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neurobiology

·May 20, 2025·5 min read

Silent Signals: How We Recognize Social Rank Instantly

Mice, like humans, navigate social hierarchies using subtle cues—but instead of reading facial expressions or clothing, they rely on chemical signals. A new study reveals that male mice can determine the social rank of unfamiliar opponents using airborne odors and physical scent cues.

Auditory Neuroscience Featured Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·May 19, 2025·3 min read

When Sight Meets Sound: How the Brain Binds Audiovisual Memories

Our brains don’t just remember what we see and hear, they fuse the two into cohesive memories. A new study reveals that when visual and auditory speech cues are synchronized, they trigger rhythmic brain activity that strengthens memory formation.

This shows the outline of a person and neurons.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 19, 2025·4 min read

Inflammation Triggers Repetitive Behaviors in ASD and OCD

New research reveals that chronic brain inflammation can directly lead to repetitive behaviors, often seen in conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In mice with a mutated NLRP3 gene, inflammation activated microglia to release IL-1β, overstimulating NMDA glutamate receptors responsible for excitatory brain signals.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 19, 2025·9 min read

Insomnia Isn’t Just About Sleep, Your Personality Plays a Role

Certain personality traits significantly influence the risk of developing insomnia. People with high levels of neuroticism—a trait linked to emotional instability—were much more likely to experience sleep disturbances.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 19, 2025·6 min read

Want to Live to 115? Here’s What Research Says You Should Do

New insights from longevity research suggest that lifestyle—not just genetics—plays a vital role in living a longer, healthier life. While rare individuals like 115-year-old Ethel Caterham may benefit from exceptional genes, research shows that physical activity, diet, sleep, and stress management are key factors that can significantly influence lifespan.

This shows a brain made of computer chips.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 19, 2025·7 min read

Rewiring Memory: A New Model That Learns Like a Human Brain

A new memory model called Input-Driven Plasticity (IDP) offers a more human-like explanation for how external stimuli help us retrieve memories, building on the foundations of the classic Hopfield network. Unlike traditional models, which assume memory recall happens from a fixed starting point, the IDP framework describes how stimuli reshape the brain’s “energy landscape” in real time to guide memory retrieval.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 19, 2025·5 min read

Low Newborn Vitamin D Linked to Autism and Schizophrenia

A large population study has found that babies born with low vitamin D levels are more likely to develop mental disorders like ADHD, schizophrenia, and autism later in life. Researchers analyzed data from over 71,000 individuals, linking neonatal vitamin D deficiency to increased risks of several neurodevelopmental conditions.

This shows a sad kid looking at a phone.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 19, 2025·6 min read

Cyberbullying Linked to PTSD Symptoms in Teens

A new national study finds that all forms of cyberbullying—not just direct threats—can cause trauma in teens, suggesting it should be considered a serious childhood adversity. Even subtle behaviors like exclusion from chats or online rumors were found to cause PTSD symptoms as severe as overt harassment. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 2,700 U.S. teens and found 87% had experienced at least one form of online victimization.

This shows a person reading and a brain.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 19, 2025·5 min read

Reading Fiction Boosts Empathy and Fights Loneliness

While AI companions are marketed as a fix for loneliness, research shows that reading offers far more meaningful benefits. Reading fiction can foster social connection, reduce stress, enhance empathy, and even reshape brain activity linked to social cognition.

Featured Neurology Pain Psychology

·May 19, 2025·5 min read

How Therapy Rewires the Brain to Ease Chronic Pain

Chronic pain affects one in five adults, and medication alone doesn’t always offer relief. A new review reveals that psychological treatments—particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)—can reduce pain through measurable changes in the brain. The review of multiple studies found that therapy shifts brain network activity, helping people loosen harmful thought patterns and reduce emotional stress linked to pain.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 19, 2025·6 min read

Sound-Powered Microbubbles Halt Brain Lesion Growth

A new, noninvasive technique using focused ultrasound and microbubbles has halted the growth of cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) in mice, offering hope for safer treatment options. CCMs are abnormal clusters of blood vessels in the brain that can cause serious symptoms, often treated with risky surgery or radiation.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 18, 2025·3 min read

Vitamin B1 Derivative Sparks Dopamine, Boosts Wakefulness

Thiamine derivatives, once developed to treat nutrient deficiencies, are now being explored for their potential effects on brain function and energy. A new study shows that TTFD, a thiamine derivative, increases dopamine in the brain’s medial prefrontal cortex, leading to enhanced arousal and physical activity in rats.