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Showing posts from December, 2023

Synaptic Transistor Mirrors Human Brain Function

Researchers developed a groundbreaking synaptic transistor inspired by the human brain. This device can simultaneously process and store information, mimicking the brain's capacity for higher-level thinking. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/B7KiMeN

Embracing Intellectual Humility

Intellectual humility, characterized by an awareness of one's cognitive limitations and openness to revising beliefs, plays a pivotal role in various aspects of human life. This quality encompasses being open-minded, curious, realistic, and teachable, facilitating progress and personal growth. It fosters tolerance for diverse viewpoints and bolsters relationships by promoting respectful dialogue. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/fELdxKz

Neurons Controlling Fertility Identified

Researchers reveal how specific brain neurons impact ovarian function and hormone release, essential for reproduction. Kisspeptin neurons and dynorphin receptors play a crucial role in regulating fertility. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/Oq8LfTK

Protein Discovery Sheds Light on Circadian Rhythms

Researchers identify a crucial protein, Tenm3, in mice's visual system that stabilizes circadian rhythms by modulating the brain's response to light. This discovery has significant implications for treating sleep disorders and jet lag. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/zatXB75

Global Genetic Insights into Problematic Alcohol Use

A new study uncovers a shared genetic basis for problematic alcohol use (PAU) across diverse ancestries. This research broadens our understanding of PAU's genetic architecture and its consequences, including its role as a major cause of health problems and death. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/EHK2r6F

Uncovering the Hidden Risks of Young-Onset Dementia

A new study reveals 15 risk factors for young-onset dementia, challenging the notion that genetics are the sole cause. These factors, ranging from education and socioeconomic status to lifestyle and health issues, offer hope for prevention. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/ajXIwOF

Enhancing Motor Learning with Visual-Motor Illusions

Researchers found that visual aids creating illusions of movement, like screens showing a hand's motion, can enhance motor performance and early-stage motor learning. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy revealed distinct brain activity changes in motor learning regions compared to traditional third-person motion observation. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/mjQNzPe

Kids’ Trust in Robots vs Humans: A Study in Selective Learning

A new study explores how children aged three to five gauge the reliability of information from humans and robots. The study found that children display selective trust based on an informant's past accuracy, with younger children more likely to accept information from an inaccurate human than a robot, whereas older children distrust unreliable informants regardless of their nature. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/bfgRGsV

Urban Living’s Impact on Early Childhood Development

A new study highlights the significant impact of urban environments on the growth and development of children during their first 2000 days, from conception to age five. The study synthesized findings from 235 articles across 41 countries, identifying seven key areas of environmental exposure in urban settings. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/FwJdo1b

Sleep Deprivation’s Toll on Emotions

Researchers examined over fifty years of research to highlight the profound impact of sleep loss on emotional well-being. Analyzing data from 154 studies with 5,715 participants, the research team found that sleep deprivation leads to a decrease in positive emotions and an increase in anxiety symptoms. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/ycfIi9Q

Beyond Consciousness: How Meditators Voluntarily Enter Void States

Experienced meditators can voluntarily induce unconscious states, known as cessations, without the use of drugs. This ability, observed in Tibetan Buddhist practice, allows meditators to experience a momentary void of consciousness, followed by enhanced mental clarity. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/8YVW7XQ

Global Secrets of Early Language Learning

A new study, involving an extensive international sample of 1,001 children across 43 languages, offers groundbreaking insights into how infants and toddlers learn language. The research utilized day-long audio recordings and machine learning analysis. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/6XM0Q8r

Metabolic Markers of Depression Identified

Researchers revealed a crucial link between cellular metabolism and major depressive disorder, particularly in treatment-refractory cases and suicidal ideation. This research found specific blood metabolites that differ in people with depression, providing new biomarkers for risk assessment. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/iv5AFW4

Unveiling the Dark Genome: LINE-1’s Role in Disease

A new study illuminated a part of the "dark genome," specifically focusing on LINE-1, a genetic element linked to various diseases and aging. Researchers have provided the first high-resolution images and structural details of LINE-1, an "ancient genetic parasite" with about 100 active copies in each person. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/c3NJKzX

Gen Z’s Mind Maze: Navigating a World of Perceived Extremes

A new study delves into the mental health crisis among Gen Z. The study, based on 40 interviews, highlights key risk factors like mass shootings, social media, and climate crisis, impacting young people's mental well-being. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/zGHbsiB

Tongue’s Unique Traits Unveiled by AI and 3D Imaging

New research using AI and 3D imaging has discovered that each person's tongue surface, with its distinct papillae patterns, is unique. The study involved analyzing over two thousand detailed scans from fifteen individuals. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/dD4gOuG

Stomach Bug Linked to Alzheimer’s Risk

A new study reveals a potential link between Helicobacter pylori infection and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Analyzing three decades of patient data, the researchers found that people over 50 with symptomatic H. pylori infection face an 11% higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s, which escalates to 24% a decade post-infection. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/NS3QYc2

How Daydreams Shape Our Brain’s Visual Response

Researchers made a breakthrough in understanding how daydreaming affects the brain. By studying mice, they discovered that neurons in the visual cortex fire in patterns similar to when viewing actual images, indicating daydream-like activity. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/sI2CAJn

Rejecting Invites: Less Impact on Relationships Than Feared

People often overestimate the negative consequences of declining social invitations. The study involved over 2,000 participants across five experiments. It showed that while individuals who declined invitations feared damaging their relationships, the inviters typically felt less upset than expected. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/PRDgzLe

Astrocyte Study Ties Vitamin B12 to Multiple Sclerosis Progression

A new study uncovers a molecular connection between vitamin B12 and multiple sclerosis (MS). The study identifies a key role of astrocytes and the brain's vitamin B12 carrier protein, transcobalamin 2, in this link. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/aAhs7NT

AI and EEG Transform Silent Thoughts to Text

Researchers created a revolutionary system that can non-invasively convert silent thoughts into text, offering new communication possibilities for people with speech impairments due to illnesses or injuries. The technology uses a wearable EEG cap to record brain activity and an AI model named DeWave to decode these signals into language. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/onjxJB5

Wasabi Compound Enhances Memory

A recent study investigated the impact of 6-MSITC, a compound found in wasabi, on cognitive functions in older adults. Over 12 weeks, participants took either a 6-MSITC supplement or a placebo. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/q8Jr1Au

Balancing Act: The Mixed Blessings of Solitude on Mental Health

A new study examines the nuanced impact of solitude on mental health among adults aged 35 and older in the UK and US. Tracking 178 participants over 21 days, the research found no definitive optimal balance between solitude and social interaction. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/oD5jKd8

How Shift Work Disrupts Sleep

A new study reveals significant sleep disturbances among shift workers. The research, involving over 37,000 participants, indicates that regular night shifts lead to the highest prevalence of sleep disorders, with 51% of night shift workers reporting at least one sleep disorder. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/K2xSUeZ

Brain Stimulation Enhances Memory in Schizophrenia Patients

A new study suggests that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can improve aspects of prospective memory in individuals with schizophrenia. The trial compared 50 schizophrenia patients, split between active and sham rTMS treatments, with 18 healthy controls. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3JcUsQy

Childhood Stress Linked to Adult Depression

A new study reveals a connection between negative life events (NLE) in childhood and a higher likelihood of developing depression in young adulthood. This research, involving 321 participants, showed that a thicker orbitofrontal cortex at age 14, followed by rapid thinning during adolescence, is predictive of depressive symptoms later in life. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/4fgpWuG

Stress and Snacks: How Fatty Foods Hinder Recovery

Consuming fatty foods during stressful times can hinder the body's recovery from stress effects. Researchers found that high-fat meals, like butter croissants, consumed before a stressful event, reduced vascular function and brain oxygenation, and negatively affected mood. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/7pwyOvl

Brain Imaging Reveals Altered Brain Connectivity in Autism

Researchers advanced brain imaging and machine learning to uncover altered functional brain connectivity in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), acknowledging the diversity within the disorder. The research distinguishes between shared and individual-specific connectivity patterns in ASD, revealing both common and unique brain alterations. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/5DVBp3M

Rising Cannabis Use Among Older Americans During the Pandemic

A new study reveals an increase in cannabis use among older Americans, with 12% reporting THC-containing substance consumption in the past year, a rise from pre-pandemic levels. The study highlights a connection between high-risk alcohol consumption and increased cannabis use in this age group. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/uU3Zydh

Link Between Childhood Adversity and Muscle Dysmorphia in Youth

A new study reveals a significant association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and symptoms of muscle dysmorphia in adolescents and young adults. The research highlights how ACEs, such as domestic violence and emotional abuse, can lead to the pathological pursuit of muscularity as a coping mechanism. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/MkJal35

Dopamine’s Role in Learning from Rewards and Penalties

Dopamine, a neurotransmitter, plays a vital role in encoding both reward and punishment prediction errors in the human brain. This study suggests that dopamine is essential for learning from both positive and negative experiences, enabling the brain to adapt behavior based on outcomes. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/nOFtXKo

Taste-Driven AI Algorithms Enhance Wine Selections

Wine apps like Vivino and Hello Vino are utilizing AI algorithms to help wine enthusiasts select the perfect bottle. Researchers have taken it a step further by incorporating people's flavor impressions into the algorithms. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/CL1E3fv

Peptide PACAP’s Key Role in Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol, the world's most common addictive substance, leads to $249 billion in annual costs and 88,000 deaths in the U.S. Alcohol use disorder affects millions but is under-treated. Researchers discovered a key player in alcohol addiction: pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP). from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/WRnTu71

Babies Learn Language Best Through Sing-Song Speech, Not Phonetics

New research suggests that parents should use sing-song speech, such as nursery rhymes, with their babies, as it aids language development. Contrary to the belief that phonetic information is the foundation of language, this study reveals that rhythmic speech plays a crucial role in language acquisition during a child's first months. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/gn98BZo