Artificial intelligence is a broad term encompassing many different subtypes, from apps that can write poetry to algorithms that are able to spot patterns that would otherwise get missed – and now AI modeling has just played a major role in an Alzheimer’s study.
“To date, there was little understanding of how the estrous cycle affects neurons in living mice,” said Nora Wolcott, the paper’s lead author. Now, thanks to advanced microscopy techniques, Goard’s team was able to measure the structure and activity of neurons across multiple estrous cycles, thereby gaining insight into sex hormones’ role in brain plasticity and memory. Other authors on the paper include William Redman, Marie Karpinska, and Emily Jacobs.
Researchers observe how fluctuations in ovarian hormones shape the structure and function in the mouse hippocampus, with implications for neural plasticity in humans.
Discover Lockheed Martin’s vision for how a water-based lunar architecture will help us settle permanently and sustainably on the Moon.
Researchers in Singapore have achieved a breakthrough in rechargeable battery technology by solving one of the most persistent challenges in zinc-ion batteries, with the help of artificial intelligence.
Dendrites, tiny needle-like structures that form during charging and cause short circuits, have long posed an issue in zinc-ion (Zn-ion) battery technology by compromising battery safety and shortening their lifespan.
The volcano is thousands of feet below the ocean’s surface, so it poses no danger to people. But under all that water, a dramatic eruption is brewing.
A growing number of companies are using artificial intelligence to boost efficiency, sometimes at the expense of human headcount.
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The rise of AI has made us humans increasingly question what consciousness really is. In a recent study, researchers pitted two competing theories of consciousness against one another, the controversial Integrated Information Theory versus Global Neuronal Workspace Theory. Let’s take a look at what they found.
Paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08888-1
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Long thought to be mere support cells, astrocytes are now shown to play a powerful, dynamic role in regulating brain function and behavior.
Scientists teleported light for the first time, opening doors for quantum communication and the possibility of sending data to another far-off galaxy.
If you need an excuse to turn off the laptop over the weekend or rein in overtime, scientists have found that working extended hours actually changes parts of the brain linked to emotional regulation, working memory and solving problems. While we know the toll that “overwork” takes physically and mentally, the precise neurological impact has not been well understood.
An international team of researchers including scientists from Korea’s Chung-Ang University assessed 110 healthcare workers – 32 who worked excessive hours (52 or more per week) and 78 who clocked less than 52 hours per week, or what would be considered closer to standard hours in the field. Voxel based morphometry (VBM) to assess gray matter and atlas-based analysis was then applied to MRI scans of each individual’s brain, identifying volume and connectivity differences.
When the scientists adjusted the results to account for age and sex, they found that, in the overworked cohort, the imaging showed a significant difference in brain volume in 17 different regions of the organ – including the middle frontal gyrus (MFG), insula and superior temporal gyrus (STG). Atlas-based analysis identified that, in the overworked individuals, there was 19% more volume in the left caudal MFG. The MFG – part of the brain’s frontal lobe – is the heavy lifter when it comes to executive functioning like emotional regulation, working memory, attention and planning, while the STG’s main task is auditory and language processing. The insula, meanwhile, is key in pain processing and other sensory signaling.
