A new brain atlas developed by neuroscientist David Van Essen aims to improve our understanding of the brain's structure and function. The atlas provides a comprehensive map of the brain's cortical and cerebellar regions, which are essential for thought, learning, emotion, perception, sensation, and movement.
Research by Stanford's Eric Knudsen shows that barn owl's brain mapping can be altered by early life experiences, leading to a persistent effect on visual and auditory navigation. Young owls wearing lenses that shift their visual world can develop a new mental map, but adult owls without this experience cannot form a new map.
Research suggests that the mammalian ventral tegmental area plays a critical role in mediating both rewarding and aversive properties of nicotine. Blockade of mesolimbic dopamine signaling induced by neuroleptic medications may selectively block the aversive effects of nicotine, increasing vulnerability to its addictive properties.
Researchers found that a molecular sticking process stops the embryo's journey along the uterine wall and starts attaching it to the wall, creating a sticky environment. The discovery of L-selectin protein helps to understand human embryo implantation and may prove useful to treat infertility.
Researchers studying baby loggerheads from 10 beaches across the Southeastern US found an unexpectedly small percentage of males, with only 15% of hatchlings from one northern beach being male. The study has significant implications for the future of the entire Southeastern loggerhead population.
A study found that a quadriplegic individual's brain preserves its ability to 'feel' and 'move' despite severe spinal cord injury. The findings indicate stability in the brain's motor patterns, suggesting a small portion of the spinal cord may still be intact.
Researchers found that switching from traditional cannulation in the aorta to the axillary artery significantly reduced the risk of stroke and brain damage during bypass surgery. This innovative approach deflected debris away from the brain, markedly limiting postoperative neurological complications.
A K-State professor has found that medications used to treat other animals can be safely administered to llamas and alpacas to relieve intestinal worms. He conducted the research in the university's animal facility and discovered effective treatments using anti-parasitic drugs.
Researchers develop mice with nerve tracts stained by up to four different fluorescent jellyfish proteins, enabling them to study neural connections in the living brain. This approach reveals clues about how learning occurs in the brain, including the elimination of many connections after birth.
Researchers have created detailed maps of the brain's cerebral and cerebellar cortex, which will help physicians understand brain damage and guide neurosurgeons. The maps will be freely available online, revolutionizing the field of neuroscience.
A Virginia Tech research project suggests that body size may not be directly related to evolutionary or ecological success. Early findings indicate that diversity and body size increased together during the history of life, but this relationship broke down at the end of the Ordovician period, around 440 million years ago.
Researchers found three distinct clusters of patients with different memory and brain profile patterns, suggesting multiple disease mechanisms. The 'cortical' subtype showed temporal lobe pathology, while the 'subcortical' subtype featured frontal-striatal region issues.
A new study demonstrates that learning and speech therapy can alter the way compensatory pathways in the brain work after a stroke. The research supports the hypothesis that brain pathways in the right hemisphere are directly involved in the recovery of language skills.
Researchers found a genetic link between a specific enzyme and increased risk of heart failure in alcoholics, with those having two copies of the D allele facing a 16 times greater risk. This discovery opens up possibilities for uncovering other genetic predispositions for various alcohol-related diseases.
Scientists suggest elephants have an aquatic ancestry, supported by their unique pleural space and snorkeling behavior. The elephant's dense connective tissue replaces delicate pleura, allowing for some sliding of the two surfaces across each other.
A team of biomedical engineers and pediatric cardiologists are developing new technologies to assist surgeons in surgical planning for Fontan treatment. They aim to improve the efficiency and customization of the procedure, leading to better outcomes for young heart patients.
Researchers found that blocking interleukin-1 can prevent additional brain tissue damage, suggesting a new potential treatment for traumatic brain injury and neurodegenerative diseases. By inhibiting IL-1, macrophage activation is reduced, leading to less inflammation and cell death.
A Wake Forest research team has identified a specific brain region, the thalamus, as being 'exquisitely sensitive' to alcohol consumption. The study found that this region produces characteristic spindle brain waves during stage II sleep, which are enhanced by low doses of alcohol but reduced later in the night.
Researchers at USF Health successfully transplanted clonal human neurons into rats with severe spinal cord injuries, allowing some animals to bear weight on their hind legs. The study suggests that the transplanted cells can re-establish a neural connection, potentially paving the way for future rehabilitation and functional recovery.
Researchers have identified 22 genes essential to the operations of the body's internal clock, which synchronize behavior and physiology with a near 24-hour cycle. The study found that these genes influence the expression of other genes throughout the body, controlling behaviors like sleep and wakefulness.
Researchers analyzed gene expression profiles from thousands of lymphoma biopsy samples to identify predictive genes that can predict patient response to treatment and survival rates. The study found that a formula created from 17 key genes could accurately classify patients into four groups with varying five-year survival rates.
Researchers found that pressure-lowering eye drops reduced the development of primary open-angle glaucoma by more than 50% in high-risk individuals. The study also highlighted personal and ocular risk factors associated with glaucoma development.
A recent study found that pressure-lowering eye drops reduced the development of primary open-angle glaucoma by over 50 percent. The study suggests that treating people with elevated eye pressure may delay or prevent glaucoma, particularly in those at higher risk due to age, ethnicity, or ocular characteristics.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that COX-2 expression is higher than normal in meningioma and pituitary macroadenomas, with more aggressive disease associated with greater enzyme presence. The study opens up opportunities for designing potential therapies against brain tumors.
Researchers developed a decision tree combining cause of injury with physical signs and symptoms to determine the appropriate type and level of care for children. The new triage tool aims to reduce under-triage in pediatric motor vehicle crashes, resulting in better outcomes.
Researchers found that watching classic horror films improved reasoning and intelligence, while anxious moods hindered performance on difficult tasks. The prefrontal cortex region was jointly influenced by mood state and cognitive task, suggesting a regulatory role in integrating emotional signals with cognition.
A study has shown that chilling causes changes in the platelets' outer membrane, leading to the formation of lipid rafts. This process is a general first step in platelet activation, which can lead to blood clots and heart attacks.
Christy Comeaux, a Johns Hopkins University undergraduate, is studying the genetics of fruit flies to understand human organ development. She has made key discoveries about how genes work in humans and how cells position themselves within organs.
The new technology uses magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) to produce 3-D images of mice at unprecedented resolution, revolutionizing the use of mouse models in understanding human disease. Digital 'Visible Mice' will enable researchers to share and analyze animals electronically, facilitating collaboration across distances.
Researchers at Stanford University used biomechanics to estimate T. rex's running speed, concluding it was unlikely to reach high speeds. The team found that large animals face limitations when trying to support their weight with muscle, making fast running impossible.
Researchers discovered a link between inflamed tender areas above upper molar teeth and headaches. A new treatment involves chilling the area to reduce swelling, eliminating pressure on nerves. The anti-inflammatory gel was found to be more effective than existing medications in reducing headache burden and analgesic use.
Researchers at Jefferson Medical College and University of Barcelona found that moderate drinking from one to four drinks a day improved heart function in men with alcohol-related heart failure. The study suggests a threshold drinking level for alcohol-related heart damage, below which there is no harm.
A team of researchers has identified a family of six proteins, called ZIGs, responsible for maintaining the wiring of the nervous system in mature organisms. These proteins play a crucial role in keeping the anatomy of the nervous system intact, and their discovery may lead to new insights into neurological diseases.
A recent study using human stem cells has made significant breakthroughs in understanding the origin of Down syndrome, one of the most common causes of developmental disabilities. The research found a faulty genetic circuit that disrupts brain development, leading to a deficit in specific genes critical for neuronal growth.
A biomedical engineer has developed a 'sonic flashlight' that combines ultrasound images with the patient's natural appearance, enabling doctors to guide procedures without looking away. This technology could improve hand-eye coordination and reduce learning curves for radiologists.
A study published in Science found no new neurons in the neocortex of adult monkeys, contradicting previous reports. Researchers used advanced imaging techniques to analyze thousands of cells and conclude that mechanisms other than neurogenesis may be needed to understand brain function.
A team of scientists has successfully guided human embryonic stem cells to become precursor brain cells in a laboratory dish. Transplanted into baby mice, these cells further differentiated into neurons and astrocytes, paving the way for potential treatments of Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injuries.
A geologist proposes that traditional Chinese landscape paintings, emphasizing harmony with nature, may have contributed to China's lack of early adoption of geological principles. This perspective is rooted in the Western European emphasis on geometric perspective as a tool for understanding spatial relationships.
Researchers have found fossil skulls and partial skeletons of the giant Sarcosuchus imperator, which lived during the African Cretaceous period. The species is estimated to have reached its full size in around 50-60 years, suggesting a unique growth pattern that allowed it to attain massive proportions.
A study published in JAMA found that the misdiagnosis rate for appendicitis remained high despite the availability of new diagnostic tests, particularly among young women and older men. The researchers analyzed data from 85,790 appendectomies performed in Washington state between 1987 and 1998 and found that the rate of misdiagnosis in...
Researchers used fMRI to analyze brain activity in people pondering moral dilemmas, finding that emotions play a significant role in shaping moral judgments. The study's results suggest that different areas of the brain are engaged depending on the level of personal involvement and emotional response.
Fossils from three different humans estimated to be about 175,000 years old show a stage of evolutionary development that led to the Neandertals. The jaw fragment reveals signs of reduced chewing force due to food preparation changes, suggesting extensive community support for individuals with difficulty caring for themselves.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center identified 10 genes that help cancerous tumors thrive under oxygen-deficient conditions. The discovery could lead to new treatments for deadly forms of cancer and has implications for other diseases like stroke and heart disease.
A koala scoliosis study reveals that the condition takes different forms in marsupials compared to humans. The research, conducted by Emily Milbourne, aims to describe the normal anatomy of koalas and investigate the causes of scoliotic animals.
Researchers found that aggressive melanoma cells leave behind a molecular track in the extracellular matrix that contains information and cues. These cues can cause less aggressive tumor cells to become more aggressive when they interact with the same matrix.
Researchers found that a fish oil-rich diet protects against colon cancer, while a corn oil-diet appears to promote it. The scientists also discovered how cancer spreads among cells in the colon, with a new understanding of cell damage varying from bottom to top within crypts.
The National Science Foundation has funded a study that sheds light on the soft tissue biology of dinosaurs, specifically their nasal structures. The research, led by Lawrence Witmer, provides clues to how air flowed and affected olfaction and heat exchange in these prehistoric creatures.
Research confirms that nicotine reduces peak blood alcohol concentrations, leading to increased consumption of alcohol to achieve intoxication. This interaction can result in adverse effects on the liver, heart, and brain.
Researchers found that pramipexole prevented nearly 100% of brain cells from dying in mice with a Parkinson's-like condition. The drug also showed neurotrophic effects by increasing dopamine cell size, suggesting potential as a neuroprotective agent.
A protein called NR2B makes mice more aware of minor pain for longer periods of time, a phenomenon that mimics what happens in people with chronic pain. The researchers suggest that interfering with NR2B in humans might be a strategy for treating chronic pain.
Researchers found that gene Rb2 inhibits angiogenesis, a critical process for tumor growth. The study suggests that Rb2 may be used to treat lung cancer and glioblastoma by blocking blood vessel formation.
A recent study published in Neurology has imaged language areas of the brain during recovery from stroke, providing insights into normal language processes and potential therapy optimizations. Researchers found that areas on the right side of the brain contribute to language recovery after left-side damage.
Researchers found a cellular signaling system that responds to THC and anandamide regulates sperm functions required for fertilization in humans. Heavy marijuana users may jeopardize fertility by overloading this natural signaling system.
Researchers have uncovered a crucial interaction between an enzyme and osteoclasts, cells responsible for removing bone in the body. The connection may provide a novel target for future medications to block bone erosion associated with osteoporosis and cancers.
A new UK research study found that creatine supplementation reduces brain damage in mice and rats with traumatic brain injury. Brain damage was reduced by 21%, 36% and 50% respectively when creatine was administered before or after the injury.
Researchers found that sleeping songbirds' neurons fire patterns identical to song production, rehearsing the neuronal activity patterns of song generation. This suggests that sleep helps birds learn songs by replaying and strengthening the pattern during undisturbed sleep.
Researchers used gene therapy to deliver GDNF directly to the brain cells of monkeys, resulting in a dramatic increase in dopamine production and prevention of disease progression. The treatment also reversed functional deficits and symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease.
A team of scientists suggests that meteorites like ALH84001 could have transferred life between Mars and Earth. The analysis of the meteorite's magnetic field supports the hypothesis that meteorites can be an interplanetary delivery system capable of transferring life.
Researchers have identified regulatory cells that govern the behavior of stem cells in Drosophila, revealing a specialized cellular environment known as a niche. The niche environment provides support needed for stem cell self-renewal, and its characteristics may offer insights into human stem cell regulation.
A new study finds that intense weight training exercises can increase strength in older men, similar to those in their 20s. Researchers also observed improvements in muscle tone, aerobic capacity, and cholesterol profiles.