Human behavior is fundamentally driven by the pursuit of rewards, a system that is essential for survival. From enjoying a delicious meal to the emotional fulfillment of nurturing a child, our brains create powerful memories of these positive experiences...
The human, social, and economic costs of alcohol abuse are staggering, yet existing treatments have a limited effect and often come with significant side effects. For decades, the focus of addiction research has been on developing drugs that target...
Pain is a fundamental human experience, typically serving as a clear warning sign of injury. A stubbed toe or a sprained ankle hurts, but the cause is obvious, and the pain fades as the body heals. But for millions...
In a world saturated with podcasts and audiobooks, a common question arises: do we still need to read, or can we simply absorb all information through listening? As a language scientist, I study how our brains process both spoken...
We all indulge in a greasy takeaway or a rich dessert from time to time, assuming that a single high-fat meal is a harmless treat. But what if that one indulgence could have an immediate, negative impact on your...
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a degenerative brain condition that has gained widespread attention due to its diagnosis in numerous professional football players after their deaths. While the link between repeated head trauma and this condition is well-documented in...
A rare but deadly microorganism known as a "brain-eating amoeba" was recently found in the drinking water supplies of two small towns in south-west Queensland, Australia. The amoeba, scientifically named Naegleria fowleri, was detected during a routine analysis of...
For decades, neuroscientists believed they understood what happened in the brain after a person lost a limb. The prevailing theory suggested that the brain’s intricate body map would undergo a dramatic, large-scale reorganization, with neighboring body parts essentially "taking...
For years, scientists have understood the vital importance of sleep for memory and cognitive function, but the exact mechanisms have remained something of a mystery. Now, a growing body of evidence suggests that during our slumber, the brain is...
Have you ever stopped to wonder how your brain creates the endless stream of thoughts that fill your day? Or why a random memory might suddenly pop into your head without warning? It may seem like pure magic, but...
