Summary: Researchers have uncovered the physical forces that close the neural tube in the earliest stage of pregnancy. Rather than simply growing shut, the neural tube is pulled closed by a contractile “purse-string” composed of actin and molecular motors. This discovery provides a quantitative framework for understanding why neural tube closure fails in roughly one … Read more

Summary: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) help millions manage depression and anxiety, but new research shows elevated serotonin can directly worsen or even trigger tinnitus — the persistent perception of ringing or buzzing in the ears. By tracing a precise neural pathway from serotonin-producing neurons to the auditory system, scientists have explained why some patients … Read more

Summary: In a collaborative study, researchers decoded the mechanical forces that close the neural tube during early pregnancy. Rather than closing solely by growth, the neural tube is pulled shut by an actin-based “purse-string” mechanism driven by cellular motors. This mechanical insight provides a quantitative framework for understanding why neural tube closure fails in roughly … Read more

Summary: For older adults, a long morning nap may be more than just rest — it could signal underlying health problems. A prospective study of 1,338 older adults monitored for up to 19 years using objective wearable devices found that longer, more frequent, and especially morning naps were associated with higher all-cause mortality. Researchers observed … Read more

Summary: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are essential treatments for depression and anxiety for millions worldwide. New research, however, reveals that increased serotonin signaling can directly worsen or even trigger tinnitus — the persistent perception of ringing or buzzing in the ears. By tracing a defined neural pathway that connects serotonin-producing neurons to the auditory … Read more

Summary: Even after spending months in microgravity, the human brain remains influenced by Earth’s pull. A new study shows astronauts consistently over-grip objects in space because their brains continue to anticipate gravity. This research, the result of nearly two decades of coordination and analysis, demonstrates that our internal model of gravity is deeply ingrained: it … Read more

Summary: A long or frequent morning nap in older adults may signal underlying health problems. In a prospective study of 1,338 older adults followed for up to 19 years using wrist-worn activity monitors, researchers found that longer and more frequent daytime naps — particularly in the morning — were associated with higher all-cause mortality. The … Read more

Summary: As many as 80% of people receiving chemotherapy report cancer-related cognitive impairment — a constellation of memory lapses, trouble concentrating, and difficulty multitasking often called “chemo brain.” A new Phase II randomized trial tested two low-risk strategies — a home-based exercise program and low-dose ibuprofen — and found that both can reduce some cognitive … Read more

Summary: Even after months spent in microgravity, the human brain continues to expect Earth’s pull. A new study shows that astronauts consistently apply excess grip force to objects in space because their brains remain tuned to gravity’s presence. Coordinating and analyzing this research took nearly 20 years. The results demonstrate that our internal model of … Read more

Summary: Researchers report that Parkinson’s disease — the fastest-growing neurodegenerative disorder worldwide — may be detectable long before movement symptoms appear using a simple fecal sample. The team identified a distinctive gut “microbial signature” that can appear years before tremors or stiffness, suggesting the gut microbiome is an early indicator of Parkinson’s risk. The study … Read more