Summary: New research reveals that individual neurons follow multiple learning rules simultaneously, challenging the long-held belief that synaptic plasticity operates uniformly throughout the brain. Using advanced two-photon imaging, scientists tracked changes in synapses during learning in mice, uncovering that different regions within a single neuron adapt using distinct plasticity mechanisms.This...
Summary: A new study reveals that women can subconsciously judge potential friendship compatibility based on scent during first-time meetings. Researchers found that a person’s everyday odor—captured on a worn T-shirt—predicted how much they were liked after short face-to-face conversations.These “diplomatic” scents, shaped by daily habits and environments, aligned with impressions...
Summary: A CDC report analyzing data from 16 U.S. sites, including Maryland, found that autism now affects 1 in 31 eight-year-olds nationwide. Maryland’s prevalence was slightly lower, with 1 in 38 eight-year-olds and 1 in 41 four-year-olds identified in 2022.The study highlights increased early detection, particularly among younger children, and...
Summary: New research reveals that the vagus nerve, which helps regulate appetite, interacts with socio-economic status to influence eating behavior. In a chocolate tasting study, participants from higher socio-economic backgrounds showed stronger alignment between their internal hunger signals and food intake.However, individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds did not show the...
Summary: Survivors of the 2018 Camp Fire in California exhibit long-term cognitive changes, particularly in decision-making. Participants directly exposed to the wildfire showed reduced ability to choose long-term rewards and displayed hyperactivity in brain regions tied to rumination.EEG scans revealed that their brains were over-engaged during tasks requiring sound decisions,...
Summary: A new study reveals how age, sex, menopause, and genetics influence key blood biomarkers linked to dementia risk. Researchers analyzed data from over 1,000 people, measuring three biomarkers over a 17-year period and comparing results between those who developed dementia and those who did not.Older age was associated with...
Summary: Women who experience menopause before age 40 are more likely to face cognitive decline than those who enter menopause after age 50. The findings, based on longitudinal data from nearly 5,000 women, suggest that early menopause may be an independent risk factor for dementia, even after accounting for depression...
Summary: A new study shows that gold nanoparticles injected into the retina can restore vision in mice with retinal degeneration, offering a less invasive alternative to current retinal prostheses. When activated by patterned infrared light, these nanoparticles stimulate retinal cells, bypassing damaged photoreceptors.This activation leads to visual signal transmission to...
Summary: A new review of 38 studies confirms that simply viewing visual art can significantly enhance wellbeing, regardless of whether it’s done in a gallery, hospital, or even virtually. The research highlights art’s impact on eudemonic wellbeing—a sense of meaning, personal growth, and purpose in life.From Van Gogh’s Starry Night...
Summary: A new review highlights growing evidence linking gut health to sleep apnea, suggesting that changes in gut microbiota may influence the severity of sleep-disordered breathing. These microbial imbalances are associated with increased inflammation, leaky gut, and impaired gut-brain communication—all of which may exacerbate obstructive sleep apnea.Researchers also discuss the...
