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NYU

·August 31, 2023·4 min read

COVID Pandemic Infants Show Reduced Gut Microbiome Diversity

Infants who spent most of their first year during the COVID-19 pandemic have a less diverse gut microbiome compared to those born pre-pandemic. Researchers found lower levels of certain bacteria, like Pasteurellaceae and Haemophilus, and overall fewer types of bacteria in the gut.

Featured Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·August 21, 2023·6 min read

Memory’s Future Focus: It’s Not Just What, but Why We Remember

Our ability to process sentences relies on the dynamic nature of working memory, where information is not just stored, but also integrated with our future intentions. New research reveals that visual memories adapt according to our future use of that information.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 21, 2023·5 min read

Children’s Views on Inequality: The Power of Explanation

Researchers revealed that children's perceptions of inequality are shaped by how its origins are explained to them. While adults often attribute social inequalities to structural forces, children interpret these structures differently.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 11, 2023·6 min read

Dopamine’s Role in Unrewarded Learning

Researchers uncovered that dopamine, the “feel-good” hormone typically associated with rewards, plays a vital role in learning even without immediate incentives. The study discovered that dopamine and acetylcholine, both crucial for memory and learning, maintain a dynamic balance in the brain irrespective of external rewards.

This shows a woman drinking coffee and listening to music.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 8, 2023·5 min read

Music and Coffee May Boost Brain Power

A recent study reveals that everyday pleasures like music and coffee can significantly enhance cognitive performance. Utilizing groundbreaking brain-monitoring technology, the study examined brain activity during cognitive tests under various stimulants, including music, coffee, and perfume.

This shows a cartoon of people and robots.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 14, 2023·4 min read

Can You Spot the Bot? Study Finds ChatGPT Almost Undetectable in Medical Advice

A new study suggests that ChatGPT's healthcare-related responses are hard to distinguish from those provided by human healthcare providers. The study, involving 392 participants, presented a mix of responses from both ChatGPT and humans, finding participants correctly identified the chatbot and provider responses with similar accuracy.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·June 12, 2023·4 min read

MicroRNA May Explain Individual Differences in COVID-19 Severity

Researchers uncovered an association between specific microRNAs and COVID-19 severity in a group of 259 unvaccinated patients. The team identified these microRNAs as crucial factors related to a weakened immune response and ICU admission.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 23, 2023·5 min read

Revisiting the Invisible Gorilla: Fast-Moving Unexpected Objects Capture Attention

A study challenges the long-held belief that our ability to spot unexpected objects is compromised when focused on a separate task. The team showed that individuals are surprisingly good at noticing fast-moving objects entering their field of vision, even when concentrating elsewhere.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 29, 2023·5 min read

New Pill Regulates Appetite by Modulating Ghrelin Release

A new pill, called FLASH, has been developed to regulate appetite without drugs or invasive procedures. Researchers designed the pill to deliver electrical impulses to the stomach lining, modulating hunger-related gut hormones. The pill has been shown to affect the release of appetite hormone ghrelin in pig trials. FLASH could potentially treat various disorders related to metabolism and eating without pharmaceuticals or surgery. The researchers are now conducting additional preclinical testing and aim to start human trials within five years.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 13, 2023·4 min read

In Sync Brainwaves Predict Learning

Students have better learning outcomes when their brains are in sync with their fellow students and teachers, researchers discovered.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·March 13, 2023·5 min read

Diabetes and Toothlessness Together Worsen Cognitive Decline

A new study found that having both diabetes and complete tooth loss accelerates cognitive decline in older adults. The study emphasizes the importance of regular dental visits, adherence to diabetes treatment, and cognitive screenings for those with both conditions.

This shows a drawing of a brain on a computer

Featured Neuroscience

·February 21, 2023·4 min read

Infants Outperform AI in “Commonsense Psychology”

When it comes to detecting what motivates a person's actions, infants outperform current artificial intelligence algorithms. The findings highlight fundamental differences between computation and human cognition, pointing to shortcomings in current machine learning and identifies where improvements are needed for AI to fully replicate human behavior.