Summary: Neurons that release oxytocin in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus trigger paternal caregiving in new fathers, according to a mouse-model study. Source: RIKEN RIKEN neuroscientists have identified oxytocin-producing neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus as a key switch that converts male mice from pup-directed aggression to nurturing parental behavior—a discovery that … Read more

Summary: Billy Joel has revealed he was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a less common but potentially treatable brain disorder that can cause walking difficulties, cognitive decline, and urinary problems. NPH develops when cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulates in the brain’s ventricles without producing sustained high pressure, and it can mimic conditions such as dementia … Read more

Summary: Researchers have made a significant advance in understanding how the human brain prepares words for speech. Using ultradense Neuropixels probes, they mapped how individual neurons represent basic speech sounds and combine them into the sequences that become spoken language. This research clarifies the multi-step cognitive process behind fluent speech and suggests new directions for … Read more

Summary: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) increases fat oxidation more than moderate aerobic exercise, according to a new systematic review and meta-analysis. Source: Victoria University Melbourne “If stubborn body fat won’t shift, consider adding high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to your routine,” advises Professor Zeljko Pedisic of Victoria University, Melbourne. A systematic review and meta-analysis published in … Read more

UCI study reveals how oxytocin triggers marijuana-like neurotransmitters that reinforce social pleasure Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, report that the hormone oxytocin — long associated with bonding and social connection — boosts the brain’s production of anandamide, an endocannabinoid that acts like a naturally produced, marijuana-like neurotransmitter. This interaction appears to strengthen the … Read more

Summary: Ménière’s disease is a chronic and often disabling inner ear disorder that affects roughly one in 2,000 people. It is marked by sudden, severe episodes of vertigo, fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss, persistent tinnitus (perception of ringing, buzzing, or other sounds in the ear), and a sensation of fullness or pressure in the affected ear. … Read more

New scientific review warns that chronic stress and anxiety can harm the brain and raise the risk of depression and dementia. Researchers from the Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest Health Sciences reviewed existing animal and human studies to identify how chronic anxiety, prolonged stress and persistent fear affect brain structure and function. The authors found … Read more

Summary: Twin children tend to be slower than single-born children in both gesture use and early language development. Within twin pairs, girls show a small advantage over boys in early communication. Source: Georgia State University Gestures—like pointing or waving—often appear before a child’s first words, and new research from Georgia State University shows that twins … Read more

Summary: New research helps explain why people persist in using drugs despite knowing the risks, and why their drug-taking behaviour can be so difficult to change. Source: University of Cambridge. People addicted to cocaine are especially prone to forming rigid habits that make their behaviour resistant to change, even when those actions have harmful consequences, … Read more

Summary: A new paper from researchers at MIT highlights the central role of brain rhythms in cognition. The study examines how rhythmic electric fields produced by ensembles of neurons can shape and synchronize nearby cells, creating coordinated activity that supports perception, memory, and higher cognitive functions. By linking the microscopic level of individual neuron spikes … Read more