https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/gender_difference/ Men and women. How do their brains differ? Also read current research on gender roles, gender discrimination and other gender issues. en-us Wed, 09 Sep 2026 10:04:58 EDT Wed, 09 Sep 2026 10:04:58 EDT 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/gender_difference/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260907201554.htm More than 1,200 genetic variants have been linked to the Big Five personality traits, and many of the same variants are also associated with health, longevity, careers, income, and everyday habits. The findings reveal a surprisingly wide genetic connection between personality and life outcomes while showing that environment still plays a powerful role. Tue, 08 Sep 2026 09:40:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260907201554.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260906170140.htm Could math help explain why some relationships survive life’s inevitable stresses while others slowly fall apart? Researchers have spent decades developing mathematical models that treat romantic feelings as changing systems, revealing patterns in attraction, emotional reactions, conflict, and recovery. Mon, 07 Sep 2026 04:58:31 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260906170140.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260904000330.htm A large study involving more than 270,000 people has linked higher blood levels of the amino acid tyrosine to a shorter lifespan in men. Using both observational data and genetic analysis, researchers found that elevated tyrosine could potentially reduce male life expectancy by nearly a year, while no significant effect appeared in women. Tyrosine is found naturally in protein-rich foods and is also sold as a supplement for boosting focus and mental performance, making the finding especially intriguing. Sun, 06 Sep 2026 17:21:25 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260904000330.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260904000320.htm Slow breathing with a prolonged exhale made people more willing to take risks by changing heart activity and increasing the brain’s sensitivity to rewards. The findings suggest that something as simple as controlling your breath can directly influence how you evaluate choices. Fri, 04 Sep 2026 07:33:12 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260904000320.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260904000308.htm UCLA researchers have discovered two powerful influences that help guide how the human brain forms before birth. Radial glia, stem cells responsible for producing much of the cerebral cortex, change their behavior depending on how they process glucose and on physical contact with signals arriving from the thalamus. Those signals can alter which types of neurons are produced, including upper-layer neurons that are especially prominent in humans. Fri, 04 Sep 2026 02:04:06 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260904000308.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260903064246.htm Older adults at risk of dementia improved their memory and thinking after following lifestyle programs combining exercise, healthy eating, cognitive training, and social engagement. Those who received regular coaching and structured support improved substantially more than participants given general health advice. Sun, 06 Sep 2026 13:07:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260903064246.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260903064242.htm Researchers may have found a new way to weaken glioblastoma’s defenses against treatment. Blocking a protein called SET prevented tumors from forming in preclinical models, while targeting related proteins made cancer cells more vulnerable to radiation. The strategy works by restoring activity of PP2A, an enzyme that glioblastoma cells appear to suppress. Human testing will be needed to determine whether the approach is safe and effective. Sun, 06 Sep 2026 02:58:29 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260903064242.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260902234518.htm A substance found in edible sea squirts appeared to reverse several signs of aging in older mice. Plasmalogen supplements improved memory and learning, strengthened connections between brain cells, reduced inflammation, and even helped the mice grow thicker, darker hair. Researchers believe the compounds may encourage brain regeneration and protect aging synapses. Fri, 04 Sep 2026 08:29:06 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260902234518.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260902234512.htm Duke researchers developed an injectable scaffold that helped stroke-damaged brains grow new blood vessels, support nerve regrowth, and recover movement in mice. The treatment appears to work partly by recruiting the body’s own immune cells, including neutrophils that may switch from damaging to helpful under the right conditions. Thu, 03 Sep 2026 23:59:21 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260902234512.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260901070520.htm Starting statins soon after a type 2 diabetes diagnosis may do more than protect the heart. In a nationwide Danish study of more than 132,000 people, those who began statin treatment within a year of diagnosis had a 15% lower relative risk of developing dementia over 10 years compared with those who did not start statins. Tue, 08 Sep 2026 03:37:21 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260901070520.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260901010721.htm Mindfulness, gratitude, and optimism training may improve blood pressure, inflammation, and other heart-health measures within just eight to 12 weeks. The strongest programs paired daily practice with regular reinforcement, suggesting that improving psychological well-being could become another tool for protecting cardiovascular health. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 08:58:41 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260901010721.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260901010717.htm Aging may be partly fueled by immune cells losing their ability to clear away damaged, inflammation-promoting cells. Blocking a single receptor restored that cleanup process in mice, reducing inflammation and helping their organs, muscles, and memory remain remarkably youthful. Thu, 03 Sep 2026 06:29:04 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260901010717.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260831015154.htm Persistent financial hardship in early and middle adulthood was linked to poorer thinking skills by the 50s and more signs of brain aging later in life. Researchers say years of chronic stress and financial worry may gradually take a toll on the brain. Wed, 02 Sep 2026 10:32:26 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260831015154.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260831015150.htm Some of the attention patterns that make ADHD challenging may also help spark creativity by allowing the brain to explore more ideas and unexpected connections. Researchers think creative activities could potentially channel this “defocused attention” while helping strengthen the brain systems involved in focus and self-control. Wed, 02 Sep 2026 23:44:06 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260831015150.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260830000016.htm Adults aged 40 and older performed about 12% faster on a test of executive function after using a HEPA air purifier at home for one month. The findings suggest that cleaner indoor air could offer a simple way to help protect the brain from the effects of traffic-related pollution. Sun, 30 Aug 2026 09:33:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260830000016.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260829235958.htm A long-standing picture of brain evolution as newer, rational layers stacked on top of an ancient “lizard brain” may be deeply misleading. Researchers found that evolution instead appears to balance two competing styles of brain wiring, expanding one while shrinking the other depending on what an animal needs to survive. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 08:53:45 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260829235958.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260829235953.htm A study of people over 90 found that dementia risk remains strongly shaped by sex, race and genetics, with women and black participants facing notably higher risks. Intriguingly, some people stayed cognitively healthy despite carrying major risk factors, potentially offering clues to how the brain can resist dementia deep into old age. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 08:09:42 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260829235953.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828005213.htm A 20-year study of 400,000 students found that children who attended public school pre-K earned better grades and test scores through high school than those in other childcare settings. Better-trained teachers and earlier exposure to structured classrooms may help explain why the advantage lasted so long. Fri, 28 Aug 2026 08:14:20 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828005213.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260826060617.htm Scientists created smart nanoparticles that can both illuminate hidden glioblastoma cells during surgery and destroy microscopic cancer left behind afterward. In mice, the treatment prevented recurrence and led to 100% survival at 60 days, though it has not yet been tested in humans. Thu, 27 Aug 2026 01:52:48 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260826060617.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260826055442.htm Researchers discovered a brain-based “brake” that can shut down chronic nerve pain in mice by calming an overactive pain circuit. Targeting this system more precisely could one day lead to powerful pain relief without affecting opioid receptors throughout the entire body. Thu, 27 Aug 2026 00:46:20 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260826055442.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260823094156.htm Both too little and too much sleep may be linked to faster aging throughout the body. Researchers analyzing 23 biological aging clocks found the lowest aging levels among people sleeping about 6.4 to 7.8 hours per day. Short or long sleep was also associated with numerous conditions affecting the brain, heart, lungs, metabolism, and digestive system. Mon, 24 Aug 2026 07:31:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260823094156.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260823094151.htm Early-life stress may physically alter how DNA is packaged in the brain, leaving stress-related genes primed to activate more easily years later. In mice, researchers were able to block this effect, preventing the heightened anxiety and stress sensitivity that otherwise appeared in adulthood. Wed, 26 Aug 2026 03:28:27 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260823094151.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260823094148.htm A neuroscientist is challenging the idea that the brain contains a central system that actually “makes” our decisions. What we experience as choosing may instead emerge from the continuous interaction of perception, movement, the body, and the world around us. Tue, 25 Aug 2026 13:53:28 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260823094148.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260823094135.htm A major study found that adults with depression show disrupted production of new neurons in the hippocampus, potentially weakening the brain’s ability to separate new experiences from painful memories. The researchers also identified broad molecular changes that could open the door to new treatments tailored to different biological forms of depression. Tue, 25 Aug 2026 01:06:08 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260823094135.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260823015013.htm Older adults who received the Shingrix shingles vaccine were 24% less likely to be diagnosed with dementia over four years in a study of more than 500,000 people. Researchers estimate the difference could amount to roughly one dementia case prevented for every 17 people vaccinated. Tue, 25 Aug 2026 09:09:21 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260823015013.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260822015148.htm Mice that developed compulsive drinking after alcohol abstinence showed more than double the activity in a brain region associated with stress and addiction. Because the signal appeared before they drank again, researchers think it could eventually help predict who is most at risk of relapse. Sat, 22 Aug 2026 22:46:26 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260822015148.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260822015138.htm Older adults with mild cognitive impairment and sleep problems who took at least 5,000 IU of vitamin D daily scored more than 13% higher on a cognitive test than those taking none. The preliminary findings suggest vitamin D could be worth studying as a potentially modifiable factor during an early window of cognitive decline. Sun, 23 Aug 2026 00:31:43 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260822015138.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260821012234.htm Researchers have uncovered a possible reason why the Alzheimer’s risk gene APOE4 can disrupt the brain long before memory problems begin. In mice, APOE4 increased a protein called Nell2, shrinking neurons and making memory circuits unusually active. That early hyperactivity predicted worse memory later in life. Reducing Nell2 in adult mice reversed the abnormal changes, raising hopes for a new way to intervene before Alzheimer’s progresses. Sun, 23 Aug 2026 11:15:41 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260821012234.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260821012226.htm People who speak several languages may have brains that age more slowly, with four-language speakers showing brains that appeared about 13 years younger than those of monolinguals. Starting earlier and becoming highly fluent were also linked to a stronger effect. Sat, 22 Aug 2026 09:12:23 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260821012226.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260820002443.htm Specialized brain scans reveal that schizophrenia is linked to widespread loss of the synapses that connect brain cells, with the left side of the brain hit especially hard. The damage follows a surprisingly organized pattern tied to the brain’s chemistry and wiring. Researchers also identified a left frontal region that may serve as a starting point for the loss. Thu, 20 Aug 2026 07:27:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260820002443.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260819041242.htm Researchers have developed a new way to turn ordinary antibodies into tiny disease-fighting molecules that can work inside human cells, potentially opening new paths for treating Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s disease, and motor neurone disease. Wed, 19 Aug 2026 22:01:27 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260819041242.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260819041224.htm The brain has a remarkably flexible system for handling uncertainty and changing situations. Researchers found that the frontoparietal cortex constantly shifts how it communicates with other brain regions depending on what information is needed to make a decision. Rather than simply becoming more active when things get difficult, this network appears to reorganize itself in real time. Wed, 19 Aug 2026 20:38:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260819041224.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260816044827.htm Traveling electrical waves sweeping across the brain may help determine what we notice, predict what comes next, and construct our internal picture of the world. Researchers now argue that these waves aren't just background activity—they could be a core computational engine behind perception and memory. Tue, 18 Aug 2026 12:40:57 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260816044827.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260815064833.htm Childhood criticism can leave people carrying a fear of failure long into adulthood, but new research suggests those emotional patterns may be surprisingly flexible. Young adults who revisited painful memories through imagery-based therapy showed lasting reductions in fear, guilt, sadness, and stress. Tue, 18 Aug 2026 01:06:35 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260815064833.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260815064803.htm An eight-year Finnish study found that children who spent more time on screens tended to show better cognitive processing as teenagers, challenging common assumptions about screen use. Researchers say the key may be balancing physical activity with screen activities that encourage learning, creativity, and active thinking. Sat, 15 Aug 2026 06:48:03 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260815064803.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260814235856.htm An experimental Alzheimer’s compound prevented damaging protein clumps from forming in the brains of mice, helping nerve cells survive longer and reducing amyloid buildup. The treatment also appeared to improve heart health and slow some signs of aging, raising hopes for an entirely new way to combat dementia. Sun, 16 Aug 2026 21:01:15 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260814235856.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260814235839.htm Exercise and healthy blood sugar levels in midlife may help slow cognitive decline decades later. Physical activity appeared especially beneficial for Mexican American adults, suggesting that some brain-protective factors may differ across populations. Sun, 16 Aug 2026 08:02:14 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260814235839.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260814011044.htm A surprising stress-related signal may help the brain repair itself after injury. Researchers found that myelin-producing precursor cells rapidly release the stress hormone CRH near damaged brain tissue, helping control how those cells mature and rebuild protective nerve insulation. The same system also influences brain development and the thickness of myelin later in life. The findings could offer new clues about how early-life stress contributes to psychiatric disorders. Fri, 14 Aug 2026 07:35:11 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260814011044.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260814011033.htm Scientists have discovered that the aging human brain may be far less isolated from the rest of the body than once believed. Stanford researchers found that large numbers of immune cells from the blood begin entering the brain as early as middle age, where they can transform into microglia, the brain’s specialized immune cells. The finding overturns a long-standing assumption that these cells remain largely separate from the body’s immune system throughout life. Fri, 14 Aug 2026 09:28:02 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260814011033.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260814011028.htm Women who used estrogen-only hormone therapy later in life were less likely to develop dementia and showed fewer signs of Alzheimer’s disease in their brains, according to a large study of more than 21,000 participants. Hormone therapy use was linked to 39% lower odds of a dementia diagnosis and 35% lower odds of Alzheimer’s-related brain changes at autopsy, including amyloid plaques and tau tangles. Biomarker tests also suggested less amyloid buildup among hormone therapy users. Fri, 14 Aug 2026 07:19:42 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260814011028.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260813045531.htm A protein inside appetite-controlling brain cells may play an important role in preventing overeating and obesity, particularly when high-fat foods are readily available. Unexpected differences between males and females could also help explain why obesity risk—and responses to weight-loss drugs—can vary. Thu, 13 Aug 2026 05:42:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260813045531.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260812015158.htm The adult brain may be far better at repairing itself than scientists once believed. In mice, researchers discovered a special group of support cells called astrocytes that respond to damaged brain tissue by rebuilding lost cellular networks. Rather than simply moving into the injured area, these cells perform a remarkable maneuver: they create new nuclei and send them traveling through long cellular extensions to repopulate damaged regions. Wed, 12 Aug 2026 08:43:16 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260812015158.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260811011148.htm Scientists have pinpointed a brain network—and its distinctive electrical rhythm—that appears to drive the benefits of deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease. The discovery could lead to more precise, personalized stimulation settings and better results for patients. Wed, 12 Aug 2026 09:20:59 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260811011148.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260811011140.htm MIT neuroscientists have found striking evidence that language and logical reasoning are powered by separate systems in the brain. Even people with severe language impairments caused by stroke were able to solve challenging logic puzzles as well as people without those impairments, while brain scans showed that language-processing regions stayed largely quiet during reasoning tasks. Tue, 11 Aug 2026 09:12:27 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260811011140.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260811011138.htm Ozempic-like drugs appear to weaken more than hunger—they may also reduce cravings for alcohol and other addictive substances. Scientists are increasingly tracing this effect to the lateral septum, a brain region that helps connect memories and surroundings with rewarding experiences. Packed with GLP-1 receptors, it may act as a crucial control point between thinking about a reward and feeling compelled to pursue it. The discovery could open new approaches to treating addiction as well as obesity. Wed, 12 Aug 2026 10:36:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260811011138.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260811011130.htm AI has helped scientists measure the brain’s hidden cleaning system, revealing that fluid moves rapidly around its outer spaces but about 50 times more slowly through deep tissue. The discovery could eventually help researchers detect circulation problems linked to Alzheimer’s, aging, and concussions. Wed, 12 Aug 2026 22:05:30 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260811011130.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260808234953.htm Frequent cannabis users may wake up with unusually high levels of the stress hormone cortisol, suggesting their daily stress rhythms could be disrupted. Researchers say the finding raises questions about whether using cannabis for stress relief might, over time, interfere with the very system that helps the body handle stress. Sun, 09 Aug 2026 08:40:58 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260808234953.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260807235243.htm An intensive seven-day meditation retreat triggered striking changes across the brain and body, including shifts tied to neuroplasticity, immunity, metabolism, and natural pain relief. Participants also showed brain connectivity patterns resembling those associated with psychedelic experiences, suggesting that powerful altered states may be achievable without drugs. Sat, 08 Aug 2026 23:50:35 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260807235243.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260806050726.htm Teens who start using cannabis may experience slower growth in memory, attention, language, and processing speed. Their abilities often developed normally at first, then began leveling off while nonusers continued improving. THC appeared to be the most likely driver, especially for worsening memory. Fri, 07 Aug 2026 21:25:25 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260806050726.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260806050722.htm A ten-month Antarctic experiment found that astronauts may struggle not only with loneliness but also with spending too much time around the same people. Frequent contact was linked to greater tension and mistrust, while the crew increasingly divided into cultural and language-based groups. Fri, 07 Aug 2026 07:18:01 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260806050722.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260806050709.htm A new wearable patch may help people reach REM sleep faster and remain there longer without medication or surgery. In a study of 28 participants, the device shortened the time to REM by 43 minutes and extended it by about 16 minutes. Researchers also observed signs of improved stress regulation and changes in brain circuits tied to emotion. Fri, 07 Aug 2026 03:31:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260806050709.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260806050700.htm Beginning around age 50, the brain’s memory center appears to lose many of its longtime immune cells and replace them with more inflammatory ones. This surprising shift may help explain how normal aging sets the stage for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 21:32:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260806050700.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260805082508.htm Blocking the glycine transporter SLC6A20 restored important brain signaling and improved social, communication, and repetitive behaviors in autism-related mouse models. The treatment also worked in human brain organoids and showed lasting effects in adult mice, suggesting the brain may remain more treatable later in life than previously thought. Fri, 07 Aug 2026 08:38:30 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260805082508.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260805082450.htm A prescription form of THC helped many people with PTSD escape recurring trauma-related nightmares, with more than one-third reporting that the nightmares disappeared completely after ten weeks. The results could point toward a long-awaited treatment for one of PTSD’s most distressing and stubborn symptoms. Wed, 05 Aug 2026 23:16:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260805082450.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260804034624.htm A simple change in posture may subtly affect how people feel and make decisions. Participants who sat upright reported greater feelings of pride and took more successful risks in a virtual balloon game than those who hunched over. Most did not realize researchers had influenced their posture, helping rule out the possibility that they were merely responding to expectations. The results suggest workplace ergonomics could influence more than physical comfort. Wed, 05 Aug 2026 08:38:27 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260804034624.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260804034622.htm A group of brain cells called orexin neurons appears to help us keep working when reaching a reward becomes increasingly difficult. Blocking their activity weakened motivation in rats, pointing to a possible new target for understanding why people sometimes struggle to sustain goal-directed behavior. Wed, 05 Aug 2026 08:09:48 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260804034622.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260803080923.htm A long-term brain study found that common risks such as smoking, high blood pressure, heart disease, and high blood lipids were strongly linked to damage associated with vascular dementia. The findings suggest that healthier lifestyle choices could help delay dementia by reducing several harmful brain changes at once. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 06:23:46 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260803080923.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260803080902.htm Weight loss is not simply a test of willpower. The human brain evolved to protect body fat during times of scarcity, and it can treat a previously higher weight as the new normal, triggering stronger hunger, cravings, and lower energy use after weight loss. This biological “memory” helps explain why many people regain weight after dieting and why medications such as Wegovy and Mounjaro can help by reducing appetite signals, although their effects may fade when treatment ends. Mon, 03 Aug 2026 23:38:28 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260803080902.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260802223437.htm Vanderbilt researchers created the first selective compound designed to inhibit TAOK-1, a poorly understood protein connected to Alzheimer’s disease. They also discovered a second compound that activates the entire TAOK protein family, offering scientists an unexpected new research tool. Together, the compounds could reveal hidden disease mechanisms and point toward new treatment strategies. Mon, 03 Aug 2026 06:20:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260802223437.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260802223433.htm Scientists have identified a molecular switch that may help explain why aging makes the brain more vulnerable to diseases such as ALS and Huntington’s. In worms, the protein EPS8 builds up with age and triggers signaling that encourages toxic proteins to clump together, damaging neurons and shortening lifespan. Reducing EPS8 activity prevented these harmful aggregates and preserved nerve function. Mon, 03 Aug 2026 07:17:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260802223433.htm