“Memorability” describes how likely a stimulus—such as an object, face, or sound—is to stay in memory after someone encounters it. Recent psychological studies have explored whether some stimuli naturally stand out in memory, making them easier to recall than similar ones. Researchers at the University of Chicago recently explored the memorability of voices, with their […]
Study Finds Some Voices Are Naturally More Memorable Read More »
A full night’s sleep strengthens memory by reinforcing newly learned information. This process is crucial for animals as well, as recalling the location of food sources is vital for survival. Researchers study this function of sleep in the lab by training mice and rats with different memory tasks to explore their environment. In spatial learning
Sleep Boosts Memory: Study Finds Neural Reorganization During Rest Read More »
Depression affects 280 million people globally and is twice as prevalent in women as in men, a trend that emerges during adolescence. While researchers have linked the kynurenine pathway to depression in adults, this study is the first to examine its role in adolescents based on biological sex. The study, “Sex-Specific Alterations of the Kynurenine
Brain Pathway May Explain Higher Depression Rates in Teen Girls Read More »
Researchers reported on Tuesday that chewing gum releases hundreds of tiny plastic particles directly into the mouth, while also highlighting the environmental pollution caused by the rubber-based treat. This small study comes amid growing evidence of microplastics—tiny plastic fragments—being found across the planet, from mountain peaks to ocean depths, and even in the air we
Researchers Find that Chewing Gum Releases Microplastics Into the Mouth Read More »
Many people fear injection needles, especially the large ones required for long-term medications. These drugs often need high doses delivered through thick needles because they contain polymers that form medication depots under the skin. The polymer content can range from 23% to 98% of the injection’s weight, making the process even more daunting. To make
Innovative Drug Delivery System Stores Doses as Crystals Beneath the Skin Read More »
A recent study in Antiquity reveals that an ancient South American civilization intentionally spiked a beer-like drink with psychoactive drugs to strengthen social bonds and expand its influence. This discovery provides some of the clearest archaeological evidence of ancient societies using hallucinogens for both recreation and social cohesion. The Wari civilization, which thrived in the
Ancient Empire Brewed Psychedelic Beer to Build Alliances Read More »
In a pioneering study on cellulose synthesis, a key component of plant cell walls, researchers at Rutgers University-New Brunswick have recorded continuous images of living plant cells constructing cell walls over 24 hours. Their findings offer valuable insights that could help develop stronger plants for enhanced food production and more affordable biofuels. Published in Science
A meta-analysis of over 100 studies found no evidence that a woman’s cognitive abilities fluctuate throughout her menstrual cycle. While conditions such as PMDD, dysmenorrhea, and endometriosis can be severely debilitating—especially when individuals lack social support—ordinary menstruation does not seem to affect cognitive function as commonly believed. Historical Bias and Research Gaps Research in this
Study Finds Menstrual Cycles Have No Impact on Women’s Cognitive Abilities Read More »
Chinese humanoid robots are advancing rapidly with remarkable agility, but Boston Dynamics remains a pioneer in the field. A new video of its swivel-jointed Atlas robot showcases its ability to run, cartwheel, and even breakdance, reaffirming its position at the cutting edge of humanoid mobility. That said, it’s important to note that many companies—such as
Boston Dynamics Unveils a Significant Advancement in Humanoid Robot Mobility Read More »
Why do we have difficulty recalling specific events from the early years when our brains were working hard to learn so much? A new study from Yale reveals that babies do indeed form memories, but they may not be able to retrieve them. Infantile Amnesia and Its Causes When trying to recall your earliest memory,
Brain Scans Suggest Babies Remember More Than We Thought Read More »