Summary: A new study reveals how electrical synapses help animals, including worms, filter sensory inputs and make context-appropriate decisions. Researchers found that these synapses, mediated by the protein INX-1, connect specific neurons in worms, dampening irrelevant signals and prioritizing essential ones.This mechanism enables worms to navigate temperature gradients effectively, avoiding...

Summary: The gene neuropilin2 regulates inhibitory neuron migration and excitatory neuron connections, essential for balanced brain activity. A study revealed that deleting neuropilin2 disrupts inhibitory circuits, leading to autism-like behaviors and a higher seizure risk.Researchers demonstrated how disruptions in inhibitory neuron migration create imbalances that link autism spectrum disorder (ASD)...

Summary: New research reveals that sleep deprivation hampers the brain’s ability to suppress intrusive memories, a process critical for mental health.The study found that well-rested individuals could engage the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex to inhibit unwanted memories, while sleep-deprived participants struggled. REM sleep emerged as vital for restoring this brain...

Summary: Researchers have uncovered how neurotransmitters in the brain respond to the emotional content of language, shedding light on the intersection of emotion, cognition, and communication. Using advanced techniques, the team simultaneously measured dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine release in patients during exposure to emotionally charged words. They found distinct patterns...

Summary: Researchers have developed an AI model that accurately predicts gene activity in any human cell, providing insights into cellular functions and disease mechanisms.Trained on data from over 1.3 million cells, the model can predict gene expression in unseen cell types with high accuracy. It has already uncovered mechanisms driving...

Summary: Deep sleep may clear the brain of toxic waste via a process driven by norepinephrine, a molecule that creates rhythmic blood vessel contractions. This “brainwashing” system, part of the glymphatic system, helps remove harmful proteins linked to neurological disorders.Researchers found that sleep aids like zolpidem might impair this process...

Summary: Research shows that accelerated reproductive aging in females, such as early puberty or menopause, is linked to increased mental health risks at different life stages.Adolescents experiencing early puberty displayed unstable brain connectivity in regions tied to psychosis vulnerability, while middle-aged women with early menopause showed patterns linked to depression....

Summary: Scientists have visualized the detailed structure of protein clumps linked to Huntington’s disease, offering critical insights into the condition’s molecular basis. Using advanced simulations and experimental techniques, the team identified how these clumps differ from those in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.These findings not only deepen our understanding of Huntington’s...

Summary: Over half of U.S. college students experience harm caused by others’ drinking, highlighting the widespread impact of alcohol misuse on campuses. These harms range from babysitting intoxicated peers to experiencing verbal abuse, emotional distress, or even physical assaults.Students in Greek life, athletics, or higher socioeconomic groups are particularly at...

Summary: New research reveals that men are more likely than women to let emotions from unrelated situations affect their financial decisions. After watching emotional news stories, men opted for safer financial choices, while women’s decisions remained unchanged.This challenges the stereotype that women are more emotional, suggesting higher emotional intelligence may...