https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/learning_disorders/ When smart children have trouble acquiring certain academic and social skills, it may be due to a learning disability. Read the latest research on learning disabilities and neurological disorders. en-us Mon, 20 Apr 2026 02:51:41 EDT Mon, 20 Apr 2026 02:51:41 EDT 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/learning_disorders/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260408225941.htm Scientists are uncovering a surprising connection between autism and ADHD that goes deeper than labels. Instead of diagnoses, it’s the severity of autism-like traits that seems to shape how the brain is wired—even in children who don’t officially have autism. The study found that certain brain networks tied to thinking and social behavior stay unusually connected in kids with stronger autism symptoms, hinting at a different developmental path. Thu, 09 Apr 2026 08:21:49 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260408225941.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260408095346.htm A new survey reveals a striking disconnect in how Americans think about autism research. While nearly everyone agrees that studying the autistic brain is essential, most people are unaware that brain donation after death is a key part of making that research possible. Unlike organ donation, brain donation is a separate process, and widespread confusion remains about how it works, when it must occur, and who can participate. Wed, 08 Apr 2026 22:18:02 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260408095346.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260317015928.htm Researchers have identified a surprising brain pattern that may help explain why people with ADHD often struggle to stay focused. Even while awake, their brains can slip into brief episodes of “sleep-like” activity during demanding tasks. These moments are linked to more mistakes, slower reaction times, and lapses in attention. Tue, 17 Mar 2026 02:25:43 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260317015928.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260311004711.htm THC doesn’t just blur memories—it can create new ones that never happened. In a controlled experiment, cannabis users were much more likely to recall words that were never shown and struggled with tasks like remembering to do something later. Researchers found that THC disrupted many different memory systems at once. Surprisingly, moderate doses caused memory problems similar to higher doses. Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:47:11 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260311004711.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260307155943.htm Researchers have uncovered a surprising molecular chain reaction in the brain that may play a role in some forms of autism. The study suggests that nitric oxide, a tiny signaling molecule normally involved in fine-tuning communication between brain cells, can sometimes trigger a cascade of changes inside neurons. When nitric oxide activity rises, it can alter a protective protein called TSC2, weakening an important cellular brake and allowing the mTOR pathway, which controls growth and protein production, to become overactive. Sat, 07 Mar 2026 20:28:40 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260307155943.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260303050632.htm For decades, scientists have mapped attention, memory, language, and reasoning to separate brain networks — yet one big mystery remained: why does the mind feel like a single, unified system? Researchers at the University of Notre Dame now suggest that intelligence doesn’t live in one “smart” region of the brain at all. Instead, it emerges from how efficiently and flexibly the brain’s many networks communicate and coordinate with each other. Tue, 03 Mar 2026 10:32:13 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260303050632.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260219040811.htm Human language may seem messy and inefficient compared to the ultra-compact strings of ones and zeros used by computers—but our brains actually prefer it that way. New research reveals that while digital-style encoding could theoretically compress information more tightly, it would demand far more mental effort from both speaker and listener. Instead, language is built around familiar words and predictable patterns that reflect our real-world experiences, allowing the brain to constantly anticipate what comes next and narrow down meaning step by step. Fri, 20 Feb 2026 09:23:24 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260219040811.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260211073023.htm A simple brain-training program that sharpens how quickly older adults process visual information may have a surprisingly powerful long-term payoff. In a major 20-year study of adults 65 and older, those who completed five to six weeks of adaptive “speed of processing” training — along with a few booster sessions — were significantly less likely to develop dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, even two decades later. Participants who received the boosted speed training had a 25% lower dementia risk compared to those who received no training, making it the only intervention in the trial to show such a lasting protective effect. Wed, 11 Feb 2026 22:15:24 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260211073023.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260210082921.htm Autism has long been thought of as a condition that mostly affects boys, but a massive study from Sweden suggests that idea may be misleading. Tracking nearly 3 million people over decades, researchers found that while boys are diagnosed more often in childhood, girls steadily catch up during their teenage years. By early adulthood, autism diagnoses among males and females are nearly equal. Tue, 10 Feb 2026 09:19:46 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260210082921.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260208233825.htm A sweeping new review of ADHD treatments—drawing on more than 200 meta-analyses—cuts through years of mixed messaging and hype. To make sense of it all, researchers have launched an interactive, public website that lets people with ADHD and clinicians explore what actually works, helping them make clearer, evidence-based decisions—while also highlighting a major gap: most solid evidence only covers short-term effects, even though long-term treatment is common. Tue, 10 Feb 2026 01:32:16 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260208233825.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260203020203.htm A new brain imaging study reveals that remembering facts and recalling life events activate nearly identical brain networks. Researchers expected clear differences but instead found strong overlap across memory types. The finding challenges decades of memory research. It may also help scientists better understand conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia. Tue, 03 Feb 2026 02:17:32 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260203020203.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260127112130.htm AI may learn better when it’s allowed to talk to itself. Researchers showed that internal “mumbling,” combined with short-term memory, helps AI adapt to new tasks, switch goals, and handle complex challenges more easily. This approach boosts learning efficiency while using far less training data. It could pave the way for more flexible, human-like AI systems. Wed, 28 Jan 2026 03:47:06 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260127112130.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260125083356.htm A massive new study comparing more than 100,000 people with today’s most advanced AI systems delivers a surprising result: generative AI can now beat the average human on certain creativity tests. Models like GPT-4 showed strong performance on tasks designed to measure original thinking and idea generation, sometimes outperforming typical human responses. But there’s a clear ceiling. The most creative humans — especially the top 10% — still leave AI well behind, particularly on richer creative work like poetry and storytelling. Sun, 25 Jan 2026 09:50:27 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260125083356.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124073920.htm A large, decades-long study suggests that signs of ADHD in childhood may have consequences that extend well beyond school and behavior. Researchers followed nearly 11,000 people from childhood into midlife and found that those with strong ADHD traits at age 10 were more likely to experience multiple physical health problems and health-related disability by their mid-40s. Sat, 24 Jan 2026 07:39:20 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124073920.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122074033.htm New research suggests that auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia may come from a brain glitch that confuses inner thoughts for external voices. Normally, the brain predicts the sound of its own inner speech and tones down its response. But in people hearing voices, brain activity ramps up instead, as if the voice belongs to someone else. The discovery could help scientists develop early warning signs for psychosis. Fri, 23 Jan 2026 08:46:23 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122074033.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120000308.htm Scientists have discovered that the human brain understands spoken language in a way that closely resembles how advanced AI language models work. By tracking brain activity as people listened to a long podcast, researchers found that meaning unfolds step by step—much like the layered processing inside systems such as GPT-style models. Wed, 21 Jan 2026 01:49:52 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120000308.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260118233549.htm Researchers found that autistic and non-autistic people move their faces differently when expressing emotions like anger, happiness, and sadness. Autistic participants tended to rely on different facial features and produced more varied expressions, which can look unfamiliar to non-autistic observers. The study suggests emotional misunderstandings are a two-way street, not a one-sided deficit. Mon, 19 Jan 2026 05:31:17 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260118233549.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260111214444.htm A large genetic screen has revealed how stem cells transform into brain cells, exposing hundreds of genes that make this process possible. Among the discoveries is PEDS1, a gene now linked to a previously unknown neurodevelopmental disorder in children. When PEDS1 does not work properly, brain growth and nerve cell formation are impaired. The findings help explain how early genetic changes can shape brain development and disease. Sun, 11 Jan 2026 21:49:42 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260111214444.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106224623.htm Teens who sleep in on weekends may be giving their mental health a boost. A new study found that young people who made up for lost weekday sleep had a significantly lower risk of depression. While consistent sleep is still best, weekend catch-up sleep appears to offer meaningful protection. The findings highlight how powerful sleep can be for adolescent well-being. Wed, 07 Jan 2026 01:04:25 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106224623.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251227082722.htm A major new review has put hundreds of alternative autism treatments under the microscope—and most didn’t hold up. Scientists analyzed decades of research and found little reliable evidence that popular approaches like probiotics, acupuncture, or music therapy truly work. Alarmingly, safety was often ignored, with many treatments never properly evaluated for side effects. The researchers stress that looking at the full body of evidence matters far more than trusting a single hopeful study. Sun, 28 Dec 2025 01:32:17 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251227082722.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251226045345.htm A first-of-its-kind national trial shows that public Montessori preschool students enter kindergarten with stronger reading, memory, and executive function skills than their peers. These gains don’t fade — they grow over time, bucking a long-standing trend in early education research. Even better, Montessori programs cost about $13,000 less per child than traditional preschool. The results suggest a powerful, affordable model hiding in plain sight. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 07:40:43 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251226045345.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251225235942.htm ADHD stimulants appear to work less by sharpening focus and more by waking up the brain. Brain scans revealed that these medications activate reward and alertness systems, helping children stay interested in tasks they would normally avoid. The drugs even reversed brain patterns linked to sleep deprivation. Researchers say this could complicate ADHD diagnoses if poor sleep is the real underlying problem. Thu, 25 Dec 2025 23:59:42 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251225235942.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251225035342.htm Attention depends on the brain’s ability to filter out distractions, but new research suggests this works best when background brain activity is quieter. Scientists found that lowering certain versions of the Homer1 gene improved focus in mice by calming neural noise. The effect was strongest during a critical developmental window. This approach could inspire new treatments for ADHD that work by reducing mental clutter instead of increasing stimulation. Fri, 02 Jan 2026 10:21:08 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251225035342.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251223084855.htm A massive global genetics study is reshaping how we understand mental illness—and why diagnoses so often pile up. By analyzing genetic data from more than six million people, researchers uncovered deep genetic connections across 14 psychiatric conditions, showing that many disorders share common biological roots. Instead of existing in isolation, these conditions fall into five overlapping families, helping explain why depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders so frequently occur together. Sat, 03 Jan 2026 02:28:04 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251223084855.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251223084852.htm New research reveals a brighter side of ADHD, showing that adults who recognize and use their strengths feel happier, healthier, and less stressed. People with ADHD were more likely to identify traits like creativity, humor, and hyperfocus as personal strengths. Across the board, using these strengths was linked to better quality of life and fewer mental health symptoms. The study suggests that embracing strengths could be a game-changer for ADHD support. Wed, 31 Dec 2025 10:51:21 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251223084852.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251209043042.htm Humans don’t just recognize each other’s voices—our brains also light up for the calls of chimpanzees, hinting at ancient communication roots shared with our closest primate relatives. Researchers found a specialized region in the auditory cortex that reacts distinctly to chimp vocalizations, but not to those of bonobos or macaques, revealing an unexpected mix of evolutionary and acoustic influences. Wed, 10 Dec 2025 01:45:47 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251209043042.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251130050712.htm Scientists have uncovered a stepwise system that guides how the brain sorts and stabilizes lasting memories. By tracking brain activity during virtual reality learning tasks, researchers identified molecules that influence how long memories persist. Each molecule operates on a different timescale, forming a coordinated pattern of memory maintenance. The discoveries reshape how scientists understand memory formation. Sun, 30 Nov 2025 06:13:16 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251130050712.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251029002910.htm New research reveals that intelligence plays a key role in how well people process speech in noisy environments. The study compared neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals and found that cognitive ability predicted performance across all groups. This challenges the idea that listening struggles are solely due to hearing loss, emphasizing the brain’s role in decoding complex soundscapes. Wed, 29 Oct 2025 09:14:22 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251029002910.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251015230952.htm Long before humans built cities or wrote words, our ancestors may have faced a hidden threat that shaped who we became. Scientists studying ancient teeth found that early humans, great apes, and even Neanderthals were exposed to lead millions of years ago. This toxic metal can damage the brain, yet modern humans developed a tiny genetic change that protected our minds and allowed language and intelligence to flourish. Thu, 16 Oct 2025 10:31:28 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251015230952.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251012054608.htm Researchers have discovered that ADHD’s hallmark mind wandering might actually boost creativity. People who deliberately let their thoughts drift scored higher on creative tests in two large studies. The findings hint that mindful management of mental drift could turn ADHD’s challenges into creative strengths. Mon, 13 Oct 2025 03:22:43 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251012054608.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250927031224.htm Researchers discovered that autism’s prevalence may be linked to human brain evolution. Specific neurons in the outer brain evolved rapidly, and autism-linked genes changed under natural selection. These shifts may have slowed brain development in children while boosting language and cognition. The findings suggest autism is part of the trade-off that made humans so cognitively advanced. Sun, 28 Sep 2025 01:44:59 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250927031224.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250915202839.htm Preschoolers with ADHD are often given medication right after diagnosis, against medical guidelines that recommend starting with behavioral therapy. Limited access to therapy and physician pressures drive early prescribing, despite risks and reduced effectiveness in young children. Tue, 16 Sep 2025 05:10:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250915202839.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250907172644.htm Scientists at Stanford have found that hyperactivity in the brain’s reticular thalamic nucleus may drive autism-like behaviors. In mouse models, drugs and neuromodulation techniques that suppressed this overactive region reversed symptoms, hinting at new therapeutic pathways that overlap with epilepsy treatments. Mon, 08 Sep 2025 02:24:58 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250907172644.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250904103923.htm A large Brazilian study following more than 12,000 middle-aged adults found that those consuming the most artificial sweeteners—commonly found in diet sodas, flavored waters, and processed snacks—experienced significantly faster declines in memory and thinking skills. The effect was equivalent to about 1.6 years of extra brain aging, with the strongest impact seen in people under 60 and those with diabetes. Thu, 04 Sep 2025 10:39:23 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250904103923.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250821004246.htm A large-scale review finds that acetaminophen use during pregnancy may increase the risk of autism and ADHD in children. The strongest studies showed the clearest links, pointing to biological pathways like oxidative stress and hormone disruption. Experts call for caution, updated guidelines, and safer alternatives. Thu, 21 Aug 2025 09:57:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250821004246.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250724040455.htm Scientists at Princeton and the Simons Foundation have identified four biologically distinct subtypes of autism, using data from over 5,000 children and a powerful new computational method. These subtypes—each with unique traits, developmental paths, and genetic signatures—promise to revolutionize how we understand, diagnose, and treat autism. Thu, 24 Jul 2025 22:45:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250724040455.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250716000843.htm Struggling to sleep might be the hidden reason why adults with ADHD traits often feel less satisfied with life. New research reveals a strong link between insomnia and reduced well-being in people with ADHD symptoms, suggesting a vicious cycle where poor sleep worsens attention and emotional issues, and vice versa. Wed, 16 Jul 2025 12:10:50 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250716000843.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250612081317.htm A team at UC Davis has made a major leap in neurotechnology, enabling a man with ALS to speak again through a brain-computer interface that converts thoughts into speech in real time. Unlike prior systems that translated neural signals into text, this one synthesizes actual voice with tone, pacing, and even melody, creating a near-conversational experience. The device interprets neural signals via implants and advanced AI, making it possible for users to speak new words, ask questions, and express emotions vocally. Though still early-stage, this breakthrough offers real hope for those silenced by neurological conditions. Thu, 12 Jun 2025 08:13:17 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250612081317.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522162544.htm A new study examines the emergence of overimitation in infants aged between 16 and 21 months to see if and how it is linked to social affiliation and other forms of imitation. The researchers found that young children engaged in low rates of overimitation and that it was not driven by in-group preference -- meaning they were not acting to please someone similar to themselves. This suggests that overimitation for social affiliation reasons may emerge later. But they did find that other types of imitation associated with memory and cognition were closely correlated. Thu, 22 May 2025 16:25:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522162544.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521161104.htm There's good news for people with migraine who take common drugs before or during pregnancy -- a new study found no increase in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and ADHD in their children. The study looked at drugs used for migraine attacks called triptans. Wed, 21 May 2025 16:11:04 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521161104.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131136.htm A hidden link between impulsivity and obesity may not be fixed in human biology but shaped by the cities we live in. Using a novel engineering-based approach, researchers found that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) contributes to obesity not only directly through known biological pathways but also indirectly, by reducing physical activity. Mon, 19 May 2025 13:11:36 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131136.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250516134245.htm Investigators are developing a new type of auditory brainstem implant that is designed to be soft, and flexible and address limitations of models currently in use. These implants may one day benefit people who can't receive a cochlear implant, such as those with Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) and other severe inner ear abnormalities. In a new preclinical study, researchers report on benefits in large animal models, and based on the results, hope for future trials in humans. Fri, 16 May 2025 13:42:45 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250516134245.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514180742.htm A recent study reveals that the average duration of ADHD medication for children and adolescents is more than three years. However, reliable, controlled data on the safety of marketed ADHD medicines in children are available for only one year of follow-up. Wed, 14 May 2025 18:07:42 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514180742.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514164320.htm Listen to the first notes of an old, beloved song. Can you name that tune? If you can, congratulations -- it's a triumph of your associative memory, in which one piece of information (the first few notes) triggers the memory of the entire pattern (the song), without you actually having to hear the rest of the song again. We use this handy neural mechanism to learn, remember, solve problems and generally navigate our reality. Wed, 14 May 2025 16:43:20 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514164320.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514151712.htm A new study outlines how artificial intelligence-powered handwriting analysis may serve as an early detection tool for dyslexia and dysgraphia among young children. Wed, 14 May 2025 15:17:12 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514151712.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514111351.htm There is no significant difference in the effectiveness of how autistic and non-autistic people communicate, according to a new study, challenging the stereotype that autistic people struggle to connect with others. Wed, 14 May 2025 11:13:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514111351.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250513172018.htm Researchers identified two brain networks involved in word retrieval -- the cognitive process of accessing words we need to speak. A semantic network processes meaning in middle/inferior frontal gyri, while an articulatory network in inferior frontal/precentral gyri plans speech production. Tue, 13 May 2025 17:20:18 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250513172018.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250513112444.htm As kids spend more time on screens, a new national survey conducted by Ipsos on behalf of The Kids Mental Health Foundation, founded by Nationwide Children's Hospital, identifies parents' greatest fears for their children around screen time. Tue, 13 May 2025 11:24:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250513112444.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507200809.htm Parents' genes -- even when not directly inherited by a child -- may play a role in their educational and mental health outcomes, finds a new report. Wed, 07 May 2025 20:08:09 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507200809.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250505171014.htm Getting a timely diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is a major challenge, but new research shows that how young adults, and potentially children, grasp objects could offer a simpler way to diagnose someone on the autism spectrum. The team, part of an international collaboration, used machine learning to analyze naturalistic hand movements -- specifically, finger motions during grasping -- in autistic and non-autistic individuals. Mon, 05 May 2025 17:10:14 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250505171014.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250505121757.htm The fact that left-handedness resp. mixed-handedness are strikingly common in patients with certain neurological disorders such as autism spectrum disorders is a frequently reported observation in medical practice. The reason why handedness is associated with these disorders is probably because both are affected by processes in early brain development. Various studies have explored this link for individual disorders and have sometimes been able to show it, and sometimes not. A meta-analysis carried out by an international research team shows that left and mixed-handedness is particularly common in people who suffer from a disorder that manifests itself early in life and is associated with linguistic symptoms. These include dyslexia, schizophrenia and autism. Mon, 05 May 2025 12:17:57 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250505121757.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430142559.htm Researchers explored how manual and keyboard practice influenced children's abilities in their reading and writing learning process. 5-year-olds were taught an artificial alphabet using different techniques, and the conclusion was that children who are trained with pencil and paper assimilate new letters and words better. Wed, 30 Apr 2025 14:25:59 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430142559.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428220638.htm BU researchers develop a brain-inspired algorithm that can help people with hearing loss pick out conversations in noisy, crowded spaces. Mon, 28 Apr 2025 22:06:38 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428220638.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250423164051.htm A new study by developmental scientists offers the first evidence that infants as young as 15 months can identify an object they have learned about from listening to language -- even if the object remains hidden. Wed, 23 Apr 2025 16:40:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250423164051.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250422131205.htm 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 gestures to predict upcoming speech. Both behavioral and EEG data indicated that hand gestures facilitate language processing, illustrating the multimodal nature of human communication. Tue, 22 Apr 2025 13:12:05 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250422131205.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250421221121.htm Neuroscientists have developed a new treatment approach for a language disorder that combines traditional speech therapy with noninvasive electrical stimulation of the brain. Brain stimulation helped induce neuroplasticity, the brain's capacity to continue to reorganize and learn. Mon, 21 Apr 2025 22:11:21 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250421221121.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250421163119.htm Working memory is like a mental chalkboard we use to store temporary information while executing other tasks. Scientists worked with more than 200 elementary students to test their working memory, assess its role in word-problem solving and if interventions could boost it and thereby improve their word problem solving skills. Results showed that improving working memory helped both students with and without math difficulties and can help educators more effectively by helping teach the science of math, study authors argue. Mon, 21 Apr 2025 16:31:19 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250421163119.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250416135614.htm Complex protein interactions at synapses are essential for memory formation in our brains, but the mechanisms behind these processes remain poorly understood. Now, researchers have developed a computational model revealing new insights into the unique droplet-inside-droplet structures that memory-related proteins form at synapses. They discovered that the shape characteristics of a memory-related protein are crucial for the formation of these structures, which could shed light on the nature of various neurological disorders. Wed, 16 Apr 2025 13:56:14 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250416135614.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250414124825.htm A new study has found children born to mothers who experienced gestational diabetes (GDM) during pregnancy are more likely to develop attention-deficient hyperactive disorder (ADHD) and externalizing behavior. Mon, 14 Apr 2025 12:48:25 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250414124825.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250410130918.htm Using eye-tracking -- a technique for recording and analyzing eye movements -- a team has shown that individuals with multiple disabilities can improve their social and emotional skills. Although these patients are often considered 'untestable', nine young people have undergone personalized training over a period of one year, with promising results in terms of their ability to socialize. This work opens the way to new methods of assessment and support. Thu, 10 Apr 2025 13:09:18 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250410130918.htm