https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/infant_and_preschool_learning/ Read latest research summaries on infant and preschool learning, including setting foundations for literacy, numeracy and social skills. en-us Sun, 08 Mar 2026 01:23:22 EST Sun, 08 Mar 2026 01:23:22 EST 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/infant_and_preschool_learning/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260213223926.htm Sleeping on a problem might be more powerful than we ever imagined. Neuroscientists at Northwestern University have shown that dreams can actually be nudged in specific directions — and those dream tweaks may boost creativity. By playing subtle sound cues during REM sleep, researchers prompted people to dream about unsolved brain teasers they had struggled with earlier. An astonishing 75% of participants dreamed about the cued puzzles, and those puzzles were solved far more often the next day. Sun, 15 Feb 2026 01:47:47 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260213223926.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260211073023.htm A simple brain-training program that sharpens how quickly older adults process visual information may have a surprisingly powerful long-term payoff. In a major 20-year study of adults 65 and older, those who completed five to six weeks of adaptive “speed of processing” training — along with a few booster sessions — were significantly less likely to develop dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, even two decades later. Participants who received the boosted speed training had a 25% lower dementia risk compared to those who received no training, making it the only intervention in the trial to show such a lasting protective effect. Wed, 11 Feb 2026 22:15:24 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260211073023.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260204114144.htm At just two months old, babies are already organizing the world in their minds. Brain scans revealed distinct patterns as infants looked at pictures of animals, toys, and everyday objects, showing early category recognition. Scientists used AI to help decode these patterns, offering a rare glimpse into infant thinking. The results suggest babies begin learning and understanding far sooner than expected. Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:14:20 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260204114144.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251226045345.htm A first-of-its-kind national trial shows that public Montessori preschool students enter kindergarten with stronger reading, memory, and executive function skills than their peers. These gains don’t fade — they grow over time, bucking a long-standing trend in early education research. Even better, Montessori programs cost about $13,000 less per child than traditional preschool. The results suggest a powerful, affordable model hiding in plain sight. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 07:40:43 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251226045345.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251221043218.htm A major international review has upended long-held ideas about how top performers are made. By analyzing nearly 35,000 elite achievers across science, music, chess, and sports, researchers found that early stars rarely become adult superstars. Most world-class performers developed slowly and explored multiple fields before specializing. The message is clear: talent grows through variety, not narrow focus. Sun, 21 Dec 2025 10:05:31 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251221043218.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251209234247.htm Researchers discovered that unusually high temperatures can hinder early childhood development. Children living in hotter conditions were less likely to reach key learning milestones, especially in reading and basic math skills. Those facing economic hardship or limited resources were hit the hardest. The study underscores how climate change may shape children’s learning long before they reach school age. Wed, 10 Dec 2025 00:59:03 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251209234247.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251202052234.htm Researchers have solved the decades-old mystery behind how a common pregnancy drug lowers blood pressure. It turns out the medication blocks a fast-acting “oxygen alarm” inside cells. That same alarm helps brain tumors survive, meaning the drug unexpectedly weakens them, too. The discovery could inspire better treatments for both preeclampsia and brain cancer. Tue, 02 Dec 2025 23:15:16 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251202052234.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251201084942.htm A large study of brain scans shows that our neural wiring evolves through five major stages from birth to late old age. These phases are separated by sudden turning points that mark big shifts in how the brain is organized. The most surprising discovery is that adolescent-style development lasts into our early thirties. The work helps explain changing abilities and risks at different points in life. Mon, 01 Dec 2025 08:57:55 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251201084942.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251128050509.htm Princeton researchers found that the brain excels at learning because it reuses modular “cognitive blocks” across many tasks. Monkeys switching between visual categorization challenges revealed that the prefrontal cortex assembles these blocks like Legos to create new behaviors. This flexibility explains why humans learn quickly while AI models often forget old skills. The insights may help build better AI and new clinical treatments for impaired cognitive adaptability. Fri, 28 Nov 2025 09:09:38 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251128050509.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251115095928.htm Chimps may revise their beliefs in surprisingly human-like ways. Experiments showed they switched choices when presented with stronger clues, demonstrating flexible reasoning. Computational modeling confirmed these decisions weren’t just instinct. The findings could influence how we think about learning in both children and AI. Sun, 16 Nov 2025 02:30:46 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251115095928.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251103093016.htm Researchers found that embodying a digital, childlike version of one’s own face helps unlock vivid childhood memories. This illusion strengthens the connection between bodily self-perception and autobiographical recall. The findings suggest that memory retrieval is not purely mental but deeply linked to how we perceive our own bodies. Such insights could lead to tools for recovering forgotten memories or treating memory loss. Mon, 03 Nov 2025 22:44:15 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251103093016.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251014014304.htm Groundbreaking Harvard research is exposing hidden energy failures inside brain cells that may drive major psychiatric conditions. By studying reprogrammed neurons, scientists are revealing how cellular metabolism shapes mood, thought, and cognition. The work calls for abandoning rigid diagnostic categories in favor of biology-based systems that reflect true complexity. It marks a decisive shift toward preventive and precision mental healthcare. Tue, 14 Oct 2025 08:21:08 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251014014304.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251005085616.htm Stanford scientists found that aging disrupts the brain’s internal navigation system in mice, mirroring spatial memory decline in humans. Older mice struggled to recall familiar locations, while a few “super-agers” retained youthful brain patterns. Genetic clues suggest some animals, and people, may be naturally resistant to cognitive aging. The discovery could pave the way for preventing memory loss in old age. Sun, 05 Oct 2025 08:56:16 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251005085616.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251002073956.htm Scientists confirmed that pianists can alter timbre through touch, using advanced sensors to capture micro-movements that shape sound perception. The discovery bridges art and science, promising applications in music education, neuroscience, and beyond. Thu, 02 Oct 2025 08:54:04 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251002073956.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250915202839.htm Preschoolers with ADHD are often given medication right after diagnosis, against medical guidelines that recommend starting with behavioral therapy. Limited access to therapy and physician pressures drive early prescribing, despite risks and reduced effectiveness in young children. Tue, 16 Sep 2025 05:10:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250915202839.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250906013448.htm Getting a smartphone before age 13 may drastically increase the risk of poor mental health later in life, according to data from more than 100,000 people. Early use is linked to suicidal thoughts, aggression, and detachment, largely driven by social media, cyberbullying, and lost sleep. Researchers urge urgent action to restrict access and protect young minds. Sat, 06 Sep 2025 01:57:26 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250906013448.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250818103000.htm MSU researchers discovered that microbes begin shaping the brain while still in the womb, influencing neurons in a region critical for stress and social behavior. Their findings suggest modern birth practices that alter the microbiome may have hidden impacts on brain development. Tue, 19 Aug 2025 09:54:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250818103000.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250813083608.htm UC Berkeley scientists found oxytocin is key for quickly forming strong friendships, but less critical for mate bonds. In prairie voles, a lack of oxytocin receptors delayed bonding and reduced partner selectivity, changing how the brain releases oxytocin and affecting social behavior. Wed, 13 Aug 2025 23:01:14 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250813083608.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250724040455.htm Scientists at Princeton and the Simons Foundation have identified four biologically distinct subtypes of autism, using data from over 5,000 children and a powerful new computational method. These subtypes—each with unique traits, developmental paths, and genetic signatures—promise to revolutionize how we understand, diagnose, and treat autism. Thu, 24 Jul 2025 22:45:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250724040455.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250701234739.htm Researchers testing urine from 2- to 4-year-olds in four U.S. states uncovered 96 different chemicals, many of them unmonitored and linked to hormone and brain disruption. Legacy toxins like triclosan are slowly declining, yet replacements such as DINCH plasticizer and modern pesticides are rising. Toddlers—especially the youngest, later-born, and those from minority groups—often carried higher levels than their own mothers. Scientists urge expanded biomonitoring and stricter regulations before these invisible pollutants derail early development. Wed, 02 Jul 2025 00:54:14 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250701234739.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250613013918.htm A protective sugar coating on brain blood vessels, once thought to be insignificant, turns out to play a vital role in preventing cognitive decline. Restoring this layer reversed damage and memory loss in aging brains, offering a fresh approach to treating neurodegenerative diseases. Fri, 13 Jun 2025 01:39:18 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250613013918.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250603141208.htm The effects of artificial intelligence on adolescents are nuanced and complex, according to a new report that calls on developers to prioritize features that protect young people from exploitation, manipulation and the erosion of real-world relationships. Tue, 03 Jun 2025 14:12:08 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250603141208.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250530124123.htm Singing to your infant can significantly boost the baby's mood, according to a recent study. Around the world and across cultures, singing to babies seems to come instinctively to caregivers. Now, new findings support that singing is an easy, safe, and free way to help improve the mental well-being of infants. Because improved mood in infancy is associated with a greater quality of life for both parents and babies, this in turn has benefits for the health of the entire family, the researchers say. The study also helps explain why musical behaviors may have evolved in parents. Fri, 30 May 2025 12:41:23 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250530124123.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528131636.htm Parental warmth and affection in early childhood can have life-long physical and mental health benefits for children, and new research points to an important underlying process: children's sense of social safety. Wed, 28 May 2025 13:16:36 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528131636.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527124229.htm The U.S. is facing a maternal health crisis with higher rates of maternal mortality than any other high-income country. Social and economic factors, including income, are recognized determinants of maternal morbidity and mortality. In addition, more than half of pregnancy-related deaths (deaths occurring during pregnancy or within one year after delivery) occur in the postpartum year. In what is believed to be the first review to summarize evidence on the effect of unconditional cash transfers (UCTs) on postpartum health outcomes in the U.S., researchers have found strong evidence that UCTs increase breastfeeding rates and result in little to no difference in postpartum mood. Tue, 27 May 2025 12:42:29 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527124229.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527124117.htm A new study reveals a concerning decline in self-reported mental health among mothers in the United States between 2016 and 2023. The study also found modest but measurable declines in self-reported physical health during the same period. Tue, 27 May 2025 12:41:17 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527124117.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522162544.htm A new study examines the emergence of overimitation in infants aged between 16 and 21 months to see if and how it is linked to social affiliation and other forms of imitation. The researchers found that young children engaged in low rates of overimitation and that it was not driven by in-group preference -- meaning they were not acting to please someone similar to themselves. This suggests that overimitation for social affiliation reasons may emerge later. But they did find that other types of imitation associated with memory and cognition were closely correlated. Thu, 22 May 2025 16:25:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522162544.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514175431.htm That 'aha' moment when you come back to a puzzle and immediately figure it out? Something fascinating is going on in your brain. A new study using functional magnetic resonance imaging shows that these flashes of insight aren't just satisfying -- they create strong memories that can help etch learning into the brain. Wed, 14 May 2025 17:54:31 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514175431.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514151712.htm A new study outlines how artificial intelligence-powered handwriting analysis may serve as an early detection tool for dyslexia and dysgraphia among young children. Wed, 14 May 2025 15:17:12 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514151712.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514111245.htm Postpartum maternal mental health and mother-to-infant bonding are well-established as critical factors in a child's psychosocial development. However, few studies have explored the combined impact of postpartum maternal depression and early bonding experiences on emotional and behavioral difficulties during middle childhood. A new study reveals significant associations between postpartum depression, mother-to-infant bonding, and child difficulties. Notably, secure early bonding was found to partially buffer the long-term effects of postpartum depression on child outcomes. Wed, 14 May 2025 11:12:45 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514111245.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250513112444.htm As kids spend more time on screens, a new national survey conducted by Ipsos on behalf of The Kids Mental Health Foundation, founded by Nationwide Children's Hospital, identifies parents' greatest fears for their children around screen time. Tue, 13 May 2025 11:24:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250513112444.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512153344.htm Lowering the legal tackle height in women's rugby is proving effective in reducing head contacts between players, a new study suggests. Changes to the tackle height law in women's community rugby in Scotland is linked to reductions in head-to-head and head-to shoulder contacts, the study found. The researchers used video analysis to study the impact of the lowered tackle height law which World Rugby, the sport's governing body, introduced for community rugby in an attempt to improve safety for players. Mon, 12 May 2025 15:33:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512153344.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512133654.htm A team of researchers has identified distinct mother-offspring attachment types in wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus). Drawing parallels with human psychology, the study provides compelling evidence that wild chimpanzee infants, like human children, develop critical secure and insecure-avoidant attachment patterns to their mothers. However, unlike humans and some captive chimpanzees, wild chimpanzees did not exhibit disorganized attachment characterized by high rates of aggression. This raises new questions about how this type of attachment may be shaped by survival and modern environmental pressures. Mon, 12 May 2025 13:36:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512133654.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507200809.htm Parents' genes -- even when not directly inherited by a child -- may play a role in their educational and mental health outcomes, finds a new report. Wed, 07 May 2025 20:08:09 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507200809.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507130508.htm A new study surveyed 21,000 children in China and found that the association between parental bereavement and school bullying varied by sex of the child and deceased parent, age when the death occurred, and geographical area. Adolescents in rural areas, girls, and older youth (ages 13-17) were at higher risk of bullying after either parent died. Wed, 07 May 2025 13:05:08 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507130508.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507125707.htm Brain researchers have identified a bridge between the thalamus and the cortex as the key area that is modified during motor learning functions. They found that such learning does much more than adjust activity levels, it sculpts the circuit's wiring, refining the conversation between brain regions. Wed, 07 May 2025 12:57:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507125707.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250506105348.htm A study found that targeted coaching for caregivers of infants as young as 8 months significantly enhances babies' communication and cognitive development. Tue, 06 May 2025 10:53:48 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250506105348.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250505170644.htm Neuroscientists are developing methods to map the brain systems that allow us to recognize and get around our world. Mon, 05 May 2025 17:06:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250505170644.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250505121754.htm Physically punishing children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) has exclusively negative outcomes -- including poor health, lower academic performance, and impaired social-emotional development -- yielding similar results to studies in wealthier nations, finds a new analysis. Mon, 05 May 2025 12:17:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250505121754.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250501122234.htm A new study shows how damaging it can be for college students in introductory STEM classes to compare how hard they work to the extent of effort put in by their peers. Thu, 01 May 2025 12:22:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250501122234.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430142254.htm Childhood trauma significantly increases the likelihood of engaging in harmful alcohol consumption, smoking and illicit drug use, by the age of 18. Wed, 30 Apr 2025 14:22:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430142254.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430141644.htm An AI tool has made a step forward in translating the language proteins use to dictate whether they form sticky clumps similar to those linked to Alzheimer's Disease and around fifty other types of human disease. In a departure from typical 'black-box' AI models, the new tool, CANYA, was designed to be able to explain its decisions, revealing the specific chemical patterns that drive or prevent harmful protein folding. Wed, 30 Apr 2025 14:16:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430141644.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250423164351.htm A new study finds vision loss fears may deter some patients from cataract surgery, despite it being the only effective treatment. The research underscores the role of doctor-patient relationships in medical decisions. Wed, 23 Apr 2025 16:43:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250423164351.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250423164051.htm A new study by developmental scientists offers the first evidence that infants as young as 15 months can identify an object they have learned about from listening to language -- even if the object remains hidden. Wed, 23 Apr 2025 16:40:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250423164051.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250419211922.htm Five-year-olds exposed to paternal depression are more likely to have behavioral issues in grade school, researchers find. Sat, 19 Apr 2025 21:19:22 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250419211922.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250418112818.htm New research has found that nearly half of the time American children spend with their grandparents involves interacting with or watching media on a screen. How that screen time is managed can influence media habits and impact family relationships. Fri, 18 Apr 2025 11:28:18 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250418112818.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250416135500.htm Affectionate mothering in childhood may have a lasting impact on important personality traits, potentially influencing life outcomes such as educational achievement, economic success, and health and well-being, according to new research. The findings suggest that positive maternal parenting could foster important traits such as openness, conscientiousness and agreeableness. Wed, 16 Apr 2025 13:55:00 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250416135500.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250415211247.htm Macaque mothers experience a short period of physical restlessness after the death of an infant, but do not show typical human signs of grief, such as lethargy and appetite loss, finds a new study by anthropologists. Tue, 15 Apr 2025 21:12:47 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250415211247.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250415144014.htm A new study questions the longstanding view that the visual system is divided into two pathways, one for object-recognition and the other for spatial tasks. Using computational vision models, researchers found the ventral visual stream, may not be exclusively optimized for object recognition. Tue, 15 Apr 2025 14:40:14 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250415144014.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409173111.htm While some studies have suggested that having a mother with Alzheimer's disease may put you more at risk of developing the disease, a new study finds that having a father with the disease may be tied to a greater spread of the tau protein in the brain that is a sign of the disease, according to a new study. Wed, 09 Apr 2025 17:31:11 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409173111.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250408122118.htm Researchers explored the long-term effects of preschool expansion in Japan in the 1960s, revealing significant reductions in risky behaviors amongst teenagers. By analyzing regional differences in the rollout of the program, the study identified links between early childhood education and lower rates of juvenile violent arrests and teenage pregnancy. The findings suggest that improved noncognitive skills played a key role in mitigating risky behaviors, highlighting the lasting benefits of early-education policies. Tue, 08 Apr 2025 12:21:18 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250408122118.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250407114230.htm Body signals such as heartbeat and breathing accompany us constantly, often unnoticed as background noise of our perception. Even in the earliest years of life, these signals are important as they contribute to the development of self-awareness and identity. However, until know little has been known about whether and how babies can perceive their own body signals. A recent study demonstrates for the first time that babies as young as 3 months can perceive their own heartbeat. Mon, 07 Apr 2025 11:42:30 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250407114230.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250403183134.htm How does a robotic arm or a prosthetic hand learn a complex task like grasping and rotating a ball? Researchers address the classic 'nature versus nurture' question. The research demonstrates that the sequence of learning, also known as the 'curriculum,' is critical for learning to occur. In fact, the researchers note that if the curriculum takes place in a particular sequence, a simulated robotic hand can learn to manipulate with incomplete or even absent tactile sensation. Thu, 03 Apr 2025 18:31:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250403183134.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250402122025.htm A newly published study found that a mother's exposure to phthalates during pregnancy can affect their newborn's metabolism and brain development. These widely used plasticizers are commonly found in a variety of cosmetics and personal care products, such as shampoos, soaps, and detergents, as well as plastic food and beverage containers. Wed, 02 Apr 2025 12:20:25 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250402122025.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250401131012.htm A research group has uncovered a potential mechanism linking maternal inflammation to delayed neurodevelopment in infants. The research suggests the role of CD11c-positive microglia -- immune cells in the brain crucial for myelination -- during infant brain development. Their findings suggest new strategies to mitigate the long-term neurodevelopmental effects of maternal inflammation. Tue, 01 Apr 2025 13:10:12 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250401131012.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250320144819.htm Americans have long believed that sports are one area in society that offers kids from all backgrounds the chance to succeed to the best of their abilities. But new research suggests that this belief is largely a myth, and that success in high school and college athletics often is influenced by race and gender, as well as socioeconomic status, including family wealth and education. Thu, 20 Mar 2025 14:48:19 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250320144819.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250320144619.htm Though we learn so much during our first years of life, we can't, as adults, remember specific events from that time. Researchers have long believed we don't hold onto these experiences because the part of the brain responsible for saving memories -- the hippocampus -- is still developing well into adolescence and just can't encode memories in our earliest years. But new research finds evidence that's not the case. In a study, researchers showed infants new images and later tested whether they remembered them. When an infant's hippocampus was more active upon seeing an image the first time, they were more likely to appear to recognize that image later. The findings indicate that memories can indeed be encoded in our brains in our first years of life. And the researchers are now looking into what happens to those memories over time. Thu, 20 Mar 2025 14:46:19 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250320144619.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250317164050.htm By studying never-before-seen details of brain connectivity in human infants, researchers have identified how a balance of innate structure and flexible learning produces our remarkably organized visual brains. Mon, 17 Mar 2025 16:40:50 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250317164050.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250314113550.htm The oxytocin system -- which helps release breast milk and strengthens the bond between mother and baby -- may be affected during breastfeeding in mothers experiencing postnatal depression. Fri, 14 Mar 2025 11:35:50 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250314113550.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250312165611.htm Research finds people who learn the basics of debate are more likely to advance to leadership roles in U.S. organizations. A key reason seems to be that debate training makes employees more comfortable about being assertive in the workplace. Wed, 12 Mar 2025 16:56:11 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250312165611.htm