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brain research

Research articles and news stories tagged with brain research

·May 28, 2025·4 min read

LLMs Mimic Human Cognitive Dissonance

A new study reveals that GPT-4o, a leading large language model, displays behavior resembling cognitive dissonance—a core human psychological trait. When asked to write essays either supporting or opposing Vladimir Putin, GPT-4o’s subsequent “opinions” shifted to align with its written stance, especially when it “believed” the choice was its own.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 28, 2025·4 min read

Cats Can Recognize Their Owners by Smell Alone

A new study has found that domestic cats can distinguish between their owner’s scent and that of a stranger using their sense of smell alone. When presented with scent samples from familiar and unfamiliar humans, cats consistently spent more time sniffing the unfamiliar scent.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 28, 2025·6 min read

Brain Neurons Act Like Traffic Lights to Control Every Move

New research reveals that neurons in the basal ganglia not only initiate movement but also suppress it with remarkable precision, challenging the traditional view that they merely act as a brake. Scientists studying mice found that individual neurons in the Substantia Nigra pars reticulata (SNr) switch dynamically between activation and inhibition based on the phase of a movement.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·May 27, 2025·6 min read

Early Autism Traits Show No Sex Differences in Toddlers

A large-scale study of over 2,500 toddlers found no significant clinical differences in autistic traits between males and females at the time of early diagnosis. Conducted over two decades, the study used comprehensive assessments across language, motor skills, cognitive traits, and social behaviors.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 27, 2025·3 min read

Amygdala Shapes Social Choices in Song-Learning Young Birds

Young zebra finches learn their birdsong by observing and imitating adult "tutor" birds, but they don’t follow just anyone. A new study shows that juvenile finches prefer tutors who sing longer but less often, suggesting social cues guide their choices.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 26, 2025·5 min read

Nitrous Oxide Unlocks Blood-Brain Barrier for Safer Gene Delivery

Researchers have discovered that nitrous oxide can safely enhance the delivery of gene therapy to the brain by making the blood-brain barrier (BBB) more permeable when paired with focused ultrasound (FUS). This method required significantly lower concentrations of microbubbles and ultrasound pressure than conventional techniques, reducing the risk of tissue damage.

This shows a person standing in sunlight.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 26, 2025·3 min read

Daylight Boosts Immune Defense

Researchers have discovered that daylight enhances the infection-fighting power of neutrophils, the most abundant white blood cells in the body. Using transparent zebrafish, scientists observed that these immune cells contain internal circadian clocks that are activated by light, boosting their bacterial-killing ability during the day.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 26, 2025·4 min read

Brainstem Neurons Hold Key to Semaglutide’s Weight Loss Effects

Researchers have identified a specific group of brainstem neurons that mediate the appetite-reducing and weight-loss effects of semaglutide without triggering side effects like nausea. In mice, activating these neurons led to reduced food intake and fat loss, mimicking the drug’s benefits.

This shows two people sitting and thinking.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 25, 2025·4 min read

The Nature of Nostalgia: How Time Transforms Emotion in Memory

New research reveals that nostalgic memories don’t remain emotionally static, they evolve over time. While these memories are typically rich in positive feelings at the time they occur, those feelings tend to fade, making space for rising negative emotions like regret and loneliness.

This shows a person sitting under a tree.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 25, 2025·5 min read

Boredom Is Good for You: Why Embracing It Calms the Brain

Boredom, often seen as a negative state to avoid, may actually serve an important role in emotional regulation and brain health. When we're bored, the brain shifts away from external attention networks and activates introspective systems like the default mode network, encouraging creativity and self-reflection.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Psychology

·May 25, 2025·5 min read

Chronic Stress Quietly Raises Your Stroke Risk

Chronic stress is increasingly recognized as a contributor to stroke risk by intensifying conditions like high blood pressure, inflammation, and unhealthy lifestyle habits. While stress isn't as easily measured as cholesterol or blood pressure, long-term exposure to it can set the stage for vascular damage and increase both ischemic and, less commonly, hemorrhagic stroke risk.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 25, 2025·4 min read

Dementia Diagnoses Decline, But More Are Living Longer With the Disease

A new study of over 25 million Medicare recipients found that while dementia incidence in the U.S. is declining, more older adults are living longer with the condition. From 2015 to 2021, new diagnoses dropped from 3.5% to 2.8%, yet prevalence increased to nearly 12%.