All posts tagged: pathways

Scientists reveal the biological pathways linking childhood trauma to chronic gut pain

Scientists reveal the biological pathways linking childhood trauma to chronic gut pain

Published by José Betancourt

Two recent studies published in Gastroenterology provide evidence that events in early life shape the long-term health of the gut and brain. The research suggests that early stress and fetal exposure to certain medications increase the risk of digestive and mood disorders. Together, these findings point to new ways to treat conditions that involve both the brain and the digestive system. Disorders of gut-brain interaction are digestive conditions that often occur alongside mood disorders like anxiety and depression. These conditions affect up to 40 percent of people worldwide and include issues like irritable bowel syndrome and functional constipation. Scientists recognize that the physical connection between the gut and brain tends to dictate how these diseases develop. “As a physician who specializes in kids with disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI), I was caring for a number of children who were really suffering with symptoms (constipation, diarrhea and/or abdominal pain) so severe that they lived their lives in fear of not feeling well rather than focusing on thriving at school and enjoying friends and family, as they …

Maturing brain pathways explain the sudden leap in children’s language skills

Maturing brain pathways explain the sudden leap in children’s language skills

Published by José Betancourt

Between the ages of three and four, children undergo a major leap in their ability to use grammar, and recent research provides evidence that this behavioral milestone corresponds to the maturation of specific neural pathways. A new study published in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience suggests that the white matter connections along the upper routes of the brain mature during this time to facilitate the learning of grammar rules. This structural shift helps explain why children’s language abilities expand so rapidly just before they start kindergarten. Learning a native language requires young children to master a massive vocabulary and figure out the complex rules for combining words. While scientists know a great deal about how the adult brain processes these rules, it remains unclear exactly how the developing brain supports early language acquisition. In adults, rule-based linguistic processes rely on specific white matter pathways. White matter consists of bundles of nerve fibers that act like communication cables, connecting different brain regions and allowing them to share information rapidly. These particular language pathways mature relatively late in child …

Psychologists map out the pathways connecting sacred beliefs to better sex

Psychologists map out the pathways connecting sacred beliefs to better sex

Published by José Betancourt

Viewing sexual intimacy as a sacred experience is linked to higher levels of sexual satisfaction and passion, a newly published psychological study reveals. The research shows that finding spiritual meaning in the bedroom operates by enhancing specific relationship habits, such as open communication and staying present in the moment, rather than just increasing the frequency of intimacy. These findings were published in the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy. Psychologists often study how humans create meaning to navigate and enrich their daily lives. One way people construct meaning is through a process called sanctification. This occurs when a person perceives ordinary aspects of life as having a divine character or a deep, sacred significance. While the word sacred might bring traditional religion to mind, researchers note that sanctification is a psychological reality experienced by people both inside and outside of formal faith communities. When an individual views a part of their life as sacred, they tend to invest extra time and energy into making it flourish. They also tend to use these deeply meaningful areas …

Brain scans shed light on how short videos impair memory and alter neural pathways

Brain scans shed light on how short videos impair memory and alter neural pathways

Published by José Betancourt

Watching fragmented short videos rather than a single continuous video leads to poorer memory recall and alters how the brain retrieves information. A recent experiment revealed that fast-paced episodic media formats disrupt the neural systems responsible for integrating details and maintaining cognitive control. These results were published in the journal npj Science of Learning. Media consumption has shifted dramatically toward bite-sized content on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. This explosion of fast-paced entertainment has inspired intense public debate about its effects on the human mind. The term “brain rot” became a widely recognized phrase recently to describe the mental fatigue associated with scrolling through endless disconnected clips. The phenomenon has prompted parents and policymakers to question whether modern internet platforms are structurally altering human cognition. Psychologists and educators are particularly interested in how this type of media affects memory retention and focused learning. Many schools and training programs have recently adopted short instructional videos to boost student engagement. Despite the popularity of these micro-learning tools, research displays a conflicting picture of their mental benefits. …

Brain scans reveal Democrats and Republicans use different neural pathways to buy groceries

Brain scans reveal Democrats and Republicans use different neural pathways to buy groceries

Published by José Betancourt

The way Republicans and Democrats think about everyday food purchases looks distinctly different on a brain scan, even when they end up buying the exact same groceries. This insight comes from a neuroimaging study published in the journal Politics and the Life Sciences, which revealed that people with different political affiliations rely on different neural pathways to make identical decisions. The researchers found they could accurately predict a person’s political party just by looking at their brain activity during a routine shopping task. The study sits at the intersection of neuroscience and political behavior. Researchers in this field look at how political ideology corresponds to brain structure and internal processing. Past experiments have shown that liberals and conservatives exhibit different neural activity when faced with situations involving physical threats, risky financial bets, or disgusting images. Those previous experiments generally used highly emotional or provocative triggers. The research team behind the new study wanted to see if political affiliation corresponds to different brain activity during ordinary decisions that lack obvious emotional weight. Choosing what to make …

Rethinking higher-education pathways for post-diploma and ITE graduates

Rethinking higher-education pathways for post-diploma and ITE graduates

Published by Sam Flores

Prof Gary Pan, SMU’s associate provost of lifelong learning, said the IPMDE focuses on hands-on, application-based upskilling, with students working on real-world projects sponsored by companies and government organisations. “Modules are taught by industry practitioners and offered several times a year, with some delivered online to allow learners to study wherever they are,” he said. “Modules can be completed in no prescribed sequence and learners have up to three years to complete the programme.” This flexibility is further supported by a suite of specialised IGDs that can be stacked towards the IPMDE across a range of industry-aligned domains focused on digital capabilities. The recent addition of three new programmes – IGD in Carbon Reporting and Lifecycle Management, IGD in Generative AI, Large Language Models and AI Governance, and IGD in Leadership and People Management – expands the existing portfolio, which already includes areas such as the digital economy and innovation, customer experience, procurement, leadership and management, and supply chain and operations. Together, these programmes provide learners with structured pathways to deepen their expertise and stay …

Psilocybin helps the brain unlearn fear by silencing specific neural pathways

Psilocybin helps the brain unlearn fear by silencing specific neural pathways

Published by José Betancourt

A new study published in Nature Neuroscience provides a detailed look at how the psychedelic drug psilocybin facilitates the unlearning of fear in the brain. The research reveals that the drug does not simply boost learning capabilities but specifically coordinates the suppression of neurons holding traumatic memories while recruiting new cells to encode safety. These changes in neural activity patterns were found to predict how successfully an individual could overcome a conditioned fear response. Neuropsychiatric conditions often trap patients in rigid patterns of thought and behavior. Disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety affect over a billion people globally. A defining feature of these conditions is behavioral inflexibility. This is the inability to adapt to new information, such as realizing a previously dangerous trigger is now safe. Psilocybin is a compound naturally found in certain species of mushrooms. It has emerged as a potential treatment for these stubborn disorders. Clinical trials have shown that even a single dose can produce lasting improvements in mental health. Patients often report increased feelings of well-being …