Summary: Researchers review progress since the 2016 National Institutes of Health (NIH) policy requiring basic research to include sex as a biological variable. Their analysis highlights important advances in understanding sex differences in mood disorders and points toward priorities for future, more inclusive research that can inform personalized treatment approaches. The review emphasizes several consistent … Read more

Summary: A new model of attention explains how the human brain allocates limited perceptual resources to prioritize goal-relevant information in changing environments. Called “adaptive computation,” the model predicts which visual details people emphasize—such as a walk signal at an intersection rather than an eye-catching car—based on task demands. In controlled experiments that tracked attention to … Read more

Summary: People struggle to reliably tell human voices from AI-generated voices, correctly identifying them roughly half the time. Yet brain scans show distinct neural patterns: human voices engage regions tied to memory and empathy, while AI voices activate areas involved in error detection and focused attention. These results underscore both the sophistication of modern AI … Read more

Summary: Specialized neurons in the human hippocampus appear to encode moments in time, providing a neural basis for the “when” component of episodic memory. New findings show the human brain contains neurons that track temporal moments within an experience. Source: SfN Neurons in the hippocampus become active at particular moments during a task, according to … Read more

Summary: A new study finds that relaxation-based training strengthens connections between brain areas involved in deliberate control, while mindfulness training boosts connections between regions linked to sensory awareness and perception. Source: Massachusetts General Hospital Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) have published a study in Psychosomatic Medicine comparing the neural effects of two widely used … Read more

Summary: The molecular structure of an odor largely determines whether it is perceived as pleasant or unpleasant. People from diverse cultures tend to agree on which smells they like, indicating universal principles in human olfactory perception. Source: Karolinska Institute New research from an international team led by scientists at Karolinska Institutet and the University of … Read more

Summary: New research suggests that more expressive facial behaviour helps people form stronger social bonds. By analyzing hundreds of natural conversations, researchers found that individuals who move their faces more dynamically are judged as more likeable, easier to read, and often better at achieving social goals such as negotiating or managing disagreement. The study measured … Read more

Summary: People who scored high for conscientiousness lived about two years longer without cognitive decline than those who scored lower. Lower neuroticism and higher extraversion were associated with a greater chance of returning to normal cognitive function after a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), suggesting these traits may offer some neuroprotective benefit. Source: AP … Read more

Summary: Ambroxol, an established medication for respiratory conditions, is showing promise as a potential therapy to slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease. New research indicates ambroxol raises levels of the enzyme GCase (glucocerebrosidase), which helps cells clear waste proteins such as alpha-synuclein that accumulate in Parkinson’s. Source: UCL Ambroxol is currently prescribed to treat respiratory … Read more

Summary: New research identifies a key mechanism in how the brain distinguishes different smells. Source: UC Santa Barbara The delicate fragrance of jasmine is widely enjoyed—in teas, perfumes and potpourri—but when concentrated the same scent can become almost cloying. Part of that aroma comes from skatole, a compound also found in fecal odor, illustrating how … Read more