https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/behavior/ Animal behavior news. Scientific research on altruism in animals; bullying, anti-predator behavior, weird eating and mating habits and more. en-us Thu, 24 Sep 2026 00:10:20 EDT Thu, 24 Sep 2026 00:10:20 EDT 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/behavior/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260920222416.htm A new needle-thin brain implant can record neural activity, deliver drugs, and stimulate multiple brain regions using a single flexible fiber. Successful tests in mice suggest it could give scientists a more precise, less invasive way to study the brain and may eventually help treat neurological disorders such as epilepsy. Mon, 21 Sep 2026 08:25:22 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260920222416.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260920222352.htm Scientists have found that the human brain develops from two distinct cellular systems, suggesting that evolution fused together two ancient nervous systems with very different jobs. The discovery also allowed researchers to grow human hindbrain neurons in the lab, opening new possibilities for studying ALS, spinal muscular atrophy, and other brainstem diseases. Mon, 21 Sep 2026 06:12:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260920222352.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260918000437.htm Scientists found that declining levels of the brain protein Menin may help drive aging, with lower levels in mice linked to inflammation, cognitive decline, weaker bones, and thinner skin. Restoring Menin reversed several age-related changes, while the amino acid D-serine improved cognition, hinting at a potentially intriguing new target for healthy aging. Fri, 18 Sep 2026 00:25:45 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260918000437.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260915232138.htm Scientists discovered that brain-cell axons may not be smooth tubes as textbooks have shown for more than a century, but instead naturally resemble strings of tiny pearls. Those pearl-like structures can change with neural activity and may help control how quickly electrical signals travel through the brain. Thu, 17 Sep 2026 06:54:28 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260915232138.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260915232134.htm Scientists discovered a hidden “immune organ” inside the skull that acts as a rapid first responder against brain cancer in mice. Strengthening this local immune defense improved tumor rejection and survival, raising the possibility of new treatments that target the skull directly. Wed, 16 Sep 2026 22:43:01 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260915232134.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260914102449.htm Scientists reconstructed videos from the brain activity of mice, producing 10-second clips based only on signals from neurons in the visual cortex. The breakthrough could help reveal how the brain reshapes what we see before it becomes our perception of reality. Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:33:18 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260914102449.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260914102445.htm Simply smelling chocolate helped men complete more leg extension repetitions without making the workout feel harder, with dark chocolate producing the strongest effect. The researchers think familiar food aromas may influence appetite and motivation by making the brain anticipate eating. Tue, 15 Sep 2026 11:03:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260914102445.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 00:03:08 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260904000308.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/2026/09/260901010721.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/2026/08/260831015141.htm Scientists discovered that human microglia, immune cells that help shape developing brain circuits, can take four to eight years to mature instead of just weeks as they do in mice. The unusually slow process may help explain how the human brain develops its remarkable complexity and cognitive abilities. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 23:54:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260831015141.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/2026/08/260823094148.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/2026/08/260821012234.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/2026/08/260819041224.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 04:12:24 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/2026/08/260815064803.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/2026/08/260814011033.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/2026/08/260812015158.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/2026/08/260807235243.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/2026/08/260806050700.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/2026/08/260802223433.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 https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260729051540.htm A person’s sleeping brain may reveal warning signs of dementia long before memory problems begin. Researchers used machine learning to analyze EEG recordings from about 7,000 adults and found that an older-than-expected “brain age” was tied to a sharply higher dementia risk. Every additional 10 years of brain aging raised that risk by nearly 40%. Fri, 31 Jul 2026 03:05:12 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260729051540.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260729043829.htm Christof Koch is taking on one of science’s deepest mysteries: how the brain creates conscious experience, or whether it creates it at all. He argues that materialism has yet to solve this “hard problem” and will explore puzzling phenomena such as near-death experiences and terminal lucidity. His work points toward the possibility that consciousness may be woven into reality itself. Wed, 29 Jul 2026 04:38:29 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260729043829.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260729010713.htm Signals traveling from the gut to the brain may help turn meals into lasting memories. Rats showed stronger memory activity after consuming nutritious foods, but not after drinking sweet liquids with little or no nutritional value. Blocking the vagus nerve erased this effect and made it harder for the animals to remember where food had been located. Over time, diets high in fat and sugar also weakened this memory system. Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:20:24 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260729010713.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260724061436.htm Even mild inflammation during pregnancy led mouse offspring to develop persistent brain overactivity, sensory sensitivity, repetitive behaviors, and increased seizure risk. Remarkably, one dose of rapamycin improved nearly all of these problems within about two hours. The benefits were temporary, but they suggest that adult brain circuits may remain far more adaptable than previously believed. Sat, 25 Jul 2026 11:09:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260724061436.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260722032117.htm Researchers found that specific brain circuits help decide which jobs bees perform as they age. When those circuits were switched off, older worker bees began caring for the queen again instead of carrying out their normal later-life duties. The findings reveal that a bee colony’s complex division of labor may be guided by neural switches hidden inside each bee’s brain. Wed, 22 Jul 2026 21:10:39 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260722032117.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260721000844.htm Miniature brain models grown from patients’ cells revealed striking differences in how Alzheimer’s-related tissue responds to an antidepressant. The organoids and the particles they release could eventually guide more personalized treatments and provide new clues for diagnosing the disease. Wed, 22 Jul 2026 08:34:25 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260721000844.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260721000822.htm Watching television very often in midlife may be linked to troubling brain changes decades later. In a study of about 1,700 adults, frequent TV viewers later showed smaller brain regions involved in memory, decision-making, and visual processing, along with more signs of damage in the brain’s white matter. Surprisingly, sitting itself did not appear to be the main issue, since people who spent long hours seated at mentally engaging jobs often showed healthier brain patterns. Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:29:24 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260721000822.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260719040005.htm A single dose of psilocybin produced measurable changes in brain activity and possible changes in brain structure that lasted for up to a month. Participants who experienced the greatest increase in flexible, varied brain activity also reported more personal insight and later improvements in well-being. The findings suggest that the psychedelic experience itself may help people break free from entrenched patterns of thinking. Wed, 22 Jul 2026 00:12:46 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260719040005.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260719035931.htm Researchers have uncovered a surprising culprit behind sleep loss in Alzheimer’s disease: the brain’s own immune cells. In mice with amyloid plaques, overactive microglia triggered inflammation that kept the brain from getting enough deep, restorative sleep. Temporarily removing most of these cells restored more than two hours of sleep per day, even though the plaques remained unchanged. Mon, 20 Jul 2026 06:05:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260719035931.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260712011912.htm Practice may do more than make perfect. Researchers found that extensive training physically reorganizes the brain, allowing learned tasks to bypass the prefrontal cortex and run through specialized circuits instead. By freeing the brain's "thinking" center, people became better at performing another task at the same time, challenging the long-held idea that humans only switch rapidly between tasks rather than truly multitask. Sun, 12 Jul 2026 03:42:58 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260712011912.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260712011757.htm A new study suggests the brain begins making decisions much earlier than scientists previously thought. Researchers found that even primary sensory regions are influenced by higher brain areas through rapid feedback loops, rather than simply passing information forward. This more dynamic view of brain function could help engineers design future AI systems that think more like biological brains while using far less power. Mon, 13 Jul 2026 08:12:27 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260712011757.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260711010125.htm Researchers found that every pregnancy rewires the brain in its own way, with a second pregnancy bringing a different pattern of changes than the first. The discoveries could lead to better ways to recognize and treat maternal mental health challenges, including peripartum depression. Sat, 11 Jul 2026 07:37:04 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260711010125.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260626125709.htm Some brains appear to fight back against Alzheimer's by helping immature brain cells survive damage instead of succumbing to it. Understanding this natural resilience could point researchers toward entirely new ways to protect memory and slow dementia. Fri, 03 Jul 2026 14:54:03 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260626125709.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260625014755.htm Bumble bees astonished researchers by inventing a new way to reach a hidden reward, despite never being taught the trick. The discovery adds to growing evidence that these tiny insects are far smarter and more adaptable than once believed. Thu, 02 Jul 2026 22:53:35 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260625014755.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260624025514.htm The unconscious brain appears to be far more capable than scientists once believed. Researchers found that patients under general anesthesia could still process language at a sophisticated level, distinguishing nouns, verbs, and adjectives while listening to stories. Even more remarkably, neural activity showed signs of predicting upcoming words before they were heard. The results challenge traditional ideas about consciousness and hint at new possibilities for brain-computer interfaces. Sun, 28 Jun 2026 22:55:24 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260624025514.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260623083146.htm What if consciousness isn’t limited to brains like ours? Philosophers Eric Schwitzgebel and Jeremy Pober argue that consciousness could arise in many different forms of life, even in beings built from radically different materials than those found on Earth. Drawing on the vastness of the universe and the likely existence of countless alien civilizations, they suggest it would be surprisingly Earth-centric to assume that only Earth-like biology can support conscious experience. Wed, 24 Jun 2026 10:49:57 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260623083146.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260622091521.htm Scientists have discovered that a common type of stroke may have a very different cause than doctors once thought. Instead of fatty plaque clogging arteries, the strongest link was found with enlarged and damaged blood vessels deep within the brain. The finding helps explain why standard treatments like aspirin are often less effective and is driving the search for new therapies that target the brain’s tiny blood vessels directly. Fri, 03 Jul 2026 04:42:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260622091521.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260622014300.htm Fish oil supplements successfully delivered omega-3s to the brain, but a two-year study found no meaningful benefits for memory, cognition, or Alzheimer’s-related brain changes. The results challenge the idea that fish oil pills can help prevent Alzheimer’s and shift attention toward overall diet and lifestyle instead. Mon, 29 Jun 2026 03:19:12 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260622014300.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260619020514.htm A new study suggests that learning and remembering speech relies more on how the brain processes sounds and sensations than on the areas that control mouth and face movements. The discovery could reshape speech therapy and help improve future brain-based communication technologies. Tue, 23 Jun 2026 08:06:13 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260619020514.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260616103128.htm Diabetes and dementia appear to be closely intertwined, with each condition potentially influencing the other. Problems with insulin and glucose can affect the brain’s energy supply, increase inflammation, and damage blood vessels linked to memory loss. Researchers are also finding that some popular diabetes medications may lower dementia risk. These discoveries are opening new possibilities for protecting brain health as people age. Tue, 16 Jun 2026 21:42:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260616103128.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260613034222.htm A three-year study of nearly 4,000 adults ranging from age 19 to 94 found that brain health can improve at any age, challenging the common belief that mental sharpness must decline as we get older. Participants spent just a few minutes a day on brain-training activities, and researchers found measurable gains across multiple aspects of brain health, including thinking clarity, emotional well-being, and sense of purpose. Sat, 13 Jun 2026 10:47:04 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260613034222.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260610003047.htm A groundbreaking new connectome maps every neural connection in an adult fruit fly’s central nervous system, creating an unprecedented view of how the brain and body work together. The findings suggest that complex behaviors emerge from distributed local circuits rather than a single central controller, offering new clues about intelligence, movement, and brain function. Wed, 10 Jun 2026 06:10:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260610003047.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260606075901.htm Scientists have uncovered a key brain signal that helps us break old habits and adapt when circumstances suddenly change. By watching mice navigate a virtual maze, researchers found that disappointment—when an expected reward failed to appear—triggered a surge of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, making the animals more likely to try a new strategy. When acetylcholine was blocked, the mice became less flexible and were more likely to stick with outdated choices. Mon, 08 Jun 2026 07:38:21 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260606075901.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260603015356.htm A newly identified group of amygdala neurons appears to play a central role in anxiety and social behavior. Restoring normal activity in this tiny brain circuit reversed anxiety and social deficits in mice, revealing a promising new target for future treatments. Wed, 03 Jun 2026 08:16:56 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260603015356.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260602021634.htm Scientists have uncovered evidence that autism may include at least two biologically distinct subtypes, each marked by a different pattern of brain communication. By combining brain scans from nearly 1,000 people with autism with insights from 20 genetically engineered mouse models, researchers identified a “hyperconnectivity” subtype, where brain regions communicate more than usual, and a “hypoconnectivity” subtype, where communication is reduced. Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:46:00 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260602021634.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260602021629.htm Researchers found that social behavior begins in the brain before it becomes visible as movement. In zebrafish, a coordinated pattern of activity spread across the brain several seconds before the animals approached another fish. A higher brain region called the pallium played a key role, and fish with stronger neural signals were generally more social. Tue, 02 Jun 2026 04:54:02 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260602021629.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260530053424.htm Scientists at Scripps Research have uncovered a molecular “switch” that appears to fuel the damaging brain inflammation seen in Alzheimer’s disease. They found that a protein called STING becomes chemically altered in a way that keeps the brain’s immune system stuck in overdrive, harming the connections between nerve cells. Sun, 31 May 2026 11:30:38 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260530053424.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260529043654.htm Scientists discovered that sleep deprivation damages a key brain circuit responsible for social memory, making it harder to recognize familiar individuals. In laboratory studies, caffeine restored communication between neurons in this pathway and reversed the memory deficits caused by lost sleep. The effect was remarkably targeted, helping the impaired circuit recover without overstimulating normal brain function. Sat, 30 May 2026 01:27:08 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260529043654.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260527023202.htm When the body runs low on protein, the gut sends powerful signals to the brain that reshape cravings and push animals to seek essential amino acids instead of sugar. Researchers say this newly discovered gut-brain network could transform our understanding of appetite, nutrition, and obesity. Thu, 28 May 2026 00:35:19 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260527023202.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260526022024.htm A drug combo widely explored for anti-aging may actually damage the brain, according to new mouse research showing severe loss of myelin and changes linked to “chemo brain.” Surprisingly, the damaged cells resembled those seen in multiple sclerosis, giving scientists a new lead in understanding—and potentially repairing—the disease. Wed, 27 May 2026 08:23:03 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260526022024.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260526022018.htm Researchers at Texas A&M have developed a nasal spray that appears to reverse brain aging by calming inflammation and restoring the brain’s energy systems. After just two doses, memory and cognitive function improved for months, raising hopes for future treatments targeting dementia and brain fog. Tue, 26 May 2026 09:39:35 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260526022018.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260525000453.htm New NIH research reveals that semaglutide sparks different responses inside appetite-controlling brain cells, offering fresh insight into why GLP-1 weight-loss drugs don’t work the same for everyone. Scientists also found a possible way to extend the drugs’ effects, potentially helping patients push past weight-loss plateaus. Mon, 25 May 2026 09:39:26 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260525000453.htm