Summary: Higher dietary intake of antioxidant flavonols is associated with a slower rate of memory and overall cognitive decline in older adults, according to new research. Source: AAN A large observational study reports that people who consume more foods and beverages rich in flavonols—antioxidant compounds found in many fruits, vegetables, tea and some wines—tend to … Read more

If you struggle to stick to a diet, researchers at HHMI’s Janelia Research Campus say the culprit may be hunger-sensitive brain cells called AGRP neurons. New experiments show these cells produce aversive feelings that compel animals — including people — to seek food, helping explain why snacking can feel irresistible. Hunger often feels unpleasant, and … Read more

Summary: Researchers are developing a wearable system designed to detect subtle motor delays—one of the earliest and most frequently missed signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Over five years, the project will test miniature sensors, similar to fitness trackers, that record infants’ natural movements at home to enable earlier identification and referral to intervention. By … Read more

Stony Brook-led fMRI study identifies brain activity patterns linked to childhood social reticence, pointing toward prevention of later anxiety In a brain imaging study of children with high social reticence, elevated activity appears in the left and right insula, regions involved in processing salience and distress. Image adapted from the Stony Brook press release. A … Read more

How Fruit Flies Turn an Internal Compass into Steering Commands Summary: A recent study reveals how fruit flies translate an internal sense of direction into corrective steering actions. Researchers identified three distinct neuron groups that link the brain’s compass region to steering circuits, enabling rapid course corrections when a fly is displaced from its intended … Read more

Summary: New research from Duke University introduces SonicSense, a tactile-acoustic sensing system that lets robots interpret objects through vibrations. By placing contact microphones in robotic fingertips, robots can tap, grasp, or shake items to capture vibrations and sound, enabling detection of material type, shape, and internal contents. SonicSense combines contact-based audio sensing with modern AI … Read more

Summary: New rodent research suggests that repeated dopamine release in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) during stressful experiences in infancy can produce long-lasting changes in social behavior. Source: NYU Langone Researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine report that shifts in dopamine signaling — a neurotransmitter tied to motivation and reward — may help explain how … Read more

Summary: A large international study finds that many women are more attracted to risk-taking men for short-term relationships. Preferences vary with relationship context and women’s health status: women in better health or with greater access to healthcare show stronger attraction to risk-taking men than women from other socioeconomic or health backgrounds. Source: University of Western … Read more

Summary: Researchers have identified key modifiable risk factors and genetic influences that disproportionately affect a particular brain network shown to be vulnerable to aging, schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease. This vulnerable network is especially sensitive to diabetes, traffic-related air pollution, and frequent alcohol intake. Using brain scans from roughly 40,000 UK Biobank participants aged over 45, … Read more

Summary: A new study shows that some exceptionally gifted dogs can sort objects not only by appearance but by how they are used. After owners used verbs like “pull” or “fetch” during regular play, these dogs later applied those action-based categories to unfamiliar toys without formal training or explicit labeling. The research indicates that dogs … Read more