Summary: A new study of 121 infants in Accra, Ghana, reveals that babies regularly hear between two and six languages from multiple caregivers. Unlike the Western model of learning one language from a primary caregiver, these children acquire language through a dynamic social environment.Local languages like Akan, Ga, and Ewe...
Summary: A new study reveals that consuming high-calorie, highly processed foods for just five days can reduce the brain’s sensitivity to insulin, a key factor in obesity and type 2 diabetes. Researchers found that even in healthy individuals, short-term unhealthy eating altered brain function, mimicking effects seen in people with...
Summary: A new study reveals that people feel more culpable when they follow bad advice than when they make poor decisions independently. Researchers found that going against one’s better judgment increases thoughts of missed opportunities, amplifying feelings of control and regret.Surprisingly, rather than blaming the adviser, participants blamed themselves more...
Summary: Scientists have developed e-Taste, a novel technology that digitally replicates taste in virtual environments. Using chemical sensors and wireless dispensers, the system captures and transmits taste data remotely, enabling users to experience sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami flavors.In tests, participants distinguished different taste intensities with 70% accuracy, and...
Summary: A new study challenges the long-held belief that the striatum is responsible for selecting actions. Researchers found that instead of making decisions, the striatum and motor cortex work together to specify movement details, such as how to reach for an object.Using a novel “reach-to-pull” system, they recorded neural activity...
Summary: Researchers have created a four-dimensional brain map that reveals how MS-like lesions form, providing new insights into the earliest stages of the disease. Using a marmoset model instead of mice, they tracked lesion development in real time with MRI imaging, identifying vulnerable brain regions weeks before visible damage occurred.A...
Summary: A large study found that people who engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity are significantly less likely to develop dementia, stroke, anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. Researchers analyzed data from over 73,000 individuals using wearable devices to track their activity levels, providing objective measurements of movement and sedentary...
Summary: A large whole-genome sequencing study has uncovered 16 new genes linked to Alzheimer’s disease, expanding genetic research beyond European ancestry. Researchers analyzed data from 49,149 individuals, nearly half of whom were from underrepresented populations, to improve understanding of genetic risk factors.The findings highlight the importance of studying diverse groups...
Summary: A new international study reveals that schizophrenia manifests differently in the brain, reflecting the wide range of symptoms among patients. Researchers analyzed imaging data from over 6,000 individuals and found that while some brain structures vary significantly, others remain highly uniform.Brain folding patterns in the mid-frontal region were consistently...
Summary: A new study reveals that human accelerated regions (HARs)—segments of DNA that evolved much faster than expected—may be key to the brain’s advanced cognitive abilities. Researchers compared human and chimpanzee neurons and found that HARs drive the growth of multiple neural projections, which enhance communication between brain cells.When human...
