Summary: In a paradigm shift, researchers found over 100 genes associated with schizophrenia risk operate primarily through their role in the placenta, rather than the developing brain. The research emphasizes…
Category: Life
Beyond Addiction: Study Targets Rising Cocaine Use Disorder
Summary: Cocaine use and related fatalities are on the rise in the U.S. Researchers are aiming to understand and combat this trend through a study centered on the theory of…
The Sonoran Desert toad can alter your mind — it’s not the only animal
The adage “all attention is good attention” may be true for marketers — not so for the Sonoran Desert toad. Last fall, the U.S. National Park Service sent out a…
Symphony of Synapses: The Brain’s Intricate Dance with Music
Summary: Music engages a multitude of brain areas, showcasing a complex interplay between auditory processing, emotion, and memory centers. It elicits emotions through the release of dopamine, our brain’s pleasure…
Stress Hormone in Pregnancy Bolsters Child’s Early Language Skills
Summary: Higher cortisol levels, a stress hormone, during the third trimester of pregnancy may boost speech and language skills in early childhood. A new study analyzed data from over 1,000…
A roadmap for restoring functional ecosystems using ecosystem engineers – Functional Ecologists
Dr. Gianalberto Losapio from the University of Lausanne and University of Milan discusses with us their recently accepted paper “Monitoring and modelling the effects of ecosystem engineers on ecosystem functioning,”…
Does GMO corn increase crop yields? More than 20 years of data confirm it does — and provides substantial health and safety benefits
While many studies show that genetically modified crops contribute to yield gains, GMO critics say that they don’t. Such claims, they say, are industry talking points drawn from industry-funded studies.…
Shared Interests, Shared Essence: Unraveling the Psychology of Instant Connections
Summary: New research sheds light on the similarity-attraction effect, a psychological principle that governs how we form relationships based on shared interests. The study highlight the critical role of ‘self-essentialist…
Glutamate Imbalance Impairs Hippocampus, Leading to Psychosis
Summary: A new study has found that people with a genetic risk for psychosis have an imbalance of glutamate and GABA neurotransmitters in their brains, specifically in the hippocampus. This…
Feeling Hungry? It Might Just Slow Aging
Summary: The sensation of hunger itself may slow aging. Researchers discovered that flies induced to feel hungry, either through diet or brain stimulation, lived longer. They also found that hunger…
