Reflecting on Parents in Therapy Can Shift Childhood Memories

Summary: New research suggests that reflecting on a parent in therapy can subtly alter how a person recalls feelings from childhood, even if the question is neutral. This process, known…

Key Brain Protein Tied to Motivation and Mood Identified

Summary: A new study has identified a brain protein, vesicular nucleotide transporter (Vnut), as essential for regulating mood and motivation in mice. When Vnut was removed from brain cells called…

New Genetic Mutations Linked to Schizophrenia Risk

Source: A study has identified mutations arising during brain development that may contribute to schizophrenia. Unlike inherited genes, these somatic mutations occur after conception and were found more frequently in…

Electronic Tongue Uses AI to Detect Differences in Liquids

Summary: Researchers have developed an AI-powered “electronic tongue” capable of distinguishing subtle differences in liquids, such as milk freshness, soda types, and coffee blends. By analyzing sensor data through a…

Do people with MS have an increased risk of cancer?

Credit: CC0 Public Domain A study has found some cancers to be slightly more frequent in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) than in people without MS. The study is published…

Why We’re Confident with Only Half the Story

Summary: A new study reveals that people often overestimate the amount of information they have when making decisions, a phenomenon researchers call the “illusion of information adequacy.” Participants who were…

Optimism Boosted by Psilocybin, Hinting at Depression Relief

Summary: Researchers have discovered that psilocybin, a psychedelic compound in magic mushrooms, increases optimism and motivation in rats, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits for treating depression. Using computational modeling, scientists observed…

How Conscious Thought Fades Under Anesthesia

Summary: A new study has shown that conscious thought relies on synchronized brain rhythms to maintain communication between sensory and cognitive brain regions. Under general anesthesia, this rhythm-based communication breaks…

Does Stress Lead to Premature Hair Graying?

Summary: Hair turns grey due to a decrease in melanin production in hair follicles, a process influenced by both genetics and environmental factors like stress. Contrary to myths, plucking a…

Machine learning model can diagnose Meniere disease

A machine learning model based on pure-tone audiometry features can diagnose Meniere disease (MD) and predict endolymphatic hydrops (EH), according to a study published online Aug. 28 in Otolaryngology-Head and…