There was something strange about the turquoise-colored songbird flying around San Antonio in 2023. With its black-and-white tail bands and its jeering honk, it somewhat resembled and sounded like a…
Category: Life
What is ‘genetic nurture’ and how does it impact educational achievement?
The phrase “Look down your nose” comes from a time when aristocrats were taller than commoners due to their superior nutrition. European elites would literally look down on their inferiors.…
Prozac May Rewire the Brain by Loosening Rigid Neural Circuits
Summary: A new study shows that fluoxetine, better known as Prozac, does more than increase serotonin—it changes how brain cells handle energy and rebuild connections. After two weeks of treatment,…
Is camouflage better than warning colors? For insects, it depends
Prey animals can use their colors to hide from predators or dissuade them from attacking. But local conditions determine which option works best. A global study comparing defensive coloration in…
Postpartum Depression and Psychosis Risks Surge After Childbirth
Summary: A large Swedish study of 1.8 million pregnancies found that mental ill health around pregnancy has risen in recent years, with risks spiking after childbirth. While depression and psychosis…
The spatial scaling of multiple dimensions of functional diversity in habitat islands – Functional Ecologists
In this blog post, author Rafael Dias delves into the world of avian abundance and richness, with a ‘Behind the Paper’ look at his research article “The spatial scaling of…
Sugary Drinks Linked to Depression Through Gut Microbiome
Summary: A new study shows that sugary drinks don’t just affect physical health—they may also raise the risk of depression in women by disrupting the gut microbiome. Researchers found that…
Positive Memories Boost Musicians’ Performance by Reframing Stress
Summary: A new study reveals that recalling positive memories before stepping on stage can significantly boost musicians’ performance. Professional wind instrumentalists who reflected on positive experiences showed higher nervous system…
Early Clues to Autism and Schizophrenia Risk Found in DNA
Summary: Researchers have built a detailed map of DNA methylation changes in nearly 1,000 human brains from six weeks after conception to old age. The work reveals dramatic epigenetic shifts…
Brain Reveals Attention Works Like a Zoom Lens
Summary: A new study shows that our brain’s attention system first prepares broadly, then zooms in on specific details within fractions of a second. Using EEG and machine learning, researchers…
