Summary: Researchers studying human–machine interaction found that during the COVID-19 pandemic people became more altruistic not only toward other humans but also toward machines. The shift may be tied to increased reliance on digital assistants and greater trust in technology. Source: USC Many people normally treat machines differently than they treat other humans. That impatience … Read more

Researchers have identified the genetic cause of angiocentric glioma, a recently recognized pediatric brain tumor, offering a clear diagnostic marker and a path to avoid unnecessary treatments that can harm developing brains. Angiocentric gliomas are a rare form of low-grade pediatric glioma that were only classified within the last decade. They are named for the … Read more

What comes to mind when you hear the word “therapy”? Many people picture a scene from a movie: a clinician in an armchair with a notepad while a client lies back and talks about feelings. While that image represents one style of therapy, it doesn’t capture the full range of therapeutic approaches or what they … Read more

Summary: A Nature Neuroscience study clarifies the normal function of alpha-synuclein, a protein closely linked to Parkinson’s disease. Researchers say that defining how alpha-synuclein normally operates offers direct clues to how it can malfunction and suggests new directions for preventing or treating neurodegenerative disorders. Source: UCSF. New Study Reveals Normal Role of Alpha-Synuclein and Its … Read more

Summary: Genetic variants that influence aggressive behaviour in children with ADHD largely overlap with the genetic factors that affect aggression in the wider population. Source: Aarhus University An international research collaboration led by investigators from the Danish iPSYCH consortium has identified genetic variants that raise the risk of aggressive behaviour in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder … Read more

Our early childhood experiences shape lasting patterns—our beliefs, coping styles, and ways of relating to others. When essential needs like warmth, autonomy, or connection are not met, people can develop rigid, self-defeating patterns that persist into adulthood. Schema Therapy helps clients recognize and change these long-standing, maladaptive patterns by combining cognitive, behavioral, experiential, attachment, and … Read more

Summary: A new study shows that specific human brain cells respond not only to odors but also to images and written words associated with those scents, offering fresh insight into how we perceive smells. Researchers recorded single-neuron activity in regions such as the primary olfactory (piriform) cortex, amygdala, hippocampus and entorhinal cortex, and found that … Read more

Have you ever imagined writing your own obituary? If you paused and considered your life as it stands today—young or old—would you say you have lived well? That question leads to another: what exactly qualifies as a life well lived? Interest in this question has grown substantially. Researchers across philosophy and psychology have re-examined ancient … Read more

Patient-derived stem cells reveal how an alpha-synuclein mutation increases vulnerability to pesticides and contributes to Parkinson’s disease Researchers identify a protective molecule and clarify a gene–environment mechanism that kills dopamine-producing neurons. A multi-institutional research team has provided new molecular insight into how genetic susceptibility combined with environmental exposure can destroy the dopamine-producing neurons that control … Read more

Summary: Rising heat and more frequent extreme temperatures driven by global warming are expected to harm public health and reduce productivity. Experts warn that people with temperature-sensitive conditions, particularly multiple sclerosis (MS), face increased risks because heat reliably worsens their symptoms. Source: Cedars Sinai Hospital Climate-driven temperature increases threaten worker productivity worldwide, says Nancy Sicotte, … Read more