Cleaner Air May Protect Children’s Eyesight and Slow Myopia
Summary: New research reveals that cleaner air may protect children’s eyesight and help slow the rise of myopia, especially in younger children. Using machine learning, scientists found that children living in less polluted areas had better vision, even after accounting for genetics and screen time. The study highlights nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter as […]
Newly Discovered Brain Neurons Hold Key to Energy Balance and Obesity
Summary: Researchers uncovered a new subtype of hypothalamic neurons, called Crabp1 neurons, that serve as powerful regulators of energy expenditure. Silencing these cells lowered activity, temperature, and fat burning, leading to obesity, while activating them increased locomotion, thermogenesis, and resistance to diet-induced weight gain. These neurons respond to environmental cues like cold, exercise, and light […]
Lactate Infusions Mimic Exercise’s Brain-Boosting Benefits
Summary: A new study shows that the brain benefits of exercise may be partly replicated with an IV infusion of lactate, the by-product of intense physical activity. Researchers found that such infusions increased pro-BDNF levels in the blood—molecules linked to brain growth and resilience—without requiring exercise. However, the rise was limited to the precursor form […]
Spinal Cord Found to Shape Arousal and Sex
Summary: A new study overturns the traditional view that the brain solely directs male sexual behavior while the spinal cord executes ejaculation. Researchers identified Galanin-expressing spinal neurons that both drive ejaculation and regulate arousal, integrating sensory input, brain feedback, and internal states. In mice, these neurons influenced pacing, coordination, and even the refractory period, suggesting […]
Most Daily Actions Run on Habit, Not Conscious Choice
Summary: New research shows that nearly two-thirds of daily behaviors are triggered by habit rather than conscious decision-making. Participants often acted automatically in familiar settings, reflecting learned associations. Almost half of these habits were also aligned with personal goals, suggesting that people create routines that support their intentions. The findings highlight the power of habit […]
Prenatal Endocannabinoid Disruption Impacts Brain Wiring, Behavior
Summary: A new study shows that prenatal disruption of the endocannabinoid system can have long-lasting effects on brain structure and behavior. When scientists lowered the activity of an endocannabinoid receptor in the developing mouse brain, neurons failed to migrate properly, and key genes involved in brain development were altered. After birth, these mice displayed reduced […]
Oral Bacteria May Trigger Parkinson’s Disease
Summary: Scientists have uncovered a direct link between oral bacteria and Parkinson’s disease. They found that Streptococcus mutans, best known for causing cavities, can settle in the gut and release metabolites that reach the brain. These metabolites trigger neuronal loss, neuroinflammation, and motor impairments resembling Parkinson’s. The findings suggest that targeting the oral–gut microbiome could […]
Brain Waves Hand Off Visual Signals Across Hemispheres
Summary: A new study reveals how the brain unifies vision across its two hemispheres when objects cross the field of view. Researchers tracked neural spikes and brain wave frequencies, showing that different wave patterns anticipate, execute, and confirm the handoff of information from one hemisphere to the other. Gamma and beta waves managed sensory encoding, […]
Brain Scans Reveal How Bullying Sparks Instant Alarm and Distress
Summary: A new study shows that bullying activates distress pathways in the brain within seconds. Tweens and adults who viewed first-person bullying videos displayed heightened activity in social and emotional brain networks, alongside strong autonomic threat responses. Eye-tracking and pupil-size measures confirmed increased emotional arousal and attention toward bullying scenes. These responses were even stronger […]
Mini Brains Expose Neural Signatures of Schizophrenia and Bipolar
Summary: For the first time, lab-grown mini brains have revealed how neurons misfire in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Using machine learning to analyze electrical activity, researchers identified distinct firing patterns that served as biomarkers, distinguishing patient-derived organoids from healthy ones with over 90% accuracy. Subtle electrical stimulation improved detection, exposing intricate neuro-signatures of each condition. […]