Summary: Researchers have identified a conserved role for the Pig-Q gene in sleep regulation. Mutations in Pig-Q increase sleep across species, from fruit flies to zebrafish, and the finding links human genomics to model-organism validation. Source: Texas A&M Researchers from Texas A&M University, the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and Children’s … Read more

Not being aware of the pulse of our heart might help prevent anxiety, EPFL scientists found. Although our heart beats constantly, most of the time we do not consciously notice it. Researchers at EPFL’s Center for Neuroprosthetics have shown that the brain actively filters out the sensations produced by the beating heart so they do … Read more

Summary: Researchers report that “orgasmic meditation” produces a distinct pattern of brain activity, altering regions tied to emotional processing and attention. Source: Thomas Jefferson University Researchers have demonstrated for the first time that orgasmic meditation (OM)—a structured partnered practice centered on focused clitoral stimulation—produces a unique pattern of brain functional connectivity, according to a new … Read more

Summary: Researchers identify a little-known group of amygdala-region neurons as a key driver of aggressive behavior and emotional arousal in mice, shedding light on neural mechanisms that may underlie anger. Source: Zhejiang University When people are provoked or threatened, anger can arise suddenly and sometimes leads to aggressive actions. Across the animal kingdom, aggression—behaviors such … Read more

Future research proposed to link biomarkers with metabolic disorders associated with sleep loss. Sleep is a fundamental biological necessity, yet the molecular mechanisms through which sleep loss affects the body remain incompletely understood. Reduced sleep duration is epidemiologically linked to a range of metabolic disorders—including weight gain, insulin resistance, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease—driving renewed … Read more

Summary: Beginning around age 13, adolescents stop finding their mother’s voice uniquely rewarding and become more drawn to unfamiliar voices. A new Stanford study using functional MRI maps the neurobiological changes that accompany this shift and explains how it supports adolescents’ growing independence and social engagement beyond the family. Source: Stanford When teenagers act like … Read more

Cycles of a normal diet and protein restriction improved memory and slowed disease progression In a new study, mice that display many of the pathological features of Alzheimer’s disease showed clearer cognitive function and reduced signs of neurodegeneration when placed on a cyclical protein-restricted diet supplemented with specific amino acids. The dietary regimen alternated between … Read more

Discovery may advance understanding of memory formation and offer new avenues for treating epilepsy. Researchers at Case Western Reserve University report that brain waves traveling through the hippocampus originate from a previously unrecognized type of moving source. This finding could improve our understanding of how memories form and suggest new strategies for addressing seizure disorders … Read more

Summary: The long-standing stories that Anne Boleyn or other famous figures tried to speak after decapitation may have some basis in modern science. Researchers are examining how brain activity can persist for a short time after the heart stops or the head is separated from the body, and what this could mean for medicine and … Read more

Summary: A new study from the Toronto Adolescent and Youth (TAY) Cohort finds that roughly half of young people seeking specialized mental health care (about 49–50% in early data) show Psychosis Spectrum Symptoms (PSS). This unexpectedly high prevalence underscores the urgent need for better early detection, targeted assessment, and timely interventions for youth at risk … Read more