Study links poor sleep in middle age to signs of brain aging

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain People in early middle age who have poor sleep quality, including having difficulty falling or staying asleep, have more signs of poor brain health in late…

Youth Face Rising Risks of Harassment and Exploitation in the Metaverse

Summary: A new study reveals that youth are vulnerable to various forms of harm in the metaverse, including bullying, harassment, and sexual exploitation. Using data from over 5,000 U.S. teens,…

Social Media Verification Drives Polarization and Echo Chambers

Summary: A new study shows that X’s verification system, which gives verified users priority in algorithms, can increase polarization and trigger the formation of echo chambers. Researchers used computational modeling…

Happy Partners Help Reduce Stress in Older Adults

Summary: Having a happy intimate partner can lower stress levels in older adults by reducing the production of cortisol, a stress hormone. Couples with higher relationship satisfaction experience an even…

Emotional Blindness Drives Empathy Deficits in Psychopathy

Summary: A new study links psychopathy with alexithymia, or emotional blindness, which may explain the emotional deficits seen in people with psychopathic traits. Individuals with strong psychopathic traits struggle to…

Mental Fatigue Increases Temptation for Rewards

Summary: New research reveals that mental fatigue makes rewards like unhealthy snacks more tempting. Both rats and humans who exerted cognitive effort sought out more rewards, with rats self-administering more…

New review suggests evaluating Tibetan medicinal herb as potential treatment for mild cognitive impairment

Credit: Frontiers in Pharmacology (2024). DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1484040 Within Tibetan medicine, the medicinal herb Terminalia chebula (T. chebula) is well-known for its extensive therapeutic properties. Its usefulness against bacteria, viruses, oxidation,…

Parent-Child Play Shapes Social Skills for Interacting with Peers

Summary: How parents and toddlers play together can predict children’s future social interactions. By observing over 120 mother-child pairs, researchers found that responsive and assertive behaviors during play were linked…

New Genes Linked to Muscle Aging Discovered

Summary: Scientists have identified new genes linked to muscle aging, offering potential targets for therapies to slow muscle loss in older adults. The study used artificial intelligence to analyze gene…

Listening to Music After Surgery Lowers Pain and Anxiety

Summary: A new study suggests that listening to music after surgery can significantly reduce pain, anxiety, and even heart rate, aiding recovery. An analysis of 35 studies found that patients…