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(https://www.psypost.org/individuals-with-higher-cognitive-flexibility-are-more-positive-toward-vaccination/) Individuals with higher cognitive flexibility are more positive toward vaccination
Mar 15th 2025, 10:00

A study conducted in New Zealand has found a link between cognitive flexibility and attitudes toward vaccination. Individuals with lower levels of cognitive flexibility were more likely to report personal barriers to vaccination—that is, they tended to state that vaccination conflicted with their personal beliefs. The research was published in (https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02048-2) BMC Psychology.
Vaccines are biological preparations that stimulate the immune system to recognize and combat specific diseases. They contain weakened, inactivated, or genetic components of a pathogen, triggering an immune response without causing illness.
Vaccination is one of the most effective public health measures, preventing millions of deaths worldwide each year. It has successfully eradicated diseases like smallpox and has drastically reduced the prevalence of polio, measles, and other life-threatening illnesses. When a sufficiently large portion of the population becomes immune to a disease—either through vaccination or previous infection—the disease can no longer spread effectively within that population. This phenomenon, known as herd immunity, protects individuals who cannot receive vaccines due to medical conditions.
Despite these advantages, some individuals and groups refuse or hesitate to get vaccinated. This reluctance can stem from misinformation, distrust in pharmaceutical companies or governments, religious beliefs, or fear of side effects. The spread of anti-vaccine rhetoric on social media has contributed to vaccine hesitancy, leading to outbreaks of preventable diseases such as measles.
Study author Stephanie Gomes-Ng and her colleagues sought to examine the relationship between cognitive flexibility and attitudes toward vaccination. Cognitive flexibility refers to the ability to adapt one’s thinking, switch between tasks or perspectives, and adjust behavior in response to changing environments or new information. It is a core component of executive functioning.
The study involved 601 New Zealand residents, recruited through Prolific and social media posts. Of the participants, 245 were male, with an average age of 33 years. Additionally, 44% of participants were from Auckland, while most of the others resided in four other New Zealand cities.
Participants completed assessments measuring cognitive flexibility (using a shortened version of the Wisconsin Card-Sorting Task) and vaccine hesitancy (using the Multidimensional Vaccine Hesitancy Scale). They also answered several questions designed to assess the influence of their communities on their attitudes toward vaccination.
The researchers categorized attitudes toward vaccination into two groups: personal barriers and external barriers. Personal barriers referred to an individual’s beliefs that made them unwilling to get vaccinated (e.g., “Vaccines go against my beliefs,” “Vaccines are unsafe,” “I do not need vaccines to keep my whānau and community safe”). In contrast, external barriers referred to logistical or situational obstacles preventing vaccination, which were unrelated to personal beliefs about vaccines (e.g., “I do not have the time to get a vaccine,” “I am too busy to get a vaccine,” “Vaccines are too expensive”). Whānau is a Māori term that refers to extended family or kinship groups.
The results showed that individuals with lower levels of cognitive flexibility were more likely to report personal barriers to vaccination. However, external barriers were not associated with cognitive flexibility. Additionally, religious participants exhibited higher levels of vaccine hesitancy compared to non-religious participants.
“These findings join others demonstrating that individual differences in cognitive style are associated with attitudes towards vaccination, and tentatively suggest that interventions aiming to reduce vaccine hesitancy may be more effective if combined with techniques to increase cognitive flexibility,” the study authors concluded.
The study sheds light on the links between cognitive style and attitudes towards vaccination. However, it should be noted that the design of the study does not allow any causal inferences to be derived from the results.
The paper, “(https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02048-2) Cognitive flexibility predicts attitudes towards vaccination: evidence from a New Zealand sample,” was authored by Stephanie Gomes-Ng, Jay K. Wood, and Sarah Cowie.

(https://www.psypost.org/why-straight-women-watch-lesbian-porn-new-study-identifies-five-key-factors/) Why straight women watch lesbian porn: New study identifies five key factors
Mar 15th 2025, 06:00

A new study published in (https://doi.org/10.1177/13634607241292455) Sexualities explores why many straight women prefer watching lesbian pornography over heterosexual content. The findings suggest that this preference is shaped by a desire for authentic depictions of pleasure, a lack of degradation, and a more relatable sexual experience. Rather than reflecting a shift in sexual identity, the study argues that straight women are drawn to lesbian porn as a way to explore desire on their own terms.
Over the past decade, data from major pornographic websites has shown a steady increase in female viewership. Statistics from Pornhub indicate that nearly one-third of its users are women, yet academic research on female porn consumption remains limited. While studies have explored women’s engagement with pornography in general, little attention has been given to the specific phenomenon of straight women choosing to watch lesbian content.
Mainstream heterosexual pornography often reinforces traditional gender roles, portraying women as objects of male pleasure while neglecting their own satisfaction. Many women report finding this content unrelatable, inauthentic, or even degrading. Meanwhile, lesbian pornography—despite often being produced for a male audience—seems to offer an alternative that better aligns with women’s preferences.
“I came across data from Pornhub Insights that surprised me: I hadn’t expected so many women to be watching pornography on a mainstream site, and I was also surprised by the Lesbian category’s popularity among women – as the common perception is that mainstream lesbian content is produced for men and primarily watched by them,” said study author Rotem Avgar, a PhD student at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.
“Also, the numbers were so high that it seemed unlikely all the viewers were lesbian or bisexual – an understanding further reinforced by writings from straight-identifying women who described a preference for lesbian pornography. This led me to look into the encounter between women’s expectations of the category and the pornographic content itself in an attempt to understand what the viewing experience offers them.”
To investigate this phenomenon, the researcher combined multiple sources of data. She analyzed statistics from pornographic websites, drawing from Pornhub’s annual reports on search trends and category preferences. Avgar also examined fifteen online articles featuring firsthand accounts from straight women who watch lesbian pornography. These articles, published between 2014 and 2021, included interviews with women explaining their viewing habits and motivations.
Additionally, the researcher conducted a content analysis of ten popular videos from Pornhub’s Lesbian category. The selected videos were chosen based on their high view counts, ensuring they represented the mainstream offerings within the category. The analysis focused on whether these videos aligned with the key themes identified in the personal testimonies.
Avgar identified five primary reasons why straight women prefer lesbian pornography.
First, the most consistent factor was a focus on women’s pleasure. Many straight women expressed frustration with heterosexual pornography, which often depicts female pleasure as secondary to male satisfaction. Lesbian pornography, by contrast, frequently includes extended foreplay, oral sex, and visible female orgasms. In the videos analyzed, nearly all participants engaged in both giving and receiving pleasure, and every video featured at least one female orgasm.
The second theme was relatability. Women reported that lesbian porn felt more realistic than mainstream heterosexual content. While performers in heterosexual porn often conform to exaggerated beauty standards, lesbian porn was perceived as featuring a slightly broader range of body types and more natural physical appearances. Although the videos analyzed still largely adhered to conventional attractiveness, the study found fewer instances of extreme body modifications such as surgically enhanced breasts or heavy makeup.
The third factor was the absence of degradation. Many straight women actively avoided heterosexual pornography because they found it violent, aggressive, or humiliating toward female performers. While lesbian pornography sometimes includes dominance or rough play, women described it as generally more equal and consensual. In the analyzed videos, acts like spanking or choking were present but framed within a context of mutual enjoyment, often accompanied by affectionate interactions. Unlike much of heterosexual porn, which frequently emphasizes power imbalances, the lesbian videos lacked overt displays of coercion or degradation.
The fourth theme was authenticity. Straight women who preferred lesbian porn often cited the belief that it featured more realistic depictions of sexual pleasure. Performers were perceived as genuinely enjoying themselves, with orgasms occurring at natural intervals rather than exaggerated theatrical displays. The study found that in the videos analyzed, orgasms followed extended clitoral stimulation and other foreplay techniques that women considered more believable.
Finally, fantasy and exploration played a role in shaping women’s preferences. Many women reported that watching lesbian pornography allowed them to imagine new possibilities without necessarily identifying as bisexual or lesbian. The study suggests that this aligns with broader theories of sexual fluidity, which propose that women’s sexuality is often more adaptable than men’s. For some viewers, lesbian pornography provided a safe space to explore curiosity without the pressures or implications of real-life experimentation.
“I see the reasons women gave for preferring lesbian pornography as sort of a set of criteria for creating a sexual space that enables and encourages their sexual subjectivity,” Avgar told PsyPost. “This subjectivity integrates curiosity, exploration, fantasy, and pleasure while leaving out degradation and exclusion. Ultimately, these insights point to a vision of a different kind of sexual space – one that better reflects what many women (and perhaps also men) seek.”
“More than anything, analyzing the films through the criteria articulated by the writers and interviewees led me to find something in mainstream lesbian pornography that I hadn’t expected – as a lesbian woman and a feminist researcher. Although this content is largely mainstream and undeniably shaped by a male-oriented industry, viewing it through their lens revealed certain alternative elements. This offered an interesting way to examine women’s position within a sexual space that is predominantly androcentric.”
The study highlights the complexities of female porn consumption and challenges rigid assumptions about sexual orientation and desire. But like all research, there are limitations. The analysis relied on publicly available articles rather than direct interviews, meaning that the researcher could not clarify ambiguities or probe deeper into participants’ experiences. Additionally, the video sample, though reflective of mainstream lesbian pornography, may not fully capture the diversity of content available.
“I believe the methodology allowed for an important and relevant discussion, but it is, of course, partial and limited,” Avgar noted. “Since my study was based on an analysis of published articles, there was no opportunity for follow-up questions or clarifications. Additionally, while the study presents a necessary degree of optimism, this could obscure the significant obstacles women face in accessing positive sexual experiences.”
“This is evident in the strategies they develop to navigate a space not designed for them – choosing content ostensibly ‘for men’ that portrays sexual practices not aligned with their own, yet using it to explore, arouse, and experience pleasure. In my view, their ability to carve out these experiences speaks to both their agency and the structural constraints they must work around.”
“I see lesbian pornography as a fascinating reflection of the complex position women occupy in sexual spaces,” Avgar added. “It is no coincidence that there are two distinct categories labeled “lesbian pornography” – one mainstream and one alternative – and it is not incidental that women engage with both. They do so because these representations resonate with their experiences and because they offer something different. In my doctoral research, I am expanding this perspective by interviewing women of different sexual identities who engage with various forms of lesbian pornography. I hope this will be part of a broader project aimed at mapping and analyzing the position of the female sexual subject today.”
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.1177/13634607241292455) ‘Boys just ruin it’: Exploring the popularity of lesbian pornography among straight women,” was published October 17, 2024.

(https://www.psypost.org/even-feminist-men-can-struggle-with-female-proposals-study-suggests/) Even feminist men can struggle with female proposals, study suggests
Mar 14th 2025, 18:00

Traditional views around marriage are changing. In 2021 in England and Wales, more babies were (https://theconversation.com/over-half-of-children-in-england-and-wales-are-now-born-to-unmarried-parents-overturning-a-history-of-stigma-and-discrimination-189025) born to unmarried than married parents for the first time. And many women keep their own surname rather than changing it to their husband’s when they tie the knot. But wedding proposals are still considered a man’s job.
Nevertheless, some women do choose to propose to their male partner. (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gwao.12898) In our research, we investigated their experiences, exploring their choice and looking to understand why so few women take this step. We interviewed 21 women who had proposed and studied social media conversations on the topic.
Of the 21 women we interviewed, the majority had a positive experience. One was rejected, and one realised her partner – who had said yes – was telling everyone that he had done the proposing.
In this instance, the woman in our study proposed because her partner said he was a feminist and she thought he would appreciate her asking. But his reclaiming of the narrative exposed how uncomfortable he was with it, and the whole relationship fell apart.
Even if this account is not representative of the sample, it shows something relevant: women proposing are doing something extravagant, unusual, and while they might not be openly condemned, they are still breaking a taboo in contemporary wedding rituals.
While the women in our study received a lot of support from people they were close to, they all experienced some form of rejection or negative judgement. They were told that they were emasculating their male partners, or that they had spoiled the magic of a proposal.
One of the women in our study, Juliet, remembered her mother’s reaction:
“I called my mother immediately […] her first reaction was why can’t you wait for him? And I said why should I, why should I have to? She was like but I want you to have that moment.”
Juliet was surprised at this reaction – especially because her mother had been a punk when she was younger. Nevertheless, her mother expected Juliet to have a more conventional proposal, a fairytale moment like in the movies. Despite these expectations, Juliet did not feel she had to wait around, and she was proud of having taken the initiative.
Another participant, Rosa, told us about the pushback she received from her fiance’s family after she took the initiative and proposed:
“His parents, were like it’s very, it’s something that a man should do, like, you’re gonna make him feel less of a man, if that makes sense … They wanted us to be engaged, just not with me doing it.”
The scripts of proposals are hard to change. They remain untouched because they are understood as the only legitimate way of doing things by family and friends, and often are internalised as such by women themselves. Women who mess with the scripts are judged for “not doing things properly”.
New traditions
But our research also showed that not doing things properly was an opportunity for playfulness and fun. Rather than offering a traditional diamond ring, the women we spoke to used gifts that were inventive, inexpensive and adapted to the lifestyle of their partners. One woman told us:
“I baked him a pizza where I wrote “marry me”, because his favourite food is pizza, so I thought it would be very romantic to make him a proposal pizza […] I bought a ring, we do rock climbing together so I bought him a ring that is silicone, like a climbing ring.“
One woman proposed with an inflatable balloon shaped like a diamond ring, showing how women-led proposals can also parody the rigid script.
Most of the women in our sample did not know any other woman who proposed. They did know about leap years being an accepted opportunity for women wanting to propose. Popular culture also offers few examples, with women often citing established ones, such as Monica from Friends.
But this lack of role models is compensated for by networks of solidarity online. Both our interviews, and the social media platforms we looked into, indicate how women use digital spaces to share ideas, look for advice and give each other support. One person posted online:
“This post has shown me that it’s not weird or ‘wrong’ – it all depends on the couple and I know my bf will love it […] Thank-you so much for giving me the confidence to do this!”
Women often choose not to propose because they are caught in a double bind. Women are socialised into dreaming about getting married, with the proposal as the pinnacle of romance – but they are judged if they take the initiative. This reproduces the stereotype that women are “always ready” to settle down, while men are not, and this is why the male partner is expected to show commitment.
Women who propose are often driven by feelings of gender equality, but their efforts in changing the scripts often confirm the dominance of existing, sexist marriage rituals.
 
This article is republished from (https://theconversation.com) The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the (https://theconversation.com/why-dont-more-women-choose-to-propose-to-their-male-partners-238095) original article.

(https://www.psypost.org/scientists-demonstrate-they-can-boost-romantic-chemistry-with-a-subtle-manipulation/) Scientists demonstrate they can boost romantic chemistry with a subtle manipulation
Mar 14th 2025, 16:00

New research reveals that subtly boosting smiles during online conversations can increase romantic attraction between people. A study published in the journal (https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2400369121) Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that when researchers artificially enhanced smiles in real-time during speed dates, participants reported feeling more drawn to their partners, especially when both individuals’ smiles were made brighter. This innovative approach sheds light on how even subtle social signals can powerfully shape our feelings in social interactions.
Previous studies on face-to-face exchanges often faced a major obstacle: it was hard to pinpoint which specific signals led to changes in behavior. Much of the earlier work relied on confederates who followed scripted interactions or on virtual avatars in controlled settings. While that approach allowed for cause-and-effect conclusions, it did not capture the natural flow of spontaneous conversation.
On the other hand, examining recordings of real conversations in uncontrolled conditions usually meant there was no way to be certain that a particular facial expression directly caused a shift in someone else’s behavior. In other words, the investigators wanted to combine the natural feel of real conversation with the experimental control of a laboratory study, and they built a new system to do so.
To overcome these limitations, a team of researchers developed a unique experimental platform. This system allowed them to manipulate social cues in real-time during actual conversations, without participants being aware of the changes. The researchers were particularly interested in smiling, a fundamental human expression. People tend to mirror each other’s smiles during interactions, a phenomenon called expressive alignment.
While past studies suggested this alignment is linked to positive social outcomes, no research had been able to directly control and change smile alignment in a natural conversation setting to see if it truly causes changes in attraction. This new study aimed to fill this gap by artificially adjusting smiles during online dating conversations and examining the impact on romantic feelings and social behaviors.
For their study, the researchers recruited 31 single men and women who were interested in participating in online speed dating. Each participant engaged in four separate, four-minute video call speed dates. During these conversations, the researchers used their special platform to subtly alter the smiles displayed on the participants’ faces as seen by their partners. In two of the dates, referred to as congruent conditions, the smiles of both individuals were manipulated in the same way – either both smiles were enhanced, or both were reduced. In the other two dates, called incongruent conditions, the smiles were manipulated in opposite directions – while one person’s smile was made more pronounced, the other person’s smile was simultaneously decreased, or vice versa.
After each four-minute date, participants were asked to rate their experience. They rated how much they liked their partner, how much they wanted to see the person again (measuring romantic attraction), how pleasant and interesting they found the conversation, and how much they perceived their partner to be smiling. At the end of the entire experiment, the researchers conducted a debriefing process. They asked participants a series of questions to find out if they had noticed anything unusual about the video quality or if they suspected any manipulation of facial expressions.
Finally, the researchers used computer analysis tools to examine recordings of the video dates. They measured the actual smiling behavior of the participants, both as it was naturally produced and as it was artificially altered. They also analyzed vocal features to see if the smile manipulations influenced how people spoke.
The results of the study revealed several interesting findings. First, and most significantly, the researchers found that manipulating smiles had a direct impact on romantic attraction. Participants reported the strongest feelings of attraction in the dates where both individuals’ smiles were artificially increased. This suggests that when people perceive enhanced smiles, especially from both themselves and their partner, it fosters a greater sense of romantic connection.
The quality of the conversation was also affected by the smile manipulations. Dates where the smile manipulations were congruent – that is, both smiles were increased or both were decreased – were rated as having better conversation quality compared to dates with incongruent manipulations. Intriguingly, conversations where both participants’ smiles were decreased were rated as higher quality than those where smiles were manipulated in opposite directions.
Interestingly, when participants were asked how much they thought their date liked them, they felt the other person liked them more when the other person’s smile was artificially increased. However, despite these significant impacts on feelings and perceptions, participants did not consciously notice that their smiles or their partners’ smiles were being manipulated. When asked about the smiliness of their partners, ratings did not significantly differ across the different manipulation conditions. This indicates that the smile alterations were subtle enough to go unnoticed at a conscious level, yet powerful enough to influence romantic feelings and conversation quality.
In a surprising finding, the study discovered that smile synchronization, the tendency for people to smile at similar times, was actually lower when smiles were artificially increased. The highest levels of smile synchronization occurred when both participants’ smiles were reduced. This suggests that while enhanced smiles boost attraction, they might not necessarily lead to greater mimicry or mirroring of smiles during the interaction.
Finally, the researchers observed differences in vocal patterns, particularly in men. Men tended to change their voice resonance, making it higher, when they were speaking with women whose smiles were artificially enhanced. This vocal change was not observed in women, suggesting that men might unconsciously adjust their voices in response to perceived positive social signals like smiles from potential romantic partners.
The researchers acknowledged some limitations to their study. The smile manipulation was static, meaning it consistently increased or decreased smiles throughout the conversation, rather than dynamically adapting to the flow of interaction. Future studies could investigate how different types of smiles, like genuine versus polite smiles, and more dynamic, responsive smile manipulations might affect social dynamics. It would also be valuable to explore in more depth the underlying reasons why manipulated smiles influence attraction and conversation quality. Understanding the specific psychological mechanisms at play could provide a more complete picture of how social signals shape our interactions.
The research opens several avenues for future exploration. The experimental platform developed for this study provides a valuable tool for investigating the causal effects of various social signals in real-time interactions. Furthermore, the study raises important ethical considerations. As technology advances, the ability to manipulate social signals becomes increasingly sophisticated. This research highlights the need for broader societal discussions about the ethical implications of using such technologies, particularly in social media and online communication, where subtle manipulations could have significant and potentially unintended consequences on human relationships and perceptions.

(https://www.psypost.org/rosemary-compound-enhances-brain-connections-and-memory-in-alzheimers-model/) Rosemary compound enhances brain connections and memory in Alzheimer’s model
Mar 14th 2025, 14:00

Scientists have discovered that a modified form of a natural compound found in rosemary and sage may hold potential for treating Alzheimer’s disease. In a new study using mouse models of Alzheimer’s, this compound improved memory, boosted brain connections, and reduced harmful inflammation in the brain, suggesting a promising new approach to combatting this devastating illness. The research was published in the journal (https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14030293) Antioxidants.
Alzheimer’s disease, a condition that robs people of their memories and thinking abilities, is a major health concern around the world. Researchers are constantly seeking new ways to prevent or treat this disease, which is characterized by several complex processes in the brain. One significant aspect of Alzheimer’s is inflammation. Brain inflammation is thought to contribute to the damage of brain cells and the cognitive decline seen in Alzheimer’s patients. Scientists are interested in finding ways to reduce this inflammation as a strategy to protect the brain and slow down the progression of the disease.
Inspired by the historical association of rosemary with memory, researchers turned their attention to carnosic acid, a compound naturally present in rosemary and sage. Carnosic acid is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, acting by activating the body’s own defense mechanisms. However, carnosic acid in its pure form is not stable enough to be used as a medication.
To overcome this hurdle, scientists at Scripps Research developed a stable version of carnosic acid, called diAcCA. This new form is designed to be easily absorbed by the body. Once ingested, diAcCA is converted into carnosic acid in the gut before entering the bloodstream. The researchers wanted to investigate if this stable form of carnosic acid could effectively treat Alzheimer’s-like symptoms in a laboratory setting.
To test their new compound, the research team used mice that were genetically engineered to develop features of Alzheimer’s disease. These mice, known as models of Alzheimer’s, develop problems with memory and brain changes similar to those seen in humans with the disease. The study involved 45 mice in total. Some of these mice were healthy, while others were the Alzheimer’s model mice.
The mice were divided into groups, with each group receiving a different treatment over three months. Some groups of Alzheimer’s mice received diAcCA at varying doses – 10 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, 20 milligrams per kilogram, or 50 milligrams per kilogram. Another group of Alzheimer’s mice and a group of healthy mice received a placebo, which was just olive oil. The treatments were given orally, three times a week. After the treatment period, the researchers conducted memory tests and examined the brains of the mice to see how the compound had affected them.
The researchers discovered that diAcCA successfully delivered therapeutic levels of carnosic acid to the brains of the mice. Importantly, the Alzheimer’s mice treated with diAcCA showed significant improvements in memory. In memory tests designed to assess spatial learning and recall, the treated mice performed much better than the untreated Alzheimer’s mice, almost returning to the level of healthy mice.
Further examination of the brain tissue revealed that diAcCA had a positive impact on the connections between brain cells, known as synapses. Synapses are essential for communication between nerve cells and are critical for learning and memory. The treated mice showed increased synaptic density, meaning they had more of these vital connections in their brains. This increase in synapses suggests that diAcCA was helping to repair or protect these crucial brain connections.
In addition to improvements in memory and synapses, the researchers found that diAcCA significantly reduced inflammation in the brains of the Alzheimer’s mice. Tissue analysis showed a marked decrease in inflammatory markers. A unique aspect of this drug is its targeted action. It is activated by inflammation itself, meaning it becomes more active in areas of the brain that are experiencing inflammatory damage. This selective activation could limit potential side effects, which is a significant advantage.
The researchers also observed a reduction in the hallmark proteins of Alzheimer’s disease: amyloid beta plaques and phosphorylated tau tangles. These abnormal protein clumps are thought to be major contributors to the disease process. DiAcCA treatment reduced the presence of both of these proteins in the mouse brains.
“By combating inflammation and oxidative stress with this diAcCA compound, we actually increased the number of synapses in the brain,” explained senior author and professor Stuart Lipton, the Step Family Foundation Endowed Chair at Scripps Research and a clinical neurologist in La Jolla, California. “We also took down other misfolded or aggregated proteins such as phosphorylated-tau and amyloid-β, which are thought to trigger Alzheimer’s disease and serve as biomarkers of the disease process.”
Interestingly, the mice tolerated diAcCA well, and toxicity studies even suggested that it might have a soothing effect on mild inflammation in the digestive system. Furthermore, the body absorbed carnosic acid more effectively when it was administered as diAcCA compared to pure carnosic acid, meaning diAcCA is a more efficient way to deliver the beneficial compound.
While these findings are promising, the researchers acknowledge some limitations. The study was conducted in mice, and results in animal models do not always perfectly translate to humans. Future research is needed to confirm these findings in human studies. However, because carnosic acid itself is considered safe for human consumption by the Food and Drug Administration, the path to clinical trials for diAcCA could be faster than for entirely new drugs.
Looking ahead, the researchers suggest that diAcCA could be explored not only as a standalone treatment for Alzheimer’s disease but also in combination with existing Alzheimer’s therapies. It is possible that diAcCA could enhance the effectiveness of current treatments and potentially reduce their side effects. Beyond Alzheimer’s, the scientists believe diAcCA’s anti-inflammatory properties could be beneficial in other conditions marked by inflammation, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other brain disorders like Parkinson’s disease. This research opens up an exciting avenue for developing new treatments for Alzheimer’s and potentially other related conditions, drawing upon the power of natural compounds found in everyday herbs.
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14030293) diAcCA, a Pro-Drug for Carnosic Acid That Activates the Nrf2 Transcriptional Pathway, Shows Efficacy in the 5xFAD Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease,” was authored by Piu Banerjee, Yubo Wang, Lauren N. Carnevale, Parth Patel, Charlene K. Raspur, Nancy Tran, Xu Zhang, Ravi Natarajan, Amanda J. Roberts, Phil S. Baran, and Stuart A. Lipton.

(https://www.psypost.org/fetuses-show-preference-for-face-like-patterns/) Fetuses show preference for face-like patterns
Mar 14th 2025, 12:00

A series of studies with human fetuses at different gestational ages showed that they prefer to orient their heads and eye lenses toward face-like configurations of lights projected through the uterine wall rather than toward inverted light configurations. Fetuses also exhibited stronger lens movements in response to continuous lights rather than flashing ones. The research was published in (https://doi.org/10.1111/desc.13597) Developmental Science.
Human faces are among the most important and salient stimuli for children, playing a crucial role in early social and cognitive development. Newborns show a preference for face-like patterns from birth, demonstrating an innate tendency to focus on human faces. This preference helps infants develop attachment bonds with caregivers, which are essential for emotional and psychological well-being.
Faces provide key social cues, such as emotions and intentions, which children learn to interpret over time. Infants and young children also use facial expressions to regulate their own emotions, looking at caregivers for reassurance in unfamiliar situations. Atypical responses to faces, such as reduced eye contact, are sometimes early indicators of neurodevelopmental conditions like autism spectrum disorder.
Study author Irene Ronga and her colleagues sought to explore whether the preference for human faces observed in newborns is already present in fetuses. They also aimed to determine when this preference begins to develop. To investigate this, they conducted three experiments in which they projected specific light configurations through the uterine wall and used ultrasound to monitor changes in the fetuses’ eye lens and head orientations.
The study participants were 60 healthy pregnant women with normal pregnancies, enrolled at Sant’Anna University Hospital, Città della Salute e della Scienza (Turin, Italy). All participating women had normal body mass indexes at the beginning of their pregnancies. This corresponded to 60 fetuses included in the study: 20 at 37 weeks of gestation, 20 at 31 weeks, and 20 at 26 weeks.
In the experiments, the researchers shone lights in the form of three red dots through the participating women’s uterine walls so that they could be detected by the fetuses’ eyes. These lights were either arranged in a face-like configuration—two lights next to each other with one below them (roughly corresponding to the positions of two eyes and a mouth on a face)—or an inverted configuration, with two lights next to each other and one above them.
In one experiment, the lights were continuous. In another, the researchers projected them as either continuous or flashing lights. They also tested the reactions of fetuses at different gestational ages to these stimuli.
The first experiment showed that fetuses tended to move their eye lenses toward the face-like configuration of lights more often than toward the inverted configuration. The second experiment revealed that fetuses exhibited stronger responses to continuous lights than to flashing ones. When analyzing responses at different fetal ages, the researchers found that reactions to the lights were strongest in fetuses at 37 weeks of gestation, followed by those at 31 and 26 weeks.
The study contributes to the scientific knowledge on how fetuses processes visual stimuli. However, it should be noted that the study was conducted on a relatively small groups of fetuses. Further studies on larger samples are needed to confirm the findings.
The paper, “(https://doi.org/10.1111/desc.13597) At First Sight: Fetal Eye Movements Reveal a Preference for Face-Like Configurations From 26 Weeks of Gestation,” was authored by Irene Ronga, Karol Poles, Carlotta Pace, Marta Fantoni, Josephine Luppino, Pietro Gaglioti, Tullia Todros, and Francesca Garbarini.

Forwarded by:
Michael Reeder LCPC
Baltimore, MD

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