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University of Michigan

·September 14, 2023·5 min read

Digestive Diseases Linked to Loneliness and Depression in Older Adults

Rising life expectancy is accompanied by a surge in digestive diseases, affecting 40% of US adults. Researchers discovered a correlation between digestive diseases and rates of loneliness, depression, and social isolation among older adults.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·August 1, 2023·7 min read

Study Links Vision Problems and Dementia in Older Adults

A recent study suggests a significant link between vision problems and dementia in older adults. The study examined nearly 3,000 elderly individuals, showing a higher risk of dementia among those with eyesight issues.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·July 22, 2023·5 min read

Cognition in Motion: A Hard Look at Aging Drivers

A recent study found a majority of cognitively impaired older adults in South Texas are still driving, raising safety concerns. Of the over 600 individuals assessed, 61.4% of those with cognitive impairment were active drivers.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 13, 2023·5 min read

Lab-Grown Human Brain Organoids Go Animal-Free

Researchers have innovated a method to produce lab-grown mini brains, known as human brain organoids, free of animal cells, promising a more accurate study and treatment of neurodegenerative conditions. Previously, brain organoids were grown using a substance derived from mouse sarcomas called Matrigel, leading to inconsistencies due to its undefined composition and variability.

This shows a young girl and immune cells.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 23, 2023·6 min read

Early Life Loss Impacting Immune System in Later Life

Losing a parent or caregiver early in life can adversely affect immune health in later life. They investigated how such losses impact the body's response to cytomegalovirus (CMV), a virus that reactivates under stress and can strain the immune system.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 30, 2023·6 min read

Iron Deficiency’s Unseen Impact on Mental Health

Recent research emphasizes the role of iron, an often overlooked nutrient, in maintaining mental health. Researchers suggest iron deficiency could exacerbate mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.

This shows a head and brain made out of a mushroom.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 12, 2023·5 min read

Psychedelic Users’ Trust Puzzle: Untangling Information Sources

In the midst of a Psychedelic Renaissance, researchers examined where people using psychedelics obtain their information. The study reveals users typically consult diverse sources outside mainstream health and medical systems, with their own experiences being the most common source. They found that users trust information from scientific journals, psychedelic non-profits, and university researchers the most, while government agencies and pharmaceutical companies are the least trusted. This study could inform policy and public health strategies to bridge the information trust gap and promote safe psychedelic use.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 11, 2023·4 min read

Feeling Hungry? It Might Just Slow Aging

The sensation of hunger itself may slow aging. Researchers discovered that flies induced to feel hungry, either through diet or brain stimulation, lived longer.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 2, 2023·5 min read

A Lucid Death: Sparks of Consciousness Detected in Dying Brains

A groundbreaking new study provides early evidence of consciousness in the dying brain, shedding light on the mysteries of near-death experiences. Researchers identified a surge of gamma wave activity, associated with consciousness, in the dying brains of comatose patients. The activity was detected in a neural hotspot associated with dreaming and altered states of consciousness, providing exciting new insights into the human mind. Though caution is advised due to the small sample size, this research could change the way we understand death.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 25, 2023·3 min read

Enlightening Study Explores the Neurobiology of Psychedelics

Researchers studied the brain activity of healthy participants under the influence of nitrous oxide, comparing it to data from studies with ketamine and LSD to see whether the neurobiology of the psychedelic experience was similar. They found that the patterns of activity associated with the different substances overlapped, indicating common underlying biology, which could inform future research on the therapeutic use of psychedelics.

Brain Cancer Featured Neuroscience

·March 23, 2023·4 min read

Artificial Intelligence Predicts Genetics of Cancerous Brain Tumors in Under 90 Seconds

New artificial intelligence technology is able to screen for genetic mutations in brain cancer tumors in less than 90 seconds.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 3, 2023·5 min read

Sugar Is Processed Differently in the Brains of Obesity-Prone vs. Obesity-Resistant Rats

Glucose takes longer to get into the nucleus accumbens of obesity-prone rat models. Researchers also discovered excess levels of glutamate in obesity-prone rats, implying a deficiency in the neurotransmitter recycling process normally maintained by astrocytes.