People’s motivations bias how they gather information
People stop gathering information earlier when it supports the conclusion they wish is true than when it supports an undesirable conclusion.... Read More...
PLOS
Reducing brain inflammation could treat tinnitus and other hearing loss-related disorders
Rodent study reveals noise-induced hearing loss is associated with elevated expression of proinflammatory cytokines and microglia activation in the primary auditory cortex. Pharmacologically depleting microglia helps prevent tinnitus in mice with noise-induced hearing loss.... Read More...
Bacteria in fermented food signal the human immune system, explaining health benefits
A metabolite produced by lactic acid bacteria binds to the third hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor (HCA), signalling the immune system. Researchers believe the receptor evolved to allow great apes to consume foods that were starting to decay. They suggest the receptor could mediate some beneficial and anti-inflammatory effects of lactic acid in humans, and could serve as a target to treat inflammatory diseases.... Read More...
Unlike men, women’s cognitive performance may improve at higher room temperature
Women have better cognitive performance when in higher temperature environments. Researchers found women performed better on verbal and math tests when the room temperature is warmer, while male performance peaks in colder room climates.... Read More...
3D images reveal how infants’ heads change shape during birth
3D images show how a baby's brain and skull change shape during labor and delivery. ... Read More...
Mathematical framework explores how the brain keeps a beat
A new mathematical model can predict how the brain reacts when learning a rhythmic beat. The model shows how a neural network can act as a 'neural metronome' by estimating time intervals between beats within tens of milliseconds. The metronome relies on gamma oscillations to keep track of time.... Read More...
Mental disorders more common in people who live alone
Living alone is associated with an increased risk of developing common mental disorders, such as depression.... Read More...
Stem cells from hair follicles have potential to repair myelin sheath in mice
Melanocyte stem cells from human hair follicles that carry CD34 have the ability to turn into glial cells. The CD34+ stem cells can regenerate myelin, both on neurons and in mouse models with a genetic defect that prevents the formation of healthy myelin sheaths. The findings could have positive implications for the treatment of demyelinating diseases, such as Multiple Sclerosis.... Read More...
The brain’s imperfect execution of mathematically optimal perception
Perception is founded on Bayesian principles, even though the brain's execution of strategies appears to be imperfect. Researchers say the view perception is an imperfect Bayesian inference can provide a middle ground between traditional and anti-Bayesian models.... Read More...
Oxytocin could help treat alcohol use disorder: Rat Study
Administering oxytocin blocks the enhanced motivation for drinking alcohol that fuels alcohol use disorder by blocking GABA signaling in the central nucleus of the amygdala.... Read More...
Mother’s Behavioral Corrections Tune Infant’s Brain to Angry Tone
A new study reports babies' brains are sensitive to different emotional tones they hear in voices. Researchers suggest maternal interactions may help to shape the same brain region adults use for emotional processing.... Read More...
Parents’ Brain Activity Echoes Their Infant’s When Playing Together
When parents play with their child, their brains show similar bursts of brain activity. The activity is linked to their baby's attention patterns, and not their own, researchers report.... Read More...