Summary: New research from Rockefeller University links a common variant of the CRY1 gene to delayed sleep timing. People who carry this “night owl” mutation have a longer circadian cycle and tend to fall asleep and wake later than most. Source: Rockefeller University Many lifelong night owls may owe their late-night habits to a genetic … Read more

A new study published in the Journal of Neuroinflammation indicates the brain’s immune cells can be directed to help clear the amyloid plaques closely associated with Alzheimer’s disease. “This work supports earlier observations that, when properly engaged, the brain’s immune system contributes to amyloid beta removal,” said M. Kerry O’Banion, M.D., Ph.D., professor in the … Read more

Summary: Researchers have created a web-based caffeine optimization tool that recommends ideal caffeine dosages and timing for individuals, helping users maximize alertness while avoiding unnecessary overconsumption. Source: American Academy of Sleep Medicine Web-based caffeine optimization tool designs targeted strategies to boost alertness without excessive intake, preliminary study finds. A new open-access web tool, 2B-Alert Web … Read more

Summary: Red does not produce uniquely strong gamma-band oscillations in the human visual cortex when retinal input is controlled for; red and green elicit comparable gamma responses at equal cone contrast. Source: ESI Red traffic lights make drivers stop. The color red functions as a signal and warning cue in everyday life. But does red … Read more

Summary: A new artificial intelligence technique can dramatically speed up complex physics simulations and enable the tailored design of multilayered nanoparticles, researchers report. Source: MIT MIT physicists have developed an AI-driven method that could enable the customized design of multilayered nanoparticles with specific optical responses—useful for applications ranging from displays and cloaking to biomedical sensors. … Read more

Summary: New research in humans and mice shows that brief bursts of beta-frequency brain activity — not a continuous increase in beta power — play a key role in filtering distractions so the brain can process sensory input. Source: Brown University Researchers investigating how beta brainwaves influence attention and perception have found that the critical … Read more

Summary: New research indicates that depression that begins before age 25 carries a substantially stronger genetic component than depression that appears later in life. By analyzing genetic data and medical records from more than 150,000 people diagnosed with depression across Nordic biobanks, investigators pinpointed genetic regions specifically associated with early-onset cases and linked higher genetic … Read more

Findings also shed light on food choices and obesity New research from NYU Langone Medical Center reveals that insulin — the hormone central to regulating blood sugar and satiety — has a stronger and more direct role in controlling dopamine, the brain chemical tied to reward and pleasure, than previously understood. These laboratory and behavioral … Read more

Mood-related disorders rank among the top ten causes of disability worldwide, yet the genes driving these conditions have remained difficult to pinpoint. Researchers at Linköping University approached this challenge by exploiting an unexpected advantage: domestication. When animals are domesticated, many behavioral and physiological traits change, and one of the earliest and most consistent shifts is … Read more

Summary: Researchers tested a multi-step immunotherapy designed to retrain the immune system to control HIV without continuous antiretroviral drugs. After stopping standard HIV medication, seven of ten trial participants sustained low viral levels for months, and one showed no measurable viral rebound. The regimen combined a therapeutic vaccine that boosts virus-targeting T cells with broadly … Read more