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A new study found that a program to provide more social contact and activities for prisoners in solitary confinement led to improved mental health and behavior. The program was based on a “Resource Team” model developed in Norway. Key Facts: Solitary confineme…
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Researchers have developed a new artificial intelligence (AI) chip that mimics the human brain for more energy-efficient speech recognition. The analog AI chip uses phase-change memory devices to perform computations in parallel, dramatically reducing power co…
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A new study provides unprecedented insights into the brains and cognitive capabilities of dinosaurs and other prehistoric reptiles. The key takeaways: Many theropod dinosaurs like T. rex had brains as large and complex as monkeys and primates. This suggests th…
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Our bodies have an internal “clock” that anticipates and prepares for food intake at regular times each day. This was demonstrated in a new scientific study that manipulated meal timing in participants. Key Facts: Participants were given either 2 large meals p…
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Researchers studied if drinking alcohol makes people rate others as more attractive, which is sometimes called the “beer goggles effect”. They had male friends who regularly drink together rate attractiveness of photos after drinking alcohol vs. a non-alcoholi…
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Researchers developed a new gene editing technique that reduces anxiety in mice. The technique uses CRISPR technology to edit a specific gene in the brain called HTR2A. Editing this gene leads to lower levels of anxiety behaviors in tests with mice. This resea…
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Cigarette smoking and mental health problems often go hand-in-hand. But which one typically comes first? And how much does our genetic makeup contribute to this risky combo? New research examined these questions by analyzing long-term health data on over 300,0…
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New research reveals that the timing of our heartbeats relative to external events distorts our perception of how much time has passed. The study provides evidence that cardiac signals directly impact time perception on a moment-to-moment basis. Key Facts: Tim…
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Artificial intelligence (AI) systems are rapidly becoming more sophisticated and human-like. This raises an intriguing question: could AI systems one day become conscious? A new interdisciplinary paper explores this complex issue, assessing theories about the…
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A new study published in Nature Medicine has identified two biological profiles, based on routine blood tests during COVID-19 hospitalization, that can predict patients’ risk of developing post-COVID brain fog months later. Key Facts: The study analyzed data f…
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