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University of Illinois

This shows a woman lifting two brains as weights.

·May 6, 2024·5 min read

Exercise Enhances Brain Function Through Muscle-Nerve Interaction

Researchers uncovered a critical link between exercise, muscle function, and brain health. Their study reveals that nerves activating muscles during exercise also trigger the release of molecules that enhance brain function.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 9, 2024·3 min read

Why We Fail to Spot Our Own Conspiracy Beliefs

A new study suggests the difficulty in recognizing one’s own beliefs as conspiracy theories contributes to the stigma around "conspiracy theorists." Despite many Americans holding beliefs that could be classified as conspiratorial, the study found that individuals struggle to label these beliefs accurately, especially without reflection or a clear understanding of what constitutes a conspiracy theory.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 3, 2024·5 min read

Bridging Motivation Gaps: LLMs and Health Behavior Change

A new study explores how large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Google Bard, and Llama 2 address different motivational states in health-related contexts, revealing a significant gap in their ability to support behavior change.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 16, 2024·6 min read

Acetaminophen Use in Pregnancy Linked to ADHD in Kids

Researchers found a connection between the increased use of acetaminophen during pregnancy, particularly in the second trimester, and attention and behavior problems in young children. The research, part of the Illinois Kids Development Study, involved tracking prenatal chemical exposures and assessing the behaviors and traits of children at ages 2, 3, and 4.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 3, 2024·6 min read

Language Delays Linked to Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy

A new study reveals a potential link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and language delays in early childhood. The research involved continuous monitoring of pregnant women's acetaminophen use and precise language development assessments in their children at ages 2 and 3.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 30, 2023·6 min read

Stickleback Fish Reveal Insights into Animal Decision-Making

A new study provides significant insights into how animals, specifically three-spined stickleback fish, make decisions under competing demands. The study explored the fish's behaviors during the breeding season, where males must simultaneously defend territory, court females, and care for offspring.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 30, 2023·9 min read

Cannabis and Alcohol Co-use Impacts Adolescent Brain and Behavior

Recent studies reveal effects of cannabis and alcohol co-use on adolescent rats, simulating human behavior. Rats voluntarily consumed THC-infused treats and alcohol, allowing researchers to observe changes in brain structure and behavior.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 19, 2023·4 min read

Romance and Routine: Nurturing Commitment in Couples

A new study explored how couples maintain and nurture their relationships. The study categorized relationship maintenance behaviors into five areas, analyzing data from 192 heterosexual married couples.

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Featured Neuroscience

·September 28, 2023·6 min read

Linking Age-Related Memory Decline to a Specific Brain Cell

Researchers have delved deeper into how specific interneurons in the brain affect memory as we age. In a study focusing on the hippocampus, they found that reducing the number of somatostatin-positive interneurons led to cognitive deficits resembling aging.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 7, 2023·6 min read

Selfish or Generous? Your Behavior Dictates Your Perception of Others

A recent study finds that an individual's own behavior, rather than societal norms, plays a pivotal role in how they perceive and respond to others in competitive situations. Generous people tend to reward generosity, while selfish individuals tend to punish it, even at personal cost.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 3, 2023·5 min read

GABA Receptors Unveiled as Potential Antidepressant Targets

A new study argues the neurotransmitter GABA and its principal receptors could play a key role in managing depressive disorders. Researchers suggest potential pathways through which GABA-modulating treatments could alleviate both cognitive and affective symptoms linked to depression.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 29, 2023·7 min read

Accelerated Aging: Study Turns Young Mice Old in a Matter of Weeks

Researchers inhibited somatostatin interneurons in a subregion of the hippocampus, inducing aging-related cellular and behavioral changes. This study establishes a causal link between reduced interneuron function and cognitive decline, offering a new model for studying age-related cognitive disorders.