for that which is of the topic of or relating to Neuroscience
Figure 1: PTSD and its comorbid mental health symptoms contribute to the pervasive consequences of exposure to psychological trauma. Source: Slideshare Post-traumatic stress disorder is a pervasive and often fatal consequence of exposure to severe psychological trauma (Fenster, 2018). Epidemiological studies show that PTSD has a lifetime prevalence ranging from 1.3% to 12.2%, with variance …
Figure 1: Bandmates join in a group hug. The powerful bond between members of a band is one example of community making friendships stronger. (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons) According to a recent study, the perceived support individuals receive from family members, friends, and others correlates with how close the individual believes the supporters are with …
Strength in Numbers: How Community Enhances Perceived Support Read More »
Figure 1: Childhood experiences are widely considered to affect adult life. A new study revealed that low childhood peer status may have dire health consequences: heightened risk of adult cardiovascular disease. Source: Wikimedia Commons A recent prospective cohort study from Stockholm, Sweden indicates that social marginalization in late childhood may result in a heightened likelihood …
Childhood Unpopularity May Increase Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Adulthood Read More »
Figure 1: A Northwestern Crow near Whittier, Alaska. Corvids, along with parrots, have experimentally demonstrated cognition comparable to that of great apes—a family of primates including gorillas, chimpanzees, and humans (Olkowicz et al., 2016). When asked to name the smartest animal, most people would name an elephant, a dolphin, a primate, or – most likely …
Contradicting the Disparity Between Primate and Avian Brains Read More »
Figure 1: 3D structure of alpha-synuclein protein. Mutations in alpha-synuclein that alter its structure have been linked to Parkinson’s disease. Source: Wikimedia Commons Parkinson’s disease affects around 1 million individuals in the US.¹ It is a neurodegenerative disease typically characterized by tremors, and it severely impacts motor functions including movement, speech, and balance.² Despite its …
Figure 1: A sleeping child. When we sleep, we dream, but dreams are often influenced by the events of our daily lives. Source: Wikimedia Commons For many, living through the COVID-19 pandemic is a waking nightmare. Tore Nielsen of the Université de Montréal believes that the coronavirus may contribute to actual nightmares, citing growing worldwide …
Bad dreams? According to new studies, COVID-19 could be to blame Read More »
Figure 1: This figure shows several of the different effects of stress on different organs, muscles, and body systems. Source: Wikimedia Commons The topic of family as a source of stress for adults has long been studied by researchers. Though family can be a motivator and a source of happiness, there is also significant evidence …
The Effects of Friends and Family on Daily Stress Read More »
Source: Pixabay Sleep plays an extremely important role in physical and mental health. In terms of physical health, the body repairs its heart and blood vessels during sleep. Healthy sleeping patterns allow your body to maintain proper levels of ghrelin and leptin, both hormones that the body uses to control hunger and satiety. For children …
The Critical Role of Sleep in Determining Reaction to Daily Life Read More »
Figure 1: Researchers at the Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics in Berlin have formulated a new method of studying epigenetic factors during the gastrulation period in mice. The gastrulation period, shown in the above image, is an early stage of development in which the body axes and germ layers form. Before gastrulation, which typically occurs …
The human mind is constantly working on the fly, adapting to situations, and processing new information while considering the old. When posed with opposing courses of action, the best we can do is weigh our options in an attempt to mitigate risk and maximize reward by using what is presented to us along with our …
Alleviating Vaccine Hesitancy: The Path to a Safer Future Read More »