Summary: A new study reveals that both humans and marmosets continue to adjust their behavior even after learning an optimal task strategy. Instead of sticking to a known successful approach, they subtly modify their responses based on their most recent experience. This ongoing exploration may help them adapt to changing...
Biological Connection Between Humans and the Founding of Speech
Summary: New research suggests a genetic variant in the NOVA1 protein may have played a key role in the emergence of human speech. Scientists introduced this exclusively human variant into mice and observed altered vocalizations, indicating a potential role in vocal communication.The study confirmed that Neanderthals and Denisovans did not...
Artificial Discovers Similar Neural Designs in Different Minds.
Summary: Researchers have developed a geometric deep learning approach to uncover shared brain activity patterns across individuals. The method, called MARBLE, learns dynamic motifs from neural recordings and identifies common strategies used by different brains to solve the same task.Tested on macaques and rats, MARBLE accurately decoded neural activity linked...
First Life Stress Rewires Brain Transistors Related to Social Motivation
Summary: New research shows that early life stress disrupts dopamine signaling, altering social motivation and behavior. Scientists found that mice raised in stressful conditions were less likely to engage in social interactions compared to those with enriched experiences.The study identifies a weakened neural pathway between the ventral tegmental area and...
How the heart’s time affects teen weight gain and eating habits
Summary: A new study reveals that the body’s internal clock plays a key role in eating behavior, influencing when and how much adolescents eat. Researchers found that teens with overweight or obesity consumed significantly more calories later in the day compared to those with a healthy weight.By isolating circadian influences...
Physical Illness Is Enhanced by Despair
Summary: Adults with a history of depression develop long-term physical conditions about 30% faster than those without, according to a large study. Researchers analyzed data from over 172,000 participants and found that those with depression accrued an average of 0.2 additional conditions per year, compared to 0.16 in those without....
Particles Give mRNA to the Head, Bypassing Blood-Brain Barrier
Summary: Scientists have developed a lipid nanoparticle system that enables mRNA to cross the blood-brain barrier, a long-standing challenge in neuroscience. In studies using mice and human brain tissue, these nanoparticles successfully delivered therapeutic mRNA, opening doors for potential treatments for neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s, ALS, and brain cancer.Unlike traditional...