Latest

brain development

·December 9, 2024·5 min read

Fetal Immunity Defends the Brain Before Birth

New research reveals that fetuses can mount immune responses against infections long before birth, challenging the assumption that they rely solely on maternal immunity. A study on Zika virus infections found that immune cells like microglia protect the developing brain, while others, like monocytes, can cause damaging inflammation.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·December 7, 2024·4 min read

Why Your Child Keeps Rewatching That Show (and Why It’s Good)

Children’s love for repeating shows, books, or activities is more than a quirk—it supports learning and emotional wellbeing. Cognitive science reveals that repetition helps kids detect patterns, a process critical for language and cognitive development.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·December 5, 2024·6 min read

Gene Defect Linked Brain Size and Social Behavior in ASD, Schizophrenia

A new study reveals how genetic deficits, particularly in the Tbx1 gene, are linked to reduced brain volume and altered social behavior, findings relevant to autism and schizophrenia. Researchers observed smaller amygdala volumes in Tbx1-deficient mice, a brain region key to emotional regulation and social behavior. These mice displayed less interest in social interaction, relying more on non-social cues like bedding preferences.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·December 5, 2024·7 min read

Missing Genetic Link Uncovered in Idiopathic Autism

Researchers have uncovered a molecular mechanism linking alterations in the neuronal protein CPEB4 to idiopathic autism, which accounts for 80% of autism cases without a clear genetic cause. The study reveals that the absence of a specific microexon in CPEB4 disrupts the dynamics of molecular condensates in neurons, affecting the regulation of genes crucial for brain development. This disruption can lead to reduced protein production, impairing neuronal growth and function.

This shows a child, her parents and leaves.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·December 5, 2024·4 min read

Teens’ Views on Cannabis Tied to Perceptions of Parental Use

Teens who perceive their parents use cannabis are more likely to hold favorable views toward the drug and express intentions to try it. The impact of parental cannabis use perception varies by parent gender, with closeness to mothers and fathers influencing teens’ attitudes differently.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·December 4, 2024·6 min read

Most Teens Recover From Long Covid Within Two Years

A large study tracking young people with long Covid found that 70% of those affected had recovered within two years, though 30% continued to experience symptoms. Researchers analyzed data from over 12,000 participants, defining long Covid as experiencing multiple symptoms like fatigue and headaches alongside functional impairments.

This shows a teen on a phone and one jogging.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·December 4, 2024·5 min read

Excessive Sedentary Time in Teens Linked to Social Media Use

A global study reveals adolescents spend 8-10 hours daily on sedentary activities, far exceeding the World Health Organization’s 2-3 hour recommendation. Social media accounts are significantly linked to increased screen time and overall sedentary behavior, raising concerns about its impact on physical health.

Featured Neuroscience

·December 4, 2024·5 min read

Brain Age Models Offer Insights into Early Development Trajectories

A new study highlights how brain age models can track healthy infant development and reveal environmental influences. Using MRI data from over 600 term and preterm infants, researchers trained machine learning models to predict brain age and identify gaps between predicted and actual ages.

Featured Neuroscience

·December 3, 2024·5 min read

Cannabis Impacts Brain Plasticity via Astrocyte Receptors

Researchers discovered that cannabis affects brain development by interacting with CB1 receptors on astrocytes, not just neurons. Using a mouse model, they showed that removing these receptors impaired the brain’s ability to adapt during critical periods of plasticity, particularly in the visual cortex.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·December 2, 2024·5 min read

Violence Exposure and Firearms Linked to Teen Suicide Risks

A study of U.S. high school students reveals a strong link between suicidal behavior, externalizing behaviors (such as physical violence), and exposure to violence. Adolescents with a history of weapon carrying or engaging in violent acts were found to have a higher risk of injurious suicide attempts, particularly when firearms are accessible.

This shows two people on the side of a hill.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·December 2, 2024·4 min read

Study Challenges the Idea of Innate Morality

A large international replication study challenges the belief that morality is innate in infants. Testing over 1,000 children aged 5.5 to 10.5 months, researchers found no consistent preference for characters exhibiting prosocial behavior.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·November 27, 2024·4 min read

Key Protein Found to Guide Neural Development and Cell Identity

Researchers have uncovered the crucial role of a protein subunit, INST10, in guiding pluripotent stem cells toward becoming neural cells during early development. The study found that diminished INST10 levels caused cells to lose neural identity and shift toward other fates, such as mesenchymal or intestinal cells.