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University of Vienna

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·October 16, 2025·6 min read

Scientists Identify New Gene Behind Hereditary Vision Loss

Researchers have identified a new genetic cause of hereditary optic atrophy—a condition that leads to gradual vision loss—by discovering a previously unknown mutation in the PPIB gene. This gene helps proteins fold properly and ensures healthy mitochondrial function, both of which are disrupted in affected individuals.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 7, 2025·4 min read

Babies Can Sense Their Own Heartbeat as Early as 3 Months Old

A new study reveals that infants as young as three months can perceive their own heartbeat, and their awareness of breathing develops during the second year of life. This early body awareness is closely linked to emotional development, identity, and interactions with caregivers.

This shows chemical imaging of the microbiome.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·November 21, 2024·5 min read

Parkinson’s Medication Alters Microbiome, Induces Iron Deficiency

The Parkinson's drug entacapone disrupts the gut microbiome by inducing iron deficiency, favoring the growth of potentially harmful bacteria like E. coli. Using advanced molecular techniques, researchers identified that entacapone interferes with iron availability, a critical resource for many gut microbes.

This shows a baby surrounded by musical notes.

Auditory Neuroscience Featured Neuroscience

·October 25, 2024·5 min read

Newborns’ Brains Recognize Complex Sound Patterns

New research shows that newborns can detect complex sound patterns that follow non-adjacent, language-like rules, suggesting that the ability to process such sequences is innate. Using near-infrared spectroscopy, researchers observed newborn brain responses to sequences of tones, finding that infants could distinguish between correct and incorrect patterns. The study found that this early ability activates language-related networks, particularly in the left hemisphere, highlighting a foundation for future language skills.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 17, 2024·6 min read

Violent Video Games Do Not Diminish Empathy

A recent study challenges the notion that violent video games diminish empathy.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 4, 2024·5 min read

Lower Socio-Economic Women Underrate Their Talent

A new study reveals that women from low socio-economic backgrounds tend to perceive themselves as less talented, even when their performance matches others'. This misperception can contribute to gender disparities, especially in fields like STEM.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·October 18, 2023·5 min read

Unraveling the Octopus’s 2.8 Billion-Base Genome

Scientists have successfully determined the genomic composition of octopuses, unveiling a whopping 2.8 billion base pairs across 30 chromosomes. This was a result of comprehensive, computer-assisted genome studies and comparisons with other cephalopod species.

This shows a representation of an ion channel.

Electrophysiology Featured Neuroscience

·August 1, 2023·4 min read

Revealing the Mystery of Ion Channel Gating Through a Smart Model

Researchers developed an intelligent model system to understand the complex functioning of ion channels, crucial for many cellular processes. The study focused on the inwardly rectifying potassium channel Kir2.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 21, 2023·3 min read

Tiny Polystyrene Particles Detected in the Brain Just Two Hours After Ingestion

Two hours after ingestion, tiny particles of polystyrene, a widely used plastic commonly used for food packing, can be detected in the brain. These plastic particles can increase the risk of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.

This shows a woman standing alone by a window

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 4, 2023·4 min read

Tired of Being Alone: How Social Isolation Impacts on Our Energy

A new study found people who experienced social isolation for eight hours reported higher levels of tiredness. The findings suggest low energy may be a basic human response to a lack of social communication.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·July 20, 2022·4 min read

Higher Voice Pitch Lets Female Faces Appear Younger

Higher pitched voices in women influence how their faces are evaluated, researchers report. The faces of women with higher-pitched voices were perceived as being younger. However, researchers found no evidence of a link between vocal pitch or perceptions of facial attractiveness, health, or femininity.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 15, 2022·3 min read

Neuronal Cell Type for Controlling the Flow of Information in the Brain Discovered

By briefly inhibiting other cells, neurogliaform cells in the CA1 region of the hippocampus ensure that current perception and memories of past experiences can be processed both separately and in combination with each other.