https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/spirituality/ A scientific look at the nature of spirituality, including meditation, near death experiences, religion and altered states of consciousness. en-us Fri, 06 Mar 2026 02:09:23 EST Fri, 06 Mar 2026 02:09:23 EST 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/spirituality/ 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/2026/02/260212234218.htm Scientists at Cedars-Sinai have uncovered a surprising repair system in the spinal cord that could open new doors for treating paralysis, stroke, and diseases like multiple sclerosis. They found that special support cells called astrocytes—located far from the actual injury—spring into action after damage. These “lesion-remote astrocytes” send out a protein signal, CCN1, that reprograms immune cells to efficiently clean up fatty nerve debris. Fri, 13 Feb 2026 08:47:43 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260212234218.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260208233825.htm A sweeping new review of ADHD treatments—drawing on more than 200 meta-analyses—cuts through years of mixed messaging and hype. To make sense of it all, researchers have launched an interactive, public website that lets people with ADHD and clinicians explore what actually works, helping them make clearer, evidence-based decisions—while also highlighting a major gap: most solid evidence only covers short-term effects, even though long-term treatment is common. Tue, 10 Feb 2026 01:32:16 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260208233825.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260203030554.htm Scientists still don’t know how the brain turns physical activity into thoughts, feelings, and awareness—but a powerful new tool may help crack the mystery. Researchers at MIT are exploring transcranial focused ultrasound, a noninvasive technology that can precisely stimulate deep regions of the brain that were previously off-limits. In a new “roadmap” paper, they explain how this method could finally let scientists test cause-and-effect in consciousness research, not just observe correlations. Wed, 04 Feb 2026 07:42:40 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260203030554.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260131084626.htm Scientists warn that rapid advances in AI and neurotechnology are outpacing our understanding of consciousness, creating serious ethical risks. New research argues that developing scientific tests for awareness could transform medicine, animal welfare, law, and AI development. But identifying consciousness in machines, brain organoids, or patients could also force society to rethink responsibility, rights, and moral boundaries. The question of what it means to be conscious has never been more urgent—or more unsettling. Sun, 01 Feb 2026 08:49:46 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260131084626.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260127112130.htm AI may learn better when it’s allowed to talk to itself. Researchers showed that internal “mumbling,” combined with short-term memory, helps AI adapt to new tasks, switch goals, and handle complex challenges more easily. This approach boosts learning efficiency while using far less training data. It could pave the way for more flexible, human-like AI systems. Wed, 28 Jan 2026 03:47:06 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260127112130.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122074033.htm New research suggests that auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia may come from a brain glitch that confuses inner thoughts for external voices. Normally, the brain predicts the sound of its own inner speech and tones down its response. But in people hearing voices, brain activity ramps up instead, as if the voice belongs to someone else. The discovery could help scientists develop early warning signs for psychosis. Fri, 23 Jan 2026 08:46:23 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122074033.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260114080325.htm A new study reveals that alpha brain waves help the brain decide what belongs to your body. Faster rhythms allow the brain to match sight and touch more precisely, strengthening the feeling that a body part is truly yours. Slower rhythms blur that timing, making it harder to separate self from surroundings. The findings could improve prosthetic design and immersive virtual experiences. Wed, 14 Jan 2026 08:23:10 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260114080325.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251225035342.htm Attention depends on the brain’s ability to filter out distractions, but new research suggests this works best when background brain activity is quieter. Scientists found that lowering certain versions of the Homer1 gene improved focus in mice by calming neural noise. The effect was strongest during a critical developmental window. This approach could inspire new treatments for ADHD that work by reducing mental clutter instead of increasing stimulation. Fri, 02 Jan 2026 10:21:08 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251225035342.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251224032351.htm The familiar fight between “mind as software” and “mind as biology” may be a false choice. This work proposes biological computationalism: the idea that brains compute, but not in the abstract, symbol-shuffling way we usually imagine. Instead, computation is inseparable from the brain’s physical structure, energy constraints, and continuous dynamics. That reframes consciousness as something that emerges from a special kind of computing matter, not from running the right program. Wed, 24 Dec 2025 09:12:17 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251224032351.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251215084209.htm Consciousness evolved in stages, starting with basic survival responses like pain and alarm, then expanding into focused awareness and self-reflection. These layers help organisms avoid danger, learn from the environment, and coordinate socially. Surprisingly, birds show many of these same traits, from subjective perception to basic self-awareness. This suggests consciousness is far older and more widespread than once believed. Mon, 15 Dec 2025 10:29:52 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251215084209.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251209043050.htm New research is challenging one of medicine’s oldest assumptions: that cancer must be attacked to be cured. By treating glioblastoma patients with a simple combination of resveratrol and copper, the researchers found dramatic reductions in tumor aggressiveness, cancer biomarkers, immune checkpoints, and stem-cell–related markers—all without side effects. Their approach focuses on “healing” tumors by eliminating harmful cell-free chromatin particles released from dying cancer cells, which normally inflame and worsen the disease. The findings hint at a future where inexpensive nutraceuticals could transform cancer therapy. Wed, 10 Dec 2025 03:56:21 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251209043050.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251209043042.htm Humans don’t just recognize each other’s voices—our brains also light up for the calls of chimpanzees, hinting at ancient communication roots shared with our closest primate relatives. Researchers found a specialized region in the auditory cortex that reacts distinctly to chimp vocalizations, but not to those of bonobos or macaques, revealing an unexpected mix of evolutionary and acoustic influences. Wed, 10 Dec 2025 01:45:47 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251209043042.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251105050730.htm Meditation is widely praised for its mental health benefits, but new research shows that it can also produce unexpected side effects for some people—from anxiety and dissociation to functional impairment. Psychologist Nicholas Van Dam and his team found that nearly 60% of meditators experienced some kind of effect, and about a third found them distressing. Wed, 05 Nov 2025 11:56:14 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251105050730.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251101000713.htm Researchers discovered that altering the body’s natural rhythm can help protect the brain from Alzheimer’s damage. By turning off a circadian protein in mice, they raised NAD+ levels and reduced harmful tau buildup. The findings suggest that adjusting the body’s clock may one day help prevent neurodegeneration. Sat, 01 Nov 2025 09:20:45 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251101000713.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251029002910.htm New research reveals that intelligence plays a key role in how well people process speech in noisy environments. The study compared neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals and found that cognitive ability predicted performance across all groups. This challenges the idea that listening struggles are solely due to hearing loss, emphasizing the brain’s role in decoding complex soundscapes. Wed, 29 Oct 2025 09:14:22 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251029002910.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251008030949.htm Researchers have designed a peptide that prevents the deadly misfolding of alpha-synuclein, the protein behind Parkinson’s and some dementias. In lab and animal tests, it stabilized the protein and improved motor function. The work demonstrates the power of rational drug design in tackling brain diseases that have long lacked effective treatments. Wed, 08 Oct 2025 03:09:49 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251008030949.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250922075000.htm Meditation apps are revolutionizing mental health, providing easy access to mindfulness practices and new opportunities for scientific research. With the help of wearables and AI, these tools can now deliver personalized training tailored to individual needs. Mon, 22 Sep 2025 23:44:09 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250922075000.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250901104656.htm High-ventilation breathwork with music can evoke psychedelic-like states, shifting blood flow in the brain and reducing negative emotions. Participants experienced unity and bliss, pointing to a natural therapeutic tool with powerful potential. Tue, 02 Sep 2025 08:24:12 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250901104656.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250901104649.htm Japanese scientists have developed ADRIANA, a non-opioid painkiller that could provide powerful relief without the dangers of addiction. With successful trials already completed, large U.S. studies are now underway, raising hopes for a safer future in pain treatment. Tue, 02 Sep 2025 03:32:58 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250901104649.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250818102949.htm Researchers analyzing 33 studies found strong evidence that highly sensitive people are more prone to depression and anxiety but also more likely to benefit from therapy. Since about 31% of the population is highly sensitive, experts argue that clinicians should consider sensitivity levels when diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. Tue, 19 Aug 2025 00:17:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250818102949.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250724040940.htm A massive global survey has revealed that people with eating disorders often turn to cannabis and psychedelics like magic mushrooms and LSD to ease their symptoms, rating them more effective than traditional medications. Surprisingly, common prescriptions like antidepressants were seen as helpful for overall mental health but fell short for eating disorder relief. Thu, 24 Jul 2025 10:42:21 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250724040940.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250721223838.htm A surprising discovery from Emory University shows that psilocin, the active metabolite of psychedelic mushrooms, can delay cellular aging and extend lifespan. Human cells lived over 50% longer, and mice treated with psilocybin not only lived 30% longer but also looked and aged better. Tue, 22 Jul 2025 03:20:43 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250721223838.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250717013905.htm A massive European study has uncovered a powerful connection between hearing loss, loneliness, and memory decline. Researchers at the University of Geneva found that older adults with hearing impairments who also feel lonely—regardless of actual social isolation—experience faster cognitive decline. Fri, 18 Jul 2025 00:20:12 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250717013905.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250705083949.htm People who treat hearing loss with hearing aids or cochlear implants regain rich conversations, escape isolation, and may even protect their brains and lifespans—proof that better hearing translates into fuller living. Sat, 05 Jul 2025 10:25:27 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250705083949.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250701020653.htm Over a thousand students revealed a striking link between lactose intolerance and nightmare-filled nights, hinting that midnight stomach turmoil from dairy can invade dreams. Researchers suggest simple diet tweaks especially ditching late-night cheese could turn scary sleep into sweet rest, though more experiments are needed to decode the gut-dream connection. Tue, 01 Jul 2025 02:06:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250701020653.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250602155001.htm Listening to sound doesn t just trigger brain activity it reshapes your brain s internal networks in real time. Scientists have unveiled a powerful new imaging method, FREQ-NESS, that traces how different sound frequencies ripple through brain regions like shifting waves. This discovery could revolutionize how we understand perception, attention, and even consciousness. Mon, 02 Jun 2025 15:50:01 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250602155001.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529140123.htm A new study suggests that mindfulness training and/or non-invasive brain stimulation could reduce bladder leaks and feelings of urgency in patients with 'latchkey incontinence.' Thu, 29 May 2025 14:01:23 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529140123.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131139.htm To better understand the potential therapeutic benefits of heritage art practices, researchers examined the impact of these practices on mental and physical health. Mon, 19 May 2025 13:11:39 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131139.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250515191140.htm Humans perceive and navigate the world around us with the help of our five senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell. And while scientists have long known that these different senses activate different parts of the brain, a new study indicates that multiple senses all stimulate a critical region deep in the brain that controls consciousness. The study sheds new light on how sensory perception works in the brain and may fuel the development of therapies to treat disorders involving attention, arousal, and consciousness. Thu, 15 May 2025 19:11:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250515191140.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250515132119.htm Palliative care is specialized medical care focused on easing symptoms, addressing psychological and spiritual needs, and helping patients and caregivers make critical decisions aligned with their personal beliefs and values. Thu, 15 May 2025 13:21:19 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250515132119.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250515131952.htm New research shows that cyberbullying should be classified as an adverse childhood experience due to its strong link to trauma. Even subtle forms -- like exclusion from group chats -- can trigger PTSD-level distress. Nearly 90% of teens experienced some form of cyberbullying, accounting for 32% of the variation in trauma symptoms. Indirect harassment was most common, with more than half reporting hurtful comments, rumors or deliberate exclusion. What mattered most was the overall amount of cyberbullying: the more often a student was targeted, the more trauma symptoms they showed. Thu, 15 May 2025 13:19:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250515131952.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514204520.htm Mindfulness-based therapy can offer significant relief for individuals who are still depressed after receiving treatment, according to a new clinical trial. Wed, 14 May 2025 20:45:20 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514204520.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512133600.htm Providing hearing aids and advice on their use may preserve social connections that often wane as we age, a new study shows. Its authors say that this approach could help ease the loneliness epidemic that older Americans face. Mon, 12 May 2025 13:36:00 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512133600.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512105543.htm A new study finds that an easily measurable brain wave shift of phase may be a universal marker of unconsciousness under general anesthesia. Mon, 12 May 2025 10:55:43 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512105543.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250508112556.htm Music could provide a breakthrough in assessing consciousness levels in children who have suffered significant brain injuries, according to new research. Thu, 08 May 2025 11:25:56 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250508112556.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250505170814.htm Snuff tubes uncovered at Chavin de Huantar in Peru reveal how leaders used mystical experiences to cement their power. Mon, 05 May 2025 17:08:14 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250505170814.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250502102702.htm What is the secret to happiness? Does happiness come from within, or is it shaped by external influences such as our jobs, health, relationships and material circumstances? A new study shows that happiness can come from either within or from external influences, from both, or neither -- and which is true differs across people. Fri, 02 May 2025 10:27:02 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250502102702.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250501122226.htm Many people around the world believe in karma -- that idea that divine justice will punish people who do bad deeds and reward those who good. But that belief plays out differently for oneself versus others, according to new research. Thu, 01 May 2025 12:22:26 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250501122226.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430142233.htm An unprecedented brain study has delivered fresh clues about consciousness—suggesting it's more about perception than planning. Two leading theories went head-to-head, but neither emerged victorious. Instead, scientists discovered that how we see may be more central to consciousness than how we think. Wed, 30 Apr 2025 14:22:33 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430142233.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430142024.htm Researchers found that Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) can help rewire the brain's response to natural healthy pleasure, leading to reduced opioid cravings. The findings suggest that MORE could be a promising tool in the fight against opioid use disorder. Wed, 30 Apr 2025 14:20:24 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430142024.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430141618.htm Researchers have identified biomarkers for tinnitus severity in subtle facial movements and pupil dilation that can be captured on video recordings. Until now, there has been no objective way to measure tinnitus severity and clinicians rely on patient survey questionnaires. The researchers plan to use these biomarkers to develop and test new therapies that can reduce or eliminate the phantom sounds (i.e. ringing in the ears) caused by tinnitus. Wed, 30 Apr 2025 14:16:18 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430141618.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428220638.htm BU researchers develop a brain-inspired algorithm that can help people with hearing loss pick out conversations in noisy, crowded spaces. Mon, 28 Apr 2025 22:06:38 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428220638.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250425113455.htm Researchers have discovered a new biomarker for Parkinson's disease. A misfolded protein facilitates reliable diagnosis even in the early stages of Parkinson's disease in body fluids. Fri, 25 Apr 2025 11:34:55 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250425113455.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250425113441.htm A new study provides new evidence that sensory stimulation of a gamma-frequency brain rhythm may promote broad-based restorative neurological health response. Fri, 25 Apr 2025 11:34:41 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250425113441.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250424120758.htm Mind blanking is a common experience with a wide variety of definitions ranging from feeling 'drowsy' to 'a complete absence of conscious awareness.' Neuroscientists and philosophers compile what we know about mind blanking, including insights from their own work observing people's brain activity. Thu, 24 Apr 2025 12:07:58 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250424120758.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250421221118.htm Use of psilocybin, the hallucinogenic chemical found in what is known as 'magic mushrooms,' has increased significantly nationwide since 2019, according to a new study. Mon, 21 Apr 2025 22:11:18 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250421221118.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250418112632.htm A team has developed a soft, thin-film ABI. The device uses micrometer-scale platinum electrodes embedded in silicone, forming a pliable array just a fraction of a millimeter thick. This novel approach enables better tissue contact, potentially preventing off-target nerve activation and reducing side effects. Fri, 18 Apr 2025 11:26:32 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250418112632.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250416135938.htm 'Do we see colors the same way?' is a fundamentally human question and one of great importance in research into the human mind. While impossible to answer at present, researchers take steps to answering it using a method that can map the experiences of colors between individuals, including those with colorblindness. Wed, 16 Apr 2025 13:59:38 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250416135938.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250416135731.htm Step tracking with mindfulness training delivered via a mobile app boosts people's desire to exercise. Wed, 16 Apr 2025 13:57:31 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250416135731.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250416135450.htm Researchers evaluating a nature-based program of activities for patients with mild to moderate mental health conditions have shown that improvements in mood and anxiety levels can be seen in as little as 12 weeks. Wed, 16 Apr 2025 13:54:50 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250416135450.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250414162049.htm Researchers have developed a new, neuroplasticity-promoting drug closely related to LSD that harnesses the psychedelic's therapeutic power with reduced hallucinogenic potential. Mon, 14 Apr 2025 16:20:49 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250414162049.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250410130757.htm Nursing poses major metabolic demands on mothers, to which they respond by eating more and saving energy to sustain milk production. There are significant hormonal changes during lactation, but how they lead to metabolic adaptations in nursing mothers remained unclear. Medical researchers uncovered a mechanism that connects prolactin, estrogen, the brain and metabolic adaptations during lactation. Thu, 10 Apr 2025 13:07:57 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250410130757.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409154604.htm A small protein involved in neurodegeneration leading to Parkinson's disease also drives a type of skin cancer known as melanoma, according to new research. Wed, 09 Apr 2025 15:46:04 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409154604.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250407173105.htm Eight weeks of mindfulness or cognitive behavioral therapy were associated with improved pain, physical function and quality of life and reduced daily opioid dose in adults with chronic low back pain that required treated with daily opioids, according to a new study. This is one of the largest studies to date to evaluate mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy as treatment for opioid-treated chronic pain. Mon, 07 Apr 2025 17:31:05 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250407173105.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250403143719.htm Researchers have developed a method that shows how the nervous system and sensory organs are formed in an embryo. By labeling stem cells with a genetic 'barcode', they have been able to follow the cells' developmental journey and discover how the inner ear is formed in mice. The discovery could provide important insights for future treatment of hearing loss. Thu, 03 Apr 2025 14:37:19 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250403143719.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250403122817.htm Parkinson's doesn't just affect movement and the brain -- it may also impact the heart, according to new research. Scientists suggest that targeting a key protein outside of the brain could help manage Parkinson's-related heart issues. Thu, 03 Apr 2025 12:28:17 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250403122817.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250326123559.htm Scientists have long struggled to target proteins that lack defined structure and are involved in cancer, neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's disease, and other serious illnesses. Now, a new study demonstrates a proof of concept for a new strategy: engineering proteases -- enzymes that cut proteins at specific sites -- to selectively degrade these elusive targets with high precision in the proteome of human cells. Wed, 26 Mar 2025 12:35:59 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250326123559.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250325141530.htm Mothers experience major metabolic adaptations during pregnancy and lactation to support the development and growth of the new life. Although many metabolic changes have been studied, body temperature regulation and environmental temperature preference during and after pregnancy remain poorly understood. Researchers show that postpartum female mice develop new environmental temperature preferences and reveal brain changes mediating these changes. Tue, 25 Mar 2025 14:15:30 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250325141530.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250319142844.htm Mindfulness, total sleep quality, and alcohol consumption may help explain why people who stay up late have a greater risk of depression, according to a new study. Wed, 19 Mar 2025 14:28:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250319142844.htm