Building better brain collaboration online – despite scientific squabbles, the decade-long Human Brain Project brought measurable success to neuroscience collaboration

The European Union’s 10-year Human Brain Project is coming to a close. Whether this controversial 1 billion-euro project achieved its aims is unclear, but its online forum did foster collaboration.

Ann-Christin Kreyer, Ph.D. Candidate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition • conversation
March 22, 2023 • ~10 min

Interactive cinema: how films could alter plotlines in real time by responding to viewers' emotions

A new film changes its story based on the emotions expressed by the viewer.

Richard Ramchurn, Assistant researcher, University of Nottingham • conversation
March 20, 2023 • ~8 min

How we created the first map of an insect brain – and what it means for our understanding of the human brain

This new study could help researchers understand conditions such as autism and help fight climate change by reducing the carbon footprint of AI.

Michael Winding, Group Leader, The Francis Crick Institute • conversation
March 16, 2023 • ~7 min

Imagination makes us human – this unique ability to envision what doesn't exist has a long evolutionary history

By learning what parts of the brain are crucial for imagination to work, neuroscientists can look back over hundreds of millions of years of evolution to figure out when it first emerged.

Andrey Vyshedskiy, Professor of Neuroscience, Boston University • conversation
Feb. 23, 2023 • ~10 min

A less biased way to determine trademark infringement? Asking the brain directly

How do you determine whether one brand is similar enough to another to infringe on its trademark? Researchers propose that comparing brain scans could be an option.

Zhihao Zhang, Assistant Professor of Business Administration, University of Virginia • conversation
Feb. 13, 2023 • ~9 min

SSRIs: emotional 'blunting' may be part of the process – new research

Antidepressants may take away some of the pain of depression but that can also sap away people’s enjoyment of life.

Gitte Knudsen, Clinical Professor of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital • conversation
Jan. 25, 2023 • ~7 min

Emotional 'blunting' and antidepressants – new research suggests why this is happening

Antidepressants may take away some of the pain of depression but that can also sap away people’s enjoyment of life.

Gitte Knudsen, Clinical Professor of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital • conversation
Jan. 25, 2023 • ~7 min

Meditation and mindfulness offer an abundance of health benefits and may be as effective as medication for treating certain conditions

Mindfulness, one of the most common forms of meditation, is a skill that must be cultivated and practiced. With some training and discipline, it can help anyone live more fully in the moment.

Hilary A. Marusak, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University • conversation
Jan. 12, 2023 • ~11 min

New year resolutions: why your brain isn't wired to stick to them – and what to do instead

We need to understand our brains to achieve true change.

Pragya Agarwal, Visiting Professor of Social Inequities and Injustice, Loughborough University • conversation
Jan. 6, 2023 • ~7 min

Harnessing the brain's immune cells to stave off Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases

Microglia, immune cells disguised as brain cells, are known as the janitors of the brain. Dialing up their usual duties just enough could provide an avenue to treat neurodegenerative disease.

Kristine Zengeler, Ph.D. Candidate in Neuroscience, University of Virginia • conversation
Dec. 7, 2022 • ~9 min

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