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University of Cambridge

This shows people in an art gallery. Above their heads are thought bubbles.

·May 11, 2025·6 min read

Contemplating Beauty Boosts Abstract Thinking

A new study finds that actively engaging with artistic beauty—rather than just looking at art—enhances abstract thinking and psychological distancing, helping people see the bigger picture beyond daily concerns. Participants who focused on rating the beauty of ceramic artworks scored significantly higher on cognitive tests measuring abstract thought than those who simply matched objects with line drawings.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 6, 2025·8 min read

Teens With Mental Health Conditions Use Social Media Differently

Adolescents with mental health conditions report distinct and often more negative experiences on social media compared to their peers. Those with internalising conditions like anxiety and depression were more likely to compare themselves to others, struggle with self-control, and experience mood changes tied to likes and comments.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 30, 2025·6 min read

Parents Often Miss Early Clues About How Kids Feel at School

Parents often misread how their children feel about school during their first year, usually taking a full year to align with their child’s actual experiences. While most parents believed their children enjoyed the classroom, many underestimated how much children liked the playground—and vice versa.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 23, 2025·6 min read

Earlier Bedtimes Linked to Better Brain Function in Adolescents

A large-scale study has found that adolescents who go to bed earlier and get slightly more sleep show better brain function and higher cognitive test performance than their peers. Using wearable devices and brain imaging from over 4,000 participants, researchers discovered that even small differences in sleep duration and timing impacted brain volume and task performance.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·January 21, 2025·6 min read

Antibiotics and Other Drugs May Reduce Dementia Risk

A study analyzing data from over 130 million individuals found that antibiotics, antivirals, vaccines, and anti-inflammatory medications are associated with a reduced risk of dementia. This supports the idea that infections and inflammation contribute to dementia and highlights the potential of repurposing existing drugs for prevention or treatment.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 7, 2025·6 min read

Study Confirms Early Brain Differences Between Sexes

A study analyzing over 500 newborns has confirmed that brain structure differences between male and female infants are present from birth. While male brains were larger on average, females had more grey matter in regions related to memory and emotion, whereas males had more white matter and grey matter in sensory and motor regions.

This shows a teen sitting alone on a phone.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 13, 2024·6 min read

Isolation Spurs Teen Threat Sensitivity, Even With Online Interaction

A new study finds that brief isolation increases threat sensitivity in teens, even if they remain connected online. Adolescents isolated in a room for several hours showed heightened physiological stress and anxious responses to potential threats, regardless of whether they had access to smartphones.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·October 8, 2024·5 min read

Brainstem Inflammation Linked to Long-Covid Symptoms

New research shows that severe Covid-19 infection can cause inflammation in the brainstem, potentially leading to prolonged symptoms like fatigue, breathlessness, and anxiety. Using ultra-high-resolution 7-Tesla MRI scanners, scientists observed specific brainstem areas associated with these symptoms, highlighting how immune response post-infection might affect brain health.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 21, 2024·5 min read

Probiotic During Pregnancy May Boost Fetal Brain Development

A study in mice shows that the probiotic Bifidobacterium breve, when taken by mothers during pregnancy, enhances fetal brain development by improving nutrient transport and growth processes. The findings suggest that altering the maternal gut microbiome with probiotics could be a non-pharmaceutical strategy to support healthy fetal growth, particularly in cases of fetal growth restriction. Further research is needed to confirm these effects in humans and explore how probiotics interact with other gut bacteria during pregnancy.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·August 9, 2024·5 min read

Brain Scans Improve Concussion Care by Predicting Lasting Symptoms

Advanced MRI scans, particularly diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), have shown promise in predicting which concussion patients are at risk for long-term symptoms. While standard CT scans often fail to detect brain abnormalities in concussion cases, DTI can identify subtle changes in the brain’s white matter that are linked to persistent symptoms. This method could significantly improve the accuracy of prognoses, helping to identify patients who may need further follow-up and treatment. Researchers also found that specific blood biomarkers could help determine which patients would benefit most from a DTI scan.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 17, 2024·5 min read

Mindfulness Can Induce Altered States of Consciousness

Mindfulness training can lead to altered states of consciousness, such as disembodiment and unity. Researchers found that participants were twice as likely to experience these states compared to a control group. While these experiences can be positive, they may also be startling or unpleasant. Mindfulness teachers and students should discuss these potential side effects.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·July 13, 2024·7 min read

AI Predicts Alzheimer’s Progression

A new AI tool predicts Alzheimer's progression with 82% accuracy using cognitive tests and MRI scans, outperforming current methods. This tool could reduce the need for costly tests and improve early intervention. Alzheimer's disease is the main cause of dementia, affecting over 55 million people worldwide.