Summary: New research reveals that the timing of stress during pregnancy has gender-specific effects on infants, altering how boys and girls respond to stress differently. Scientists found mid-pregnancy stress has a stronger impact on girls’ stress reactivity, while boys are more sensitive to stress experienced in late gestation.The study involved...
Biological Variant in ITSN1 Linked to Higher Parkinson’s and ASD Chance
Summary: A new study has identified genetic variants in the ITSN1 gene that significantly increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Researchers analyzed nearly 500,000 genetic profiles and found that individuals carrying ITSN1 variants face up to a tenfold higher risk of Parkinson’s.The study also linked ITSN1 to earlier disease...
How the Brain Processes Speech in Real Time
Summary: Researchers have developed a computational framework that maps how the brain processes speech during real-world conversations. Using electrocorticography (ECoG) and AI speech models, the study analyzed over 100 hours of brain activity, revealing how different regions handle sounds, speech patterns, and word meanings.The findings show that the brain processes...
AI-Powered Brain Implant Lets Paralyzed Man Control Robotic Finger
Summary: A new brain-computer interface (BCI) has enabled a paralyzed man to control a robotic arm by simply imagining movements. Unlike previous BCIs, which lasted only a few days, this AI-enhanced device worked reliably for seven months. The AI model adapts to natural shifts in brain activity, maintaining accuracy over...
Mapping Brain Cells Vulnerable to Alzheimer’s Protein Buildup
Summary: Researchers have identified memory-related brain cells that are highly vulnerable to tau protein accumulation, a key factor in Alzheimer’s disease. Using the MISS brain-mapping technique, they profiled 1.3 million cells in mice to pinpoint which cell types are most affected.Their findings show that glutamatergic neurons in the hippocampus are...
High-Fat Diet Triggers Memory Decline Within Times
Summary: A new study shows that just three days of a high-fat diet can cause memory impairments and brain inflammation in older adults, independent of obesity. Researchers compared young and old rats fed a diet with 60% of calories from fat and found that only the older rats showed cognitive...
People in the Minority Often Self-Silence, Affecting Their Behavior
Summary: A new study shows that people with minority viewpoints on controversial topics often self-silence when discussing their opinions, leading them to behave in ways that contradict their true beliefs. Researchers found that participants who disagreed with the majority view avoided fully expressing their stance and engaged in behaviors that...
Long-Term NSAID Use Has a Relation to Lower Dementia Hazard
Summary: A new study finds that long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is associated with a lower risk of developing dementia. Researchers followed 11,745 adults over 14.5 years and found that those who used NSAIDs long-term had a 12% reduced dementia risk.However, short- and intermediate-term NSAID use did not...
How Head Action Is Reported by Eye Size When Sleeping With Eye Open
Summary: A new study reveals that pupil size fluctuates constantly during sleep, reflecting changes in brain activation levels. Researchers developed a novel method to keep test subjects’ eyes open, allowing them to monitor these dynamics without disrupting sleep.They found that pupil changes correspond to sleep stages, brain waves, and responsiveness...
Individual neural circuits allow the mind to distinguish between soreness and itch.
Summary: A new study reveals that pain and itch are processed by distinct neural circuits in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Researchers identified two types of neurons—one responding to both stimuli and another selectively activated by either pain or itch.Using advanced synaptic analysis and chemogenetic techniques, they found that these...