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Cornell University

·April 17, 2025·4 min read

Scent Signals Friendship: How Smell Shapes First Impressions

A new study reveals that women can subconsciously judge potential friendship compatibility based on scent during first-time meetings. Researchers found that a person’s everyday odor—captured on a worn T-shirt—predicted how much they were liked after short face-to-face conversations.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 4, 2025·3 min read

How Psilocybin Lifts Mood Without the Hallucinogenic Trip

Researchers have uncovered two key brain mechanisms—specific neurons and a serotonin receptor—that help explain how psilocybin produces long-lasting antidepressant effects. Their study identified pyramidal tract neurons in the medial frontal cortex and the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor as essential to the therapeutic action of psilocybin.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·February 28, 2025·3 min read

Ignoring Your Better Judgment Increases Regret and Self-Blame

A new study reveals that people feel more culpable when they follow bad advice than when they make poor decisions independently. Researchers found that going against one’s better judgment increases thoughts of missed opportunities, amplifying feelings of control and regret.

Featured Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·January 5, 2025·6 min read

Pupil Dynamics During Sleep Reveal Brain’s Memory-Saving Secrets

Researchers have discovered that pupil size during non-REM sleep correlates with memory consolidation. When pupils contract, the brain focuses on consolidating new memories; when dilated, it processes older ones.

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Featured Neuroscience

·December 2, 2024·6 min read

Tiny Walking Robots Advance Micro-Optics and Biological Research

Researchers have developed the smallest walking robots, measuring just 2 to 5 microns, capable of interacting with visible light for imaging and force measurement. These magnetically controlled robots can inch forward or swim through fluids while serving as diffraction elements, enabling super-resolution microscopy at scales previously unattainable.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 24, 2024·3 min read

Psychedelic Drug Reduces Anxiety by Targeting Fast-spiking Interneurons

The psychedelic DOI, a compound similar to LSD, reduced anxiety in mice by activating specific brain cells called fast-spiking interneurons. These neurons silence nearby cells in the ventral hippocampus, a region linked to emotion and memory. By uncovering this mechanism, the study opens the door to designing new treatments that target anxiety without triggering hallucinations, a hallmark of many psychedelics.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 16, 2024·4 min read

Sleep Resets Neurons to Keep Learning Possible

Summary: During sleep, the brain resets memory by silencing specific neurons in the hippocampus, allowing for continuous learning without overloading....

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 8, 2024·4 min read

Greater Knowledge May Harm Group Welfare

Increasing knowledge can lead to negative outcomes when individuals use it for self-interest rather than collective good. Researchers argue that enhanced knowledge can reduce cooperation among rational individuals, potentially worsening overall welfare.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 11, 2024·6 min read

Friendly Chats Mitigate Social Exclusion Effects

Simple social interactions, like chatting with a friend, can mitigate the effects of social exclusion. The research found that both face-to-face conversations and anticipating future interactions help individuals recover quicker from social slights and feel more secure.

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Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·April 22, 2024·3 min read

Outdoor Enjoyment Linked to Less Inflammation

A new study reveals a biological link between enjoying nature and reduced inflammation levels, which could help in preventing or managing chronic inflammation-related diseases like heart disease and diabetes. The study analyzed data from the Midlife in the U.S. (MIDUS) survey, focusing on 1,244 participants, and found that frequent positive interactions with nature correlated with lower levels of three key inflammation markers.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 18, 2024·4 min read

Social Media Posts: Misleading Windows to Our Personalities

New research reveals that social media posts, particularly on Facebook, can lead to misconceptions about our personalities. The study analyzed Facebook status updates and found significant differences between how users perceive themselves and how others view them.

Featured Neuroethics Neuroscience

·January 10, 2024·3 min read

AI Chatbots “Memorize” Copyrighted Poems, Raising Ethical Concerns

AI chatbots, like ChatGPT, are capable of memorizing and reproducing poems, even if they are copyrighted. The research highlights ethical concerns about how AI models are trained, potentially using data scraped from the internet, including copyrighted material.