NATURE BRIEFING

26 May 2026

Stress stops the brain from making links between memories and fresh information. Plus, why governments should invest in early science education and an AI model that was deemed too dangerous to release to the public.

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Stress has widespread effects on the brain. Credit: K H Fung/Science Photo Library

Stress stops the brain joining the dots

Acute stress makes it difficult to connect memories of past experiences with fresh information — a process crucial for making deductions. This could explain why people struggle to show insight under pressure.…