Summary: Between 2000 and 2015, the incidence of ischaemic stroke fell and outcomes improved markedly: one-year death after ischaemic stroke dropped by about 24% and the risk of disability fell by about 23%, changes the researchers attribute to advances in acute care and secondary prevention. Source: National Institute for Health Research Thousands more patients are … Read more

Summary: Researchers have identified a major reason why the human spinal cord and adult peripheral nerves struggle to repair themselves: a protein called the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). New experiments show that AHR acts as a biological “brake” inside neurons. After injury, AHR shifts the neuron’s priorities toward survival and maintaining protein quality rather than … Read more

Summary: Children who display stronger narcissistic traits are more likely to be seen by classmates as “true leaders,” even when their actual performance in group tasks is no better than average. Researchers examined whether traits linked to narcissistic leadership can emerge during childhood. Source: The Conversation We live in an era where narcissistic leadership attracts … Read more

Summary: A new convolutional neural network applied to MRI brain scans can predict key genetic mutations in glioma tumors. Source: Osaka University Researchers at Osaka University have created a machine-learning method that uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to rapidly predict genetic mutations in glioma tumors of the brain and spine. This noninvasive approach could speed … Read more

Summary: Neurology patients who received personalized live music through tele-music sessions reported reduced stress and anxiety and an improved emotional state. Source: Northwestern University A violinist performing a soothing, personalized piece for a hospitalized patient via tele-music provided what researchers describe as “psychological first aid,” according to a Northwestern Medicine study of neurological patients who … Read more

Summary: A new open-source software framework integrates dendritic properties and mechanisms into large-scale neural network models to improve biological realism and support advances in AI and neuroscience. Source: FORTH Researchers at FORTH-IMBB have developed a practical computational toolkit to include dendritic structure and function in large-scale neural simulations, enabling new investigations into how dendrites shape … Read more

Summary: Lack of sleep ramps up the sense of smell for food while disrupting communication between smell-processing areas and regions that guide eating decisions, which shifts people toward higher-calorie choices. Source: Northwestern University Overview: When you’re short on sleep, you may find yourself reaching for doughnuts, fries and pizza. A Northwestern Medicine study explains why … Read more

Neuroimaging Identifies Reduced vmPFC Response as a Potential Biomarker for Autism in Children Summary: Functional neuroimaging shows a markedly reduced response in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) of children on the autism spectrum when viewing highly valued social cues. These findings point toward a possible objective, brain-based biomarker for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Source: Wake … Read more

Summary: A new study shows that pupil size continues to change throughout sleep, reflecting ongoing shifts in brain activation. Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a safe method to keep participants’ eyes gently open during overnight recordings, enabling continuous measurement of pupil dynamics without interrupting sleep. The team found that these pupil fluctuations align with sleep … Read more

Summary: Citizens who consume news about angry politicians can pick up those emotions themselves. This emotional contagion can mobilize otherwise disengaged voters and influence short-term political behavior. Source: University of Colorado New research from political scientists suggests that angry rhetoric by politicians can spread to ordinary citizens—and that this spread of emotion can change people’s … Read more