Unrestricted generative AI harms high school math learning by acting as a crutch Using artificial intelligence to solve math problems might be creating a generation of students with "cognitive debt." New research shows that while unrestricted AI harms independent test scores, carefully designed AI tutors can keep problem-solving skills intact.

Unrestricted generative AI harms high school math learning by acting as a crutch

How a perceived lack of traditional values makes minorities seem younger People often stereotype sexual minorities and Black men as unusually young. A new psychology study reveals that this persistent bias stems from a shared cultural assumption that these marginalized groups lack traditional American values.

How a perceived lack of traditional values makes minorities seem younger

Does listening to true crime make you a more creative criminal? True crime podcasts and shows feature endless examples of real-life violence. However, new psychological research reveals that consuming these dark stories does not inspire people to become more creative when thinking up ways to harm others.

Does listening to true crime make you a more creative criminal?

Autism spectrum disorder is associated with specific congenital malformations Autism is linked to distinct physical anomalies at birth, according to new research. The study reveals that boys with autism show higher rates of urogenital malformations, while girls show more circulatory issues, hinting at hormonal origins.

Autism spectrum disorder is associated with specific congenital malformations

Study links internalized pornographic standards to body image issues among incel men A recent study suggests that frequent pornography use is linked to severe body and genital dissatisfaction among involuntary celibates. Scientists found that internalizing the physical standards of adult media actors heavily influences how these socially isolated men view themselves.

Study links internalized pornographic standards to body image issues among incel men

Listening to bad music makes you crave sugar, study finds An experimental study found that listening to disliked music decreases a person's general desire to eat, but specifically increases their preference for high-sugar foods, likely as a way to cope with the negative mood induced by the audio.

Listening to bad music makes you crave sugar, study finds

People remain “blissfully ignorant” of AI use in everyday messages, new research shows Even frequent users of artificial intelligence fail to spot AI-written messages in their daily lives. New research shows that without an explicit warning, people naturally assume texts, emails, and dating profiles are written by humans.

People remain “blissfully ignorant” of AI use in everyday messages, new research shows

Believing in a “chemical imbalance” might keep patients on antidepressants longer Patients who believe their depression stems from a chemical imbalance tend to take antidepressants twice as long and are less likely to attempt quitting, suggesting that biological messaging heavily influences long-term drug reliance.

Believing in a “chemical imbalance” might keep patients on antidepressants longer

Can a common parasite medication calm the brain’s stress circuitry during alcohol withdrawal? Scientists have discovered that varying genetics alter how the brain responds to alcohol withdrawal. Testing a common anti-parasitic drug, researchers successfully reduced compulsive drinking in dependent rodents by boosting calming chemical signals in the brain's stress center.

Can a common parasite medication calm the brain’s stress circuitry during alcohol withdrawal?

Childhood trauma and attachment styles show nuanced links to alternative sexual preferences A new study explores the statistical links between childhood trauma, adult attachment styles, and sexual preferences. Researchers found nuanced associations between emotional insecurities and whether individuals prefer submissive or dominant roles during intimate consensual encounters.

Childhood trauma and attachment styles show nuanced links to alternative sexual preferences

New study reveals how political bias conditions the impact of conspiracy thinking A person’s tendency to see secret plots strongly predicts their belief in political rumors. But new research suggests this trait has limits: people quickly dismiss conspiracies if the rumors make their own political allies look bad.

New study reveals how political bias conditions the impact of conspiracy thinking

Cognition might emerge from embodied “grip” with the world rather than abstract mental processes A new paper challenges the traditional idea that the brain is simply a computer. Instead, it argues that human cognition and personality are built on embodied perception, relying on our ability to maintain a "grip" on reality.

Cognition might emerge from embodied “grip” with the world rather than abstract mental processes

Men and women show different relative cognitive strengths across their lifespans Moving beyond average test scores reveals distinct cognitive patterns: men consistently show a personal strength in math, while women show one in reading. A large new study finds these trends remain stable across 30 countries and all ages.

Men and women show different relative cognitive strengths across their lifespans

Early exposure to forever chemicals linked to altered brain genes and impulsive behavior in rats A new study on rats reveals that early-life exposure to the forever chemical PFOS alters gene expression in key brain regions. These genetic shifts are linked to impaired cognitive performance and highly impulsive decision-making in adulthood.

Early exposure to forever chemicals linked to altered brain genes and impulsive behavior in rats

Soft brain implants outperform rigid silicon in long-term safety study To build brain implants that last for years without causing damage, scientists say material matters more than size. Soft, flexible devices better match the brain's natural movements, preserving healthy cells and maintaining clearer electrical signals.

Soft brain implants outperform rigid silicon in long-term safety study

Disclosing autism to AI chatbots prompts overly cautious, stereotypical advice Large language models often tell autistic users to avoid socializing and romance. While some users appreciate the protective tone, others feel the technology relies on restrictive stereotypes that limit their personal growth.

Disclosing autism to AI chatbots prompts overly cautious, stereotypical advice

Can choking during sex cause brain damage? Emerging evidence points to hidden neurological risks Can consensual choking cause brain damage? Scientists are finding evidence of neuroinflammation and altered brain connectivity linked to the practice.

Can choking during sex cause brain damage? Emerging evidence points to hidden neurological risks

The decline of hypergamy: How a surge in university degrees changed marriage in the US and France As more women earn college degrees, marriage patterns are transforming across the globe. New demographic research disentangles whether a reversing educational gender gap or an overall boom in university attendance is driving these modern relationship shifts.

The decline of hypergamy: How a surge in university degrees changed marriage in the US and France

New research finds a persistent and growing leftward tilt in the social sciences Artificial intelligence recently analyzed over half a million social science abstracts published since 1960. The results show a steady decline in political diversity, with academic research becoming increasingly left-leaning over the past six decades.

New research finds a persistent and growing leftward tilt in the social sciences

How a year of regular exercise alters the biology of stress By tracking healthy adults over 12 months, researchers found that regular cardiovascular workouts lead to a drop in systemic cortisol. This reduction suggests physical activity provides a biological buffer against chronic stress.

How a year of regular exercise alters the biology of stress

Scientists tested the creativity of AI models, and the results were surprisingly homogeneous According to research published in PNAS Nexus, popular language models produce highly similar creative concepts. This suggests that heavily relying on artificial intelligence for brainstorming tends to lead to a massive loss of unique human thought.

Scientists tested the creativity of AI models, and the results were surprisingly homogeneous

Live music causes brain waves to synchronize more strongly with rhythm than recorded music Your brain responds differently to live music. According to new research, brain waves lock onto live musical rhythms much more strongly than recorded tracks, creating a biological syncing process that makes live performances feel more pleasurable.

Live music causes brain waves to synchronize more strongly with rhythm than recorded music

Scientists find evidence some Alzheimer’s symptoms may begin outside the brain Researchers used a microscopic model of human nerves and muscles to show that Alzheimer's disease directly damages peripheral nerves. This physical damage happens independently of cognitive decline and does not improve with standard medications for the illness.

Scientists find evidence some Alzheimer’s symptoms may begin outside the brain

The narcissistic mirror: how extreme personalities view their friends’ humor Do you and your best friend share the same sense of humor? Research shows that people with highly narcissistic traits view their friendships through a distorted lens, acting out psychological conflicts by either devaluing or idealizing their closest peers.

The narcissistic mirror: how extreme personalities view their friends’ humor

Higher intelligence in adolescence linked to lower mental illness risk in adulthood A massive longitudinal study of Norwegian men reveals that lower adolescent cognitive test scores and lower educational attainment strongly predict a higher risk of developing anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions in adulthood.

Higher intelligence in adolescence linked to lower mental illness risk in adulthood

Maturing brain pathways explain the sudden leap in children’s language skills A new study reveals that between ages three and four, children’s brains undergo a major structural shift. As specific white matter pathways mature, they unlock the ability to process complex grammar rules, explaining sudden leaps in preschooler language.

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

People with better cardiorespiratory fitness tend to be less anxious and more resilient in emotional situations Can being physically fit protect your mental health? Researchers found that individuals with high cardiorespiratory fitness not only suffer from less daily anxiety, but also stay remarkably calmer when faced with sudden emotional stress.

People with better cardiorespiratory fitness tend to be less anxious and more resilient in emotional situations

Declining societal religious norms are linked to rising youth anxiety across 70 countries A new study in Developmental Science finds that declining religious norms across 70 countries are linked to rising youth anxiety. The research suggests that growing up in increasingly secular societies correlates with higher adolescent mental health challenges.

Declining societal religious norms are linked to rising youth anxiety across 70 countries

Longitudinal study finds procrastination declines with age but still shapes major life outcomes over nearly two decades An 18-year-long study published in Journal of Personality & Social Psychology finds that people tend to procrastinate less as they move through young adulthood.

Longitudinal study finds procrastination declines with age but still shapes major life outcomes over nearly two decades