Genetics Point to a New Type of Suicide Risk

Summary: New research shows that many people who die by suicide without prior suicidal thoughts or behaviors are not simply “missed cases”—they may have an entirely different underlying risk profile.…

Stress-Like Behaviors Traced to a Single ATP Circuit in the Brain

Summary: New research reveals that reduced ATP signaling in the hippocampus plays a causal role in both depression- and anxiety-like behaviors. In stressed male mice, ATP levels and the ATP-releasing…

Psychedelic ‘Ego Death’ Tied to a Collapse in Alpha Brain Waves

Summary: A new study using DMT as a scientific tool reveals how psychedelics alter the brain’s alpha-wave dynamics and weaken our sense of self. The researchers found that DMT pushes…

AI Reveals Lions Don’t Just Roar, They Have a Second Call

Summary: A new study reveals African lions produce two types of roars, overturning long-held assumptions and opening the door to more precise wildlife monitoring. Using machine learning, researchers automatically distinguished…

What Triggers Tantrums? Sensory Overload May Be To Blame

Summary: New research reveals a distinct brain activity signature in children who become overwhelmed by sensory input such as noise, touch, or bright lights. Using functional MRI, scientists found that…

Brain Circuit That Forces Behavior Into “Repeat Mode” Identified

Summary: A new study has identified a specific brain circuit that can push behavior into a compulsive “repeat mode,” forcing mice to continue digging and sniffing even when rewards are…

Thrill Fatigue: How Dopamine Devalues Repeated Rewards

Summary: New research shows that the same dopamine receptor mechanism responsible for drug addiction also governs the natural decline in motivation when we repeat rewarding behaviors. By studying male fruit…

AI Interviews Outperform Standard Mental Health Rating Scales

Summary: A new study demonstrates that an AI assistant can conduct psychiatric assessment interviews with greater diagnostic accuracy than widely used mental health rating scales. In a sample of 303…

Unexpected Superhero Cameos Make People Kinder

Summary: A new behavioral study demonstrates that sudden, unexpected events can significantly increase altruistic behavior in everyday environments. When a person dressed as Batman appeared on a Milan subway, passengers…

Shocking Disparities: Women Face Higher Risk of ECT

Summary: A large international survey of 858 electroconvulsive therapy recipients found that women are twice as likely as men to receive ECT and experience more adverse effects. Women reported higher…