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College women willing to pay more for contraception when abortion is illegal Legal restrictions on abortion may drive up the perceived value of birth control. A behavioral economics study reveals that college women demonstrate higher demand for emergency contraception when abortion is hypothetically illegal.

College women willing to pay more for contraception when abortion is illegal

Humans and AI both rate deliberate thinkers as smarter than intuitive ones Humans instinctively prefer slow reasoning over fast intuition for complex problems. New findings show this bias persists under time pressure and is mirrored by artificial intelligence systems like ChatGPT.

Humans and AI both rate deliberate thinkers as smarter than intuitive ones

Study finds age-dependent cognitive benefits from probiotic consumption Probiotic supplements may offer a brain boost for aging adults. A new meta-analysis reveals that daily consumption improves memory and cognitive function in seniors, highlighting a link between gut health and mental acuity.

Study finds age-dependent cognitive benefits from probiotic consumption

Structured gardening programs can effectively reduce mental health symptoms A new meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Psychiatry provides evidence that Social and Therapeutic Horticulture significantly reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety. The findings suggest structured gardening programs led by professionals offer effective mental health support.

Structured gardening programs can effectively reduce mental health symptoms

People struggle to separate argument quality from their own political opinions A new study in Cognition reveals that when evaluating political arguments, your prior beliefs matter far more than the actual logic. Researchers found that confirmation bias outweighs evidence quality by a significant margin.

People struggle to separate argument quality from their own political opinions

Neuroscientists find evidence that brain plasticity peaks at the end of the day A new study reveals that brain plasticity fluctuates on a 24-hour cycle. Researchers found that the chemical buildup of fatigue at the end of the day creates an optimal window for the brain to rewire itself.

Neuroscientists find evidence that brain plasticity peaks at the end of the day

Noninvasive brain stimulation increases idea generation and originality A recent experiment shows that noninvasive alpha-wave stimulation to the brain’s visual processing center leads to more original and elaborate creative thinking.

Noninvasive brain stimulation increases idea generation and originality

Boosting a regulatory protein allows brain cells to clear Alzheimer’s plaques in mice Researchers have preserved memory in mice by triggering support cells to remove amyloid deposits. The findings suggest that enhancing the brain’s natural cleaning system could offer a new therapeutic path for neurodegenerative conditions.

Boosting a regulatory protein allows brain cells to clear Alzheimer’s plaques in mice

Neurodiverse youth may regulate overwhelming stimuli by turning brain activity inward A study in the Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders identifies a neural signature for sensory over-responsivity. Highly sensitive children exhibit a biological balancing act, dialing down sensory input while dialing up emotional regulation.

Neurodiverse youth may regulate overwhelming stimuli by turning brain activity inward

Women with high Dark Triad scores exhibit more anhedonia and alexithymia Researchers found that women with high levels of Machiavellianism and psychopathy struggle to identify feelings or experience pleasure, a correlation that was completely absent in male participants.

Women with high Dark Triad scores exhibit more anhedonia and alexithymia

Alzheimer’s drug Lecanemab works by triggering a specific cleaning program in immune cells The Alzheimer’s therapy Lecanemab appears to recruit the brain’s immune system. New findings in Nature Neuroscience suggests the drug uses its Fc region to trigger microglia into removing amyloid plaques.

Alzheimer’s drug Lecanemab works by triggering a specific cleaning program in immune cells

Many suicide deaths occur without high genetic risk for mental illness Scientists have discovered that suicide risk may have two distinct genetic pathways. A new study finds that individuals who die without prior suicidal behavior lack the high genetic liability for psychiatric disorders seen in other cases.

Many suicide deaths occur without high genetic risk for mental illness

Long-term calorie restriction may slow biological aging in the brain Reducing calorie intake by thirty percent appears to protect essential support cells in the aging primate brain. Findings published in Aging Cell show that a restricted diet preserves metabolic function and reduces inflammation in glial cells.

Long-term calorie restriction may slow biological aging in the brain

Distinct neural pathways allow the prefrontal cortex to fine-tune visual processing Neuroscientists have discovered that the prefrontal cortex does not broadcast a generic signal to sensory regions. Instead, distinct circuits send tailored messages to the visual system based on arousal and physical activity.

Distinct neural pathways allow the prefrontal cortex to fine-tune visual processing

Parental divorce linked to higher stroke risk in older adults The dissolution of a marriage may cast a long shadow on children’s health. A new study links parental divorce during childhood to a 61 percent increased risk of stroke in adults over age 65.

Parental divorce linked to higher stroke risk in older adults

A field experiment reveals the psychology behind the “Batman effect” A new study finds that the presence of a person dressed as Batman on the subway significantly increased passengers' willingness to give up their seats to a pregnant woman.

A field experiment reveals the psychology behind the “Batman effect”

Biofeedback training helps esports players react significantly faster Esports players can improve shooting performance by training with real-time biological data. Researchers found that focusing on cortical activity and gaze control significantly reduced reaction times .

Biofeedback training helps esports players react significantly faster

Scientists reveal a surprising consequence of chronic caffeine intake on sleep New research suggests that while habitual coffee consumption shortens sleep duration, it increases deep sleep intensity. This indicates the brain may adapt to chronic caffeine intake to ensure restoration.

Scientists reveal a surprising consequence of chronic caffeine intake on sleep

How common is anal sex? Scientific facts about prevalence, pain, pleasure, and more Who enjoys anal sex and why? New research maps the anatomy, demographics, and psychology behind this sexual practice.

How common is anal sex? Scientific facts about prevalence, pain, pleasure, and more

New research reveals mixed feelings about the terms “neurodiversity” and “neurodivergent” Many organizations use “neurodiverse” to describe individuals, but research shows this often frustrates the very people they claim to support.

New research reveals mixed feelings about the terms “neurodiversity” and “neurodivergent”

People with children report lower romantic love, intimacy, and passion Does parenthood dim the spark? Research involving 3,000 people globally found that parents tend to experience less passion and intimacy than non-parents, though the actual number of children does not worsen the decline.

People with children report lower romantic love, intimacy, and passion

Deep neural recordings suggest the brain adapts to weight-loss drugs over time Direct brain recordings confirm that weight-loss drugs alter the neural circuitry of cravings. Yet, a new case study indicates this suppression can wane.

Deep neural recordings suggest the brain adapts to weight-loss drugs over time

Endorsing easily disproved lies acts as a psychological “power move” for some Believing lies isn't always about ignorance; sometimes it's about dominance. New studies spanning eight countries reveal that for many, rejecting shared reality is a way to signal symbolic strength and psychological independence.

Endorsing easily disproved lies acts as a psychological “power move” for some

Higher social media engagement linked to reduced performance on cognitive assessments A new analysis suggests that adolescents who increase their social media use over time tend to score slightly lower on reading and memory tests.

Higher social media engagement linked to reduced performance on cognitive assessments

Personalization algorithms create an illusion of competence, study finds While personalization algorithms keep users engaged, they may create a false sense of expertise. A new experiment reveals that curated content feeds limit information exploration, causing learners to form distorted views while remaining surprisingly confident.

Personalization algorithms create an illusion of competence, study finds

Fantastical content, not editing speed, depletes children’s cognitive resources A new meta-analysis suggests fast-paced TV does not harm children's attention as often feared. Instead, programs featuring fantastical, unrealistic events appear to deplete cognitive resources, leading to poorer performance on tasks immediately after viewing.

Fantastical content, not editing speed, depletes children’s cognitive resources

Your child’s mess might be a sign of sophisticated algorithmic thinking Jean Piaget famously claimed young children lack logical structure. However, our new study reveals that even 4-year-olds can spontaneously generate algorithmic solutions that rival sophisticated computer science strategies.

Your child’s mess might be a sign of sophisticated algorithmic thinking

Young people underestimate their exposure to misinformation, new research shows New research finds teenagers view misinformation narrowly, as something concerning world events or scams. This perception makes them vulnerable to false content in their everyday social media feeds, which they don't scrutinize as carefully.

Young people underestimate their exposure to misinformation, new research shows

Family life lowers men’s testosterone without causing medical deficiency Parenting children is linked to lower testosterone in men. New research shows these hormonal shifts continue past the toddler years but remain within a healthy range.

Family life lowers men’s testosterone without causing medical deficiency

The racing mind of insomnia may stem from flattened circadian rhythms Chronic sleeplessness may result from a failure of the brain’s internal timing. A study in Sleep Medicine indicates that individuals with insomnia lack the strong circadian cues needed to downregulate mental activity for sleep.

The racing mind of insomnia may stem from flattened circadian rhythms