Toastier fall weather might cause migrating monarch butterflies to wing it and change their flight plans, starting the countdown toward death. Eastern monarchs captured during their autumn migration and exposed…
Category: Life
Neuron Discovery Could Help Restore Breathing After Spinal Injuries
Summary: Scientists have discovered a specialized group of spinal cord interneurons that help regulate breathing when the body faces challenges like high carbon dioxide levels. Blocking these neurons impaired the…
When Gut Rhythms Over-Sync With the Brain, Mental Strain Rises
Summary: A large-scale study has found that unusually strong coordination between brain activity and the stomach’s slow, rhythmic waves may signal greater mental distress. Using fMRI and electrogastrography on more…
Viewpoint: GMOs could improve global food and farm yields by more than 20%
In recent years, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have become one of the most pivotal agricultural innovations, profoundly transforming the way food is produced and managed worldwide. With global populations on the rise and climate change introducing unprecedented challenges to farming and food security, the benefits of GMOs in agriculture are more significant than ever. … One of the most…
Early Abuse Shapes Adult Sexual Behavior
Summary: A new study has found that sexual narcissism mediates the link between childhood trauma and compulsive sexual behavior. Researchers compared individuals with and without compulsive sexual behavior, measuring trauma…
How Upbringing Shapes Risk Decisions
Summary: A new study suggests that the way you take risks as an adult may depend less on how risky you are by nature and more on the types of…
When Music Meets Attention: How Background Tunes Shape Focus
Summary: A new study compared background music listening habits between young adults with and without ADHD, revealing distinct patterns in when and what they listen to. ADHD-screened participants reported more…
Electric Ear Stimulation Boosts Power for Self-Compassion
Summary: A new study finds that stimulating the vagus nerve via a small electrical pulse to the outer ear can amplify the benefits of self-compassion meditation. Participants who received stimulation…
When Music Falls Flat: Why Some Brains Don’t Enjoy Music
Summary: Some people feel absolutely nothing when listening to music—and not because of bad taste. A rare condition called specific musical anhedonia involves a disconnect between the brain’s auditory and…
Music May Help Kids Understand Emotions, Even Without Empathy
Summary: Music plays a powerful role in how we perceive and express emotion—and a new study finds that even very young children can match emotions in music to facial expressions.…
