Latest

University of Virginia

·July 18, 2024·3 min read

Brain-Boosting Gummies May Contain Illegal Hallucinogens

Researchers warn that mushroom gummies sold to boost brain function may contain illegal hallucinogens and other harmful ingredients, after five people, including a 3-year-old, fell ill. Testing revealed that three out of five brands contained psilocybin or psilocin, Schedule I drugs, which were not listed on the labels. This poses a public health threat, as consumers are unaware of what they are ingesting.

Autism Featured

·April 17, 2024·6 min read

Autism’s Brain Structure Secrets Revealed

Researchers developed a groundbreaking approach using Diffusion MRI to explore the brain structures of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This technique measures how water molecules move through the brain, revealing structural differences in the neural pathways of autistic versus non-autistic individuals.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·March 6, 2024·5 min read

Unexpected Literacy Skills in Nonverbal Autism

Nonspeaking autistic individuals may possess undervalued literacy skills, suggesting the potential for written communication as an expressive alternative. By adapting an innovative method akin to Whac-a-Mole, the research team demonstrated that a significant portion of the study's nonspeaking autistic participants could predict letter sequences in sentences, indicating a foundational understanding of written language.

This shows AI representations of bacterria.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 30, 2023·5 min read

Lactobacillus Bacteria May Guard Against Anxiety and Depression

Researchers have discovered the significant role of Lactobacillus, a bacterium in fermented foods and yogurt, in managing stress and potentially preventing depression and anxiety. This research is crucial for its specific focus on Lactobacillus, distinguishing it from other microbiota.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 28, 2023·2 min read

Afterlife Conversations: Healing Power in Grief’s Journey?

Interactions with the deceased, or ADCs, are reported by 30-34% of individuals. A recent study explored the effects of ADCs on those grieving a partner.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 22, 2023·4 min read

Sound Waves Could Be A Novel Tactic in Battling Cocaine Addiction

Researchers are launching a pioneering study using low-intensity focused ultrasound to address cocaine addiction by targeting the insula region of the brain. This noninvasive technique aims to reprogram brain cells to diminish cocaine cravings.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·July 29, 2023·6 min read

How Light Sensitivity Influences Alzheimer’s Progression

New research heightened light sensitivity in Alzheimer's patients to "sundowning," a worsening of symptoms late in the day, and sleep disruptions that may advance the disease. This fresh understanding of biological clock disruptions in Alzheimer's could aid the creation of treatments and symptom management.

Auditory Neuroscience Featured Neuroscience

·July 10, 2023·5 min read

Unlocking Auditory Resilience: How Our Hearing Cells Self-Repair

A new study could change our understanding of hearing loss prevention and treatment. Researchers found that the 'hair cells' in our inner ear, crucial for hearing and balance, can repair themselves after suffering from damage.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·June 2, 2023·5 min read

Aging Impacts Immune Response to Spinal Cord Injuries

New research has revealed that the immune response to spinal cord injuries diminishes as individuals age. The study sheds light on the key role the membranes around the spinal cord play in this immune response.

Featured Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·February 25, 2023·4 min read

New Way to Prevent AMD, a Common Cause of Vision Loss

Study uncovered a previously unknown contributor to harmful blood vessel growth in the eye associated with AMD and other common vision loss disorders. The findings could lead to new treatments for those suffering from age-related macular degeneration and other vision loss disorders.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·February 17, 2023·9 min read

Prairie Voles Born via C-Section Can’t Bond: Is Birth Key to How We Love and Relate?

Prairie voles born via cesarean section were unable to form pair bonds. However, exposing them to oxytocin allowed the c-section-born prairie voles to form pair bonds upon maturity. The findings raise an interesting question: Is our method of birth more important to how we love and form relationships than we realize?

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·February 15, 2023·4 min read

Multiple Sclerosis Discovery Could End Disease’s Chronic Inflammation

Blocking the activity of the reactor called the aryl hydrocarbon receptor in T cells resulted in both a decrease in inflammation and recovery in mouse models of multiple sclerosis.