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Neuroscience News is an independent open access science magazine. Since 2001, we have featured neuroscience research news from labs, universities, hospitals and news departments around the world. Topics include brain research, AI, psychology, neuroscience, mental health and neurotech.

Latest Neuroscience News

Science news articles cover neuroscience, neurology, psychology, AI, mental health, robotics, neurotechnology and cognitive sciences.

How the Brain Reacts to Movie Scenes

By analyzing fMRI scans of people watching films, neuroscientists have created a comprehensive functional map of the brain, showing how it activates in response to complex scenes. This study identified 24 distinct networks that process aspects like faces, speech, or movement, and revealed how executive functions shift between easy and challenging scenes.

Astrocytes’ Role in Memory Storage and Recall Uncovered

Astrocytes, non-neuronal brain cells, have been shown to work alongside neurons to store and recall memories, reshaping our understanding of memory mechanisms. Researchers found that specific astrocytes express the c-Fos gene during memory formation, influencing neuron communication to store memories.

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Gene Study Links Alcohol Addiction to Accelerated Alzheimer’s Progression

Researchers discovered alcohol use disorder (AUD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) exhibit similar patterns of gene dysregulation, hinting that alcohol consumption may hasten Alzheimer’s progression. By analyzing gene expression across individual brain cells, the team found shared disruptions in inflammation, cell signaling, and blood vessel functions in both disorders.

Neurology News Articles

Neurology news articles cover neurology, brain cancer, traumatic brain injuries, neurosurgery, neuroanatomy, brain research and neurological disorders.

Keto Diet May Ease Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

New research suggests the ketogenic diet could help manage multiple sclerosis (MS) by promoting the production of beneficial compounds in the gut. In a study, mice on a keto diet produced the ketone body β-hydroxybutyrate (βHB), which worked with gut bacteria to create immune-modulating metabolites.

Omega-3 and 6 Linked to Lower Cancer Risk

Higher levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are linked with a lower risk of several types of cancer, including brain, colon, stomach, and lung cancer, according to a study of over 250,000 participants. The findings highlight the potential of these "healthy fats" in cancer prevention, regardless of BMI or lifestyle. The study also suggests that omega-6 benefits are particularly effective for younger adults, especially women. Results open the door to dietary adjustments that may aid in reducing cancer risk.

Lower Blood Sugar Diet Linked to Slower Brain Aging

The Green Mediterranean diet may help slow brain aging by controlling blood sugar levels, benefiting cognitive health in older adults. The study found that lower blood sugar levels were linked to a younger brain age, particularly in regions critical for memory and sensory processing. Using advanced MRI scans, researchers observed that participants on the Green-Med diet exhibited a slower rate of brain atrophy over 18 months.

AI News Articles

AI news articles cover science articles about artificial intelligence including ChatGPT, Bard, Dalle, neural networks, machine learning, LLMs, AGI and other AI related topics.

Building Better Brain Imaging Models for Broader Clinical Use

New research shows that predictive models linking brain activity and behavior need to generalize across diverse datasets to be useful in clinical settings. By training models on varied brain imaging datasets, researchers found that effective models can still perform accurately when tested on different datasets with unique demographic and regional characteristics.

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When Human-AI Teams Thrive and When They Don’t

A new study reveals that while human-AI collaboration can be powerful, it depends on the task. Analysis of hundreds of studies found that AI outperformed human-AI teams in decision-making tasks, while collaborative teams excelled in creative tasks like content generation. This research suggests organizations may overestimate the benefits of human-AI synergy. Instead, strategic use of AI’s strengths in data processing and humans’ creativity may yield the best results.

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AI Predicts Chemical Compounds for Dual-Target Medications

Researchers have developed an AI system that predicts chemical compounds capable of targeting two proteins simultaneously, potentially creating more effective medications. By training the AI with a chemical language model, it was able to generate novel molecular structures with dual-target activity, an essential feature for treating complex diseases like cancer.

Psychology News Articles

Science research articles cover psychology, depression, mental health, schizophrenia, mental disorders, happiness, stress, PTSD, autism, psychiatry and therapy.

Gut Bacteria Modulate Stress Responses Over Time

New research has unveiled how gut bacteria play a key role in regulating stress by interacting with circadian rhythms, opening possibilities for microbiome-based therapies for mental health. Researchers found that depletion of certain gut bacteria can lead to time-specific increases in stress responses through the HPA axis, the body's central stress response system. Specific bacteria, such as Limosilactobacillus reuteri, were identified as crucial to modulating stress hormones throughout the day.

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Personality Traits Linked to Physical Activity and Sedentary Patterns

A new study reveals that personality traits influence both physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns. People with resilient personalities, marked by high conscientiousness and extraversion, tend to engage in longer sessions of both physical activity and sedentary periods. In contrast, those with a brittle personality, often associated with neuroticism, interrupt sedentary times more frequently, which may benefit health. This research highlights how personality can shape health behaviors and may impact long-term well-being.

Mother’s Role in Buffering Child PTSD

A mother’s ability to regulate her response to trauma can significantly lessen PTSD symptoms in her children, particularly in high-stress regions. The research observed 131 mothers and young children in southern Israel, where security threats are prevalent, linking maternal self-regulation to reduced PTSD in children.

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Key Brain Protein Tied to Motivation and Mood Identified

A new study has identified a brain protein, vesicular nucleotide transporter (Vnut), as essential for regulating mood and motivation in mice. When Vnut was removed from brain cells called astrocytes, the mice displayed higher anxiety, depression-like behavior, and decreased motivation, especially in females.

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Child Trauma Recovery Tied to Thoughts, Not Event Severity

A new study reveals that how children mentally process traumatic events is the most significant factor in predicting their mental health outcomes, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Cognitive factors—like how children remember the event and view themselves afterward—play a more critical role than the event’s objective severity. Researchers found that children with more negative self-perceptions or distorted memories were at higher risk for long-term psychological impacts.

Cannabis Leaves Molecular Marks on DNA Linked to Psychosis

Frequent use of high-potency cannabis leaves unique molecular marks on DNA, particularly affecting genes related to energy and immune function. Researchers found that DNA methylation—an epigenetic modification—differed between frequent cannabis users who had experienced psychosis and those who had not, suggesting a possible genetic link to psychosis risk.

Toddlers Learn Best After Experiencing Impossible Events

Young children grasp possibilities and distinctions between improbable and impossible events well before they can explain them in words. In a new study, two- and three-year-olds were found to learn more effectively after witnessing impossible events, which seem to trigger an intense curiosity.

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Menopausal Hormone Therapy’s Effects on Brain Health

Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) has nuanced effects on brain health, influenced by factors like age, treatment duration, and past surgical history. The study found that current MHT users had higher brain age gaps and smaller hippocampal volumes, while past users showed no significant differences compared to non-users.