Although fungi of the genus Piloderma are common, scientists have now discovered five previously unknown species. One of these is one of the most widely distributed species in Northern Europe, while another is found only in old-growth forests. The discoveries, published in Fungal Biology, show that diversity in this genus is much greater than previously thought and that some of its species are at risk of disappearing as old-growth forest is logged. 

The Open Brain Institute (OBI) launches as a global non-profit advancing neuroscience, AI, and brain research through digital brain simulation. Expanding on EPFL’s Blue Brain Project, OBI provides AI-powered Virtual Labs where researchers can build and simulate digital brains—from molecular pathways to entire brains—across species, ages, and disease states. By integrating open neuroscience data, advanced brain modeling tools, and AI-driven analysis, OBI enables breakthroughs in neurological disease research, brain-computer interfaces (BCI), neurotechnology, and artificial intelligence (AI). The first Virtual Labs open on March 28, 2025, marking a new era in simulation neuroscience, digital brain models, and brain-inspired AI. 

A new study in Brain Medicine explores how maternal immune activation (MIA) affects hippocampal neuron function in newborn rat offspring. The research demonstrates that MIA significantly alters neuronal excitability, reducing glutamatergic neurotransmission—a crucial factor in neurodevelopmental disorders. These findings provide critical insights into how prenatal infections may increase the risk of autism, schizophrenia, and depression​.

While some captive birds have been reported to be able to imitate human-made sounds, such as human words and coughs, ornithologists from China first quantitatively described human-made sounds, the sounds of electric mopeds, imitated by Chinese Blackbirds living in the wild.

New research explains why more than 200 weedy seadragons were found dead on beaches in the Sydney, Australia region.

New research from the University of Chicago and University of Missouri shows how physical changes in the skull affected the mechanics of the way birds move and use their beaks to eat and explore their habitats — adaptations that helped them evolve into the extraordinarily diverse winged creatures we see today.

Up to 25% of new mothers suffer from postpartum depression, which can significantly impact their parenting behavior and the wellbeing of their children. A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign looks at long-term effects of early maternal depression on children, underscoring the need to provide adequate support for mothers who might be struggling.