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How a smartphone app could transform mental health care

Smartphones may often feel like a source of stress, feeding us an endless stream of bad news and social comparison. But what if they could also be the solution? A team of researchers believes they can be. The team has developed a smartphone app that de…

Psychedelics can reverse neuroimmune interactions that boost fear

A new study suggests that fear and the immune system are connected in previously unknown ways. Researchers found that the immune system can influence stress and fear behaviors by changing how brain cells communicate.

Remembering the cold: Scientists discover how memories control metabolism

New multidisciplinary research shows that the brain forms memories of cold experiences and uses them to control our metabolism. The study shows that cold memories form in the brain — and map out how they subsequently drive thermoregulation. The discov…

A repurposed anti-inflammatory drug may help treat alcohol use disorder and related pain

A preclinical study finds that a drug already FDA-approved for treating inflammatory conditions may help reduce both alcohol intake and pain sensitivity — two issues that commonly co-occur with alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Brain-inspired AI breakthrough: Making computers see more like humans

Researchers have developed a new artificial intelligence (AI) technique that brings machine vision closer to how the human brain processes images. Called Lp-Convolution, this method improves the accuracy and efficiency of image recognition systems whil…

Uncontrolled glutamate release in the brain

Upon energy restriction, an unusual release of the neurotransmitter glutamate can be observed. The overabundance of glutamate ultimately causes damages to nerve cells.

Retinal clues to mental health

A new study has shown that evidence of genetic susceptibility to schizophrenia can be found in the retina. This finding could help improve the early detection of the disorder.

How dopamine helps us learn to avoid bad outcomes

Dopamine is the brain’s motivational spark, driving us to chase what feels good, say scrolling another reel on social media, and steer clear of what doesn’t, like touching a hot stove. But scientists haven’t fully understood how dopamine helps us learn…

Listeners use gestures to predict upcoming words

In face-to-face conversations, speakers use hand movements to signal meaning. But do listeners actually use these gestures to predict what someone might say next? In a study using virtual avatars, scientists show that listeners used the avatar’s gestur…

High-fat, high-sugar diets impact cognitive function

New research links fatty, sugary diets to impaired brain function. The findings build on a growing body of evidence showing the negative impact of high-fat, high-sugar (HFHS) diets on cognitive ability, adding to their well-known physical effects.