Neuroimaging

Researchers exposed nerve cells to low levels of polystyrene. They found that particles measuring just 50 nanometers wide trigger unusual genetic shifts and physical changes, highlighting the hidden biological impacts of plastic waste.

A newly published hypothesis suggests that human eyes evolved from a single "third eye" on an ancient ancestor's head. This proposed evolutionary detour would explain why vertebrate vision is unique, leaving a functional remnant inside our brains.

Working outside the traditional 9-to-5 schedule could be altering the physical structure of your brain. A new analysis of over 14,000 adults shows that shift work is linked to gradual shrinkage in brain regions controlling sleep and emotion.

Why do dementia and depression look so similar in older adults? New research maps the brain's chemistry to show how the two conditions share serotonin disruptions but diverge sharply in how they alter or destroy brain cells.

Brain imaging reveals that young women who self-harm possess a distinct neurological vulnerability online. Unlike healthy peers, their brain's reward centers become highly engaged by negative comments, a trait that correlates with problematic social media use.

A new study reveals that preteens living in areas with high air pollution show slower brain and cognitive development compared to their peers. These findings highlight the potential physical and mental impact of neighborhood air quality.

Children and teenagers with a higher body mass index exhibit unique brain wave patterns that point to a reduction in neural inhibition. These neurological differences might make it harder for affected youths to alter ingrained dietary habits.

Far from a blank slate, the infant brain begins with an overabundance of random neural connections. Neuroscientists discovered how trimming this excess wiring transforms the hippocampus into a powerful, structured memory machine.

New research shows that a simple breath-watching meditation alters brain activity in just two minutes. These neural shifts peak around the seven-minute mark, providing evidence that even short, daily meditation sessions can offer practical mental health benefits.

A new study suggests that a teenager's brain response to minor setbacks changes how impulsivity relates to future suicidal thoughts. Highly impulsive youth with highly active anterior insula regions faced a higher risk.

People who obsess over missing out on social events show hypersensitive brain activity when receiving digital approval, revealing a biological clue behind problematic phone checking and social media habits.

A sophisticated data analysis reveals that while the placebo effect mirrors the trajectory of antidepressant recovery, the actual medication produces a stronger response uniquely linked to a patient's underlying brain circuitry.

Special Operations veterans with head traumas experienced notable clinical improvements after taking ibogaine. Brain scans reveal the therapy was associated with lasting increases in cerebral blood flow and the widespread reorganization of neural networks.

New research published in Neuron reveals that physical endurance depends heavily on the brain. Scientists discovered that specific neurons activate immediately after exercise to coordinate muscle adaptation.