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brain development

This shows the outline of a child's head and a park.

·July 22, 2025·5 min read

Green Space Lowers Developmental Risks

Children exposed to more green space before birth and during early childhood have a lower risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, a new study shows. Analysis of over 1.8 million mother–child pairs revealed reduced rates of ADHD, autism, and learning delays in areas with higher vegetation levels.

This shows a child surrounded by hands and DNA.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·July 21, 2025·6 min read

ADHD-Linked Genes Raise Risk of Childhood Maltreatment

Children with higher genetic risk for ADHD are more likely to experience childhood maltreatment, a new study shows. Researchers found that ADHD-associated genetic variants, especially when combined with parental psychiatric diagnoses, increase the likelihood of abuse and neglect.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 21, 2025·5 min read

Autism Masking Leaves a Mark on the Brain

Some autistic teens mask their traits to “pass” as non-autistic in social settings, but a new study reveals the hidden cognitive toll. Using EEG, researchers found these teens show faster automatic responses to faces and dampened emotional reactivity, suggesting their brains may adapt to cope with social demands.

This shows a pregnant woman and gut bacteria.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 21, 2025·7 min read

Pregnancy Stress Disrupts Baby’s Microbiome, Increasing Depression Risk

Prenatal stress in mothers can leave a lasting imprint on their offspring, predisposing them to depression-like behaviors. Researchers found that maternal stress disrupts the gut microbiome and metabolite production, which are vertically transmitted to the young.

Autism Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·July 15, 2025·9 min read

No Link Found Between Aluminum in Vaccines and Autism, ADHD

A 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.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·July 15, 2025·3 min read

Childhood Emotional Trauma Linked to Later Social Distress

A new study reveals that childhood emotional trauma increases social avoidance and distress in adolescents, but resilience can help mitigate these effects. Surveying 577 junior high students, researchers found resilience acted as a buffer, enabling traumatized teens to engage more positively with peers.

This shows a pregnant woman and a brain scan.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 15, 2025·5 min read

Common Infections During Pregnancy Don’t Harm Brain Development

A large Danish study found that common infections during pregnancy, such as pneumonia and urinary tract infections, do not harm a child’s brain development or cognitive abilities later in life. Researchers analyzed data from over 270,000 children, comparing school exam results and intelligence test scores with records of maternal infections and antibiotic use during pregnancy.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 10, 2025·5 min read

Learning Music Boosts Kids’ Wellbeing, Confidence, and Belonging

A new study highlights the powerful role of music learning in improving children’s social, emotional, and educational wellbeing. Beyond listening or casual participation, learning music builds self-confidence, emotional awareness, and a sense of belonging.

This shows a child sitting under a tree.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·July 10, 2025·6 min read

Child Maltreatment Accelerates Aging and Hinders Social Development

New research shows that childhood maltreatment leaves lasting biological and social scars. In a study of young children, those who experienced abuse showed accelerated cellular aging and reduced social attention.

This shows a teen watching a video on a laptop.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 9, 2025·3 min read

Short Video Fosters Growth-Oriented Thinking in Adolescents

A brief online intervention may help teenagers see themselves as capable of change, according to a new study. Researchers found that watching a single ten-minute video based on growth mindset principles shifted young people’s beliefs about their own personality traits.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·July 8, 2025·5 min read

Later-Born Neurons Mature Faster to Keep Networks in Balance

The brain depends on a delicate balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurons to function properly. A new study reveals that inhibitory neurons born later in development mature more quickly than earlier ones, allowing them to catch up and integrate evenly into neural networks.

This shows a child and an adult in a surgical mask.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 8, 2025·6 min read

Masks Don’t Muffle Word Learning: Toddlers Learn Without Seeing Mouths

Toddlers as young as two can successfully learn new words even when a speaker’s mouth or eyes are covered, a study shows. Researchers found that children’s ability to follow the speaker’s gaze and link words to objects drives vocabulary learning, not reliance on seeing mouth movements.