Imagine a future where a pill can switch brain networks on like light switches. Researchers discovered astrocytes—glial cells overlooked in neuroscience—form dynamic ensembles in the nucleus accumbens during reward learning. By genetically controlling these astrocytes in mice, they linked LED cues to sugar rewards and showed artificial stimulation boosted motivation. This reveals astrocytes’ active role in reward circuits, opening paths for neurotech to enhance motivation, le

Neuroscientists studying bat brains found that sound categorization happens earlier than expected—in the midbrain, not the auditory cortex. Using two-photon imaging, they discovered that the DCIC region classifies vocalizations based on meaning, not just frequency. Neurons responded in an all-or-nothing way to social vs. navigational calls, revealing an efficient, early-stage decoding system. Bats are redefining how we understand auditory processing.

The Impact of Microgravity and Cosmic Radiation on the Brain