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University of Michigan

Auditory Neuroscience Featured Neuroscience

·June 28, 2024·5 min read

Supranormal Hearing Achieved by Boosting Ear Synapses

Researchers have enhanced auditory processing in young mice by increasing inner ear synapses using neurotrophin-3. This study supports the hypothesis that synapse density impacts hidden hearing loss in humans. The findings could lead to new treatments for hearing disorders by preserving or regenerating synapses. The study reveals that boosting synapses not only improves hearing but also enhances auditory information processing.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 17, 2024·7 min read

After-Dark Worries Fuel Kid’s Bedtime Battles

A new study reveals that children's bedtime struggles often stem from nighttime fears. While most families have bedtime routines, many rely on strategies like melatonin or co-sleeping that can exacerbate sleep challenges. Experts recommend establishing consistent routines, promoting sleep-conducive environments, and addressing nighttime worries with reassurance and comfort.

Brain Cancer Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·June 14, 2024·4 min read

New Insights into Pediatric Brain Tumors

Researchers have advanced the understanding of pediatric DIPG tumors. DIPG, a highly aggressive brain tumor in children, is driven by the H3K27M mutation and resists radiation therapy.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 13, 2024·5 min read

Sleep or Cram? Sleep is Key for Memory Retention

Sleep is crucial for memory formation, while sleep deprivation severely disrupts this process. Neurons in the hippocampus reactivating during sleep help to consolidate memories, but this reactivation is impaired without proper rest. These findings highlight the importance of sleep for effective learning and memory retention.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 4, 2024·5 min read

AI Decodes Dog Barks: Playful or Aggressive?

Researchers are using AI to interpret dog barks, distinguishing between playful and aggressive sounds. By adapting human speech models, they also identify dogs' age, breed, and sex. This approach could revolutionize understanding animal communication and improve animal care.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 7, 2024·4 min read

Confusion Over Fact and Fiction Drives News Avoidance

Difficulty in distinguishing fact from fiction is leading more Americans to actively avoid news. This phenomenon, termed "news fatigue," is exacerbated by the chaotic digital media landscape and declining trust in news sources.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 23, 2024·5 min read

New Tool Maps Brain Signals with Unprecedented Clarity

Researchers developed an innovative chemical tool to explore how signals like dopamine and epinephrine interact with neurons via G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). This new tool allows for precise detection of neuromodulators across various brain regions with high spatial resolution.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 15, 2024·5 min read

Childhood Trauma Impacts Muscle Function in Later Life

Adverse childhood experiences can detrimentally affect muscle function in older adults by impairing mitochondrial activity necessary for energy production. The study analyzed muscle biopsies from over 870 participants aged 70 and older, linking reported childhood adversities with reduced production of ATP, the energy currency of cells.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·April 11, 2024·5 min read

Paints and Pesticides Linked to ALS Risk

A new study reveals a possible link between storing chemicals in home garages and an increased risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Researchers identified significant associations between ALS risk and the residential storage of volatile chemicals such as pesticides, gasoline, and paint.

This shows a couple with champagne glasses.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 28, 2024·5 min read

Cheers to Longevity: Couples Who Drink Together, Live Longer

Couples with similar drinking habits, specifically those who both consume alcohol, tend to live longer than those who don't share the same drinking patterns. This finding draws on "the drinking partnership" theory, suggesting that shared alcohol consumption correlates with improved marital outcomes and possibly, greater longevity.

This shows a woman looking at the morning light.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 13, 2024·5 min read

Dawn of Discontent: Unpacking Morning Mood Dips

Medical interns experience their lowest moods near 5 a.m., with an uplift by 5 p.m., based on the analysis of Fitbit data from over 2,500 participants. The research underscores the natural mood cycle's nadir in the early hours, independent of sleep deprivation, which exacerbates mood downturns and amplifies daily emotional fluctuations.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·March 11, 2024·4 min read

Unlocking the Chill: Protein Behind Cold Sensation Found

Researchers identified GluK2 as the key protein that enables mammals to sense cold temperatures. This discovery, building on earlier work with the C. elegans worm, provides crucial insight into the molecular mechanisms of cold perception and has significant implications for understanding and treating conditions that alter cold sensitivity.