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Neuroscience News is an independent open access science magazine. Since 2001, we have featured neuroscience research news from labs, universities, hospitals and news departments around the world. Topics include brain research, AI, psychology, neuroscience, mental health and neurotech.

Science news articles cover neuroscience, neurology, psychology, AI, mental health, robotics, neurotechnology and cognitive sciences.

Researchers made a significant discovery in the study of human brain evolution, identifying epiregulin as a key factor in the expansion of the human neocortex. By comparing brain development between mice and humans and utilizing 3D brain organoids, the team found that epiregulin promotes the division and expansion of stem cells, crucial for neocortex development.
Researchers linked differences in THC metabolism to varying effects of cannabis use and the risk of developing Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD). The study, which included young adults with and without CUD, found that genetic differences in THC-metabolizing enzymes can lead to stronger and longer-lasting effects of cannabis, especially among females who metabolize THC more slowly.
Researchers reviewed 50 studies to deepen our understanding aphantasia, a phenomenon where individuals can't visualize mentally. The research reveals aphantasia's diverse impact, from reduced autobiographical memory and face recognition to broader implications in music imagination and occupation choices, suggesting a spectrum rather than a binary condition.

Neurology news articles cover neurology, brain cancer, traumatic brain injuries, neurosurgery, neuroanatomy, brain research and neurological disorders.

Researchers identified key risk factors and genetic influences impacting a specific brain network vulnerable to aging, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s disease. This 'weak spot' in the brain is especially susceptible to diabetes, air pollution, and alcohol consumption.
A global study involving 131 researchers from 105 labs across seven countries has found altered brain pH and lactate levels across various animal models of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. This large-scale research reveals a common endophenotype involving energy metabolism dysfunction as a hallmark in disorders such as schizophrenia, autism, and Alzheimer’s.
A new study reveals that Lewy body disease, a major neurodegenerative disorder second only to Alzheimer's, may start developing in individuals as early as middle age, well before symptoms manifest. Utilizing unique Finnish forensic autopsy data, the study found markers of the disease in 9% of individuals over 50 without any clinical diagnosis of Parkinson’s or Lewy body disease.

AI news articles cover science articles about artificial intelligence including ChatGPT, Bard, Dalle, neural networks, machine learning, LLMs, AGI and other AI related topics.

Neural networks, regardless of their complexity or training method, follow a surprisingly uniform path from ignorance to expertise in image classification tasks. Researchers found that neural networks classify images by identifying the same low-dimensional features, such as ears or eyes, debunking the assumption that network learning methods are vastly different.
Researchers developed an AI algorithm capable of predicting mouse movement with a 95% accuracy by analyzing whole-cortex functional imaging data, potentially revolutionizing brain-machine interface technology. The team's end-to-end deep learning method requires no data preprocessing and can make accurate predictions based on just 0.17 seconds of imaging data.
Machine learning (ML) models can accurately identify emotions from brief audio clips, achieving a level of accuracy comparable to humans. By analyzing nonsensical sentences to remove the influence of language and content, the study found that deep neural networks (DNNs) and a hybrid model (C-DNN) were particularly effective in recognizing emotions such as joy, anger, sadness, and fear from clips as short as 1.5 seconds.

Science research articles cover psychology, depression, mental health, schizophrenia, mental disorders, happiness, stress, PTSD, autism, psychiatry and therapy.

Children as young as 18 months display empathic concern towards others, marking a significant milestone in early emotional and cognitive development. The research found that children's capacity for empathic concern grows in environments where caregivers respond sensitively to their needs, highlighting the importance of social interactions in acquiring empathy.
A new study highlights the alarming rates of suicidal thoughts among rural Black men, attributing significant causes to childhood adversity and racism. This research, involving over 500 African American men, demonstrates that experiences of economic hardship, trauma, and racial discrimination significantly impact mental health, leading to a sense of isolation and thoughts of suicide.
A new study confirms Italians gesture more than Swedes, but more importantly, it reveals the diverse functions and frequencies of gestures across cultures. Analyzing storytelling methods, the study found Italians favor pragmatic gestures to guide narrative flow, while Swedes prefer representational gestures to depict actions and events.

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Researchers uncover the nuanced mating behaviors of nematodes, revealing a complex interplay between hermaphroditic and female roundworms in their quest for reproduction. While females actively seek out males, tracking them by smell for mating, hermaphrodites exhibit a starkly different approach, avoiding mating until they deplete their sperm supply. This research not only enhances our understanding of nematode reproductive strategies but also offers insights into the genetic mechanisms of attraction and behavioral evolution. semination.
A new study reveals a statistical connection between the consumption of refined carbohydrates and decreased facial attractiveness, as judged by heterosexual volunteers of the opposite sex. Participants who consumed a high-glycemic breakfast, rich in refined carbohydrates, were rated as less attractive than those who had a low-glycemic meal.
Adolescents engaging in "transcendent thinking"—the practice of looking beyond the immediate context to understand deeper meanings and implications—can significantly influence their brain development. The study highlights how this complex form of thinking fosters coordination between the brain's executive control and default mode networks, crucial for psychological functioning.
New research highlights a significant loneliness gap between middle-aged adults in the U.S. and their European counterparts, with Americans experiencing higher levels. The study utilized data from over 53,000 participants to explore loneliness trends across three generations, finding that U.S. adults report increasing loneliness, particularly among younger generations.
A new study unveils how the brain enters the creative flow state, famously known as being "in the zone." By analyzing jazz improvisations through EEGs, the research confirms that creative flow combines extensive experience with a conscious release of control, allowing for automatic idea generation.