Women in Neuroscience UK

?? How Pregnancy Reshapes the Brain A recent study has mapped brain changes during pregnancy in unprecedented detail, using 26 MRI scans on a single participant. The findings reveal structural and functional adaptations that help support motherhood—offering new insights into the neuroscience of pregnancy. This research deepens our understanding of how the brain prepares for parenthood. Read more about the study here: https://lnkd.in/e-5N_gZe #BAW2025 #Neuroscience #Pregnancy #BrainHealth?

??Healthy Ageing Starts with Brain Health As we age, prioritising brain health is more crucial than ever. With dementia cases expected to triple by 2050, it’s vital to focus on strategies that maintain cognitive function, emotional well-being, and independence. Lifestyle choices play a significant role in brain health: ?Regular exercise can reduce dementia risk by 30% ?A Mediterranean diet can slow cognitive decline ?Mental stimulation, such as learning a second language, can delay Alzheimer’s onset But it's not only about personal choices—medical and social factors matter too. Managing hypertension, staying socially engaged, and intervening early can make a major difference in protecting long-term brain health. The challenge we face is a societal one. We need to raise public awareness, increase funding for research, and address brain health disparities to ensure all individuals have the opportunity to age healthily. Let’s work together to create a future where brain health is prioritised at every stage of life. ?? #BrainHealthMatters #HealthyAgeing #DementiaPrevention #CognitiveHealth #MentalWellbeing #AgeStrong #BrainAwareness #HealthyLifestyle #PreventativeCare

?? The Woman Who Uncovered the Dangers of Sleep Deprivation ?? Did you know that sleep deprivation can be more deadly than starvation? In the late 1800s, Maria Manaseina was one of the first scientists to demonstrate how lack of sleep damages the brain, weakens the immune system, and even leads to haemorrhages. Her groundbreaking research laid the foundation for what we know today about the critical role of sleep in brain health. As we recognise Brain Awareness Week, let’s celebrate pioneers like Manaseina, whose work continues to impact neuroscience and medicine. ??? #WomenInScience #BrainAwarenessWeek #BAW2025 #Neuroscience #Health

We often prioritise diet and exercise, but what about sleep? Quality rest is the ultimate brain hack—boosting memory, improving focus, and even detoxifying the brain. Curious about what happens while you sleep? Have a read of our first Brain Awareness Week blog to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eKbNDs5c #sleep #blog #neuroscience #BAW #BrainHealth

?? Myth or Fact? Let’s set the record straight on common brain misconceptions! For #BrainAwarenessWeek, we challenged our audience to separate neuroscience myths from facts—now it’s time to reveal the truth! How many did you get right? ???? Do we really only use 10% of our brain? Does stress physically shrink the brain? And is being “left-brained” or “right-brained” a real thing? We’re breaking down the science behind these questions and more. Understanding how the brain works is key to improving brain health, performance, and well-being. Let’s keep learning and challenging misconceptions! What’s the brain myth you hear most often—and how do you debunk it? Let’s set the record straight in the comments!??? #BrainBusters #BrainAwarenessWeek #BAW #WiNUK #Neuroscience #BrainHealth #LifelongLearning

???? ?????? ???????? ???? ???????? ???????? ??♀? ?? ?? I swim three or four times a week, sometimes in the local pool, sometimes in the bay. When the pool is crowded, I pause before diving in, scanning the lanes. Are the swimmers in the fast lane truly fast? Are those in the medium lane much slower? More often than not, I choose the medium lane - to play it safe, to avoid disrupting others. Staying in the middle feels like the right call. But sometimes, I take a chance on the fast lane. And almost always, I notice the same pattern: ???????? ?????????? ???? ?????? ???????????? ???????? ?????? ???????? ?????? ???? ?????? ???????? ????????. Rarely, if ever, is it the other way around. This confidence gap in the pool mirrors what happens in workplaces across Australia. According to Seek, 26% of women won’t apply for a job unless they meet ?????? the listed criteria, compared to just 12% of men. A 2006 survey found that while 80% of women felt underpaid, two-thirds had never asked for more money. (Even when women step up and ask for a pay rise, they’re more likely to be turned down.) Yes, we need to close the gender pay gap. But we also need to ?????????? ?????? ???????????? ???????????????????? ??????. So this International Women's Day, let’s ask ourselves: ?????? ???? ???? ???????? ?????????? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ???????????????????? ???? ???????????? ?????? ???????? ????????? #IWD2025 #IWD #internationalwomensday #genderequality #behaviouraldesign #behaviouralscience #experiencedesign

?? Think you know your brain? It’s Brain Awareness Week! We’re putting your neuroscience knowledge to the test over on our Instagram stories. Take part in our interactive polls and see if you can separate myth from fact—some answers may surprise you! ?? Be sure to check back later today when we reveal the correct answers. How well do you really know your brain? Let’s find out! ?? #BrainBusters #BrainAwarenessWeek #BAW #WiNUK

This International Women’s Day, I wanted to highlight an issue that affects not just women, but the integrity of science itself; when diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts are sidelined, science suffers. In my latest blog post with Women in Neuroscience UK , I explore how the latest censorship, reversals and biases in research design, funding, and participant selection undermine scientific progress—and what we can do to fix it. When we fail to include diverse perspectives, we don’t just exclude people; we weaken the quality of our science. You can read my blog post here: https://lnkd.in/eWSR_rGF As we celebrate the achievements of women in neuroscience and beyond—we also need to stand firm in advocating for inclusive, evidence-based research that benefits everyone. Happy International Women’s Day! Special shoutout to Rebecca Pope, Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ English for editing the blog, and Lilly Green for producing the graphics!

Calling all early to mid-career female scientists in Multiple Sclerosis research! ?? Submissions are live for the 2025 Rachel Horne Prize, recognising a 'rising star' in women's health-related MS research. This prestigious US$40,000 award celebrates exceptional contributions to the field. Are you the next leader shaping the future of MS research? Apply by June 10, 2025 ?? https://lnkd.in/e6XfhQ8e #WomenInScience #MS #Research #RachelHornePrize

?? You may have heard about the current censorship of diversity, equality, and inclusion policies across the globe. Following International Women's Day, we wanted to highlight and discuss these alarming reversals and explain how science stands to 'lose' when inclusivity is undermined in research and public health. Read the article here ?? https://lnkd.in/e8vFa-Ub #IWD2025 #womeninscience #internationalwomenday #InclusionMatters #EqualityInScience #DiversityInResearch?