Summary: New research from the Max Planck Institute indicates that a single nucleotide change in the human-specific gene ARHGAP11B likely played a critical role in the expansion of the human neocortex. Source: Max Planck Institute. A single nucleotide substitution likely contributed to the evolutionary expansion of the human neocortex What helped make the human brain … Read more

Summary: A well-known TED Talk promoted the idea that “power posing” boosts confidence and improves chances of success. Recent, larger-scale studies challenge that claim, finding that while power poses may increase feelings of power, they do not produce measurable changes in behavior or outcomes. Source: Michigan State University. The widespread claim that briefly adopting a … Read more

Summary: Researchers used artificial intelligence to visualize and track changes in synapse strength in living animals. Synapses—the tiny junctions where neurons communicate—are central to learning, memory and age-related brain changes. By applying machine learning to noisy in vivo microscopy, the team enhanced image quality enough to detect and follow individual synapses across days and weeks. … Read more

Summary: Digital sleep therapy can effectively treat insomnia and reduce reliance on sleeping pills. Source: NTNU About half a million Norwegians live with chronic sleep problems, commonly known as insomnia. Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT‑I) is the most well-documented, non-pharmacological treatment, but access to trained therapists is limited. A fully automated, digital version of … Read more

Summary: A study reports that more than 80% of parents observed significant or moderate improvements in their child’s autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms after treatment with medical cannabis. Source: Ben-Gurion University. Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) and Soroka University Medical Center evaluated medical cannabis as a potential treatment for autism spectrum disorders … Read more

DNA Folding and 3D Gene Hubs Drive Glioblastoma: New Insights from Weill Cornell Summary: A preclinical study from Weill Cornell Medicine shows that how DNA folds inside the nucleus of brain cells plays a crucial role in glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive brain cancers. Instead of relying solely on mutations, tumor cells assemble genes … Read more

Summary: Researchers created statistical instances of a mouse micro-connectome that include more than 10 million neurons. The model covers five orders of magnitude in scale and represents roughly 88 billion synaptic connections. Source: EPFL The pattern of synaptic connections between neurons determines their activity and function. Until now, comprehensive maps of these connections—known as connectomes—have … Read more

Summary: New research finds that young children are more likely to resist immediate temptations when the reward depends on both themselves and a partner, compared with situations that rely solely on their individual self-control. Source: APS Children Are More Willing to Delay Gratification When Cooperation Is Required Children as young as five and six show … Read more

Summary: New research indicates that differences in the gut microbiome observed in children with autism are likely driven by autism-related restricted eating patterns, rather than the microbiome causing autism symptoms. Source: Cell Press Recent studies have proposed a link between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and changes in the gut microbiome, often suggesting that specific microbes … Read more

Summary: Older adults who followed a Mediterranean-style diet in this large cohort study had a 23% lower risk of developing dementia compared with those who did not adhere to this dietary pattern. Source: University of Newcastle New research indicates that a traditional Mediterranean-style eating pattern—emphasizing seafood, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and healthy fats—may lower … Read more