Different Autism Genes, Same Brain Signature

Summary: New research shows that different genetic forms of autism may produce a shared brain activity pattern, revealing a potential common neural signature despite distinct genetic origins. Using brain-wide recordings…

No Link Found Between Preterm Siblings and Child Behavior Issues

Summary: A large-scale European study found no evidence that having a sibling born preterm leads to more behavioral problems in children born at term. Researchers analyzed data from over 65,000…

Robot Yawns Spark Contagious Yawning in Chimps

Summary: Chimpanzees have been observed yawning and lying down after seeing a humanoid android mimic a yawning facial expression, indicating contagious yawning triggered by an artificial agent. This study is…

Inflammation Triggers Repetitive Behaviors in ASD and OCD

Summary: New research reveals that chronic brain inflammation can directly lead to repetitive behaviors, often seen in conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In mice with…

The Psychology Behind Why Some People Give More Than Others

Summary: A new analysis of over 90,000 participants shows that personality traits influence how people engage in volunteering and charitable giving. Researchers found that extraverts are more likely to volunteer,…

How Oxytocin Tames “Mean Girl” Behavior

Summary: A new study finds that in some lemur species, evolving gender equality is linked to changes in the brain’s oxytocin system. Researchers compared seven closely related species, finding that…

Oxytocin Powers Altruistic Responses via Parallel Brain Circuits

Summary: A new study reveals that mice instinctively display rescue-like behaviors toward anesthetized peers, offering powerful evidence that prosociality may be hardwired in mammals. Researchers identified oxytocin as a key…

Herpes Virus Linked to Long-Term Brain and Neurological Problems

Summary: A new study reveals that herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), commonly known for causing cold sores, can travel through the nasal cavity directly to the brain, causing severe and lasting…

Eating Seafood Linked to Kinder, More Socially Skilled Young Children

Summary: Children who regularly eat seafood at age 7 exhibit more positive social behaviors—such as sharing, helping, and interacting kindly—by ages 7 and 9, compared to those who rarely consume…

Psychological “Noise” May Reveal More About Human Thought Than Expected

Summary: New studies challenge the idea that variability in human behavior, often seen as “noise,” is simply an error to be minimized. Researchers argue that noise provides valuable insights into…