Studies

Our motivation to put effort for achieving a goal is controlled by a reward system wired in the brain. However, many neuropathological conditions impair the reward system, diminishing the will to work. Recently, scientists in Japan experimentally manipulated the reward system network of monkeys and studied their behavior. They deciphered…
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The widespread use of cashless payments including credit cards, debit cards, and mobile apps has made transactions more convenient for consumers. However, results from previous research have shown that such cashless payments can increase consumers’ spending on unhealthy food. “Why Do Cashless Payments Increase Unhealthy Consumption? The…
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Common fungi, often present in the gut, teach the immune system how to respond to their more dangerous relatives, according to new research from scientists at Weill Cornell Medicine. Breakdowns in this process can leave people susceptible to deadly fungal infections. The study, published in February 2021 in the prestigious…
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With enough training, most humans can learn how to echolocate, using their tongue to make clicking sounds, and interpreting the sounds of the echoes that come back, reflected from the surrounding environment. In as few as 10 weeks, researchers were able to teach participants how to navigate obstacles and recognize the size and…
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The vision of a completely blind man has been partially restored using light-sensing proteins first found in algae. The man was treated with a type of therapy called optogenetics, which uses the proteins to control cells at the back of his eye. He first knew it was working when he realised he could see the painted stripes of a…
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Cassia singueana, or African cassia, is a small tree that’s native to tropical Africa, particularly in countries like Ethiopia, Angola, Namibia, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. A plant with a variety of uses, the African cassia tree is often grown in these parts as an ornamental plant as well as a source of food and medicine.…
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Story at-a-glance: • The phytonutrients EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate) and resveratrol have a direct and indirect effect on your central nervous system, including having proneurogenic properties and improving cognitive function • EGCG demonstrates the ability to enhance connectivity in the brain, lower cognitive impairment and reduce…
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We don't only find testosterone in the male body, but also in a woman's ovaries and adrenal glands. Because of this, it's one of the androgens (male sex hormones) that exist in women. The main functions of testosterone are testicular and brain differentiation, as well as the development of primary and secondary sexual characteristics.…
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Capsaicin is an active compound found in different types of hot peppers. It is responsible for their spiciness, as well as for the health benefits associated with them. One of the most notable aspects capsaicin is known for is its ability to relieve pain. Several studies have shown that capsaicin can decrease the intensity of pain signals…
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Story at-a-glance: A certain type of beta-glucan known as beta-1,3/1,6-glucan may be beneficial for the innate immune system, which is the first-line defense made up of natural killer (NK) cells, macrophages and white blood cells like neutrophils. In a study conducted on mice, those injected with beta-glucan were not…
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