Neurology
Sleep Deprivation Shuts Down Production of Essential Brain Proteins
A deficit arises in molecules needed for neurons to communicate efficiently
Stories by Emily Willingham
Public Health
Hunt for Cause of Vaping Illness Suggests Multiple Mechanisms of Damage
The leading hypothesis for the appearance of deadly lung problems does not fit with all presentations of the illness
Mental Health
A Blood Test Might One Day Mass Screen Military Personnel for PTSD
An assay that measures 28 variables could identify individuals who need further treatment
Medicine
Testosterone Therapy Can Restore Women’s Libido—but Questions Remain
Although the hormone has few serious short-term side effects, its long-term risks remain a black box
Behavior
Universal Desire: Men and Women Respond Identically to Erotic Images
The result is not the final word, as findings will likely turn up the heat on questions of divergent sexual arousal
Health
Elite Athletes’ Gut Bacteria Give Rodent Runners a Boost
The chemical these bacteria produce appears to enhance athleticism
Behavior
Using Marijuana to Get High Dates Back Millennia
Ancient site points to weed’s role in burial rites
Neurology
Mustering a Cell’s Internal Defenses Might Hold Potential for New Parkinson’s Disease Therapies
Rescue proteins could rid cell of toxic alpha-synuclein aggregates
Medicine
Cannabis Compound Eases Anxiety and Cravings of Heroin Addiction
Cannabidiol reduces levels of stress hormone and blunts urge to use opioids
Behavior
How We Roll: Study Shows We’re More Lone Wolves Than Team Players
Results may explain why collective action on climate change and health policy is so difficult
Biology
Dogs Detect the Scent of Seizures
These very good dogs are very good at what they do—taking a whiff of a chemical during an attack
Engineering
A Machine Gets High Marks for Diagnosing Sick Children
Will artificial intelligence be your next ER doctor?
Chemistry
Gel Packed with Chemical “Scavengers” Protects against Sarin Gas
Nanotech particles tucked into a gel coating can prevent poisoning by deadly organophosphates for a week or more
Medicine
Plant Hallucinogen Holds Hope for Diabetes Treatment
A potent molecular cocktail containing a compound from ayahuasca spurs rapid growth of insulin-producing cells
Public Health
U.S. Health Official Expresses Alarm at Increase in Vaping among Teens
Nora Volkow of the National Institute on Drug Abuse addresses record high stats among 12th graders
Biology
Bats Beat Dolphins in the Battle over Who Has the Best Sonar
But the dolphins are no slouches either
Medicine
Lowly Moss-Like Plant Seems to Copy Cannabis
Meet the new weed on the block, perhaps one better suited to medical rather than recreational use
Behavior
When Times Are Good, the Gender Gap Grows
A study shows growing national wealth and gender equality accentuates differences in the types of choices men and women make
Neuroscience
After Years of Paralysis, a Man Walks the Length of a Football Field
An electrical stimulation device combined with intensive rehabilitation restores walking ability to a spinal cord injury patient
Neuroscience
Growth Cocktail Helps Restore Spinal Connections in the Most Severe Injuries
Repairing damaged nerves in a rodent study marks a crucial first step toward bringing back lost movement
