Grace Wade

1 week ago | newscientist.com | Grace Wade

Psychedelic drugs may improve mental health in part by reducing inflammation. In mice, psychedelics reversed signs of anxiety and an accumulation of inflammatory immune cells around the brain, potentially explaining why these drugs have shown promise in treating mental health conditions. It was once widely believed that there was little to no communication between the immune system and the brain, yet a burgeoning body of evidence now indicates that isnโ€™t the case.…

1 week ago | newscientist.com | Grace Wade

We have known for years that the gut microbiome can alter brain function, but now research in mice is suggesting that the opposite is also true – that the brain modifies gut bacteriaThe intestinal lining of a mouse, with several bacteria (green) and one red blood cell (red)The brain appears to directly influence the gut microbiome, as brain signals altered the composition of gut microbes in mice in as little as 2 hours.

2 weeks ago | newscientist.com | Grace Wade

Ever since I announced in my previous column that I am training for a half marathon, friends keep asking me whether a full marathon is up next. My answer is always the same – no way. While running 21 kilometres seems a manageable challenge, running 42 just feels self-punitive. But all of this inquiring has me wondering whether there is an upside – or downside – to longer races. Research in this area is scant, but a few studies do indicate declining returns, and even some evidence of harm.…

2 weeks ago | newscientist.com | Grace Wade

When Robert F Kennedy Jr took over as head of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) earlier this year, it was clear that identifying causes of autism would be one of his top priorities. Before becoming the country’s highest-ranking public health official, Kennedy spent much of his career peddling debunked claims that vaccines were behind rising autism rates. Now, he has declared autism an epidemic – and is launching a $50 million initiative to address it.

2 weeks ago | newscientist.com | Grace Wade

The newly described “bone collector” caterpillar species disguises itself with the body parts of dead insects so that it can live among spiders and poach their prey. This is the only caterpillar known to use such grisly camouflage or have spiders as roommates – and it’s a carnivore and a cannibal to boot. Daniel Rubinoff at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and his colleagues discovered the caterpillar…