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Study reveals brain circuit that keeps memories from getting mixed up

Researchers at UCLA Health have identified a brain region called the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) that regulates memory integration. The vmPFC acts as a quality control checkpoint, preventing memories from getting mixed up when they are significantly different or far apart in time.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 28, 2026

How touch and emotion combine to shape our memories and relationships

A new paper in Neuroscience & Biobehavioural Review proposes a comprehensive neurobiological model of affective tactile memory, suggesting that emotionally meaningful touch is stored in the brain in powerful and lasting ways. This research opens a new window into how early and everyday tactile experiences influence our emotional lives.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalNeuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews·DateApr 23, 2026

Researchers launch survey to unlock the secrets of vivid memory

The team aims to build an anonymized database representative of the whole population by collecting two vivid memories from participants. The findings will inform new ways to help people remember in more detail and understand human memories across the lifespan.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·TypeSurvey·DateOct 21, 2025
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Astrocytes are superstars in the game of long-term memory

A new study reveals that astrocytes, a type of glial cell, are responsible for stabilizing memories through repeated engagement. The researchers found that Fos activity in astrocytes only occurs during recall, and that these cells can be activated to produce stable memories.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature·DateOct 15, 2025

Body illusion helps unlock memories – new study

Researchers discovered that adults can better access their early memories after embodying a childlike version of their own face. Participants who viewed their childlike faces recalled significantly more episodic childhood memories than those who saw their adult faces.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 9, 2025
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Human brain activity linked to memory recall

Researchers discovered that oscillatory activity in two brain regions plays a crucial role in integrating auditory and visual information during memory recall. The study used movie clips with synchronized or asynchronous speech sounds and lip movements to explore this phenomenon.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournalJNeurosci·DateMay 19, 2025

Elucidating the double duty of sleep in memory processing

Research reveals two parallel processes during post-learning sleep: reactivation of initial learning experience and emergence of new neurons encoding future memories. This study highlights the critical role of sleep in maintaining cognitive function and overall well-being.

SourceUniversity of Toyama·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 28, 2025
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Watching our brains remember multiple things at once

Researchers found that the brain prioritizes more important items, representing them with higher precision and lower resolution for less important ones. The frontal cortex communicates with the visual cortex to decide which item receives more working memory resources.

SourceOhio State University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 21, 2025

Exposure to air pollution may harm brain health of older adults

A new study published in The Journals of Gerontology: Series A found that long-term exposure to high levels of air pollution is associated with lower scores in key cognitive abilities, especially language skills. Exposure to nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter was linked to poorer language performance.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalThe Journals of Gerontology Series A·TypeObservational study·DateApr 6, 2025
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Deciphering the sequence of neuronal firing

A team of researchers from Bonn and Tübingen investigated the brain's ability to retain a sequence of events in memory using implanted electrodes. They found that the traditional theory was contradicted by their data, but an alternative mechanism emerged through AI simulations.

SourceUniversitatsklinikum Bonn·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateMar 24, 2025

How sleep keeps our memories fresh

Researchers at ISTA discovered that neural activity patterns during sleep reflect recently learned spatial memories and transform into those seen later upon awakening. This 'representational drift' phenomenon optimizes memory representations for long-term storage, allowing the brain to free up resources for new memories.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalNeuron·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 24, 2025

Parts of the brain that are needed to remember words identified

Researchers at UCL identified key brain regions involved in remembering words, finding shrinkage in the front and side of the brain linked to difficulty recalling words. Detailed MRI scans showed a dispersion network for creating and storing word memories, crucial for understanding epilepsy conditions.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalBrain Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 19, 2025
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Possible foundations of human intelligence observed for the first time

A study led by Dr. Rodrigo Quian Quiroga has confirmed that individual neurons represent concepts learned in any context, enabling abstract relationships and human intelligence. This finding contradicts previous research on animals, where memories were thought to be stored in different groups of neurons.

SourceIMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute)·JournalCell Reports·DateMar 6, 2025

Study suggests drunk witnesses are less likely to remember a suspect’s face

A study published in the journal Memory found that intoxicated people have difficulty accurately recalling internal facial features, while still remembering external details like hair style. This suggests that alcohol narrows attention to more noticeable external features, impairing memory for critical internal features.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalMemory·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 19, 2025

How does the hippocampus coordinate memory encoding and retrieval?

Researchers used fMRI data to uncover how the hippocampus coordinates memory processes by analyzing neural activity patterns. The study found that participants remembered scenes with lower novelty more accurately and that the hippocampus integrates diverse forms of novel information.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2025

Secret of effective learning: Retrieving information in different ways

Researchers suggest that learning different facets of information in each session and retrieving information from memory in various ways can lead to better memory retention. This method involves creating multiple paths to memorized information, which can be used to retrieve the information more effectively.

SourceSWPS University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 23, 2025
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

How one brain circuit encodes memories of both places and events

A new computational model reveals how place cells in the hippocampus can store episodic memories, including those of events without a spatial component. The model proposes that grid cells form a scaffold that anchors memories and drives recall by connecting to sensory cortex.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateJan 15, 2025

Scientists show how sleep deprived brain permits intrusive thoughts

A new study reveals that sleep deprivation can inhibit the brain's ability to suppress unwanted memories and intrusive thoughts. Researchers found that well-rested individuals showed more activation in a specific brain region when attempting to suppress memories, while sleep-deprived individuals struggled with this task.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 8, 2025

Implanting false memories much harder than claimed in court

A new study challenges previous claims on false memory implantation, finding that few participants recalled entirely fabricated details. Many were unsure about suggested events, rendering their testimony potentially unreliable in court.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalApplied Cognitive Psychology·DateJan 7, 2025
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

New study reveals that sleep prevents unwanted memories from intruding

A new study published in PNAS found that sleep deprivation leads to memory control deficits, making it harder to suppress unwanted memories. REM sleep rejuvenates brain regions that support memory inhibition, reducing the likelihood of intrusive memories.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 2, 2025

How stress is fundamentally changing our memories

Researchers at SickKids have discovered that stress changes how our brain encodes and retrieves aversive memories, leading to generalized fearful responses. A promising intervention has been identified to limit this effect and potentially reduce the harm caused by PTSD.

SourceThe Hospital for Sick Children·JournalCell·DateNov 15, 2024

Stress makes mice’s memories less specific

Researchers found that acute stress prevents mice from forming specific memories, instead forming generalized memories encoded by larger numbers of neurons. Stress disrupts engram ensembles in the lateral amygdala, leading to a loss of memory specificity.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 15, 2024

Mount Sinai researchers have uncovered the mechanism in the brain that constantly refreshes memory

Mount Sinai researchers discovered a neural mechanism for memory integration that involves replaying experiences, integrating new information with existing memories, and linking memories across time. This finding has implications for understanding adaptive and maladaptive memory processes, such as PTSD.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 6, 2024
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Brain stars hold our memories

A study published in Nature reveals that astrocytes, star-shaped brain cells, play a crucial role in storing and retrieving memories. Researchers found that these non-neuronal cell types work closely with groups of neurons called engrams to regulate the formation and recall of memories.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 6, 2024

Reminders can eliminate age-related decline in memory

A new study from UT Arlington found that setting reminders can significantly reduce age-related declines in memory, particularly in prospective memory. The study suggests that reminders help counteract cognitive strain by making memory retrieval less reliant on internal processes.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalPsychology and Aging·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 24, 2024

How do you remember how to ride a bike? Thank your cerebellum

Studies show that the cerebellum is critical for forming stable memories for sensorimotor skills, largely independent of short-term memory systems. Researchers found that longer time intervals between trials increased reliance on impaired long-term memory.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 15, 2024

Asking a person to talk about their parents in therapy can distort memories of childhood emotions

A recent study suggests that asking people to reflect on their relationships with family during therapy can shift their emotions and memories towards a parent, even when the question isn't suggestive. The lead author emphasizes the importance of being aware of this phenomenon to ensure accurate childhood memories.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalPsychological Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 11, 2024
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

People infer the past better than the future, study finds

A Dartmouth-led study found that people are more skilled at inferring past events from conversations than predicting future events. This phenomenon is attributed to the asymmetrical nature of human knowledge about their own lives and experiences, which influences how people converse.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateOct 2, 2024

How emotion boosts memory for context

Researchers found that emotion enhances ability to retrieve contextual details, contrary to prevailing view that emotion impairs memory. The study's findings have practical implications for controlling and capitalizing on emotions to remember better.

SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology General·DateSep 24, 2024

Study indicates delayed feedback enhances learning performance in individuals with traumatic brain injury

A novel study found that delayed feedback improves learning outcomes for individuals with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury. Delayed feedback may engage brain regions associated with memory retrieval and confidence, bypassing impaired pathways. The study suggests a valuable tool for improving learning in TBI individuals.

SourceKessler Foundation·JournalJournal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 10, 2024
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

The brain creates three copies for a single memory

The brain stores multiple copies of a single memory in parallel among different groups of neurons emerging at different stages during embryonic development. These memory copies change with time, with early-born neurons storing long-term persistence and late-born neurons fading over time.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalScience·DateAug 15, 2024

Memory problems in old age linked to a key enzyme, study in mice finds

A team of researchers from Penn State has identified HDAC3 as a key contributor to age-related impairments in memory updating. When blocked, older mice performed similarly to their younger counterparts, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for improving cognitive flexibility in old age.

SourcePenn State·JournalFrontiers in Molecular Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 9, 2024

A new mechanism for animal food caching behavior discovered

Researchers have discovered a non-memory-based mechanism for animals to cache and retrieve food, challenging long-held beliefs about animal cognition. The proposed mechanism uses neural networks similar to hash functions, allowing for efficient storage and retrieval of cache locations.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalScientific Reports·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 8, 2024
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

How epigenetics influence memory formation

Researchers found that epigenetic state affects neurons' recruitment into memory trace formation. Open chromatin states enable more efficient learning. The study opens new avenues for understanding learning and may lead to medication for improving cognitive disorders.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalScience·DateJul 25, 2024

Cuttlefish can form false memories, too

Researchers found that cuttlefish can create false memories by mentally reconstructing events from different features, but not scents. This suggests an efficient memory strategy where smaller building blocks are stored and reconstructed, reducing memory costs.

SourceCell Press·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 17, 2024

Individuals can tell if their memories are trustworthy, new study shows

Researchers at the University of Birmingham found that people are aware when their brain is filling in gaps with generic information, enabling them to factor in this knowledge when assessing memory accuracy. The study suggests individuals can recognize prototypical memories and distinguish them from accurate ones.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalCommunications Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 1, 2024
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

How the ketogenic diet improves healthspan and memory in aging mice

A ketogenic diet has been shown to improve memory and healthspan in aging mice by activating a critical signaling pathway. The study found that the main ketone body produced during a ketogenic diet, BHB, plays a crucial role in activating this pathway.

SourceBuck Institute for Research on Aging·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 17, 2024

How does oxygen depletion disrupt memory formation in the brain?

Scientists at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology identify a positive glutamate-NO-glutamate feedback loop that blocks long-term potentiation and impairs learning and memory. The study suggests that this loop may explain memory loss in stroke patients and potentially offer a solution for treatment.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2024

Unlocking consciousness: a new frontier in neuroscientific fusion

The study suggests that memory plays a pivotal role in shaping consciousness, contrasting the idea that computer-based Information Theory provides a sufficient framework for understanding neural memory. The researchers propose a novel perspective that memory underpins consciousness, introducing the concept of a "brain cloud" to illustr...

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalInternational Journal of Psychiatry Research·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 8, 2024
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Eye-opener: Pupils enlarge when people focus on tasks

A recent study published in Attention, Perception & Psychophysics found a correlation between pupil dilation and working memory. Researchers at the University of Texas at Arlington discovered that individuals with better working memory had larger pupil dilations during tasks, indicating improved focus and attention.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalAttention Perception & Psychophysics·TypeObservational study·DateApr 22, 2024

Chickadees have unique neural “barcodes” for memories of stashing away food

Chickadees have unique neural barcodes that represent individual memories of caching food, which are distinct from place cells that trigger location-based responses. This discovery sheds light on how episodic memories are encoded in the brain and may have implications for understanding memory formation and storage.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 29, 2024

The surprising benefits of unconsciously remembering things

A new study found that unconscious reminders can strengthen memory, particularly when recalling associations between words and images. Unlike conscious reminders, which can lead to retrieval-induced forgetting, unconscious prompts facilitate a more nuanced process of memory consolidation.

SourceColumbia University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 26, 2024
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Neural prosthetic device can help humans restore memory

A team of scientists has successfully used a neural prosthetic device to recall specific memories in adults with epilepsy. The device uses a person's own memory patterns to facilitate the brain's ability to encode and recall memory, showing promise for cognitive enhancement technologies.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalFrontiers in Computational Neuroscience·DateFeb 13, 2024

Are you depressed? Scents might help, new study says

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that familiar scents can strengthen memory recall in depressed individuals, potentially aiding recovery. Researchers discovered that odors engage the amygdala, a key component of memory formation, more effectively than words.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateFeb 13, 2024
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Could bizarre visual symptoms be a telltale sign of Alzheimer's?

Researchers found that 94% of patients with posterior cortical atrophy had Alzheimer's pathology, while only 70% of those with memory loss did. Early identification of PCA may lead to better treatment options for Alzheimer's patients.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·DateJan 22, 2024

Generative AI helps to explain human memory and imagination

A new study using generative AI models simulated how the brain learns and remembers events, revealing how memories are re-constructed in our minds. The model showed how the hippocampus and neocortex work together to create efficient 'conceptual' representations of scenes, enabling us to both recall past experiences and imagine new ones.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 19, 2024

Don’t look back: The aftermath of a distressing event is more memorable than the lead-up, study suggests

Researchers found that traumatic memories immediately following a distressing event are more memorable than the moments leading up to it. This discovery has implications for eyewitness testimonies, therapies for PTSD, and understanding memory decline in brain disorders like Alzheimer's disease.

SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalCognition & Emotion·DateJan 18, 2024
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Amnesia caused by head injury reversed in early mouse study

Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center found that amnesia following head injury is due to inadequate reactivation of neurons involved in forming memories. They were able to reverse the amnesia in mice using lasers, potentially allowing cognitive impairment caused by head impact to be clinically reversed.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·JournalJNeurosci·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 16, 2024

Memory, brain function, and behavior: exploring the intricate connection through fear memories

Researchers examine the dynamic nature of fear responses in varied environments, shedding light on physical manifestation of memory in the brain. The study reveals that fear memories are linked to pathological states like PTSD and generalized anxiety, with direct translational relevance for disorders involving dysregulated fear responses.

SourceBoston University·JournalJNeurosci·TypeObservational study·DateJan 2, 2024

Researchers identify new coding mechanism that transfers information from perception to memory

A new study has identified a neural coding mechanism that allows for the transfer of information between perceptual and memory regions of the brain. This discovery challenges traditional understanding of brain organization and suggests that memory areas encode visual information in a 'photographic negative' format.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeImaging analysis·DateJan 2, 2024