Preemies fed mostly breast milk had larger brains by their due dates than those who consumed small amounts or none. Feeding premature infants primarily breast milk during the first month of life is associated with more substantial early brain growth compared with feeding regimens that include little or no breast milk. Researchers studying preterm infants … Read more

Study examines the relationship between life circumstances and risk-taking among older adults Numerous studies have found that people generally become less willing to take physical, social, legal, or financial risks as they age. But is that decline universal across cultures and countries? Do social and economic conditions — such as poverty, violence, or income inequality … Read more

Summary: A new study identifies a potential drug target that may increase social interaction in some forms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Source: University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine Researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, report a promising drug target that could improve social interaction in some forms of autism … Read more

Summary: In the short term, a ketogenic diet can improve metabolic health and support weight loss. However, negative effects begin to appear after about a week in mice. When mice consumed a very high-fat, very low-carbohydrate diet for longer than seven days, they ate more fat than they could metabolize and showed increased risk factors … Read more

Summary: Labeling an image as “art” alters people’s responses on both neural and behavioral levels, a new pilot study reports. Source: ECNP A pilot study by researchers at Erasmus University Rotterdam suggests that simply telling people an image is an artwork changes how they respond to it, both in their reported preferences and in brain … Read more

Although memory problems become more common with age, many people retain strong memories throughout life, while others experience mild to severe memory decline at earlier ages. Multiple factors increase the risk of dementia, and abnormal fat metabolism has emerged as one important contributor. Research indicates that individuals with high levels of abdominal fat during middle … Read more

Summary: To fully appreciate how knowledge shapes human intelligence, researchers argue we must look beyond isolated brains and study how knowledge is shared and maintained across communities. Source: University of Illinois Researchers propose that to better understand human thought we should expand cognitive neuroscience to include evidence from social sciences, studying not just individual brains … Read more

Summary: Centrifugal fibers that send signals from other parts of the central nervous system to early sensory regions of the brain play a pivotal role in how odors are processed. Source: University of Rochester What happens in the brain when you smell a rose? Does the olfactory system create a single instantaneous picture of the … Read more

Summary: A neuroimaging study of sleeping two‑year‑olds reveals how specific brain regions respond during memory recall. Source: UC Davis Researchers at the Center for Mind and Brain at the University of California, Davis have developed a method to perform functional MRI scans of naturally sleeping toddlers and used it to show, for the first time … Read more

Summary: A new study from the University of Tokyo shows that actively exploring how movements map to outcomes—motor exploration—is essential for developing a genuine sense of agency (SoA) when learning a new motor skill. Using a data glove to control a cursor, researchers found that early judgments of control depend mainly on timing between movement … Read more