Summary: New research finds that the habits, personality traits and mental health of romantic partners can change how strongly genetic risk affects an individual’s tendency to binge drink. Using data from Finnish twins and their long-term partners, the study shows partners who smoke, experience psychological distress or score low on conscientiousness increase the expression of … Read more

Summary: Children raised in disadvantaged neighborhoods often show muted brain responses to both rewards and losses, particularly when they have a family history of depression. New research from Binghamton University indicates that stress at the community level — not only individual trauma — can dampen neural signals tied to motivation and emotional engagement, which may … Read more

Summary: A new second-order meta-analysis finds a clear association between early-onset neurodevelopmental disorders that include language-related symptoms and increased rates of left- and mixed-handedness. Conditions such as dyslexia, autism spectrum disorders, and schizophrenia show notably higher proportions of non-right-handed individuals, while later-onset disorders like depression do not exhibit this pattern. The authors conclude that this … Read more

Summary: Out-of-body experiences (OBEs) are often dismissed as hallucinations or brain malfunctions, yet a recent qualitative study centers the voices of people who have lived them. Through in-depth interviews, participants described OBEs as vivid, sometimes more real than ordinary waking life, often peaceful, and in many cases deeply transformative. This study shifts attention from speculative … Read more

Summary: Combining mindfulness exercises with music engages both neural and cardiac systems and may help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. A recent community-based study found that both live and virtual music-mindfulness sessions lowered stress and altered participants’ states of consciousness, while live sessions additionally fostered a stronger sense of social connection. By increasing autonomic … Read more

Summary: Alcohol consumption among women has risen to match men’s levels, yet women face greater health risks even at lower amounts. New research is revealing important neurobiological sex differences that shape why women drink and how alcohol use disorder develops, with stress emerging as a stronger motivator for women. Scientists are examining brain circuits, neuroimmune … Read more

Summary: Researchers have created the most broadly protective antivenom reported to date by using human antibodies taken from a donor who developed immunity through years of controlled exposure to deadly snake venoms. A three-part formulation—two human antibodies combined with a small-molecule toxin inhibitor—protected mice against lethal doses from a range of elapid snakes, including black … Read more

Summary: Researchers have discovered objective biomarkers for tinnitus by measuring pupil dilation and subtle, involuntary facial movements that reflect levels of distress. Using AI-driven video analysis, the team found that people with severe tinnitus exhibit persistently enlarged pupils and diminished facial reactions to sounds—signs of chronic vigilance and heightened autonomic arousal. These measurable signals mark … Read more

Summary: A new study shows that young children acquire letter shapes and word structures more effectively when they practice handwriting than when they learn by typing. Researchers taught 5- to 6-year-old prereaders a set of unfamiliar letters and invented pseudowords using either manual writing or keyboards and then tested their recognition, reproduction, and pronunciation. Children … Read more

Summary: Researchers have advanced brain-computer interface (BCI) technology by letting people with tetraplegia design their own tactile sensations. Instead of generic buzzes or tingles, participants adjusted stimulation settings to give different virtual objects distinct feels—describing a cat as warm and “tappy,” a key as smooth and rigid, and an apple as cool and round. This … Read more