How Axons Convert Chemical Cues into Mechanical Force Summary: Researchers report that polarized phosphorylation of shootin1 within growth cones is essential for directional axon guidance in response to netrin-1 gradients. While modern technology moves rapidly toward wireless solutions, the nervous system still relies on precise, physical connections between neurons. Those connections form when one neuron … Read more

Summary: New mouse research shows that merely seeing or smelling food can trigger liver processes that prepare the body for digestion. Source: Cell Press. The sight or smell of appetizing food often makes the mouth water, but sensory perception of food can also produce rapid physiological changes beyond the salivary response. New research in mice … Read more

Summary: Scientists at Queen’s University Belfast have identified beneficial immune cells that stimulate myelin repair, offering a potential route to reverse damage in multiple sclerosis. Source: Queen’s University Belfast. Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast have found that specific immune cells play a central role in repairing the brain. Led by Dr Yvonne Dombrowski and Dr … Read more

Summary: Researchers found that people change their voice pitch depending on who they are speaking to and how dominant they feel. Vocal characteristics shift in response to perceived social status, with voices tending to become higher pitched when addressing someone perceived as more dominant. Source: University of Stirling. People commonly adjust the pitch of their … Read more

Summary: Chronic stress in late pregnancy can reduce a fetus’s ability to absorb iron by up to 15%. Researchers report that these iron-related effects appear more pronounced in male fetuses. Source: University of Washington Chronic stress experienced by a woman late in pregnancy can lower fetal iron uptake by as much as 15%, according to … Read more

Summary: A new collaborative study from the University of Surrey and the University of Pennsylvania has identified genetic links between rapid height growth during puberty and higher risks for several adult health conditions, including atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes, and lung cancer. The research analyzed longitudinal growth data from around 56,000 people and pinpointed 26 … Read more

New molecular indicators reveal T cell activation in the body with unprecedented clarity Biological processes arise from events at the molecular and cellular level. To understand what happens during infections, disease or normal physiology, researchers must observe individual cells and their activity directly within tissues. Advances in microscopy and fluorescent probes in recent years have … Read more

Summary: New research in mice indicates that excess folic acid — the synthetic form of folate used in food fortification and supplements — can affect brain development. Imbalances between folic acid and vitamin B12 altered neuronal growth and synaptic connectivity in the developing cerebral cortex, prompting questions about current fortification practices and optimal prenatal nutrient … Read more

Lewy body disease (LBD) is the second most common degenerative brain disorder after Alzheimer’s disease, yet it remains under-recognized. Affecting more than 1.3 million Americans, LBD is frequently misdiagnosed and diagnosis is often delayed. Patients experience a complex mix of cognitive decline, motor impairment, and behavioral changes. High-profile cases, such as the late actor Robin … Read more

Summary: Researchers report declines in verbal reasoning, matrix reasoning and numerical series scores in a large U.S. sample from 2006–2018, while spatial reasoning (3D rotation) showed gains for the years available (2011–2018). Source: Northwestern University The Flynn effect historically describes steady rises in measured IQ across the 20th century—often three to five IQ points per … Read more