Feeling stressed? Science finds a simple way to take back control

Feeling in control may be the key to conquering daily stress. Penn State researchers found that people were 62% more likely to resolve everyday hassles on days when they felt greater control. This link grew stronger over time, suggesting we get better at managing stress as we age. Simple actions like setting priorities and reframing challenges can help boost that sense of control and reduce overall stress.

from Relationships News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251020092833.htm

From poison to power: How lead exposure helped shape human intelligence

Long before humans built cities or wrote words, our ancestors may have faced a hidden threat that shaped who we became. Scientists studying ancient teeth found that early humans, great apes, and even Neanderthals were exposed to lead millions of years ago. This toxic metal can damage the brain, yet modern humans developed a tiny genetic change that protected our minds and allowed language and intelligence to flourish.

from Relationships News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251015230952.htm

Breakthrough compounds may reverse nerve damage caused by multiple sclerosis

Researchers have identified two compounds, K102 and K110, that could repair the nerve damage from multiple sclerosis. These drugs help regenerate the protective myelin sheath and balance immune responses. Licensed by Cadenza Bio, the discovery represents a leap from lab research to potential clinical therapy. If successful, it could transform how neurodegenerative diseases are treated.

from Relationships News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251011102259.htm

Strong friendships may literally slow aging at the cellular level

Scientists discovered that lifelong social support can slow biological aging. Using DNA-based “epigenetic clocks,” they found that people with richer, more sustained relationships showed younger biological profiles and lower inflammation. The effect wasn’t about single friendships but about consistent connections across decades.

from Relationships News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251004092917.htm

The surprising brain chemistry behind instant friendships

UC Berkeley scientists found oxytocin is key for quickly forming strong friendships, but less critical for mate bonds. In prairie voles, a lack of oxytocin receptors delayed bonding and reduced partner selectivity, changing how the brain releases oxytocin and affecting social behavior.

from Relationships News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250813083608.htm

It’s not that you look—it’s when: The hidden power of eye contact

A groundbreaking study from Flinders University reveals that it's not just making eye contact that matters, but precisely when and how you do it. By studying interactions between humans and virtual partners, researchers discovered a powerful gaze sequence that makes people more likely to interpret a look as a call for help. Even more surprising: the same response pattern held true whether the "partner" was human or robot, offering insights into how our brains instinctively process social cues.

from Relationships News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250716000854.htm

Transition point in romantic relationships signals the beginning of their end

The end of a romantic relationship usually does not come out of the blue but is indicated one or two years before the breakup. As the results of a psychological study have demonstrated, the terminal stage of a relationship consists of two phases. First, there is a gradual decline in relationship satisfaction, reaching a transition point one to two years before the dissolution of the relationship.

from Relationships News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250321163543.htm