Summary: Researchers at UC San Diego discovered an evolutionarily conserved midbrain circuit that detects the escape movements, and sudden disappearances, of social partners to trigger rapid collective avoidance. Using transparent…
Category: Humans
Fiber is both diet fad and fixture for good health – a doctor explains why there is no one-size-fits-all way to increase your intake
The numbers are clear: Americans aren’t getting enough fiber. Research has consistently shown that high-fiber diets are linked to significant health benefits, including a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and…
Dementia caregiving can expose hidden family tensions – but early planning can ease the strain
“Families are messy, aren’t they?” a daughter commented during a series of focus groups I ran with caregivers of older adults with memory issues. Many people would agree with that…
Archaeologists discover Roman Bath was larger than previously known
Archaeologists have uncovered evidence that Roman Bath extended further west than previously believed, following the discovery of ancient ditches, pottery, coins and a fragment of a military helmet beneath the…
When your child asks if they’ll be harmed like the people on the news, what do you say? Psychologists provide tips on how to talk about identity
Imagine your child asks you out of the blue, “If we speak Spanish, will they take you away?” Or imagine them suddenly asking what an offensive slur means. When a…
How the pro-nicotine ‘wellness’ movement rebranded an addictive drug
An ironic development emerging alongside the “Make America Healthy Again” movement is the portrayal of nicotine as a wellness and performance-enhancing product. Across social media, podcasts, wellness communities and tech…
Fragment of Kadesh Peace Treaty discovered at Hattusa
Archaeologists excavating Hattusa, the ancient capital of the Hittite Empire in modern-day Turkey, have discovered a cuneiform tablet fragment belonging to a copy of the Kadesh Peace Treaty. The discovery…
Inflexible Math Brain: How Neural Circuit Glitches Block Problem Solving
Summary: Stanford University researchers analyzing brain activity and behavioral metrics in 8- to 10-year-olds found that children with developmental dyscalculia struggle to switch between and optimize math problem-solving strategies. Distinct…
Noise pollution is a serious but often forgotten public health problem
The human body is remarkably good at getting used to the environment around it. You’ve probably experienced this if you’ve ever gone to a matinee and emerged from the dark…
