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brain development

·July 30, 2024·7 min read

Flu During Pregnancy Linked to Neurodevelopmental Risks

New research shows that severe flu in pregnancy can increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring due to the mother’s immune response. Using live influenza virus in mice, researchers found significant fetal brain changes only when maternal infection reached a certain severity. This study highlights the importance of flu vaccination during pregnancy to reduce risks. It also suggests a threshold of infection severity for fetal brain impact.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·July 29, 2024·5 min read

Umbilical Cord Blood Test Could Predict Autism Risk

A recent study suggests that measuring specific fatty acid metabolites in newborn blood could predict autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk. Researchers found that higher levels of certain metabolites were linked to increased ASD symptoms in children at six years old.

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Autism Featured Neuroscience

·July 19, 2024·8 min read

Healthy Prenatal Diet Linked to Lower Autism Risk

A new study suggests that a healthy prenatal diet may lower the risk of autism and social communication difficulties in children, according to researchers who analyzed data from two large cohort studies in Norway and the UK.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 18, 2024·6 min read

Infants Use Mom’s Scent to Recognize Faces

A new study reveals that infants use their mother's scent to enhance facial recognition. This ability to integrate sensory cues improves significantly between four and twelve months of age. Researchers found that younger infants rely heavily on their mother's scent, while older infants depend more on visual information alone. The findings highlight the importance of multisensory exposure for early cognitive development.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 17, 2024·4 min read

3-Year-Olds Understand Intentions Through Active Mirror Neurons

A study shows that by age three, children can understand others' intentions using active mirror neurons. This discovery highlights the early development of the "resonance" system, crucial for social cognition. Researchers found that preschoolers' mylohyoid muscle activates when anticipating goal-directed actions. These findings could aid early diagnosis of conditions like autism spectrum disorder.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 17, 2024·6 min read

Conduct Disorder Linked to Widespread Brain Structure Changes

A study reveals that young people with conduct disorder exhibit significant changes in brain structure, particularly a smaller cerebral cortex. The findings indicate lower surface area and volume in multiple brain regions, which may impact behavior, cognition, and emotion.

This shows the outline of a head and a brain.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 16, 2024·5 min read

Reflective Thinking Boosts Teen Brain Resilience to Violence

Teens who engage in "transcendent thinking" can counteract the negative effects of violence exposure on brain development. This type of thinking involves considering broader ethical and societal implications of social issues.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 15, 2024·5 min read

Adolescent Boys Show Aggression When Masculinity is Threatened

A new study reveals that adolescent boys respond aggressively to perceived threats to their masculinity, particularly in environments with rigid gender norms. Researchers found that boys whose motivation to be masculine is socially pressured are more likely to exhibit aggression.

This shows an older man looking in a mirror.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 11, 2024·4 min read

Study Shows Narcissism Declines with Age

A study reveals that narcissism decreases from childhood to older adulthood, though individual differences remain stable over time. People who are more narcissistic as children tend to stay that way as adults.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 10, 2024·5 min read

Critical Brain Development in Toddlers at 16 Months

Researchers found that 16-month-old toddlers engage more brain regions to develop cognitive skills like inhibitory control. Using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), the study showed increased brain activity in the prefrontal and parietal cortex. Despite no observable improvement in skills, significant brain changes were noted between 10 and 16 months. This highlights 16 months as a crucial period for developing the ability to follow instructions and control impulses.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 10, 2024·7 min read

Brain Study Reveals How Curiosity Arises in Kids

A new study reveals how the brain triggers curiosity in response to visual ambiguity. Researchers identified brain areas that assess uncertainty, sparking curiosity. Using fMRI, they found that lower confidence in recognizing images leads to higher curiosity. This discovery highlights the deep biological roots of human curiosity and its role in creativity.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·July 5, 2024·5 min read

Early Inflammation Linked to Midlife Cognitive Decline

A new study finds that higher inflammation in young adulthood is associated with reduced cognitive function in midlife. Researchers discovered that inflammation due to factors like obesity and smoking can impact memory and processing speed.