Could the answer to treating a rare childhood brain disorder be hiding behind some whiskers? Underlying this unlikely connection is a shared genetic malfunction that affects both feline and human brains in strikingly similar ways. Researchers are turning to cats to unravel the mysteries of GM1 gangliosidosis, a…

Every day, beautiful chirps of millions of different bird species can be heard all around the world. However, this beautiful singing is far more than a background melody to your outdoor walk: it may be the key to understanding one of humanity’s biggest mysteries. Through studying birdsong, researchers…

New research reveals that children’s problems with making friends, managing emotions, and self-esteem didn’t just disappear when routines went back to “normal” after the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, according to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, these struggles got worse in 2022-2023 for some…

The world is teeming with biological assassins. They lurk everywhere—in secluded forests, homes, and even within your body. Some stalk silently, striking when backs are turned. Others, like viruses, infiltrate and hijack their targets. Their motive is clear: survive and reproduce. Yet, prion diseases, also known as transmissible…

Originally a necessary life skill, swimming has evolved from basic protection against drowning to an enjoyable activity for many, and has become the fourth most popular recreational activity in the country. About 50 million Americans are swimmers taking to the many rivers, lakes, and oceans around the United…

Nonhuman primates—monkeys for the most part—are paving the way headfirst into exciting new research. They have always played a fundamental role in research that explores neuroscience concepts and sheds light on brain functions, cognitive processes, and neurological diseases. They are critical to finding new approaches to the treatment…

Could the key to certain brain disorder treatments lie in an aquarium? While different from us, fish may help us understand the human brain’s intricacies. Zebrafish, tropical freshwater fish named for their horizontal stripes, are genetically quite similar to humans. For “about 70% of human genes, you can…

Think of the last event in your life that you would describe as depressing. It’s probably not a pleasant thought–maybe something along the lines of a pet passing away or a loved one getting into an accident. The word depression is used a lot under different contexts. As…

What if your number on a waiting list determined whether you lived or died? Imagine you just learned you needed an organ transplant—a kidney, a heart, a liver, or some other organ—to regain energy to go to work, or attend school, or simply to stay alive and out…