Primary Cilium Shapes the Developing Brain

Summary: For decades, the primary cilium was dismissed as a useless evolutionary leftover. However, a new study reveals that this microscopic, antenna-like structure is a critical architect of the brain.…

Everyday Skills Protect the Developing Brain from Prenatal Stress

Summary: Building strong adaptive skills in early childhood, such as communication and self-care, can shield a child’s brain from the long-term impact of prenatal stress. Researchers used Superstorm Sandy as…

Early Imaginative Play Predicts Better Mental Health

Summary: Toddlers who excel at pretend play are significantly less likely to experience emotional and behavioral difficulties by the time they reach primary school. A major longitudinal study tracked over…

Study Links Sterol-Inhibiting Drugs to Autism Risk

Summary: A massive nationwide study uncovered a significant link between common medications and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The research analyzed over 6 million births—nearly one-third of all U.S. births over…

How Trauma Changes a Child’s Sense of Touch and Sound

Summary: For young survivors of the October 7, 2023, attacks, the trauma of war has moved beyond the mind and into the nervous system. A new study reveals that nearly…

Why Adolescents Struggle to Reciprocate Kindness

Summary: It’s a common trope that teenagers can be self-centered, but new research provides a computational look at why. A study reveals that while adolescents are just as good as…

40% of Bullied Children Show Clinical Symptoms of Trauma

Summary: Bullying is often dismissed as a “normal part of growing up,” but new research reveals a much darker reality. A study of 250 elementary students (grades 3–5) found that…

Teen’s Internal Clock Controls Their Cravings

Summary: A new study reveals that sleep timing—not just the number of hours slept—is a primary driver of how teenagers eat and move. Researchers followed 373 adolescents and found that…

Why Human Babies Evolved to Be So Dependent

Summary: Researchers are challenging the traditional view of human infant helplessness as a mere biological weakness. In a new paper, researchers argue that the unique combination of a highly developed…

Physical Activity Rewires the Traumatized Brain

Summary: For years, the neurological impact of childhood trauma was often viewed as a permanent “scar” on the brain. However, new research challenges this deterministic view. The study demonstrates that…