#Brain7

21 Aug 2026

Why Our Pupils Get Larger When We Are Surprised

New research shows that when people experience unexpected events, their pupils grow larger. This physical reaction helps the brain process new information and adapt to a changing world.

Read

Photo by Shawn Day, Unsplash

26 May 2026

Brain circuit helps the brain switch rules

Researchers at UC Riverside mapped a brain circuit in mice that helps abandon old strategies and adopt new ones. The locus coeruleus and the prefrontal cortex play key roles, with implications for disorders and aging.

Level

Read

8 May 2026

Being Overweight May Speed Brain Decline

A long US study found that higher body mass index (BMI) over time is linked to faster decline in memory, thinking and other brain skills. The effect was strongest after several years and in older adults.

Level

Read

31 Mar 2026

Experts warn about holiday sugar and health

Experts say people naturally seek sweet foods and that holiday candy use is high. Regular overconsumption of added sugar can harm long-term health, so they advise choosing nutrient-dense carbohydrates and keeping treats occasional.

Level

Read

31 Mar 2026

Brain activity guides social adaptation

A University of Zurich study explains adaptive mentalization—how quickly people infer others' thoughts and change behavior. Over 550 participants played rock-paper-scissors while researchers used fMRI and a computational model to link brain activity to adaptation.

Level

Read

27 Feb 2026

More brain activity in OCD during a sequence task

A Brown University study found that people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) show extra brain activity when doing a demanding sequence task in an MRI. The findings point to new brain targets that might improve transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatment.

Level

Read

8 Dec 2025

Molecular timers help form long-term memories

New research shows multiple molecular timers across brain regions decide which short-term impressions become long-term memories. The thalamus is a key node, and the findings could affect ideas about memory disorders such as Alzheimer’s.

Level

Read

No more articles