Summary: New evidence indicates that acquiring a dog can reduce feelings of loneliness and improve some negative moods for new owners within months. Source: University of Sydney A new trial led by the University of Sydney adds support to the idea that dogs can improve human wellbeing. The PAWS trial found that people who became … Read more

A new Florida State University study shows that simply receiving a cell phone notification — whether a ringtone, an alarm chime, or a vibration — can be enough to distract people and reduce their ability to concentrate on a task. Researchers found that the attentional disruption caused by a notification, even when the phone is … Read more

Summary: New research challenges the long-standing image of the solitary drinker and highlights the central role of social drinking in the development and consequences of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Multiple studies show people consistently consume more alcohol in social settings, and the most severe alcohol-related harms—such as interpersonal violence, risky sexual behavior, and fatal traffic … Read more

Summary: New mouse research indicates that exposure to the common chemical bisphenol A (BPA) during pregnancy—even at doses below regulated “safe” human exposure levels—can change the timing of neuron birth and lead to altered brain development and behavior later in life. Exposure to Low Levels of BPA During Pregnancy Alters Brain Development in Mice Source: … Read more

Summary: New research shows that miniature neurotransmitter release events help preserve synaptic structure and motor neuron function during aging in fruit flies. Source: EPFL Neurons communicate using rapid electrical impulses that trigger the release of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. At the point where one neuron meets another—the synapse—these chemical messengers are packaged into small vesicles … Read more

Summary: New research indicates honeybee colonies follow the same psychophysical laws that govern human brain decision-making, offering a simpler model for studying fundamental principles of collective information processing. Source: University of Sheffield. University of Sheffield researchers report that treating a honeybee colony as a single, coordinated superorganism—much like a brain—reveals the same decision-making laws observed … Read more

Summary: People living in neighborhoods with higher daytime noise levels had a 36% greater chance of being diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment and a 30% greater chance of receiving an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis compared with those in quieter areas. Source: Wiley New research published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia adds to growing evidence that long-term exposure … Read more

Summary: Researchers in the Illinois Kids Development Study found an association between higher maternal acetaminophen use during pregnancy—most notably in the second trimester—and modest increases in attention and behavior difficulties observed in children at ages 2, 3, and 4. The prospective study tracked prenatal medication use and measured early childhood attention and behavioral outcomes using … Read more

Summary: New research explains how common chemicals in cosmetics and lotions displace natural lipids in skin immune cells, revealing a likely cause of allergic contact dermatitis and pointing to possible new treatments. Source: Columbia University Allergic contact dermatitis, a rising concern, can be triggered by many chemicals in creams, cosmetics, and other topical products. Until … Read more

Summary: When people observed an AI virtual agent being excluded from a simple online game, they reacted as if the agent were a real social partner—showing sympathy and trying to correct the mistreatment. Most participants favored giving the excluded bot more playing opportunities, and this tendency was stronger among older adults. Researchers argue that human-like … Read more