Summary: A new study reveals that culture and geography significantly influence sleep patterns. Using data from Nokia smartwatches, the researchers analyzed 52 million logs over four years from 30,082 individuals…
Category: Life
Concerned about aspartame? Beware of this other “probable carcinogen” on your plate
While aspartame’s classification as a possible carcinogen grabbed headlines, the classification of another ubiquitous chemical slid silently beneath the diet cola outrage. The Lyons, France based International Association for Research…
Neuronal Plasticity Genes Linked to Alcohol Use Disorders
Summary: A new study discovered a link between alcohol use disorders (AUDs) and alteration of a group of genes known to influence neuronal plasticity and pain perceptions. The team used…
Intentions Matter: How Source Intent Influences Perceptions of Truth
Summary: Psychologists revealed people’s judgments of truthfulness are influenced by what they perceive as the information source’s intentions. They found that even when individuals knew the factual accuracy of a…
Some birds are using antibird spikes to build their nests
Luis Melecio-Zambrano is the summer 2023 science writing intern at Science News. They are finishing their master’s degree in science communication from the University of California, Santa Cruz, where they…
Pupil Size Regulated by Orexin, Not Stress Hormones
Summary: Researchers have discovered that the neurotransmitter orexin, not the stress hormone noradrenaline, regulates pupil size, challenging prior understanding. Orexin neurons affect pupil size in response to emotional states and…
New Dads with Prior Antidepressant Use 30x More Likely to Restart Treatment
Summary: New fathers with a history of antidepressant use are over 30 times more likely to require such treatment again in the first year after their child’s birth. The study,…
Live Music Outperforms Recorded Shows for Infant Engagement
Summary: The magic of live performances is not lost on infants, as new research suggests that live music captivates them more than recorded versions of the same show. Researchers noticed…
Aspartame spins the $25 billion Wheel of Mis-Fortune: How the environmental activist—tort lawyer money machine manipulates journalists, misleads policymakers and scares the public
Does aspartame, used in thousands of products, from Diet Coke to Trident Gum to Log Cabin Sugar Free Syrup, cause cancer? This Friday, two United Nations-affiliated organizations will publicly release…
Breast Milk Component Boosts Infant Brain Connectivity
Summary: Researchers have discovered that myo-inositol, a small cyclic sugar molecule found in breast milk, plays a crucial role in promoting neuronal connections in infants’ brains. Prior studies indicated the…
