Findings included elevated risks for chronic organ disease among children, and revealed some racial differences in long COVID risks

Dopamine is the brain’s motivational spark, driving us to chase what feels good, say scrolling another reel on social media, and steer clear of what doesn’t, like touching a hot stove. But scientists haven’t fully understood how dopamine helps us learn to avoid bad outcomes — until now.

A new study from Northwestern University shows that dopamine signals in two key brain areas involved in motivation and learning respond differently to negative experiences, helping the brain adapt based on whether a situation is predictable or controllable. 

While previous research has shown that dopamine can respond to negative experiences, this is the first study to track how those signals evolve over time as animals move from novices to experts in avoiding them. 

Oral hormone therapy may benefit heart health in menopausal women. A new analysis of data from the Women’s Health Initiative found that estrogen-based oral hormone therapy had a long-term beneficial effect on biomarkers of cardiovascular health, including cholesterol.