Mara Mather
@maramather.bsky.social
Fascinated by the brain, what makes it work well and how to keep it working well as we age. Noradrenaline, locus coeruleus, heart rate variability, oscillatory dynamics, parasympathetic/sympathetic changes in aging. USC professor.
Neat that my review of Zhang et al.'s "Cortical and subcortical mapping of the human allostatic–interoceptive system using 7 Tesla fMRI" was quoted in this Research Briefing. It was one of my favorite papers I reviewed in 2024! rdcu.be/eOlTT by Jiahe Zhang, @lisafeldmanbarrett.com and others
Evidence from 7 Tesla fMRI of intrinsic network supporting allostasis in the human brain
Nature Neuroscience - Functional connectivity analyses using ultra-high precision 7 Tesla functional MRI identified a unified system for allostasis and interoception that included more than 96% of...
rdcu.be
November 7, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Neat that my review of Zhang et al.'s "Cortical and subcortical mapping of the human allostatic–interoceptive system using 7 Tesla fMRI" was quoted in this Research Briefing. It was one of my favorite papers I reviewed in 2024! rdcu.be/eOlTT by Jiahe Zhang, @lisafeldmanbarrett.com and others
Reposted by Mara Mather
I will be recruiting 🌟PhD students🌟 for my newish lab! If you're interested in learning & memory mechanisms applied to individual, interactive & collective behavior using computational modeling, real-world experiments and fMRI, email me! RTs much appreciated 🙏 rouhanilab.com
Interactive Cognition Lab | USC
Interactive Cognition Lab at USC, led by principal investigator, Dr. Nina Rouhani.
rouhanilab.com
October 24, 2025 at 4:57 PM
I will be recruiting 🌟PhD students🌟 for my newish lab! If you're interested in learning & memory mechanisms applied to individual, interactive & collective behavior using computational modeling, real-world experiments and fMRI, email me! RTs much appreciated 🙏 rouhanilab.com
Kudos to this amazing resource!
OpenNeuro @openneuro.bsky.social just hit a huge milestone: 1500 datasets! Congrats to the team on making this project so successful over the last 7 years.
October 14, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Kudos to this amazing resource!
Our paper showing opposing effects of mindfulness alone and mindfulness + slow breathing on the Alzheimer's-related amyloid-beta peptide was just accepted for publication at Psychophysiology!
www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
A randomized clinical trial reveals effects of mindfulness and slow breathing on plasma amyloid beta levels
Prior research suggests that meditation may slow brain aging and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, we lack research systematically examining what aspect(s) of meditation may drive ...
www.medrxiv.org
October 13, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Our paper showing opposing effects of mindfulness alone and mindfulness + slow breathing on the Alzheimer's-related amyloid-beta peptide was just accepted for publication at Psychophysiology!
www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Mara Mather
Just came across this face image database that lists different databases from A-Z libguides.princeton.edu/facedatabases A very nice collection, thanks to
@mtesterman.bsky.social
@mtesterman.bsky.social
Research Guides: Face Image Databases: Databases (A-Z)
An A-Z directory of databases of face stimulus images for use in behavioral research
libguides.princeton.edu
September 26, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Just came across this face image database that lists different databases from A-Z libguides.princeton.edu/facedatabases A very nice collection, thanks to
@mtesterman.bsky.social
@mtesterman.bsky.social
Great to see more steps towards eliminating dependence on journals that charge large fees.
Link to HHMI preprint mandate hhmicdn.blob.core.windows.net/policies/Imm...
September 25, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Great to see more steps towards eliminating dependence on journals that charge large fees.
Reposted by Mara Mather
I have taken
the Tylenol
that was in
the medicine cabinet
and which
they think probably
is the reason
you like trains
forgive me
but that’s bullshit
you got autism
from your dad
the Tylenol
that was in
the medicine cabinet
and which
they think probably
is the reason
you like trains
forgive me
but that’s bullshit
you got autism
from your dad
September 23, 2025 at 12:02 AM
I have taken
the Tylenol
that was in
the medicine cabinet
and which
they think probably
is the reason
you like trains
forgive me
but that’s bullshit
you got autism
from your dad
the Tylenol
that was in
the medicine cabinet
and which
they think probably
is the reason
you like trains
forgive me
but that’s bullshit
you got autism
from your dad
Reposted by Mara Mather
I strongly second this! 👏🏾
When talking about science communication, I also always stress that *all* forms and forums of communication matter 🔄
Whether it’s a big, factually correct but details-lite TV show or movie…or just chatting to granny or your mates in a pub 🗣️
When talking about science communication, I also always stress that *all* forms and forums of communication matter 🔄
Whether it’s a big, factually correct but details-lite TV show or movie…or just chatting to granny or your mates in a pub 🗣️
Fantastic piece in Nature Reviews Neuro by @nicolecrust.bsky.social on the importance of science communication. My take? Everything matters - just do something. It will make a difference for how science is valued and trusted, how community understands. Let's get out there and communicate! 👏
The unexpected value of communicating science to the public
Nature Reviews Neuroscience - As a group, our scientific community has a responsibility to unpack the ‘what’ and ‘why’ behind our work for the public, not least because much...
rdcu.be
September 21, 2025 at 6:08 AM
I strongly second this! 👏🏾
When talking about science communication, I also always stress that *all* forms and forums of communication matter 🔄
Whether it’s a big, factually correct but details-lite TV show or movie…or just chatting to granny or your mates in a pub 🗣️
When talking about science communication, I also always stress that *all* forms and forums of communication matter 🔄
Whether it’s a big, factually correct but details-lite TV show or movie…or just chatting to granny or your mates in a pub 🗣️
Reposted by Mara Mather
Look at academia giving me a little hope
“52% of all autocratization episodes become U-Turns, which increases to 73% when focusing on the last 30 years. The vast majority of U-Turns (90%) lead to restored or even improved levels of democracy”
V-Dem data
V-Dem data
When autocratization is reversed: episodes of U-Turns since 1900
The world is in a “wave of autocratization.” Yet, recent events in Brazil, the Maldives, and Zambia demonstrate that autocratization can be halted and reversed. This article introduces “U-Turn” as ...
www.tandfonline.com
September 20, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Look at academia giving me a little hope
We are hiring a full time project assistant! Please forward to any bright, curious team players you know who might be interested in applying:
usc.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/ExternalUSCC...
usc.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/ExternalUSCC...
Project Assistant (Fixed-Term)
The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. USC is consistently ranked...
usc.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com
September 16, 2025 at 2:31 AM
We are hiring a full time project assistant! Please forward to any bright, curious team players you know who might be interested in applying:
usc.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/ExternalUSCC...
usc.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/ExternalUSCC...
Reposted by Mara Mather
Check out our new article for young readers (ages 8-15) on heart-brain interactions and interoception! 🧠🫀
I had so much fun co-writing this with @agatapatyczek.bsky.social @el-rei.bsky.social with the support of @michaelgaebler.com ✍️
👉 Share it widely with curious young minds
Yay for #scicomm ✨
I had so much fun co-writing this with @agatapatyczek.bsky.social @el-rei.bsky.social with the support of @michaelgaebler.com ✍️
👉 Share it widely with curious young minds
Yay for #scicomm ✨
🧠🫀 New from our lab on Frontiers for Young Minds:
Ever wondered how the heart and brain communicate? Think the heart as the drummer 🥁 & the brain as the singer 🎤 keeping the body's band in tune!
Read here (for ages 8–15): kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2025.1536787/full
[1/2]
Ever wondered how the heart and brain communicate? Think the heart as the drummer 🥁 & the brain as the singer 🎤 keeping the body's band in tune!
Read here (for ages 8–15): kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2025.1536787/full
[1/2]
The Body’s Band: How Heart and Brain Communicate
Illustration of a person with vitiligo practicing yoga, sitting cross-legged and stretching an arm over their head. In a thought bubble, a smiling brain sings into a microphone and a heart plays a dru...
www.frontiersin.org
September 12, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Check out our new article for young readers (ages 8-15) on heart-brain interactions and interoception! 🧠🫀
I had so much fun co-writing this with @agatapatyczek.bsky.social @el-rei.bsky.social with the support of @michaelgaebler.com ✍️
👉 Share it widely with curious young minds
Yay for #scicomm ✨
I had so much fun co-writing this with @agatapatyczek.bsky.social @el-rei.bsky.social with the support of @michaelgaebler.com ✍️
👉 Share it widely with curious young minds
Yay for #scicomm ✨
Reposted by Mara Mather
Do you ever wish you could just use python to pull together the files and code for running FSL's randomise? Me too! I made this: github.com/jmumford/ran... It will even replace the numbers in the file outputs with contrast names of your choosing (and replace corrp with 1minusp).
GitHub - jmumford/randomise-prep: Generate design matrices, contrasts, and scripts to set up FSL randomise analyses.
Generate design matrices, contrasts, and scripts to set up FSL randomise analyses. - jmumford/randomise-prep
github.com
September 12, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Do you ever wish you could just use python to pull together the files and code for running FSL's randomise? Me too! I made this: github.com/jmumford/ran... It will even replace the numbers in the file outputs with contrast names of your choosing (and replace corrp with 1minusp).
Here is an informative report on the current status of NIH's budget for next year.
fabbs.org/news/2025/09...
fabbs.org/news/2025/09...
House LHHS Subcommittee Approves FY26 Budget for NIH, IES – FABBS
Upon returning from the August recess on September 2, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
fabbs.org
September 11, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Here is an informative report on the current status of NIH's budget for next year.
fabbs.org/news/2025/09...
fabbs.org/news/2025/09...
Reposted by Mara Mather
This is harassment! Checking the tennis scores on ESPN and look at the presumably personalised banner ad.
August 22, 2025 at 2:38 PM
This is harassment! Checking the tennis scores on ESPN and look at the presumably personalised banner ad.
Reposted by Mara Mather
An abbreviation (ABB) in a journal article (JA) or Grant Application (GA) is rarely worth the words it saves. Every ABB requires cognitive resources (CR) and at my age by the time I'm halfway through a JA or GA I no longer have the CR to remember what your ABB stood for.
August 15, 2025 at 9:39 AM
An abbreviation (ABB) in a journal article (JA) or Grant Application (GA) is rarely worth the words it saves. Every ABB requires cognitive resources (CR) and at my age by the time I'm halfway through a JA or GA I no longer have the CR to remember what your ABB stood for.
Reposted by Mara Mather
This simple visualisation is great for understanding one reason why LLMs provide completely wrong answers. (I don't recall the source for this, AI would probably know ironically)
June 9, 2025 at 12:27 AM
This simple visualisation is great for understanding one reason why LLMs provide completely wrong answers. (I don't recall the source for this, AI would probably know ironically)
Reposted by Mara Mather
🚨New paper!🚨
Meta-analysis on 4M p-values across 240k psych articles: How has psychology changed since the replication crisis began? How is replicability linked to citations, impact factor, and university prestige? 🧵
Paper: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Interactive: pbogdan.com/meganal
Meta-analysis on 4M p-values across 240k psych articles: How has psychology changed since the replication crisis began? How is replicability linked to citations, impact factor, and university prestige? 🧵
Paper: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Interactive: pbogdan.com/meganal
April 9, 2025 at 1:15 PM
🚨New paper!🚨
Meta-analysis on 4M p-values across 240k psych articles: How has psychology changed since the replication crisis began? How is replicability linked to citations, impact factor, and university prestige? 🧵
Paper: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Interactive: pbogdan.com/meganal
Meta-analysis on 4M p-values across 240k psych articles: How has psychology changed since the replication crisis began? How is replicability linked to citations, impact factor, and university prestige? 🧵
Paper: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Interactive: pbogdan.com/meganal
Reposted by Mara Mather
Thought this would be a nice way to enter the bsky community👇Delighted for Katie (now in Chris Dulla's lab at Tufts). Thank you to our collaborators, to the reviewers and to Cagla Eroglu for the highlight!
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Norepinephrine signals through astrocytes to modulate synapses
Locus ceruleus (LC)–derived norepinephrine (NE) drives network and behavioral adaptations to environmental saliencies by reconfiguring circuit functional connectivity, but the underlying synapse-level...
www.science.org
May 16, 2025 at 4:34 AM
Thought this would be a nice way to enter the bsky community👇Delighted for Katie (now in Chris Dulla's lab at Tufts). Thank you to our collaborators, to the reviewers and to Cagla Eroglu for the highlight!
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Mara Mather
For anyone concerned about tenure and promotion, there is a global movement of responsible research assessment that you may want to connect to.
You may want to check out DORA and try to get your department or university to sign.
sfdora.org
You may want to check out DORA and try to get your department or university to sign.
sfdora.org
Home | DORA
The Declaration on Research Assessment recognizes the need to improve the ways in which the outputs of scholarly research are evaluated.
sfdora.org
April 13, 2025 at 5:24 PM
For anyone concerned about tenure and promotion, there is a global movement of responsible research assessment that you may want to connect to.
You may want to check out DORA and try to get your department or university to sign.
sfdora.org
You may want to check out DORA and try to get your department or university to sign.
sfdora.org
My paper reviewing how different neurodegenerative diseases affect autonomic function was just published.
Autonomic dysfunction in neurodegenerative disease — a Review by Mara Mather
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
@maramather.bsky.social
#neuroscience
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
@maramather.bsky.social
#neuroscience
Autonomic dysfunction in neurodegenerative disease - Nature Reviews Neuroscience
Neurodegenerative disorders are commonly associated with autonomic dysfunction as well as the more well-known cognitive and motor effects. In this Review, Mather describes how properties of neurons in...
www.nature.com
April 10, 2025 at 12:54 AM
My paper reviewing how different neurodegenerative diseases affect autonomic function was just published.
Wales rolled out their shingles vaccine with a strict birthdate cutoff. Interestingly, those born immediately after the cutoff were 20% less likely to get diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in the next 7 years than those born immediately before the cutoff. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A natural experiment on the effect of herpes zoster vaccination on dementia - Nature
Using a natural experiment that avoids common bias concerns, this study finds that the live-attenuated shingles vaccine reduced the probability of a new dementia diagnosis within a follow-up period of...
www.nature.com
April 7, 2025 at 5:43 AM
Wales rolled out their shingles vaccine with a strict birthdate cutoff. Interestingly, those born immediately after the cutoff were 20% less likely to get diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in the next 7 years than those born immediately before the cutoff. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Mara Mather
THREAD
The numbers are in. @bsky.app research sharing volumes vs X Formerly Twitter
In March 2024, on most days, Bluesky hosts more posts linked to research published in 2025 than X.
By quite a lot.
Release the Kraken...
#AcademicSky #HigherEd #Altmetrics
1/11
The numbers are in. @bsky.app research sharing volumes vs X Formerly Twitter
In March 2024, on most days, Bluesky hosts more posts linked to research published in 2025 than X.
By quite a lot.
Release the Kraken...
#AcademicSky #HigherEd #Altmetrics
1/11
March 27, 2025 at 5:22 PM
THREAD
The numbers are in. @bsky.app research sharing volumes vs X Formerly Twitter
In March 2024, on most days, Bluesky hosts more posts linked to research published in 2025 than X.
By quite a lot.
Release the Kraken...
#AcademicSky #HigherEd #Altmetrics
1/11
The numbers are in. @bsky.app research sharing volumes vs X Formerly Twitter
In March 2024, on most days, Bluesky hosts more posts linked to research published in 2025 than X.
By quite a lot.
Release the Kraken...
#AcademicSky #HigherEd #Altmetrics
1/11
Reposted by Mara Mather
Daily mindfulness practice with and without slow breathing has opposing effects on plasma amyloid beta levels https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.03.10.25323695v1
March 13, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Daily mindfulness practice with and without slow breathing has opposing effects on plasma amyloid beta levels https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.03.10.25323695v1
New preprint! We found that, in meditation novices, daily practice of mindful attention to breath vs. the same mindfulness practice paired with slow breathing had opposing effects on plasma amyloid β (Aβ). www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
Daily mindfulness practice with and without slow breathing has opposing effects on plasma amyloid beta levels
Prior research suggests that meditation may slow brain aging and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, we lack research systematically examining what aspect(s) of meditation may drive ...
www.medrxiv.org
March 13, 2025 at 4:30 PM
New preprint! We found that, in meditation novices, daily practice of mindful attention to breath vs. the same mindfulness practice paired with slow breathing had opposing effects on plasma amyloid β (Aβ). www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Mara Mather
Join us!! Defund science = defund the future. As a proud uncle of many nieces and nephews (and just as a human being), these words ring true - now more than ever.
March 1, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Join us!! Defund science = defund the future. As a proud uncle of many nieces and nephews (and just as a human being), these words ring true - now more than ever.