It’s deep into summertime for those north of the equator. With many ecologists taking to the field, Functional Ecology are excited to announce a new blog series titled: Postcards From…
Category: Life
COVID-19 Super Dodgers: The Genetic Secret to Asymptomatic Infection
Summary: ertain individuals carry a unique gene variant that allows them to contract COVID-19 without displaying any symptoms. Dubbed as “super dodgers”, these individuals are more than twice as likely…
Study Challenges Longstanding Beliefs About Action of Antipsychotic Medications
Summary: Researchers uncovered a pivotal detail that could revolutionize schizophrenia treatment. Contrary to longstanding belief, antipsychotic drugs that mitigate overactive dopamine, a hallmark of schizophrenia, interact primarily with a different…
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,…
