part of *science* rather than "product." As people in the tech industry we have a responsibility for this.