Breakthrough in the Senses of Touch and Movement: ASIC3 Identified as a Key Player Researchers studying the poorly understood mechanical senses of touch and movement have reported a significant advance that could eventually aid people with movement disorders, spinal cord injuries, high blood pressure and help improve the design of robotics and prosthetics. The mechanical … Read more

Summary: A preclinical study shows Schwann cells can protect injured axons by supplying sugars, revealing a metabolic support mechanism with promising implications for neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and peripheral neuropathies. Source: University at Buffalo Axons are long, delicate projections of neurons that carry signals across the nervous system. Because of their length and fragility, … Read more

Summary: Researchers report a theranostic approach that can detect and neutralize the earliest, preclinical signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Their method targets toxic soluble amyloid-β oligomers, offering potential to halt Alzheimer’s pathology before irreversible neuronal damage occurs. Source: Bar-Ilan University Alzheimer’s disease affected more than 55 million people worldwide in 2020, and that number is projected … Read more

Summary: A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis finds that cognitive harm from unhealthy diets is not always fully reversible. The study pooled results from 27 controlled preclinical experiments to evaluate whether memory deficits caused by high‑fat and high‑sugar diets recover after animals are returned to healthier eating. Switching to a healthier diet does improve memory … Read more

Summary: A new study explains how the brain preserves broadly useful memories while discarding incidental, less relevant details over time. Source: eLife. Researchers at the University of Toronto have identified neural mechanisms that explain why specific details of past experiences often fade while general, useful knowledge persists. Published in the journal eLife, the study examined … Read more

Summary: Proactive control is not impaired in people on the autism spectrum; rather, individuals with ASD appear to employ proactive control in a different, distinctive way. Source: UC Davis Researchers at the UC Davis MIND Institute report that differences in executive control seen in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may reflect an alternative strategy, not a … Read more

Summary: A new study pinpoints neural markers of beat synchronization, clarifying how auditory perception and motor systems coordinate to align actions with rhythmic sound. Source: McGill University How do people time their movements to match the sounds around them? This everyday skill—vital for crossing streets safely, dancing with others, or performing in coordinated team activities—has … Read more

Summary: Individual differences in coffee consumption appear to be partly genetic. New analysis estimates that 36% to 58% of how much coffee people drink is heritable and suggests a positive feedback loop between genes and environment—what researchers call quantile-specific heritability. Source: DOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Why do some people need three cups of coffee to … Read more

Summary: Rhythmic drumming, energetic dancing, sleep disruption, and psychoactive substances—collectively described as the “4Ds” within rave culture—are linked to intense, transformative experiences for many attendees. When ravers perceive an event as awe-inspiring and personally transformative, they report stronger bonds with fellow participants and greater willingness to act prosocially toward the group. These dynamics help explain … Read more

Summary: Recent research has linked air pollution, especially fine particulate matter (PM2.5), to higher risks of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline. New findings indicate that reductions in atmospheric fine particulates and improved air quality may lower the risk of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Source: USC Two USC researchers who previously connected air pollution with increased … Read more