Summary: The first anatomical reconstruction of the Neanderthal cartilaginous Eustachian tube (CET) shows a tubal morphology similar to that of human infants, and suggests Neanderthals may have been highly susceptible to chronic otitis media (middle ear infections). Lifelong ear disease and its complications could have reduced Neanderthal fitness and competitiveness, potentially contributing to their decline … Read more

Summary: Research suggests Lewy body disorders—including Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies—may encompass two distinct subtypes. One appears to begin in the peripheral nervous system of the gut and travel to the brain; the other begins in the brain or enters through the olfactory system and then spreads to the brainstem and peripheral nervous … Read more

Separation anxiety involves an excessive fear or distress when separated from key attachment figures, usually parents or primary caregivers. Although it often begins in infancy, separation anxiety can continue into childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Persistent separation-related anxiety is a known risk factor for more severe anxiety disorders, including panic disorder and agoraphobia (Lewinsohn et al., … Read more

Summary: A new study finds that administering minocycline to newborn rats after a head injury worsened cognitive outcomes. Source: Drexel University. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of disability and death among infants and young children in the United States. According to public health statistics, more than half a million children are affected … Read more

A traffic jam, a difficult boss, or a strained relationship — these are common sources of stress that differ in duration and intensity. None of us can eliminate stress entirely, nor would we want to: small amounts of stress can be useful. However, because stress disrupts the body’s natural balance, chronic stress becomes a serious … Read more

Summary: Changes in nascent intronic transcription may serve as indicators of risk and progression in Parkinson’s disease. Source: Murdoch University New research into Parkinson’s disease reveals promising molecular signals that could guide future diagnostics and treatments for this common neurodegenerative movement disorder. A feature article published in Experimental Biology and Medicine presents findings that broaden … Read more

Summary: A recent study finds that background music in workplaces can reduce employee mood, energy, and performance when it does not match individual needs. This “music misfit” effect leads to mental fatigue, decreased focus, and in some cases counterproductive behaviors that harm organizational outcomes. The negative impact is strongest for people who have difficulty filtering … Read more

Scientists have found evidence that the brain temporarily turns off a memory-suppressing program to allow new memories to form. In 1953, Henry Molaison underwent surgery that removed much of his hippocampus to treat severe epileptic seizures. The operation eliminated his seizures but also left him unable to form new long-term memories. Molaison’s case was pivotal … Read more

Positive psychology has deep roots. Philosophers in ancient Greece asked what makes a life worth living, and modern positive psychology traces its contemporary origins to Martin Seligman’s research on learned helplessness and his later shift toward studying wellbeing (Seligman, 2006, 2011). Seligman challenged the field to pay as much attention to human strengths and flourishing … Read more

Summary: New research underscores that maintaining optimal brain health—vital for preserving cognition with age—is closely tied to cardiovascular wellness. The findings show that dementia and other forms of cognitive decline share many of the same modifiable risk factors as heart disease, indicating substantial potential for prevention by managing diet, physical activity, cholesterol, blood sugar and … Read more