Summary: Researchers report that synthetic marijuana products sold under names such as K2 or Spice can cause severe health problems — including psychosis, seizures, kidney and heart injury, dependence, and even death. These products are chemically different from cannabis and are not safe substitutes. Source: Cell Press. Synthetic marijuana compounds are promoted as legal, undetectable … Read more

Summary: There is no gender disparity in how children learn and perform math tasks. Source: Carnegie Mellon University Background In 1992, Teen Talk Barbie sparked controversy when the doll uttered the phrase “Math class is hard.” That slogan reflected and reinforced a pervasive stereotype: that girls and women are inherently less suited for mathematics and … Read more

Summary: New research shows the coordinated activity of the striatum and hippocampus enhances adolescents’ learning and memory formation. Source: Zuckerman Institute. Columbia-led study links adolescent memory performance with reward-driven learning and specific brain connectivity. Researchers have identified a distinctive characteristic of the adolescent brain that appears to support learning and the formation of lasting memories: … Read more

Summary: New research provides evidence that specific human herpesviruses are associated with Alzheimer’s disease. The study found higher levels of human herpesvirus 6A (HHV‑6A) and human herpesvirus 7 (HHV‑7) in brain tissue with Alzheimer’s neuropathology, and describes network-level interactions that suggest viral activity may contribute to disease mechanisms. Source: Arizona State University. Alzheimer’s disease remains … Read more

Summary: Researchers found that music—especially listeners’ own favorite tracks—can lessen how intensely people experience pain. In the experiment, participants reported lower pain intensity and reduced unpleasantness when listening to their favorite music compared with unfamiliar relaxing pieces or silence. The emotional character of the music mattered: songs described as “moving” or “bittersweet” were particularly effective. … Read more

Summary: A global study shows that the music we find most emotionally powerful usually comes from our teenage years, with a clear peak around age 17. This pronounced “reminiscence bump” reflects how songs experienced during adolescence become deeply tied to identity and long-lasting memory. The study also identifies gender differences: men’s strongest musical memories tend … Read more

Summary: After injury, insulin is essential for the maturation and survival of newly generated olfactory sensory neurons, supporting recovery of the sense of smell. Source: Monell Chemical Senses Center Researchers have long recognized insulin’s role in the growth and repair of certain sensory neurons that convey environmental information to the brain, such as those involved … Read more

Summary: New research indicates that social media interactions can help reduce negative emotions and support well-being for people who feel uneasy in direct, one-on-one social encounters. Source: Society for Consumer Psychology. Have you ever wanted to share a difficult day at work or unsettling medical news but felt hesitant to call or meet a friend … Read more

Summary: Greater accumulation of amyloid beta alongside reduced serotonin transporter availability in older adults’ brains was linked to an increased risk of developing depression and to more severe depressive symptoms. Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a brain imaging pattern that connects higher amyloid beta (Aβ) deposition with lower serotonin … Read more

Summary: A new study from Niigata University demonstrates that the social behavior of zebrafish carrying a mutation linked to autism and Angelman syndrome is strongly shaped by the surrounding environment. When placed in an aversive white Styrofoam tank designed to increase stress, the mutant fish showed greater anxiety and reduced social contact. In a familiar, … Read more