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This shows a woman taking a photo of an empty plate.

·April 14, 2024·5 min read

Social Media Fuels Eating Disorder Echo Chambers

A new study investigates the role of social media in exacerbating eating disorders among users. Researchers used machine learning to analyze millions of tweets, uncovering a troubling cycle where harmful content related to eating disorders is easily accessible and often intertwined with regular diet discussions.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 12, 2024·6 min read

AI vs. Human Empathy: Machine Learning More Empathetic

AI-generated messages can make recipients feel more "heard" compared to responses from untrained humans. The research demonstrates AI's superior ability to detect and respond to human emotions, potentially providing better emotional support.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·April 4, 2024·5 min read

Brain Organoids Illuminate TBI’s Link to Neurodegeneration

Researchers have advanced our understanding of how traumatic brain injuries (TBI) contribute to neurodegenerative diseases using lab-grown brain organoids. By simulating TBI in organoids derived from human stem cells, the team observed nerve cell death and pathological changes similar to those in TBI patients, particularly in proteins associated with ALS and dementia.

Featured Neuroscience Neuroscience Videos

·March 18, 2024·5 min read

Teens’ Transcendent Thinking Spurs Brain Growth

Adolescents engaging in "transcendent thinking"—the practice of looking beyond the immediate context to understand deeper meanings and implications—can significantly influence their brain development. The study highlights how this complex form of thinking fosters coordination between the brain's executive control and default mode networks, crucial for psychological functioning.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 20, 2024·4 min read

Fasting-Mimicking Diet Reverses Aging Signs

Cycles of a fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) can effectively reduce signs of immune system aging, insulin resistance, and liver fat, thereby decreasing biological age in humans. The FMD is a five-day plan high in unsaturated fats but low in calories, proteins, and carbohydrates, designed to emulate the effects of water-only fasting while providing essential nutrients.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·February 1, 2024·5 min read

Dementia’s Rarity in Greek and Roman Times

Severe memory loss, akin to today's dementia epidemic, was extremely rare in ancient Greece and Rome, indicating these conditions may largely stem from modern lifestyles and environments. Analyzing classical texts, the study found minimal mentions of cognitive impairments in these ancient civilizations, contrasting sharply with current dementia rates.

Auditory Neuroscience Featured Neuroscience

·January 4, 2024·4 min read

Wearing Hearing Aids May Reduce Mortality Risk

Regular use of hearing aids is linked to a 24% lower risk of mortality among adults with hearing loss. This groundbreaking research highlights the potential health benefits of hearing aids beyond addressing hearing impairment.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·November 9, 2023·6 min read

Autism Gene SYNGAP1’s Early Role in Brain Development

A new study uncovers unexpected early developmental impacts of SYNGAP1 gene variants linked to Autism Spectrum Disorder. By examining brain organoids, including those from a patient with a SYNGAP1 variant, researchers found the SYNGAP1 protein in progenitor cells, challenging the belief that it's only present in mature neuron synapses.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 5, 2023·7 min read

A New Flavor Frontier: Is Ammonium Our Sixth Basic Taste?

The tongue’s response to ammonium chloride, a component in some candies, may indicate a sixth basic taste. The study illuminated that OTOP1, a protein receptor that signals sour taste, also responds notably to ammonium chloride.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·September 13, 2023·7 min read

Sit Less, Think More: Over 10hr Sedentary Time A Day Hike Dementia Risk

Adults over 60, who engage in more than 10 hours of sedentary behavior daily, have a heightened risk of dementia. The study revealed that the pattern of sedentary behavior throughout the day mattered less than the total hours spent.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 27, 2023·7 min read

From Clicks to Compulsion: Unraveling the Habit Loop of Social Media

Social media usage evolves from a conscious choice to an automatic habit, particularly among frequent users. The study reveals that 'likes' and comments increasingly matter less to habitual users, who continue posting regardless of public engagement or consequences.

This shows a lonely person sitting under a tree.

Featured Neuroscience Neuroscience Videos Psychology

·June 30, 2023·5 min read

Loneliness Alters Brain Processing, Unique to Each Individual

Lonely people process the world uniquely, differing significantly from those who are not lonely. The research utilized functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine the brain processing patterns of 66 college students while they watched various video clips.