Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition affecting the brain’s development and often affects the ability of a person to perceive sensory information and social cues and socialize with others. Recent studies have revealed that environmental factors and epigenetic processes, such as DNA methylation, are crucial to the development of ASD. Notably, immune activation and … Read more
A mechanism involving potassium channels in the brain that control brain cell activity could provide a new and fundamentally different way of treating depression symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder, according to two complementary papers published recently by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. In two new research articles, published … Read more
As scientists uncover growing levels of microplastics in the brain, new evidence suggests your favorite convenience foods could be quietly affecting your mental health—sparking urgent calls for research and dietary change. Study: Microplastics and mental health: The role of ultra-processed foods. Image Credit: SIVStockStudio / Shutterstock A new viewpoint article published in the journal Brain Medicine highlights … Read more
For the first time, scientists have shown that an established blood-cleansing procedure could help rid the human body of tiny plastic particles, offering hope for new detox solutions amid rising global contamination. Study: Therapeutic apheresis: A promising method to remove microplastics? Image Credit: SIVStockStudio / Shutterstock Rising plastics use is associated with massive and widespread environmental contamination … Read more
Advanced tools offer improved insights into patients’ condition and their potential for recovery. What’s new: After more than half a century, assessment of traumatic brain injuries gets an overhaul. Why it matters: Clinicians say the proposed framework will lead to more accurate diagnoses and treatment, providing more rigorous care for some patients and preventing premature discussions about … Read more
New research reveals that extended breastfeeding benefits infants and helps adolescents build stronger brains and sharper thinking, highlighting the long-term value of following global breastfeeding recommendations. Study: Sustained breastfeeding associations with brain structure and cognition from late childhood to early adolescence. Image Credit: Kittyfly / Shutterstock Breastfeeding’s neurocognitive benefits on infants and children are generally supported, although … Read more
A new scientific review uncovers how gut microbes passed from mother to child may hold the key to obesity’s genetic puzzle, offering fresh hope for more effective prevention strategies. Impact of the gut microbiota on BMI via hypothalamic control of appetite and metabolism, and mechanisms that underlie the transgenerational effects of the gut microbiota on … Read more
Scientists at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital found that, in neural development, the same set of proteins involved in cellular self-renewal can also facilitate differentiation with the right binding partner. The fundamental processes that govern neural development are complex and, as findings by scientists at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital demonstrate, the underlying driving forces can even … Read more
Researchers have discovered how an ion channel in the brain’s neurons has a kind of ‘molecular memory’, which contributes to the formation and preservation of lifelong memories. The researchers have identified a specific part of the ion channel at which new drugs for certain genetic diseases could be targeted. The study, led from Linköping University … Read more
The 21st edition of Sustainability Through Science and Technology Summit 2025 (SIPS 2025), dedicated to Prof. Aaron Ciechanover, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, to be held in Cebu, Philippines, from 17-20 November 2025, has confirmed the participation of Davis Joseph as an invited summit plenary lecturer for his recent ground-breaking discovery of the common master switch for numerous … Read more