Neuroscience News - AI, Neuroscience, Psychology Research

·May 3, 2024·4 min read

Umbilical Cord Milking Poses No Neurodevelopmental Risks

Umbilical cord milking (UCM)—a method of squeezing the umbilical cord towards the infant before clamping—poses no long-term neurodevelopmental risks for newborns. The study involved assessing 971 children at ten U.S. medical centers, evaluating key developmental areas such as communication and motor skills.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 3, 2024·7 min read

Predicting Human Behavior and How We Can Change It

Researchers identify effective behavior change interventions across different crises, such as pandemics and climate change. The study found that common approaches focusing on changing knowledge or beliefs are often ineffective.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 2, 2024·4 min read

Children Find Joy in Learning New Words

Children and adolescents experience intrinsic joy in learning new words, a pleasure that persists up to adulthood. The research aimed to understand and measure the emotional responses of young learners during word acquisition, using a method where participants aged 10 to 18 deduced meanings from sentence contexts across 40 trials.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 2, 2024·5 min read

Social Media Use Does Not Diminish Offline Friendships in Youth

A new study challenges the concern that social media impairs young people's offline interactions. The study, part of the long-term Trondheim Early Secure Study, surveyed 800 individuals from ages 10 to 18, finding that increased social media use correlates with more offline socialization, not less.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 2, 2024·6 min read

The Brain’s Role in Immune Control

Researchers discovered that the brain can significantly influence the immune system, particularly its inflammatory responses. The study utilized mice to show that the brain can detect and adjust levels of inflammation via a specific brain circuit involving the caudal nucleus of the solitary tract.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 2, 2024·6 min read

Activating Brain-Gut Connection with Light Reduces Depression

A new study reveals how photobiomodulation, a non-invasive light therapy, effectively treats cognitive impairments caused by chronic stress by targeting the brain-gut axis. This innovative approach was shown to significantly improve conditions in lab animal models.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 2, 2024·7 min read

Myelin Repair Provides Novel Multiple Sclerosis Treatment

Researchers discovered a promising treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) using a novel protein function inhibitor, ESI1, which effectively regenerates myelin—a crucial protective coating on nerve cells that deteriorates in MS. The study showcases that ESI1 reactivates the brain's capacity to produce myelin, overcoming traditional barriers that have hindered myelin regeneration.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 2, 2024·5 min read

Staying Active Mid-Age Boosts Women’s Health Later

A new study found that maintaining or adopting regular physical activity during middle age can significantly improve women's health-related quality of life later. Analyzing data from over 11,000 participants, the study discovered that women who met WHO physical activity guidelines consistently or began meeting them by age 55 experienced higher physical health scores compared to inactive peers. The findings underscore the long-term benefits of consistent physical activity, particularly in enhancing physical functioning in later life.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 2, 2024·4 min read

How Shows About Death Help Us Cope With Mortality

Exposure to death through media, such as films and series, can enhance one's ability to cope with the concept of death. Participants who were prompted to think about death before watching meaningful scenes from films like Me Before You or series such as House and Grey's Anatomy, showed a greater acceptance of death compared to those who did not engage in pre-viewing reflection.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 2, 2024·4 min read

How the Flu Virus Invades the Brain

Researchers uncovered how the influenza virus may infiltrate the brain, leading to a serious condition known as influenza-associated encephalopathy (IAE). The study identifies endothelial cells, which form the blood-brain barrier, as the primary entry points for the virus.

Featured Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·May 2, 2024·6 min read

Brainstem Plays Vital Role in Visual Attention

Researchers highlights the locus coeruleus (LC), a small brainstem region, as critical in enhancing visual sensory processing through its production of norepinephrine. In the study scientists used optogenetics to activate these specific neurons in non-human primates, significantly improving their performance in a visual attention task.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 2, 2024·7 min read

Psilocybin Effective as Antidepressant

Psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms, is notably more effective at alleviating depression symptoms than conventional controls. Analyzing seven trials with 436 participants, researchers found a substantial improvement in depression scores following psilocybin treatment compared to placebos or other minor psychedelic doses, showcasing a large effect size.