Summary: A recent study found that frequent cannabis use among women was linked to a lower likelihood of being diagnosed with diabetes. Source: Texas A&M A study published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research reports that women who used cannabis frequently had a lower incidence of diabetes, a chronic disease in which the body either does … Read more

Summary: Adolescents and adults whose mothers experienced depression during pregnancy or in the first year after birth face about a 70% higher chance of being diagnosed with depression. Source: UT Health New research from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) finds that maternal depression during the perinatal period is linked to … Read more

Summary: Middle-aged adults who carry the APOE ε4 genetic variant and report depressive symptoms may be at increased risk for developing tau protein deposits in brain regions involved in emotion and memory. Source: UT Austin Researchers from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) and collaborating institutions report … Read more

Summary: Researchers have identified a previously unknown, direct pathway between the cerebellum and the basal ganglia, reshaping our understanding of motor learning, habit formation, and how the brain coordinates movement and reward. This discovery indicates the cerebellum can influence dopamine release in the basal ganglia, with consequences for movement initiation, the vigor of actions, and … Read more

Accumulation of the protein amyloid beta in the brain disrupts memory and cognitive function in people with Alzheimer’s disease. New research from Lund University in Sweden suggests that the mechanisms behind amyloid beta pathology may be more varied than previously understood. These findings could have important implications for the development of new treatments. The buildup … Read more

Summary: A comprehensive analysis of mass murders in academic settings finds that the majority of perpetrators do not have severe mental illness. When psychosis is present, those attacks are more likely to use methods other than firearms. The study also confirms earlier observations: most mass school shooters are male and white, and nearly half of … Read more

Summary: Researchers at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) have developed a brief, 20-minute assessment battery to evaluate cognitive function in people with schizophrenia. Source: UAB Researchers at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), in collaboration with the University of Oviedo and the Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), have developed a concise … Read more

Summary: Researchers have discovered how a fertilized egg cell, or zygote, activates its own genome—a process known as zygotic genome activation (ZGA). Their findings identify the OBOX family of genes as master regulators that help launch the embryo’s genetic program. The study shows that OBOX genes direct the enzyme RNA polymerase II to transcribe the … Read more

Summary: Researchers describe how brain activity shifts when people create humor. Source: USC USC study identifies brain regions engaged when telling a funny story What happens in your brain when you try to be funny? That appears to depend on experience. Scientists in the Image Understanding Laboratory at the University of Southern California examined professional … Read more

Direct Touch, Self-Control, and Food Pleasure: How Hands-on Sampling Changes Taste and Consumption Summary: For people who actively regulate their eating, directly touching food with their hands triggers a stronger sensory response, making the food seem more appealing and increasing enjoyment. Source: Stevens Institute of Technology Minor changes to presentation can significantly alter how people … Read more