Summary: A new experimental cancer drug could ease cognitive difficulties for those with Rett syndrome, a rare autism-linked disorder, by enhancing brain cell functions. The drug, ADH-503, improves the activity…
Category: Life
The importance of individual behavior for bird-mediated seed dispersal – Functional Ecologists
In our latest post Valentin Graf, PhD student at the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre in Frankfurt, presents his work ‘Individual behavior shapes patterns of bird-mediated seed dispersal’. He…
Breathing Visualization Enhances Interoception and Mental Health
Summary: Visualizing breathing patterns can improve interoceptive awareness and mental well-being. Researchers used a spherical object on screens and spatial audio to mirror users’ breaths, significantly enhancing their bodily awareness…
Anxiety Raises Dementia Risk – Neuroscience News
Summary: A new study reveals that chronic and new anxiety are linked to a higher risk of dementia, while resolved anxiety shows no such association. Following 2,132 Australian individuals for…
Viewpoint: How to best regulate chemicals? ‘Precautions employed to regulate tiny, sometimes nonexistent risks can cause real harm’
For virtually everything in life, we face decisions about whether we should “sweat the small stuff.” No doubt, most may have encountered a boss who micromanages us with useless reports…
Alcohol Use Linked to Increased Bipolar Disorder Symptoms
Summary: Research reveals that increased alcohol consumption in individuals with bipolar disorder can exacerbate their symptoms over time. Contrary to the belief that alcohol acts as self-medication, the study shows…
Brain Coupling May Predict Psychosis
Summary: Individuals with the 22q11.2DS genetic deletion show unique patterns of brain activity and structure, which could predict their risk of psychosis. By studying brain “coupling” from childhood to adulthood,…
Dogs Detect Human Stress Smell, Affecting Their Mood and Choices
Summary: New research finds that dogs exposed to human stress odors make more ‘pessimistic’ choices, indicating a negative emotional state. The study shows how human stress affects dogs’ learning and…
Childhood Vision Loss Affects Sound Distance Judgement
Summary: New research reveals that individuals who experience vision loss before age 10 struggle more with judging sound distance compared to those who lose sight later in life. This difficulty…
Consciousness in AI: Distinguishing Reality from Simulation
Summary: A new study examines the possibility of consciousness in artificial systems, focusing on ruling out scenarios where AI appears conscious without actually being so. Using the free energy principle,…
