From the scent of flowers to the taste of wine, our perception is shaped by prior knowledge and expectation — a cognitive mechanism called top-down control. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine report that associative learning shifts how the visual cortex operates by increasing the influence of top-down signals. The … Read more

Summary: Neurochemistry can influence food choices, sometimes steering decisions that feel conscious toward foods with particular tastes or calorie content. Source: Yale Fruit flies show surprisingly selective taste behavior. Like a diner weighing flavor against nourishment, they routinely seek out sweet, calorie-rich meals and avoid bitter substances that may be toxic. But what happens inside … Read more

Summary: Awakening dormant neural stem cells may trigger the production of new neurons. These findings, described in a study from Duke‑NUS Medical School, could have important implications for treating brain injury and neurodegenerative disorders if similar mechanisms operate in mammals. Source: Duke‑NUS Medical School How dormant neural stem cells in fruit flies are activated and … Read more

University of Adelaide researchers report that men who consume diets high in fat are more likely to experience daytime sleepiness, report poor sleep at night, and have a higher risk of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). The findings come from analyses of the Men Androgen Inflammation Lifestyle Environment and Stress (MAILES) cohort, a community-based study led … Read more

Complement Gene Variants Drive Sex-Biased Vulnerabilities in Lupus, Sjögren’s Syndrome and Schizophrenia Summary: Variants in complement system genes produce sex-specific differences in vulnerability to autoimmune diseases systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjögren’s syndrome, and are also linked to schizophrenia risk. Source: University of Alabama at Birmingham Key Findings Researchers report that variations in the complement … Read more

Summary: Neuroscientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have reactivated a specific memory circuit in mice, prompting the animals to seek shelter even when no shelter was present. By selectively stimulating neurons tied to spatial memory, the researchers drove a replay of a previously formed shelter-seeking behavior. This work clarifies how discrete memory modules are organized in … Read more

Summary: A large population-based study of more than 1.27 million births clarifies how selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) used during pregnancy affect both mothers and newborns. The research shows that SSRI exposure is linked with a higher risk of gestational diabetes and early neonatal adaptation problems, while at the same time being associated with a … Read more

Summary: Wild bearded capuchin monkeys rely on social learning to solve problems, and the patterns of that learning are shaped by social tolerance and group dynamics. Researchers observed the monkeys using a puzzle box and found that grooming partners and socially tolerant individuals were more likely to learn from one another. Naïve individuals frequently watched … Read more

Summary: Neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus adapt to different day lengths by changing their neurotransmitter profiles and network interactions. These cellular and circuit-level adjustments alter hypothalamic activity and influence daily behaviors. Source: UCSD Seasonal shifts in sunlight—longer daylight in summer and shorter days in winter—shape many human behaviors, influencing sleep and eating patterns as well … Read more

Recent research into childhood obesity highlights the condition’s complexity—its close connections to hunger, poverty, food deserts and socioeconomic status. A new University of Houston study focuses on one seemingly minor but potentially damaging social behavior: peer teasing about weight. The study shows how teasing can shape a young girl’s relationship with her body and with … Read more