In a study by Yale University researchers, older mice benefited from either physical exercise alone or combined with mental enrichment. For younger and middle-aged mice, exercise was key to improving spatial memory. The findings suggest that cognitive stimulation can help compensate for declining memory as people age.
Researchers at Howard Hughes Medical Institute disabled a sensory organ in female mice, prompting them to exhibit male-like behaviors during courtship. The findings suggest that the neural circuits governing gender-specific behaviors are similar in both sexes.
Researchers have developed a laser-based device to measure carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and methane emissions directly from vehicle exhausts. This technology has the potential to monitor emissions in real-time, enabling drivers to adjust their driving style and reduce pollution.
Researchers found correlations between plentiful sunspots and heavy rain in East Africa, with peak sunspot activity preceding heavy rainfall by about a year. This link could enable public health officials to prepare for insect-borne diseases and flooding.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center discovered the key site in the brain where a hormone called prostaglandin E2 causes fever responses during infections. This discovery sheds light on the adaptive function of fever in protecting the body from illness, including increased sensitivity to pain and achiness.
Historians detail a burst of fishing from 1900 to 1950 that preceded the decline of bluefin tuna populations in the North Atlantic. The research suggests high fishing pressure played a key role in the species' disappearance.
Researchers found that over-production of two inflammatory proteins causes excessive levels of a third protein, leading to rosacea symptoms. Elevated stratum corneum tryptic enzymes (SCTE) and cathelicidin also contribute to the disease.
A new MIT study finds that mature brains process and retain rich, contextual memories better than younger brains. Adults demonstrated a more developed prefrontal cortex leading to enhanced contextual memory formation.
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have discovered a novel molecular switch that modulates nerve cell activity, offering new possibilities for treating mood disorders and epilepsy. The study shows a link between gut protein cholecystokinin and brain's natural marijuana-like compounds.
Research suggests that a sensory organ in the noses of mammals differentiates male and female behavior, rather than the brain. Female mice with mutant vomeronasal organs adopt male behaviors like mounting and pelvic thrusting, abandoning maternal actions.
Nectar-feeding bats have the highest metabolic costs among mammals, requiring them to fuel up directly from sugary nectars. This direct metabolism method saves energy by avoiding storage conversions, but also makes them highly vulnerable to environmental changes affecting their food supply.
Researchers investigated dynamic cortical networks in humans, confirming that familiar and unfamiliar objects activate distributed brain areas. They also measured directed information transfer between brain areas, revealing that most regions are involved in both receiving and sending signals during object recognition.
Researchers found a new lung tumor-suppressor gene, LKB1, that blocks key steps of lung cancer development in mice. The study suggests LKB1 may be more powerful than other known suppressors and could influence non-small cell lung cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers have identified a critical gene, LKB1, that is mutated in almost a quarter of all human lung cancers, leading to more aggressive tumors. The study provides a new target for therapies and enables better patient prognoses.