Summary: Human capacity to interpret dogs’ facial expressions develops with age and experience and appears to be shaped by cultural exposure rather than by an evolved, species-specific ability. Source: Max Planck Institute Dogs were the first animals domesticated by humans, and for more than 40,000 years people and dogs have shared social lives and interactions. … Read more

Summary: A large New York State study found that pregnancy and the postpartum period up to six weeks after delivery are associated with an increased risk of stroke in younger women, while older pregnant women did not show a similar increase compared with nonpregnant women of the same age. Source: JAMA Neurology Key finding: Women … Read more

Summary: A single session of moderate exercise in healthy older adults increases activity in brain regions tied to memory and recall. Participants who exercised showed stronger activation in the temporal gyrus, fusiform gyrus and hippocampus, indicating enhanced semantic memory engagement shortly after exercise. Source: University of Maryland One Workout, Noticeable Changes: Acute Exercise Boosts Memory-Related … Read more

Summary: New research links more than twenty genes to suicide risk that appears across generations in families. Source: University of Utah Every 11 minutes an American dies by suicide—about 132 people a day and more than 48,000 each year. For bereaved families and clinicians, understanding why remains urgent. Family history is an important and increasingly … Read more

A new study examining fruit fly brains reveals a previously unrecognized stem cell mechanism that may illuminate how diverse neurons form in humans. The research by scientists at the University of Oregon was published online in Nature ahead of the June 27 issue. “The question we confronted was, ‘How does a single kind of stem … Read more

Summary: Results from a mouse study identify the specific neurons and peptide that drive the sneeze reflex. Source: WUSTL A tickle in the nose triggers sneezing to expel irritants and pathogens, but the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind this reflex extend beyond the sinuses and have been incompletely understood. Researchers at Washington University School of … Read more

Young adults who display hostile attitudes or who struggle to cope with stress may face a higher risk of memory and thinking problems decades later, according to research published online March 2, 2016, in Neurology. Researchers found that certain personality traits measured in early adulthood — specifically hostility and a pattern the authors call “effortful … Read more

Summary: Researchers have determined the molecular structure of the amyloid nucleus—the initial, rate-limiting assembly that triggers amyloid formation in neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington’s. This discovery points to a new therapeutic strategy: prevent the very first nucleation event. The team found that the nucleus forms within a single protein molecule and that blocking this formation … Read more

Summary: Researchers at the Max Planck Institute report that variation in mood, sleep patterns, smoking behavior, and how easily people tan can be traced in part to Neanderthal DNA. Source: Max Planck Institute. Neanderthal DNA contributes to variation in skin tone, hair color, sleep patterns, mood and other traits in people today When modern humans … Read more

Summary: Researchers have identified how working memory is formatted, showing that visual memory can be stored in a flexible, abstract form. Source: NYU A team of scientists has uncovered how working memory is “formatted,” advancing our understanding of how visual information is stored and used. “For decades researchers have sought to understand the neural representations … Read more