Tiny AI Models Reveal How We Really Make DecisionsDecision-making often involves trial and error, but conventional models assume we always act optimally based on past experience. A new study used small, interpretable artificial neural networks to uncover how humans and animals actually make choices—revealing the suboptimal strategies we often use.Read More
Illusory Beliefs Fuel Risky Health ChoicesBeliefs in pseudoscientific health ideas can undermine trust in conventional medicine and lead to riskier health decisions, a new study finds. Researchers analyzed over 1,500 participants and showed that stronger illusory beliefs were linked to higher use of unvalidated therapies and lower adherence to evidence-based practices.Read More
Sleeping Brain Reveals Clues to Hidden DisordersThe brain remains highly active during sleep, and mapping this activity can reveal early signs of neurological and sleep disorders. Using rare intracranial EEG data, researchers refined methods to distinguish functional areas of the cerebral cortex based on their unique electrical activity, even at rest.Read More
Innovative Therapies Help Restore Vision Loss in Macular DegenerationAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) remains a leading cause of vision loss, but new therapies are reshaping its treatment. Recently approved drugs, pegcetacoplan and avacincaptad pegol, target the complement system to slow dry AMD progression.Read More
How the Brain Decodes Social Emotions and AnxietyThe anterior temporal lobe (ATL) plays a key role in interpreting social hierarchies and facial emotions, offering insight into anxiety and mood disorders. A research project used advanced imaging techniques to overcome past challenges in studying the ATL, revealing its strong activation during social and emotional decisions.Read More
Music Shows Promise in Easing Distress in DementiaA new study highlights how music therapy can help ease severe distress in dementia patients on hospital wards. The MELODIC approach embeds a music therapist to deliver sessions and create personalized musical care plans for patients.Read More
Herpesvirus Infections May Accelerate DementiaA new study finds that prior herpesvirus infections are linked to a faster age-related increase in blood biomarkers associated with dementia, even in cognitively healthy women. Researchers measured five key biomarkers in 167 women and found that seropositivity for HHVs doubled the rate of biomarker accumulation compared to those without prior infection.Read More
Eating Eggs May Help Lower Alzheimer’s RiskA large cohort study of older adults found that eating at least one egg per week was linked to a significantly lower risk of Alzheimer’s dementia. Participants who consumed eggs more frequently also showed less Alzheimer’s-related pathology in their brains at autopsy.Read More
3D-Printed Implant Offers New Hope for Spinal Cord RepairScientists have developed a 3D-printed implant that delivers targeted electrical stimulation to damaged areas of the spinal cord, promoting nerve regeneration. The implant mimics the spinal cord’s structure with a fine, electrically conductive mesh, boosting neuron and stem cell growth in lab tests.Read More
No Link Found Between Aluminum in Vaccines and Autism, ADHDA massive Danish study of over 1.2 million children has found no evidence that aluminum in early childhood vaccines increases the risk of neurological, autoimmune, or allergic disorders. Researchers analyzed 50 chronic conditions — including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, asthma, and juvenile arthritis — and found no association with cumulative aluminum exposure from vaccines given before age two.Read More
Inverse Graphics: How Your Brain Turns 2D Into 3DResearchers have uncovered how primate brains transform flat, 2D visual inputs into rich, 3D mental representations of objects. This process, dubbed “inverse graphics,” works by reversing the principles of computer graphics — starting from a 2D view, through an intermediate stage, to a 3D model.Read More
Robot Achieves Complex Surgery Autonomously Through AI TrainingA surgical robot trained on real procedure videos performed a critical phase of gallbladder removal autonomously, adapting to unexpected situations and responding to voice commands. This breakthrough shows how artificial intelligence can combine precision with the flexibility needed for real-world medicine.Read More
Can AI Truly Grasp Colorful Metaphors Without Seeing Color?A new study tested how humans and ChatGPT understand color metaphors, revealing key differences between lived experience and language-based AI. Surprisingly, colorblind and color-seeing humans showed similar comprehension, suggesting vision isn’t essential for interpreting metaphors.Read More
Astrocytes Take the Lead: Hidden Stars of Brain Rhythms RevealedNew research highlights how astrocytes, long considered mere support cells, actively shape brain network dynamics. Using computational models and machine learning, researchers showed astrocytes fine-tune synchronized neural activity crucial for memory, attention, and sleep.Read More
Kids Outsmart AI in Puzzle Game That Builds Critical ThinkingA new puzzle-based game helps children recognize where artificial intelligence still struggles. The game features ARC tasks—visual logic puzzles that are easy for humans but hard for AI—and allows kids to compare their answers with chatbot responses. Even when AI gets the right answer, its explanation is often wrong, teaching kids to question confidently stated misinformation.Read More
Can Dogs Really Judge Character?Many dog lovers believe dogs can sense who to trust, but research suggests the reality may be more complex. A study of 40 pet dogs tested whether they form reputations of humans by observing how those humans treated another dog.Read More
Overactive Anterior Insula May Fuel Anxiety and DepressionNew research shows that elevated glutamate-glutamine (Glx) levels in the anterior insular cortex (AIC) make people more sensitive to mistakes and more prone to anxiety and depression. Using functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy and reinforcement learning tasks, scientists found that high AIC Glx predicted both a general internalizing symptom score and heightened error sensitivity, which mediated this relationship.Read More
Toxoplasma Parasite Influences Personality and AggressionNew research highlights how parasitic infections can alter brain chemistry and behavior in humans. Toxoplasma gondii, among others, appears to manipulate dopamine and immune responses, increasing risk-taking, impulsivity, and aggression.Read More
When Tears Seem Honest: Context Shapes How We Judge CryingNew research reveals that our perception of others’ tears as sincere or manipulative depends heavily on context. Tears were judged more honest when shed in non-manipulative situations and by those less expected to cry, such as men or individuals perceived as less warm.Read More
How Eye Contact Builds ConnectionA new study reveals that the sequence of eye movements—not just eye contact itself—plays a key role in how we interpret social cues, even with robots. Researchers found that looking at an object, making eye contact, then looking back at the object was the most effective way to signal a request for help.Read More
Alzheimer’s Risk Linked to Increased Social Activity, Not IsolationContrary to popular belief, a new study suggests that people with a higher genetic risk for Alzheimer’s may become more socially engaged—not less. Researchers analyzed data from over 500,000 individuals and found that higher-risk participants reported lower social isolation and more positive family interactions.Read More
Early Baby Behavior Predicts Adult Cognition and IntelligenceA new study reveals that cognitive tests in infancy can modestly predict intelligence three decades later. Researchers followed over 1,000 twins from seven months of age, measuring behaviors like vocalization and novelty preference to assess early cognition.Read More
Protein Found to Strengthen Brain Cell Connections for MemoryScientists have identified how the brain protein cypin helps maintain strong connections between neurons, a discovery with implications for treating brain injuries and neurodegenerative diseases. Cypin ensures proper protein tagging at synapses, allowing neurons to communicate effectively and support memory and learning.Read More
Retinal Cells Rewire to Preserve Vision in Degenerative Eye DiseaseNew research shows that retinal neurons can rewire to preserve vision in retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic disease causing blindness. Using mouse models, scientists found that rod bipolar cells adapt by forming functional connections with cone cells when their usual rod partners degenerate.Read More
Common Pain Medication Linked to Cognitive Decline RiskA large U.S. medical records study has found that adults prescribed gabapentin six or more times for chronic low back pain face significantly higher risks of dementia (29%) and mild cognitive impairment (85%) within 10 years. The risks were especially pronounced in younger adults aged 35–64, where rates of cognitive decline more than doubled or tripled compared to those not on the drug.Read More
