If sexual orientation is determined by a complex interaction between nature and nurture, one might predict that this interplay of forces should lead to recognizable differences in brain anatomy and physiology. Although many studies have used brain measurements of hetero- and homosexual individuals to discern potential characteristics, it has been difficult to draw valid and robust conclusions due to the small sample sizes of most studies and the variability of experimental designs. Newer resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) fMRI methods are easier and cheaper to conduct, have a much better signal-to-noise ratio, and allow for a substantially larger suitable population of participants.

Using this RSFC methodology, a recent study investigated whether sexual orientation can be reliably predicted, based solely on a brief five-minute brain scan, using machine learning programming and predictive pattern classification. Machine learning is a type of........

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