All articles tagged with #cognition
Researchers found that aging-linked decline of the brain protein Menin in the ventromedial hypothalamus triggers inflammation, memory and physical aging signs in mice. Restoring Menin reversed several aging features, and dietary D-serine supplementation improved cognition in older mice, suggesting a brain-centered mechanism for aging with potential human relevance—but no human trials yet and safety remains uncertain.
Lunar Strike imagines a near-future Moon base where climate-change, geopolitical strain, and dwindling funding have shifted space ambition from exploration to survival. You play as a junior archivist for the in-universe ARCK project, documenting humanity’s lunar settlement while fending off a terrorist faction; the story emphasizes a lived-in base at the Moon’s south pole and AI that supports people rather than runs the colony. Set against Artemis-era context and ongoing Earth-space tensions, the game offers a pessimistic but grounded look at how we might live and preserve history on the Moon. Release is planned for PC with no fixed date beyond 2026.
An analysis of 63 studies (3,484 participants) found no meaningful difference in cognitive performance between short-term fasters and those who eat regularly, with median fasting around 12 hours. Some modest declines appear when fasting exceeds 12 hours and in children/teens, especially on food-related tasks; neutral tasks are largely unaffected and performance may dip later in the day during fasting. The authors frame fasting as a personal tool, not a universal prescription, recommending medical guidance for individuals considering fasting.
An 18-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 47 adults aged 60+ found daily intake of maitake mushroom paste (Y10M strain) improved overall MoCA scores and memory, with a rise in natural killer (NK) cell activity that correlated with cognitive gains; a second strain (C5304) showed no such improvement. The results hint at an immune-mediated mechanism linking maitake polysaccharides to cognitive preservation, but the study's small size and variability call for larger trials before changing dietary guidance.
A study of professional chess games shows that, when objective difficulty is held constant, faster moves tend to be higher quality than slower ones. Longer thinking signals a perceived difficulty and can lead to worse decisions, whereas quick choices reflect intuition. The researchers suggest this speed–quality link, observed outside lab conditions via engine benchmarks, may apply to real-world high-stakes decision-making.
A May 2026 Nature Communications study from APC Microbiome Ireland found that coffee—caffeinated or decaffeinated—modulates the gut microbiome and downstream brain signals via the gut-brain axis. Decaf coffee improved learning and memory, while caffeinated coffee reduced anxiety and boosted attention; effects persisted only with ongoing coffee consumption and disappeared during abstinence. The results point to polyphenols and other non-caffeine compounds as the cognitive drivers, underscoring that coffee rituals may influence brain health through microbiome-mediated pathways rather than caffeine alone.
A new study in the Journal of Human Evolution reports that Neanderthals used rhinoceros teeth as hammers and anvils to shape stone and process materials. Wear patterns on fossil teeth from sites in Spain and France match experimental results using modern rhino teeth, suggesting deliberate, task-specific tooth selection rather than opportunistic use, and hinting at higher cognitive capabilities in Western Europe’s Middle Paleolithic.
Creatine dosing is being reconsidered: while 5 g/day remains a reliable baseline for muscle gains, higher doses may offer brain and bone benefits in certain populations, though the evidence is limited and not universally applicable. Safety appears acceptable up to about 10 g/day long-term, with some researchers personally using 10 g/day or splitting doses to cover muscle, bone, and cognitive effects. If you tolerate it well, trying 10 g/day (split into two doses) is reasonable; otherwise, 5 g/day remains a solid choice while science continues to evolve.
Creatine is a naturally produced molecule stored mainly in muscle that rapidly regenerates ATP to power high‑energy tissues like muscle and brain; beyond athletic performance, it may support memory, processing speed, and mood, with potential anti‑inflammatory/antioxidant benefits in clinical contexts—though effects vary by baseline levels, dosing, and individual physiology. It is not a steroid, is generally safe for healthy individuals, and stores saturate, with excess excreted as creatinine.
A multi-university study from Carnegie Mellon, MIT, Oxford, and UCLA suggests that relying on AI assistants for as little as 10 minutes can impair thinking and problem-solving, highlighting the risk of overreliance on AI and the ongoing need to teach critical thinking and source verification when using AI tools.
A Nature Communications-backed study from APC Microbiome Ireland (University College Cork) shows habitual coffee consumption reshapes the gut microbiome and influences mood and cognitive function. Both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee yielded benefits: decaf users showed improvements in learning and memory, likely due to polyphenols, while caffeinated coffee was linked to reduced anxiety and heightened alertness. In a 62-participant study (31 coffee drinkers vs. 31 non-drinkers) with a two-week coffee withdrawal followed by blinded reintroduction (half decaf, half caffeinated), researchers observed shifts in gut metabolites and the enrichment of bacteria such as Eggertella sp and Cryptobacterium curtum among coffee drinkers, suggesting a microbiota–gut–brain mechanism with potential long-term health implications.
A large observational study using ADNI data found that older adults taking omega-3 supplements (mostly fish oil) declined faster on cognitive tests (MMSE, ADAS-Cog13, CDR-SB) over about 5 years than matched nonusers. Brain imaging linked slower glucose metabolism in regions vulnerable to Alzheimer’s to this decline, with metabolism changes partly mediating the association. Because the study is observational and doses, product quality, adherence, and other factors weren’t fully tracked, causality can’t be proven and the findings may not generalize beyond a largely white, well-educated group. More research is needed, and people should consult a clinician before relying on omega-3 for cognitive protection.
A 2024 UK study of 1,107 adults over 40 found that playing an instrument—especially keyboard-based ones—and other musical activities like singing are linked to better memory and executive function as people age. The researchers note the benefits likely come from cognitive reserve built by ongoing cognitive and social engagement, though limitations include self-reported data and a largely female sample. The takeaway: learning or continuing to make music may support long-term brain health.
A small study of 45 healthy adults found that even moderate alcohol use is linked to reduced brain blood flow, with stronger effects in older participants and in frontal/temporal regions tied to thinking and language. The findings suggest potential cognitive implications but come from a limited, observational sample, so researchers call for larger studies before any guideline changes.
New research from University College Cork shows caffeinated and decaf coffee rewire the gut microbiome and gut-brain axis, boosting mood and reducing stress. Decaf coffee improved learning and memory, while caffeinated coffee enhanced attention and reduced anxiety; effects point to multiple mechanisms beyond caffeine, including changes in specific gut bacteria and metabolites.