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Study Reveals Newborns' Innate Ability to Anticipate Rhythms

2/6/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A study published in PLOS Biology shows that 49 two-day-old newborns respond to unexpected rhythmic changes in Bach piano pieces, indicating an innate ability to anticipate rhythms.
Researchers monitored brain activity with EEG to detect these rhythmic responses as infants heard the sequences.
Melody recognition develops later through exposure and has implications for language development.

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Story summary

A study published in PLOS Biology shows that 49 two-day-old newborns respond to unexpected rhythmic changes in Bach piano pieces, indicating an innate ability to anticipate rhythms.
Researchers monitored brain activity with EEG to detect these rhythmic responses as infants heard the sequences.
Melody recognition develops later through exposure and has implications for language development.