Summary: Researchers delved into understanding why certain smells appeal to us and others don’t by studying locusts. Through a series of experiments, they analyzed how locusts’ brains reacted to various…
Category: Neuroscience
Depression and Anxiety Are Not Cancer Risk Factors
Summary: The association between depression, anxiety and cancer risk has been a point of contention in scientific circles. In an new study a multi-national team refutes the idea that these…
Dog’s Facial Markings Influence Human-Canine Communication
Summary: Researchers discovered that the complexity of a dog’s facial markings affects human interpretation of their expressions. It was revealed that dogs with plainer faces make more facial expressions and…
Embrace Wellness with AI: Chatbots Boosting Exercise, Diet, and Sleep Quality
Summary: Researchers found artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots can significantly enhance physical activity, diet, and sleep patterns. The study, the first systematic review and meta-analysis of its kind, shows that chatbots…
Untangling the Ties Between Chronic Pain and Mental Health
Summary: A recent commentary underscores the complex relationship between chronic pain and mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. The interaction is revealed to be driven by a bi-directional feedback…
Negative Memory Replay Offers PTSD Insight
Summary: Scientists discovered that rats intensify their memories of negative experiences in familiar places by repetitively replaying them. This mental map, generated by specific neurons known as place cells, can…
Linking Childhood Trauma to Mental Illness: Astrocytes Key to the Puzzle
Summary: The removal of excitatory synapses by astrocytes, triggered by stress hormones, can lead to mental illnesses induced by childhood neglect or abuse. The study reveals that synthetic glucocorticoids, or…
How Insulin-Like Growth Factors Bolster Brain Plasticity
Summary: Researchers discovered a mechanism linking insulin-like growth factors (IGF) to brain plasticity. This study uncovers how IGF1 and IGF2 promote brain health and functionality, including learning and memory, through…
How Our Own Sleep Ratings Shape Our Next-Day Mood
Summary: According to a recent study people’s feelings about their sleep have a stronger influence on their well-being than data from sleep-tracking technology. Over 100 participants kept daily sleep diaries…
