https://www.scivillage.com/ Thu, 21 May 2026 06:18:14 +0000 MyBB https://www.scivillage.com/thread-20479.html Wed, 20 May 2026 22:21:09 +0000 C C]]> https://www.scivillage.com/thread-20479.html https://plos.io/4u3dWLw

PRESS RELEASE: Cows show visual preference for new human faces over a familiar one and can match a known handler’s voice to their face, according to a study published May 20, 2026 in the open-access journal PLOS One by Océane Amichaud of INRAE in Nouzilly, France, and colleagues.

Domestic species such as cows (Bos taurus taurus) live in close contact with humans, and are also highly social animals. To better understand whether cows could discriminate between familiar and unfamiliar faces, the authors of the study collected data from 32 Prim’ Holstein cows.

They played the cows muted videos of familiar and unfamiliar male faces, and measured how long the animals gazed at them. They looked for cross-modal recognition, playing videos of familiar and unfamiliar faces while broadcasting audio corresponding to one of the two men, with each man saying an identical sentence. They also measured the animals’ heart rates as they watched the videos to see if the cows responded emotionally.

The bovines were uncowed by silent videos, and stared longer at videos of unfamiliar people, showing that they could distinguish between a known and unknown face. When the videos were paired with sound, the animals spent more time staring at the video when the voice matched the face, showing the cows could pair a face with the voice they herd. But based on their heart rates, none of the familiar or unfamiliar faces or voices seemed to affect the cows’ emotional response.

While the authors note that a video and sound recording are not a full interaction with a human, the results suggest that cows can tell the difference between familiar and unfamiliar people, and that they can identify people by face and voice. The authors suggest that more studies should example how cows interact with specific people, to better understand the animals and provide for their welfare.

The authors add: “In this study, using visual preference and cross-modal tests, we showed that cows are able to process human faces presented in 2D on videos and to associate familiar and unfamiliar faces with the corresponding voices by integrating multiple sensory modalities.”]]> https://plos.io/4u3dWLw

PRESS RELEASE: Cows show visual preference for new human faces over a familiar one and can match a known handler’s voice to their face, according to a study published May 20, 2026 in the open-access journal PLOS One by Océane Amichaud of INRAE in Nouzilly, France, and colleagues.

Domestic species such as cows (Bos taurus taurus) live in close contact with humans, and are also highly social animals. To better understand whether cows could discriminate between familiar and unfamiliar faces, the authors of the study collected data from 32 Prim’ Holstein cows.

They played the cows muted videos of familiar and unfamiliar male faces, and measured how long the animals gazed at them. They looked for cross-modal recognition, playing videos of familiar and unfamiliar faces while broadcasting audio corresponding to one of the two men, with each man saying an identical sentence. They also measured the animals’ heart rates as they watched the videos to see if the cows responded emotionally.

The bovines were uncowed by silent videos, and stared longer at videos of unfamiliar people, showing that they could distinguish between a known and unknown face. When the videos were paired with sound, the animals spent more time staring at the video when the voice matched the face, showing the cows could pair a face with the voice they herd. But based on their heart rates, none of the familiar or unfamiliar faces or voices seemed to affect the cows’ emotional response.

While the authors note that a video and sound recording are not a full interaction with a human, the results suggest that cows can tell the difference between familiar and unfamiliar people, and that they can identify people by face and voice. The authors suggest that more studies should example how cows interact with specific people, to better understand the animals and provide for their welfare.

The authors add: “In this study, using visual preference and cross-modal tests, we showed that cows are able to process human faces presented in 2D on videos and to associate familiar and unfamiliar faces with the corresponding voices by integrating multiple sensory modalities.”]]> https://www.scivillage.com/thread-20425.html Thu, 14 May 2026 00:33:16 +0000 C C]]> https://www.scivillage.com/thread-20425.html https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1128063

EXCERPTS: From relentless cycles of intrusive memories to loneliness and physical pain - a new study form the University of East Anglia reveals the struggles of refugees who entered the UK as unaccompanied minors. Researchers interviewed refugees who fled Afghanistan as children and endured family separation, human rights abuses, and violence.

Their stories show years of silent suffering, human resilience, and the need for social connection. Dr Kenny Chiu, clinical lecturer from UEA’s Norwich Medical School. said: “Unaccompanied child refugees have lost family, safety and a sense of home, and many have been exposed to traumatic events on their journey. Compared to children who arrive with relatives, these young people tend to have gone through more trauma and are more likely to struggle with things like PTSD or depression.

“Until now, there has been very little research on how former unaccompanied child refugees from the same cultural background cope with a new life in the UK. We wanted to change that, so we sat down with them, listened to their stories, and let their own words guide the research.”

[...] To cope, most kept busy to distract their minds from the past. A small minority described using alcohol and engaging in self‑harm – signs, the researchers say, that indicate the depth of distress that many carry.

Social connection emerged as the single most powerful buffer against distress. Activities like cricket, praying, or having conversations with friends eased the relentless churn of anxiety and distressing thoughts or memories.

However, some described deep loneliness and faced barriers to connecting with others, such as difficulties with trust, hypervigilance, or not having the social skills to develop friendships. Participants also often described feeling isolated while growing up, recalling early years when parents were consumed with worry about the family’s safety, mistrustful of others, or simply preoccupied by caring for a large family.

They also spoke about keeping challenges to themselves, often because emotional vulnerability was discouraged by cultural expectations of boys, alongside feelings of shame and strong values around pride and honour. The team found that this emotional “shutdown” often continued as they settled down in the UK, leaving young refugees socially isolated at the very time they most needed support... (MORE - missing details, no ads)]]> https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1128063

EXCERPTS: From relentless cycles of intrusive memories to loneliness and physical pain - a new study form the University of East Anglia reveals the struggles of refugees who entered the UK as unaccompanied minors. Researchers interviewed refugees who fled Afghanistan as children and endured family separation, human rights abuses, and violence.

Their stories show years of silent suffering, human resilience, and the need for social connection. Dr Kenny Chiu, clinical lecturer from UEA’s Norwich Medical School. said: “Unaccompanied child refugees have lost family, safety and a sense of home, and many have been exposed to traumatic events on their journey. Compared to children who arrive with relatives, these young people tend to have gone through more trauma and are more likely to struggle with things like PTSD or depression.

“Until now, there has been very little research on how former unaccompanied child refugees from the same cultural background cope with a new life in the UK. We wanted to change that, so we sat down with them, listened to their stories, and let their own words guide the research.”

[...] To cope, most kept busy to distract their minds from the past. A small minority described using alcohol and engaging in self‑harm – signs, the researchers say, that indicate the depth of distress that many carry.

Social connection emerged as the single most powerful buffer against distress. Activities like cricket, praying, or having conversations with friends eased the relentless churn of anxiety and distressing thoughts or memories.

However, some described deep loneliness and faced barriers to connecting with others, such as difficulties with trust, hypervigilance, or not having the social skills to develop friendships. Participants also often described feeling isolated while growing up, recalling early years when parents were consumed with worry about the family’s safety, mistrustful of others, or simply preoccupied by caring for a large family.

They also spoke about keeping challenges to themselves, often because emotional vulnerability was discouraged by cultural expectations of boys, alongside feelings of shame and strong values around pride and honour. The team found that this emotional “shutdown” often continued as they settled down in the UK, leaving young refugees socially isolated at the very time they most needed support... (MORE - missing details, no ads)]]> https://www.scivillage.com/thread-20404.html Mon, 11 May 2026 03:10:57 +0000 C C]]> https://www.scivillage.com/thread-20404.html https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1126968

INTRO: Individuals with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing dementia but those with insulin-requiring type 2 diabetes and type 1 diabetes have the greatest risk, according to research presented at the 28th European Congress of Endocrinology in Prague. Specifically, these higher-risk individuals were over twice as likely to develop the neurological disease.

The findings suggest that dementia risk is not the same for all types of diabetes and future prevention strategies, such as continuous glucose monitoring, should be implemented in routine diabetes management.

In this study, researchers from Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong and Samsung Medical Center examined over 1.3 million adults in South Korea, aged 40 and older, without dementia, and grouped them according to their diabetes status: no diabetes, type 2 diabetes using oral anti-diabetic medications, type 2 diabetes using insulin and type 1 diabetes. They followed the individuals from 2013 to 2024, or until a diagnosis of dementia, and found that those with diabetes had a higher risk of developing dementia compared to those without diabetes.

In particular, those with type 2 diabetes taking oral anti-diabetic medications were almost 1.3 times more likely to develop dementia, while the rate of dementia onset was 2.1 times as great among those with type 2 diabetes taking insulin and 2.4 times more in those with type 1 diabetes. Similar trends were observed for Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.

“This is surprising because it suggests that not all types of diabetes carries the same risk, and that people with more intensive or insulin-dependent treatment may be particularly vulnerable to cognitive decline,” said lead author, Professor Ji Eun Jun from Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong... (MORE - details)]]> https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1126968

INTRO: Individuals with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing dementia but those with insulin-requiring type 2 diabetes and type 1 diabetes have the greatest risk, according to research presented at the 28th European Congress of Endocrinology in Prague. Specifically, these higher-risk individuals were over twice as likely to develop the neurological disease.

The findings suggest that dementia risk is not the same for all types of diabetes and future prevention strategies, such as continuous glucose monitoring, should be implemented in routine diabetes management.

In this study, researchers from Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong and Samsung Medical Center examined over 1.3 million adults in South Korea, aged 40 and older, without dementia, and grouped them according to their diabetes status: no diabetes, type 2 diabetes using oral anti-diabetic medications, type 2 diabetes using insulin and type 1 diabetes. They followed the individuals from 2013 to 2024, or until a diagnosis of dementia, and found that those with diabetes had a higher risk of developing dementia compared to those without diabetes.

In particular, those with type 2 diabetes taking oral anti-diabetic medications were almost 1.3 times more likely to develop dementia, while the rate of dementia onset was 2.1 times as great among those with type 2 diabetes taking insulin and 2.4 times more in those with type 1 diabetes. Similar trends were observed for Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.

“This is surprising because it suggests that not all types of diabetes carries the same risk, and that people with more intensive or insulin-dependent treatment may be particularly vulnerable to cognitive decline,” said lead author, Professor Ji Eun Jun from Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong... (MORE - details)]]> https://www.scivillage.com/thread-20346.html Sat, 02 May 2026 23:05:03 +0000 C C]]> https://www.scivillage.com/thread-20346.html https://www.ru.nl/en/research/research-n...ial-circle

PRESS RELEASE: Talking helps if you’ve been through a difficult experience. But for children who have been victims of or witnesses to domestic violence, this isn’t always the case. They don’t always perceive traditional support figures such as parents and friends as safe or helpful, researchers write in a study published this week in the Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma.

For the study, the researchers mapped the social networks of ten children (aged 8 to 12) who had experienced trauma within their families. The children were asked who they considered part of their network, how they assessed their relationships, and with whom they talked about their experiences. The research shows that within that network, they feel there is little space to talk about their trauma.

No support from parents. ‘These children describe around 40 per cent of their relationships as negative or, at best, ambivalent,’ says Mèlanie Sloover, a developmental psychologist at Radboud University and lead author of the study. ‘It starts with a complex parent-child relationship: half of the children indicated that they still see their father as part of their network, even if he was the perpetrator – although they do describe it as a negative relationship.’

They describe their relationship with their mother as positive, but when they discuss trauma with her, it is often difficult. When the subject does come up, for example because the mother brings it up, children often do not find the conversation supportive. ‘That may be linked to the fact that mothers themselves are also traumatised by the same situation,’ says Sloover. ‘It is then difficult to respond sensitively and openly to your child’s story.’

The importance of peers. Friendship is also complicated for these children. Sloover: ‘When asked what friendship means, they mention things like being kind, helping each other and trust. But when they describe their own friendships, a different picture often emerges. Some children aren’t quite sure why someone is their friend, whilst others experience bullying or a lack of safety. They hardly ever talk about traumatic experiences with their friends.’

However, they do find the friendships they build in peer support groups to be supportive. ‘Contact with peers who have been through the same thing appears to feel safe and has a helpful effect. Recognition is very important: children don’t have to explain as much and feel understood more quickly.’

According to the researchers, the results emphasise the importance of a systemic approach in trauma care. Not only the child, but also the relationships surrounding the child deserve attention. This applies in particular to parents who may themselves have PTSD symptoms. Schoover: ‘If a child avoids talking about the trauma, that can be a symptom of PTSD. But it may also mean that previous attempts did not feel safe or supportive. By strengthening and supporting safe relationships, you make an important contribution to a child’s recovery.’]]> https://www.ru.nl/en/research/research-n...ial-circle

PRESS RELEASE: Talking helps if you’ve been through a difficult experience. But for children who have been victims of or witnesses to domestic violence, this isn’t always the case. They don’t always perceive traditional support figures such as parents and friends as safe or helpful, researchers write in a study published this week in the Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma.

For the study, the researchers mapped the social networks of ten children (aged 8 to 12) who had experienced trauma within their families. The children were asked who they considered part of their network, how they assessed their relationships, and with whom they talked about their experiences. The research shows that within that network, they feel there is little space to talk about their trauma.

No support from parents. ‘These children describe around 40 per cent of their relationships as negative or, at best, ambivalent,’ says Mèlanie Sloover, a developmental psychologist at Radboud University and lead author of the study. ‘It starts with a complex parent-child relationship: half of the children indicated that they still see their father as part of their network, even if he was the perpetrator – although they do describe it as a negative relationship.’

They describe their relationship with their mother as positive, but when they discuss trauma with her, it is often difficult. When the subject does come up, for example because the mother brings it up, children often do not find the conversation supportive. ‘That may be linked to the fact that mothers themselves are also traumatised by the same situation,’ says Sloover. ‘It is then difficult to respond sensitively and openly to your child’s story.’

The importance of peers. Friendship is also complicated for these children. Sloover: ‘When asked what friendship means, they mention things like being kind, helping each other and trust. But when they describe their own friendships, a different picture often emerges. Some children aren’t quite sure why someone is their friend, whilst others experience bullying or a lack of safety. They hardly ever talk about traumatic experiences with their friends.’

However, they do find the friendships they build in peer support groups to be supportive. ‘Contact with peers who have been through the same thing appears to feel safe and has a helpful effect. Recognition is very important: children don’t have to explain as much and feel understood more quickly.’

According to the researchers, the results emphasise the importance of a systemic approach in trauma care. Not only the child, but also the relationships surrounding the child deserve attention. This applies in particular to parents who may themselves have PTSD symptoms. Schoover: ‘If a child avoids talking about the trauma, that can be a symptom of PTSD. But it may also mean that previous attempts did not feel safe or supportive. By strengthening and supporting safe relationships, you make an important contribution to a child’s recovery.’]]> https://www.scivillage.com/thread-20319.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:37:38 +0000 Magical Realist]]> https://www.scivillage.com/thread-20319.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qimnOopbjwk]]>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qimnOopbjwk]]> https://www.scivillage.com/thread-20309.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 14:37:53 +0000 C C]]> https://www.scivillage.com/thread-20309.html Hydraulic brain: Body motion linked to fluid movement in the brain
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1125510

INTRO: The brain is more mechanically connected to the body than previously appreciated, scientists reported April 27 in Nature Neuroscience. Through a study using mice and simulations, the team found a potential biological mechanism underlying why exercise is thought to benefit brain health: abdominal contractions compress blood vessels connected to the spinal cord and the brain, enabling the organ to gently move within the skull. This swaying facilitates the surrounding cerebrospinal fluid to flow over the brain, potentially washing away neural waste that could cause problems for brain function.

According to Patrick Drew, professor of engineering science and mechanics, of neurosurgery, of biology and of biomedical engineering at Penn State, the work builds on previous studies detailing how sleep and neuron loss can influence how and when cerebrospinal fluid flushes through the brain.

“Our research explains how just moving around might serve as an important physiological mechanism promoting brain health,” said Drew, corresponding author on the paper. “In this study, we found that when the abdominal muscles contract, they push blood from the abdomen into the spinal cord, just like in a hydraulic system, applying pressure to the brain and making it move. Simulations show that this gentle brain movement will drive fluid flow in and around the brain. It is thought the movement of fluid in the brain is important for removing waste and preventing neurodegenerative disorders. Our research shows that a little bit of motion is good, and it could be another reason why exercise is good for our brain health.”

Drew, who also holds the title of associate director of the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, explained how in a hydraulic system, a pump creates pressure that drives fluid flow. In this case, the pump is the abdominal contraction — which can be as light as the tensing prior to sitting up or taking a step. The contraction puts pressure on the vertebral venous plexus, a network of veins that connect the abdominal cavity to the spinal cavity, causing the brain to move... (MORE - details)]]> Hydraulic brain: Body motion linked to fluid movement in the brain
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1125510

INTRO: The brain is more mechanically connected to the body than previously appreciated, scientists reported April 27 in Nature Neuroscience. Through a study using mice and simulations, the team found a potential biological mechanism underlying why exercise is thought to benefit brain health: abdominal contractions compress blood vessels connected to the spinal cord and the brain, enabling the organ to gently move within the skull. This swaying facilitates the surrounding cerebrospinal fluid to flow over the brain, potentially washing away neural waste that could cause problems for brain function.

According to Patrick Drew, professor of engineering science and mechanics, of neurosurgery, of biology and of biomedical engineering at Penn State, the work builds on previous studies detailing how sleep and neuron loss can influence how and when cerebrospinal fluid flushes through the brain.

“Our research explains how just moving around might serve as an important physiological mechanism promoting brain health,” said Drew, corresponding author on the paper. “In this study, we found that when the abdominal muscles contract, they push blood from the abdomen into the spinal cord, just like in a hydraulic system, applying pressure to the brain and making it move. Simulations show that this gentle brain movement will drive fluid flow in and around the brain. It is thought the movement of fluid in the brain is important for removing waste and preventing neurodegenerative disorders. Our research shows that a little bit of motion is good, and it could be another reason why exercise is good for our brain health.”

Drew, who also holds the title of associate director of the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, explained how in a hydraulic system, a pump creates pressure that drives fluid flow. In this case, the pump is the abdominal contraction — which can be as light as the tensing prior to sitting up or taking a step. The contraction puts pressure on the vertebral venous plexus, a network of veins that connect the abdominal cavity to the spinal cavity, causing the brain to move... (MORE - details)]]> https://www.scivillage.com/thread-20279.html Sat, 25 Apr 2026 17:32:21 +0000 C C]]> https://www.scivillage.com/thread-20279.html https://nin.nl/news/not-all-alzheimers-l...-dementia/#

PRESS RELEASE: Some brains resist Alzheimer’s, even when the disease is already present. Researchers at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience have found that this likely depends on how specific brain cells, known as immature neurons, respond to damage caused by the disease. These insights are helping scientists unravel the mystery of cognitive resilience in aging.

Why do some people experience memory loss and cognitive decline as Alzheimer’s builds up in their brain, while others stay mentally sharp? This question lies at the heart of new research into “cognitive resilience”, a phenomenon that is gaining attention in neuroscience.

“Around 30 percent of older adults who develop Alzheimer’s disease never experience its symptoms”, Evgenia Salta, last author begins. “We really don’t know why. That’s a big mystery, and a very important one.”

"If we understand what protects these brains, it could eventually lead to new therapeutic strategies." One possible explanation is that resilient brains are better at repairing themselves during Alzheimer’s. “Perhaps they can add new brain cells to a network that is degenerating”, Salta says.

This idea is linked to a process called adult neurogenesis, which refers to the birth of new brain cells (neurons) in the adult brain. It has been well-established in other animals, but its existence in humans has been debated for years.

To study this, Salta’s team used human brain tissue from the Netherlands Brain Bank, which collects and stores donated brain samples for research. They included brains from control donors with no brain pathology, Alzheimer’s patients, and individuals with Alzheimer’s pathology who remained resilient to developing dementia. "Even at an average age of over 80, we still found these immature neurons in all groups."

The team focused on a small part of the brain’s memory centre, likely one of the few areas where these new brain cells could form. “These cells are extremely rare, so we had to develop new ways to find them,” Salta says. “We really zoomed in on the exact spot where we expected them to be.”

The team also used new data analysis methods to make sure they could identify these cells as accurately as possible, without relying too much on assumptions from research on animals. Salta’s team found what they were looking for: so-called “immature” neurons. These cells resemble young, not fully developed neurons. “Even at an average age of over 80, we still found these immature neurons in all groups,” Salta says.

But the biggest surprise came next. While the team had expected to find much more of these cells in the resilient group than in the Alzheimer’s patients, the difference was not as big as expected. Surprisingly, the team found that the key difference lies in how the immature neurons behave. “In resilient individuals, these cells seem to activate programs that help them survive and cope with damage,” Salta says. “We also see lower signals related to inflammation and cell death.”

This points to a more complex story than they thought. “It might not be (only) about replacing lost neurons,” she explains. “It could be that these cells support the surrounding tissue and help the brain stay functional and ‘youthful’. They may act as a sort of fertilizer in a garden that has started falling apart.”

Salta is careful not to jump to any conclusions, especially in light of recent media hype surrounding the topic. While the data suggest how cells might function, this can’t be tested directly yet.  “We assume the cells’ function based on the data, but we cannot confirm it in this type of study,” she explains.

“This is one piece of a very large puzzle,” she concludes. “There will never be just one factor that explains resilience.”

Ultimately, Salta’s research points to a broader question: what determines how the brain ages? “Somewhere along this trajectory, there’s a kind of decision point,” Salta explains. “Some people remain stable, others develop dementia. We want to understand what drives that difference.”

Future work will focus on how these immature neurons interact with other brain cells, and how this interaction might influence resilience. Although the findings do not provide immediate answers on why some cells behave different in Alzheimer’s patients and resilient individuals, they contribute to a growing shift in Alzheimer’s research: from focusing solely on disease progress to understanding resilience to it.

“Cognitive resilience is extremely exciting,” Salta says. “If we understand what protects these brains, it could eventually lead to new therapeutic strategies.” For now, the message is clear: the aging brain may be more adaptable, and more complex, than we once thought.

PAPER: https://www.cell.com/cell-stem-cell/full...26)00142-6]]> https://nin.nl/news/not-all-alzheimers-l...-dementia/#

PRESS RELEASE: Some brains resist Alzheimer’s, even when the disease is already present. Researchers at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience have found that this likely depends on how specific brain cells, known as immature neurons, respond to damage caused by the disease. These insights are helping scientists unravel the mystery of cognitive resilience in aging.

Why do some people experience memory loss and cognitive decline as Alzheimer’s builds up in their brain, while others stay mentally sharp? This question lies at the heart of new research into “cognitive resilience”, a phenomenon that is gaining attention in neuroscience.

“Around 30 percent of older adults who develop Alzheimer’s disease never experience its symptoms”, Evgenia Salta, last author begins. “We really don’t know why. That’s a big mystery, and a very important one.”

"If we understand what protects these brains, it could eventually lead to new therapeutic strategies." One possible explanation is that resilient brains are better at repairing themselves during Alzheimer’s. “Perhaps they can add new brain cells to a network that is degenerating”, Salta says.

This idea is linked to a process called adult neurogenesis, which refers to the birth of new brain cells (neurons) in the adult brain. It has been well-established in other animals, but its existence in humans has been debated for years.

To study this, Salta’s team used human brain tissue from the Netherlands Brain Bank, which collects and stores donated brain samples for research. They included brains from control donors with no brain pathology, Alzheimer’s patients, and individuals with Alzheimer’s pathology who remained resilient to developing dementia. "Even at an average age of over 80, we still found these immature neurons in all groups."

The team focused on a small part of the brain’s memory centre, likely one of the few areas where these new brain cells could form. “These cells are extremely rare, so we had to develop new ways to find them,” Salta says. “We really zoomed in on the exact spot where we expected them to be.”

The team also used new data analysis methods to make sure they could identify these cells as accurately as possible, without relying too much on assumptions from research on animals. Salta’s team found what they were looking for: so-called “immature” neurons. These cells resemble young, not fully developed neurons. “Even at an average age of over 80, we still found these immature neurons in all groups,” Salta says.

But the biggest surprise came next. While the team had expected to find much more of these cells in the resilient group than in the Alzheimer’s patients, the difference was not as big as expected. Surprisingly, the team found that the key difference lies in how the immature neurons behave. “In resilient individuals, these cells seem to activate programs that help them survive and cope with damage,” Salta says. “We also see lower signals related to inflammation and cell death.”

This points to a more complex story than they thought. “It might not be (only) about replacing lost neurons,” she explains. “It could be that these cells support the surrounding tissue and help the brain stay functional and ‘youthful’. They may act as a sort of fertilizer in a garden that has started falling apart.”

Salta is careful not to jump to any conclusions, especially in light of recent media hype surrounding the topic. While the data suggest how cells might function, this can’t be tested directly yet.  “We assume the cells’ function based on the data, but we cannot confirm it in this type of study,” she explains.

“This is one piece of a very large puzzle,” she concludes. “There will never be just one factor that explains resilience.”

Ultimately, Salta’s research points to a broader question: what determines how the brain ages? “Somewhere along this trajectory, there’s a kind of decision point,” Salta explains. “Some people remain stable, others develop dementia. We want to understand what drives that difference.”

Future work will focus on how these immature neurons interact with other brain cells, and how this interaction might influence resilience. Although the findings do not provide immediate answers on why some cells behave different in Alzheimer’s patients and resilient individuals, they contribute to a growing shift in Alzheimer’s research: from focusing solely on disease progress to understanding resilience to it.

“Cognitive resilience is extremely exciting,” Salta says. “If we understand what protects these brains, it could eventually lead to new therapeutic strategies.” For now, the message is clear: the aging brain may be more adaptable, and more complex, than we once thought.

PAPER: https://www.cell.com/cell-stem-cell/full...26)00142-6]]> https://www.scivillage.com/thread-20243.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 20:33:25 +0000 C C]]> https://www.scivillage.com/thread-20243.html https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1125142

INTRO: Playing the piano, foreign travel and socialising with friends are among the most powerful ways to reduce the risk of developing dementia, according to new research from Trinity College Dublin.

The study has found that engaging in physically, socially, and intellectually stimulating activities in middle age is one of the most powerful ways to boost cognition — even for people with increased genetic or familial risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

The findings published April 21 in the Journal of Alzheimer's & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment and Disease Monitoring, show that cognitive health can be strengthened in midlife with lifestyle interventions that are both accessible and cost-effective.

Professor Lorina Naci from Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience and the Global Brain Health Institute, explained: “We have known for some time that lifestyle activities, such as exercise, can stave off cognitive decline in older adults. We were surprised to see that stimulating everyday activities significantly boost cognition in mid-life, decades before age-related cognitive decline sets in.

“Crucially, we saw that bigger benefits came from a mix of different activities, rather than one single one. Our results suggest that variety is key and that a combination of physical, social, and mental stimulation is most effective for boosting brain health.” (MORE - details)]]> https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1125142

INTRO: Playing the piano, foreign travel and socialising with friends are among the most powerful ways to reduce the risk of developing dementia, according to new research from Trinity College Dublin.

The study has found that engaging in physically, socially, and intellectually stimulating activities in middle age is one of the most powerful ways to boost cognition — even for people with increased genetic or familial risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

The findings published April 21 in the Journal of Alzheimer's & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment and Disease Monitoring, show that cognitive health can be strengthened in midlife with lifestyle interventions that are both accessible and cost-effective.

Professor Lorina Naci from Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience and the Global Brain Health Institute, explained: “We have known for some time that lifestyle activities, such as exercise, can stave off cognitive decline in older adults. We were surprised to see that stimulating everyday activities significantly boost cognition in mid-life, decades before age-related cognitive decline sets in.

“Crucially, we saw that bigger benefits came from a mix of different activities, rather than one single one. Our results suggest that variety is key and that a combination of physical, social, and mental stimulation is most effective for boosting brain health.” (MORE - details)]]> https://www.scivillage.com/thread-20236.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:56:20 +0000 C C]]> https://www.scivillage.com/thread-20236.html https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/...the-opioid

INTRO: Ibogaine is a psychoactive alkaloid found in the root bark of Tabernanthe iboga, a shrub native to Central and West Africa. For generations it has been used in Bwiti spiritual and initiation ceremonies in Gabon and neighboring regions. Ibogaine produces a profound long-lasting psychedelic state, potentially 24-48 hours. Many describe the dream-like experience as a personal “life review."

In the late 20th century, people began to notice something remarkable: some individuals who took ibogaine reported that their opioid or cocaine cravings dramatically decreased, and that withdrawal symptoms were blunted or even temporarily absent. This kicked off decades of underground use and small research programs looking at ibogaine as a potential “anti-addiction” medicine.

In the United States, ibogaine is currently a Schedule I substance—classified as having “no accepted medical use” and a high potential for abuse. It is not FDA-approved for any indication. Most treatment with ibogaine today happens in clinics in Mexico, Canada, Brazil, and a few other countries with more permissive laws.

Trump's new executive order, passed April 18, 2026, is removing legal impediments from studying psychedelics like ibogaine. The executive order is also prioritizing rescheduling and expanding use under the "Right to Try" law for treatment-resistant conditions. Supporters of ibogaine are hoping that in the near future, people won't have to travel outside the country to obtain this potentially life-saving treatment... (MORE - details)]]> https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/...the-opioid

INTRO: Ibogaine is a psychoactive alkaloid found in the root bark of Tabernanthe iboga, a shrub native to Central and West Africa. For generations it has been used in Bwiti spiritual and initiation ceremonies in Gabon and neighboring regions. Ibogaine produces a profound long-lasting psychedelic state, potentially 24-48 hours. Many describe the dream-like experience as a personal “life review."

In the late 20th century, people began to notice something remarkable: some individuals who took ibogaine reported that their opioid or cocaine cravings dramatically decreased, and that withdrawal symptoms were blunted or even temporarily absent. This kicked off decades of underground use and small research programs looking at ibogaine as a potential “anti-addiction” medicine.

In the United States, ibogaine is currently a Schedule I substance—classified as having “no accepted medical use” and a high potential for abuse. It is not FDA-approved for any indication. Most treatment with ibogaine today happens in clinics in Mexico, Canada, Brazil, and a few other countries with more permissive laws.

Trump's new executive order, passed April 18, 2026, is removing legal impediments from studying psychedelics like ibogaine. The executive order is also prioritizing rescheduling and expanding use under the "Right to Try" law for treatment-resistant conditions. Supporters of ibogaine are hoping that in the near future, people won't have to travel outside the country to obtain this potentially life-saving treatment... (MORE - details)]]> https://www.scivillage.com/thread-20183.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 03:50:59 +0000 Magical Realist]]> https://www.scivillage.com/thread-20183.html

]]>

]]> https://www.scivillage.com/thread-20136.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 02:09:29 +0000 C C]]> https://www.scivillage.com/thread-20136.html https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1122998

INTRO: Psychotherapy has always been a deeply human endeavor: a patient talking, a therapist listening and responding, and healing happening through words. But with the rapid rise of conversational artificial intelligence, particularly large language models (LLMs), that paradigm is shifting fast.

A team of University of Utah researchers is tackling this change, but not by asking, “Will robots replace therapists?” Rather, they explore more practical questions: What are we automating and how much?

“The history of new technology like this is almost always about collaboration, and it's about how it supports the human expert in doing the work they can do,” said Zac Imel, a professor of educational psychology and lead author of a new study titled “A Framework for Automation in Psychotherapy.” “It might be useful to think about frameworks for understanding the different types of work that could be done through automation, and that's what this paper is.”

The study is the result of a cross-campus collaboration among researchers from the U’s College of Engineering, School of Medicine and College of Education.

Simply put, automation is when machines perform tasks humans have previously done. In therapy, that could range from a chatbot delivering prewritten coping tips to AI systems that take and organize notes, analyze therapy sessions and provide feedback to clinicians, or even talk directly to patients... (MORE - details, no ads)]]> https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1122998

INTRO: Psychotherapy has always been a deeply human endeavor: a patient talking, a therapist listening and responding, and healing happening through words. But with the rapid rise of conversational artificial intelligence, particularly large language models (LLMs), that paradigm is shifting fast.

A team of University of Utah researchers is tackling this change, but not by asking, “Will robots replace therapists?” Rather, they explore more practical questions: What are we automating and how much?

“The history of new technology like this is almost always about collaboration, and it's about how it supports the human expert in doing the work they can do,” said Zac Imel, a professor of educational psychology and lead author of a new study titled “A Framework for Automation in Psychotherapy.” “It might be useful to think about frameworks for understanding the different types of work that could be done through automation, and that's what this paper is.”

The study is the result of a cross-campus collaboration among researchers from the U’s College of Engineering, School of Medicine and College of Education.

Simply put, automation is when machines perform tasks humans have previously done. In therapy, that could range from a chatbot delivering prewritten coping tips to AI systems that take and organize notes, analyze therapy sessions and provide feedback to clinicians, or even talk directly to patients... (MORE - details, no ads)]]> https://www.scivillage.com/thread-20077.html Sun, 29 Mar 2026 02:37:46 +0000 C C]]> https://www.scivillage.com/thread-20077.html https://www.sciencefocus.com/wellbeing/f...icult-spot

EXCERPTS: Girkin worked in Tasmania’s welfare sector for over 20 years and says she encountered coworkers who she believes displayed a number of psychopathic traits, and heard similar stories from others in the field. It got her thinking about female psychopathy, which some studies suggest presents differently than in men, with less overt aggression and an emphasis on tactics like emotional manipulation and relational aggression.

Girkin’s study, published in the Proceedings of the 5th International Developments in Applied Psychology and Business Management Conference, and coauthored with Dr Sharyn Curran, a senior lecturer in the School of Management and Marketing at Curtin University, draws from interviews with 13 people working in Tasmania’s welfare industry.

Eleven of them said they’d met at least one person who displayed eight or more psychopathic traits like lying, a lack of remorse or a refusal to take responsibility. Some reported leaving jobs or sitting in their cars crying for hours because of interactions with these coworkers. Others left the welfare sector entirely. “I had a number of women saying that they tried to take their own lives as a result of the experience,” Girkin says.

In Girkin’s study, participants identified 36 women and 11 men who acted in ways that met criteria for psychopathy. Girkin says it highlights a lack of attention on female psychopathy, which she argues can have severe impacts in the workplace and beyond. A lack of research on female psychopaths could mean women displaying problematic behaviours are more likely to go unnoticed, causing harm with little chance of repercussions.

It raises a troubling question: are there more psychopaths than we realise?

[...] Not all psychopaths are violent criminals. In fact, most aren’t. Psychopathy is defined by a number of traits, including short-lived emotions, a lack of remorse, low empathy, manipulativeness and pathological lying that can lead someone to act in ways that are antisocial.

Psychopathy is often divided into two types. Primary psychopaths tend to display behaviours like repeated lying or a lack of empathy, while secondary psychopaths are impulsive and thrill-seeking, and more likely to commit crimes or be violent.

“The secondary psychopath doesn’t have a lot of self-control, whereas the primary psychopath does,” Girkin says. “That’s why they’re able to hide well in everyday society.”

[...] “The antisocial behaviours of women are different to those of men,” Eisenbarth says. “There might be more manipulative and antisocial behaviour of the kind we often don’t score in men.”

It’s a trend Abigail Marsh, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Georgetown University in the US, says she’s seen in women with psychopathy. Marsh says many psychopaths have learned to mask their true feelings or thoughts exceedingly well. But underneath, people with psychopathy, male or female, are often motivated by a desire to get what they want.

Differences between the genders mean distinct tools work better for each: a physically larger man may be able to get what he wants by using violence, while a woman may find social methods work better. In some cases, that means a charm offensive is the best approach.

“The thing I think people don’t always anticipate about psychopathy is that the best way to get things out of people is by being really nice to them,” Marsh says. “I find that when people with psychopathy want you to like them, you almost certainly will.” (MORE - missing details)]]> https://www.sciencefocus.com/wellbeing/f...icult-spot

EXCERPTS: Girkin worked in Tasmania’s welfare sector for over 20 years and says she encountered coworkers who she believes displayed a number of psychopathic traits, and heard similar stories from others in the field. It got her thinking about female psychopathy, which some studies suggest presents differently than in men, with less overt aggression and an emphasis on tactics like emotional manipulation and relational aggression.

Girkin’s study, published in the Proceedings of the 5th International Developments in Applied Psychology and Business Management Conference, and coauthored with Dr Sharyn Curran, a senior lecturer in the School of Management and Marketing at Curtin University, draws from interviews with 13 people working in Tasmania’s welfare industry.

Eleven of them said they’d met at least one person who displayed eight or more psychopathic traits like lying, a lack of remorse or a refusal to take responsibility. Some reported leaving jobs or sitting in their cars crying for hours because of interactions with these coworkers. Others left the welfare sector entirely. “I had a number of women saying that they tried to take their own lives as a result of the experience,” Girkin says.

In Girkin’s study, participants identified 36 women and 11 men who acted in ways that met criteria for psychopathy. Girkin says it highlights a lack of attention on female psychopathy, which she argues can have severe impacts in the workplace and beyond. A lack of research on female psychopaths could mean women displaying problematic behaviours are more likely to go unnoticed, causing harm with little chance of repercussions.

It raises a troubling question: are there more psychopaths than we realise?

[...] Not all psychopaths are violent criminals. In fact, most aren’t. Psychopathy is defined by a number of traits, including short-lived emotions, a lack of remorse, low empathy, manipulativeness and pathological lying that can lead someone to act in ways that are antisocial.

Psychopathy is often divided into two types. Primary psychopaths tend to display behaviours like repeated lying or a lack of empathy, while secondary psychopaths are impulsive and thrill-seeking, and more likely to commit crimes or be violent.

“The secondary psychopath doesn’t have a lot of self-control, whereas the primary psychopath does,” Girkin says. “That’s why they’re able to hide well in everyday society.”

[...] “The antisocial behaviours of women are different to those of men,” Eisenbarth says. “There might be more manipulative and antisocial behaviour of the kind we often don’t score in men.”

It’s a trend Abigail Marsh, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Georgetown University in the US, says she’s seen in women with psychopathy. Marsh says many psychopaths have learned to mask their true feelings or thoughts exceedingly well. But underneath, people with psychopathy, male or female, are often motivated by a desire to get what they want.

Differences between the genders mean distinct tools work better for each: a physically larger man may be able to get what he wants by using violence, while a woman may find social methods work better. In some cases, that means a charm offensive is the best approach.

“The thing I think people don’t always anticipate about psychopathy is that the best way to get things out of people is by being really nice to them,” Marsh says. “I find that when people with psychopathy want you to like them, you almost certainly will.” (MORE - missing details)]]> https://www.scivillage.com/thread-20048.html Wed, 25 Mar 2026 02:57:43 +0000 Magical Realist]]> https://www.scivillage.com/thread-20048.html
But dwelling at higher elevations may be a double-edged sword. As strong as the evidence is for altitude’s physical benefits, there’s equally impressive data showing that living at higher altitudes has mental costs, particularly an increased risk of suicide. In a systematic review published in May, researchers pored over all available published studies on the topic. Of the 19 studies conducted, 17 found a link between higher altitude and suicide.

In one, Hoehun Ha, an assistant professor of geography at Auburn University at Montgomery, and his colleagues compared U.S. suicide rates at the county level with the average altitude in each county. Since suicide is heavily affected by a multitude of variables, they also controlled for socioeconomic and demographic factors, such as unemployment rate, rates of substance abuse, ethnicity, and the ratio of population to primary care physicians.

“We found that, for every increase of 100 meters in altitude, suicide rates increase by 0.4 per 100,000,” he wrote.

Another study published just this month examined the association between altitude and suicide rates in American veterans. Critically, the researchers behind it controlled for population density, among a variety of other potential confounders. Higher altitude areas are often more sparsely populated, so perhaps loneliness is what’s leading to higher suicide rates, not elevation. But even when factoring in population density, they found a strong correlation between altitude and suicide.

“We also analyzed the 50 counties with the highest suicide rates and the 50 counties with the lowest suicide rates for the U.S. veterans population and found that there was a 3-fold difference in the mean altitude between these two groups of counties,” they added.

Given that the link between altitude and suicide has been so thoroughly vetted, researchers’ next task is to explain it. They have focused on one leading hypothesis: hypoxia. Oxygen concentrations are lower at higher altitudes, meaning that the blood might not be able to deliver enough of the life-essential element to the body’s tissues, particularly the brain. While organs like the heart and lungs appear to adapt to this dearth over time, the brain may not be so amenable.

Experiments in animals have demonstrated that chronic hypoxic conditions decrease the production of serotonin in the brain. For a long time, it was thought that reduced levels of serotonin are linked to depression, though that finding now has been cast into serious doubt. Still, it is reasonable to hypothesize that reduced oxygen levels interfere with brain activity, possibly in a nefarious way.

Despite the link between altitude and suicide, on the whole, living at higher altitudes reduces all-cause mortality. The reduction in cardiovascular disease and cancer outweighs elevated suicide rates. That is good news for anyone pondering a move to the Mountain West."---- https://bigthink.com/health/altitude-suicide/]]>
But dwelling at higher elevations may be a double-edged sword. As strong as the evidence is for altitude’s physical benefits, there’s equally impressive data showing that living at higher altitudes has mental costs, particularly an increased risk of suicide. In a systematic review published in May, researchers pored over all available published studies on the topic. Of the 19 studies conducted, 17 found a link between higher altitude and suicide.

In one, Hoehun Ha, an assistant professor of geography at Auburn University at Montgomery, and his colleagues compared U.S. suicide rates at the county level with the average altitude in each county. Since suicide is heavily affected by a multitude of variables, they also controlled for socioeconomic and demographic factors, such as unemployment rate, rates of substance abuse, ethnicity, and the ratio of population to primary care physicians.

“We found that, for every increase of 100 meters in altitude, suicide rates increase by 0.4 per 100,000,” he wrote.

Another study published just this month examined the association between altitude and suicide rates in American veterans. Critically, the researchers behind it controlled for population density, among a variety of other potential confounders. Higher altitude areas are often more sparsely populated, so perhaps loneliness is what’s leading to higher suicide rates, not elevation. But even when factoring in population density, they found a strong correlation between altitude and suicide.

“We also analyzed the 50 counties with the highest suicide rates and the 50 counties with the lowest suicide rates for the U.S. veterans population and found that there was a 3-fold difference in the mean altitude between these two groups of counties,” they added.

Given that the link between altitude and suicide has been so thoroughly vetted, researchers’ next task is to explain it. They have focused on one leading hypothesis: hypoxia. Oxygen concentrations are lower at higher altitudes, meaning that the blood might not be able to deliver enough of the life-essential element to the body’s tissues, particularly the brain. While organs like the heart and lungs appear to adapt to this dearth over time, the brain may not be so amenable.

Experiments in animals have demonstrated that chronic hypoxic conditions decrease the production of serotonin in the brain. For a long time, it was thought that reduced levels of serotonin are linked to depression, though that finding now has been cast into serious doubt. Still, it is reasonable to hypothesize that reduced oxygen levels interfere with brain activity, possibly in a nefarious way.

Despite the link between altitude and suicide, on the whole, living at higher altitudes reduces all-cause mortality. The reduction in cardiovascular disease and cancer outweighs elevated suicide rates. That is good news for anyone pondering a move to the Mountain West."---- https://bigthink.com/health/altitude-suicide/]]> https://www.scivillage.com/thread-20031.html Mon, 23 Mar 2026 15:55:44 +0000 C C]]> https://www.scivillage.com/thread-20031.html https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/03/y...-heard-of/

INTRO: There’s a virus you may have never heard of before that is estimated to infect up to 90 percent of people and lurks quietly in your cells for life—but if it becomes activated, it will destroy your brain. If that’s not startling enough, researchers reported this week that there may be a new way for this virus to activate—one that affects up to 10 percent of adults worldwide.

The virus is the human polyomavirus 2, commonly called either the JC virus or John Cunningham virus, named after the poor patient from whom it was first isolated in 1971. It shows up in the urine and stool of infected people and spreads via the fecal-oral route. Many people are thought to be infected early in life, and blood testing surveys have suggested that 50–90 percent of adults have been exposed at some point.

Researchers hypothesize that the initial site of infection is the tonsils, or perhaps the gastrointestinal tract. But wherever it happens, that initial infection is asymptomatic. At that point, a person is infected with what’s called the archetype JC virus, which quietly sets up a persistent but utterly silent lifelong infection.

For the vast majority of people, that is all their JC virus infection will be—silent. But for an unlucky few, the JC virus will seemingly awaken, rearrange its genetic material, and morph into a brain-demolishing nightmare that causes a disease called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy or PML... (MORE - missing details)]]> https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/03/y...-heard-of/

INTRO: There’s a virus you may have never heard of before that is estimated to infect up to 90 percent of people and lurks quietly in your cells for life—but if it becomes activated, it will destroy your brain. If that’s not startling enough, researchers reported this week that there may be a new way for this virus to activate—one that affects up to 10 percent of adults worldwide.

The virus is the human polyomavirus 2, commonly called either the JC virus or John Cunningham virus, named after the poor patient from whom it was first isolated in 1971. It shows up in the urine and stool of infected people and spreads via the fecal-oral route. Many people are thought to be infected early in life, and blood testing surveys have suggested that 50–90 percent of adults have been exposed at some point.

Researchers hypothesize that the initial site of infection is the tonsils, or perhaps the gastrointestinal tract. But wherever it happens, that initial infection is asymptomatic. At that point, a person is infected with what’s called the archetype JC virus, which quietly sets up a persistent but utterly silent lifelong infection.

For the vast majority of people, that is all their JC virus infection will be—silent. But for an unlucky few, the JC virus will seemingly awaken, rearrange its genetic material, and morph into a brain-demolishing nightmare that causes a disease called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy or PML... (MORE - missing details)]]> https://www.scivillage.com/thread-19989.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 15:23:37 +0000 C C]]> https://www.scivillage.com/thread-19989.html https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1120145

INTRO:  It’s well known that alcohol consumption is an age-old method for coping with stress. But surprising? research led by the University of Massachusetts Amherst found that, when such self-medication begins in early adulthood, negative cognitive effects start to show up in middle-age—even after long periods of total abstinence.

These effects include a decreased ability to cope with changing situations, an increased likelihood to drink when stressed and the kinds of cognitive decline associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The new research, published recently in the journal Alcohol Clinical and Experimental Research, helps us understand how alcohol rewires the brain’s circuitry and can help suggest new approaches for helping people adapt to the long-term effects of alcohol use... (MORE - details)]]> https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1120145

INTRO:  It’s well known that alcohol consumption is an age-old method for coping with stress. But surprising? research led by the University of Massachusetts Amherst found that, when such self-medication begins in early adulthood, negative cognitive effects start to show up in middle-age—even after long periods of total abstinence.

These effects include a decreased ability to cope with changing situations, an increased likelihood to drink when stressed and the kinds of cognitive decline associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The new research, published recently in the journal Alcohol Clinical and Experimental Research, helps us understand how alcohol rewires the brain’s circuitry and can help suggest new approaches for helping people adapt to the long-term effects of alcohol use... (MORE - details)]]>