IntroductionEvidence suggests that dissociation may play a role in the manifestation of functional neurological disorder (FND). Dissociative experiences are frequently reported in FND, yet their dynamic associations with affective and physiological states remain underexplored. This pilot study aimed to examine dissociative symptoms in daily life in FND, to identify predictors of dissociation using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) combined with wearable heart-rate monitoring.MethodsSeventeen individuals with FND (functional seizures/motor symptoms) and seventeen age- and gender-matched healthy controls completed EMA via pseudorandom smartphone prompts eight times daily for one week. This was a secondary analysis of data from a pilot case-control intensive longitudinal observation study. Dissociation (depersonalisation, derealisation, amnesia), negative affect, and subjective arousal were assessed using items modified from validated scales, while heart-rate was continuously recorded via Fitbit devices. Multilevel modelling was conducted to examine between-group differences, and momentary associations between predictors (negative affect, subjective arousal, heart-rate) and dissociative symptoms within the FND group. Time-lagged analyses explored temporal relationships between the predictors and dissociative symptoms.ResultsThe FND group reported significantly higher dissociative symptoms across the week compared to controls; amnesia (F(1,34)=13.09, p <.001), depersonalisation (F(1, 34)=7.35, p = .010), and derealisation (F(1, 34)=8.31, p = .007), these differences withstood correction for anxiety, but not for depression. Negative affect (p-values=<0.001, β=0.094-0.111), subjective arousal (p-values=<0.001, β=0.102-0.124), and higher heart-rate (p-values = 0.01-0.006, β= 0.078-0.091) were each significant concurrent predictors of all three dissociative symptom types. In combined models, negative affect and subjective arousal remained robust predictors across all symptom domains, whereas heart-rate lost significance. Time-lagged analyses did not yield significant associations.ConclusionIndividuals with FND self-reported elevated dissociative symptoms in daily life compared to healthy controls; however, these significant differences did not remain when controlling for depression. Dissociation was consistently associated with subjective arousal and negative affect, but not heart-rate, underscoring the importance of subjective emotional states over physiological influences on self-reported dissociative symptom variability. The absence of temporal effects highlights the transient nature of dissociation in FND. These findings support the possibility of conceptualising FND through a dissociative lens and emphasise the need for larger longitudinal studies to clarify underlying mechanisms.
Tracing the rise of biomedical foundation models
Nature Biotechnology, Published online: 30 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41587-026-03135-y
A survey of biological foundation models reveals current trends and provides an outlook for future developments in this rapidly evolving field
A data-driven risk stratification framework for clinical obesity
Nature Medicine, Published online: 30 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41591-026-04370-1
To inform precision management of obesity, this study developed and externally validated a parsimonious model (OBSCORE) that accurately predicts the risk of 18 obesity-related complications. This was achieved by integrating thousands of clinical, molecular and other health-related characteristics assessed in 200,000 individuals with overweight or obesity within a machine-learning framework.
Uncovering risk factors in the exposome for early-onset colorectal cancer
Nature Medicine, Published online: 30 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41591-026-04369-8
The alarming rise in the incidence of colorectal cancer among younger individuals is probably due to environmental factors; epigenetic signatures of exposures may help uncover drivers of this trend, but questions remain.
Data-driven prioritization of high-risk individuals for weight loss interventions
Nature Medicine, Published online: 30 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41591-026-04353-2
OBSCORE is a machine learning-based risk prediction tool that uses a set of clinical features to stratify individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥ 27 kg m−2 by their 10-year risk of obesity-related complications, outperforming existing models. OBSCORE is generalizable across diverse populations, supporting risk-based prioritization of obesity interventions that goes beyond simple BMI thresholds.
Facilitating Thought Progression: A Neurocognitive Framework Linking Thought Dynamics and Mood Disorders
Mood and thought are tightly coupled, but the mechanisms linking them are not understood. This link is particularly important when considering mood disorders such as depression. We propose the Facilitating Thought Progression (FTP) framework, which characterizes depression as a disorder of thought dynamics, encompassing both the temporal evolution and semantic expanse of mental activity. Five parameters jointly determine the fluency of thought progression: breadth, speed, flexibility, novelty, and scope.
Implications of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs) for Mood Disorders and Suicide Risk
A strategic imperative in mood disorders is to identify innovative mechanisms that translate into improved therapeutics when compared to the extant options. More specifically, there is a need for treatments with greater efficacy, shorter time-to-peak efficacy, greater durability of effect as well as improved tolerability profiles. Moreover, priority has also shifted towards identifying mood disorder therapeutics capable of targeting domains of psychopathology that are most pervasive, debilitating and inadequately treated by conventional pharmacology (e.g., anhedonia, cognitive impairment).
Glucose-dependent spatial and temporal modulation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cell proliferation via ACLY-regulated histone acetylation
Nature Neuroscience, Published online: 30 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41593-026-02263-7
The authors identify glucose-derived conversion of citrate to acetyl-CoA upstream of histone acetylation as modulating the regional dynamics of oligodendrocyte progenitors, with extranuclear acetyl-CoA from other sources being used for myelination.
Laminar organization of cellular microcircuits modulating human interictal epileptiform discharges
Nature Neuroscience, Published online: 30 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41593-026-02258-4
High-density single-neuron recordings in patients with epilepsy revealed interictal discharges are generated by structured laminar circuits. These circuits overlapped with cognitive circuits and could predict discharges up to 1 s in advance.
The Download: the North Pole’s future and humanoid data
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.
Digging for clues about the North Pole’s past
In the past, getting to the North Pole involved a treacherous trip through ice many meters thick. But last year, a research vessel encountered open water and thin ice, which created an easy passage. It provided a reminder of how quickly the Arctic is changing.
Now scientists are digging deep below the seabed to find out if the Arctic Ocean was ever ice-free—and what that could mean for the future of Earth’s northernmost waters. Here’s what they hope to discover.
—Tim Kalvelage
This story is from the latest issue of our print magazine, which is all about nature. Check out the full issue here, and subscribe to get the next one when it lands.
Humanoid data: 10 Things That Matter in AI Right Now
I was recently invited to join an app that would pay me to film myself doing tasks like putting food in a bowl and microwaving it. Another site asked if I’d like to remotely control a robotic arm to help improve its dexterity. What on earth is happening?
These examples are just part of a growing push by robotics companies to collect data on our movements for training humanoids. As the race for real-world data heats up, our everyday movements are being turned into training data. Read the full story.
—James O’Donnell
Humanoid data is one of our 10 Things That Matter in AI Right Now, a new look at the big ideas, trends, and technologies really worth your attention in the buzzy world of AI.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the internet to find you today’s most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.
1 Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta have all set AI spending records
Collectively, they’re up 71% on the same quarter last year. (NYT $)
+ Microsoft, Google and Amazon reported big payoffs from the splurge. (FT $)
+ But Meta’s shares slid after its plans spooked investors. (BBC)
+ What even is the AI bubble? (MIT Technology Review)
2 The White House opposes Anthropic’s plan to expand Mythos access
It’s concerned about the model’s cyber risks. (Bloomberg $)
+ And worried that the government will lose compute access. (WSJ $)
+ Anthropic is seeking funding at a valuation over $900 billion. (Bloomberg $)
3 Elon Musk has claimed OpenAI’s leaders “looted the nonprofit”
During testimony, Musk said he “was a fool” for trusting them. (Gizmodo)
+ But he had raised his own concerns about OpenAI’s non-profit status. (The Verge)
+ The case could reshape the AI landscape. (MIT Technology Review)
4 Autonomous vehicles may be worsening
According to emergency first-responders, glitches are increasing. (Wired)
5 OpenAI has abandoned much of its Stargate plan
It will no longer develop its own data centers. (FT $)
+ The project’s compute requirements have been questioned. (MIT Technology Review)
6 A convicted Harvard scientist is rebuilding a brain-computer lab in China
He had previously been named the world’s top chemist. (Reuters $)
+ But was then convicted for lying about payments from China. (NYT $)
7 Families have sued OpenAI over a mass shooter’s use of ChatGPT
They say OpenAI provided a dangerously defective version of the chatbot. (NPR)
8 Apple is reportedly close to giving up on the Vision Pro
After the latest model flopped. (MacRumors)
9 Senators are interrogating US AI firms on safeguards against China
Over fears of IP theft. (Axios)
10 Friendly AI chatbots are more likely to be inaccurate
A new study found kinder answers contained more mistakes. (BBC)
Quote of the day
“Never talk about goblins, gremlins, raccoons, trolls, ogres, pigeons, or other animals or creatures unless it is absolutely and unambiguously relevant to the user’s query.”
—OpenAI instructs Codex to avoid critter talk in a system prompt for the coding agent, Ars Technica reports.
One More Thing
ARTHUR MOUNT
Is this the most energy-efficient way to build homes?
When engineers began designing an ultra-efficient home in the 1970s, they realized the trick wasn’t generating energy in a greener way, but using less of it. They needed to make a better thermos, not a cheaper coffee maker.
That idea helped inspire today’s passive-house standard: airtight buildings that can cut energy use by up to 90% through better windows, insulation, and ventilation.
Although they’re often considered a cold-climate approach, passive houses actually have universal benefits. Find out what makes them so efficient.
—Patrick Sisson
We can still have nice things
A place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line.)
+ Finally, someone built a gaming PC inside a microwave that runs DOOM.
+ Experience the rhythm of the city through this rapid-fire collage of urban photography.
+ Get a dose of pure cuteness as these tiny snow leopard cubs leave their den for the first time.
+ If you’re staring at a random assortment of groceries, SuperCook will find a recipe based on what’s already in your pantry.