Researchers analyzed prenatal MRI scans of children later diagnosed with autism and found significant differences in brain structures at 25 weeks' gestation. These differences may be a strong biomarker for predicting ASD emergence, with the insular lobe showing increased volume.
Researchers discovered that dogs have faster muscle fibers than wolves, enabling greater facial mobility and effective communication with humans. The study also found an additional mimetic muscle contributing to the 'puppy-dog eye' expression in dogs.
A new study found that vitamin K2 supplementation improved spatial memory, learning ability, and reduced evidence of cognitive impairment, depression, and anxiety in rats. The researchers suggest that vitamin K may help preserve cognitive functions by affecting biological pathways involving inflammation and antioxidant activity.
A new study reports breakthrough bleeding and other period symptoms in non-menstruating individuals after COVID-19 vaccination, highlighting the need to include gender-diverse people in vaccine research. The study found that one-third of respondents reported breakthrough bleeding, with some experiencing significant mental health impacts.
Mayo Clinic researchers propose a novel computational model that links Alzheimer's disease symptoms to brain anatomy, revealing a complex relationship between mental processing and brain function. The model uses machine learning to analyze patient brain imaging data and compresses complex brain anatomy into a conceptual framework.
A new study proposes a 'population-inclusive' method for estimating assigned sex at birth from 3D volume-rendered computed tomography (CT) scans of skulls, without relying on ancestry or population affinity. This approach shows statistically similar results to existing methods and can be used in cases where population affinity is unknown.
Researchers found that Spinosaurus and its close relative Baryonyx had dense bones that would have allowed them to submerge underwater to hunt. In contrast, Suchomimus had lighter bones that made swimming difficult, leading the team to conclude that these dinosaurs likely waded instead.
The American Association for Anatomy (AAA) has published a special issue of The Anatomical Record examining its complex history and addressing structural racism and questionable ethics. The issue proposes recommendations for creating an inclusive future for the field.
A study published in Current Biology reveals that ancient dolphins, including the false killer whale and orca, ate fish instead of other marine mammals. The findings suggest that these species evolved similar cranial anatomy and feeding behaviors within the last five million years.
Ants have evolved a unique division of labor for over 100 million years, with fossil discoveries providing the first evidence of cooperative behavior in the early Cretaceous period. The study describes two new species of extinct ants, revealing intricate details about their anatomy and social structure.
The Experimental Biology 2022 meeting will feature renowned speakers, including Nobel laureates and research pioneers, who will present the latest findings and trends in life sciences. Keynote presentations include talks on vaccine science, navigation, RNA splicing, pharmacology, and cancer classification.
Researchers found that the oral plug, a structure in fin whales, blocks the pharynx and prevents water from entering during lunge feeding. This allows the whale to swallow prey while keeping the respiratory tract protected.
A new study reconstructs the limb muscles of Thecodontosaurus, a small to medium-sized two-legged dinosaur that roamed the UK during the Triassic period. The research suggests that Thecodontosaurus was agile and used its forelimbs to grasp objects, contrasting with its later relatives.
Researchers from King's College London discovered how obesity affects the heart's shape and structure in children, leading to potential future cardiovascular risks. The study used data from over 2,600 children aged 10, showing significant changes at a BMI of 19.
A new muscle layer has been discovered on the jaw, contradicting traditional anatomy descriptions. The masseter muscle was found to have an additional third layer, which is involved in stabilizing the lower jaw and pulling it backwards.
The American Association for Anatomy (AAA) has funded the Portfolios of People: Advancing Anatomical Representation Together (POP AART) program. This project aims to create an accessible digital library of representative photographs and illustrations of diverse individuals, addressing a lack of inclusive visual supplements in anatomy e...
A fossil previously believed to be a four-legged snake is actually a long-bodied marine lizard, according to a new study. The discovery challenges the long-held assumption that a 'snake with four legs' exists in the evolutionary chain.
Convolutional neural networks trained to identify abnormalities on upper extremity radiographs are susceptible to a ubiquitous confounding image feature: radiograph labels. Covering these labels increases accuracy, while using them alone leads to decreased performance.
A new species, Brighstoneus simmondsi, with a distinctive bulbous nose has been identified by University of Portsmouth and Natural History Museum scientists. The discovery was made through meticulous analysis of Iguanodon bones found on the Isle of Wight, which revealed subtle differences indicating a new species.
Researchers at LSU Health have rediscovered the correct anatomy of the hip muscles, finding that they do not join into a single tendon but instead attach to different regions. This discovery has significant implications for understanding the evolution of human upright gait and bipedal locomotion.
A new study reveals pterosaurs had a wing root fairing made of skeletal muscle, improving force generation and wing shape control. The findings suggest pterosaurs were more advanced flyers than previously thought, with significant contributions to their flight anatomy and evolution.
Researchers created novel frog models to replicate polycystic kidney disease, allowing for real-time observation of disease processes. AI analysis enabled rapid assessment of disease in the tiny animals.
A Baylor University researcher led a study comparing pinniped craniofacial musculature and its potential role in aquatic feeding, revealing unique adaptations in suction- and biting-specialist species. The study provides foundational data for further research on pinnipeds and their evolution of functional morphology.
A lung model mimicking complex anatomy has enabled the assessment of respiratory volumes using a gas-in-scattering-media absorption spectroscopy (GASMAS) technique. The study demonstrates the feasibility of GASMAS to sense changes in gas volume in a controlled environment, paving the way for potential clinical applications.
Researchers published safety and efficacy data for a novel nusinersen drug delivery method via subcutaneous intrathecal catheter system (SIC) for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients. The study found improvements in arm and hand function, but no significant changes in motor scales or muscle force.
Scientists have identified a previously unknown species of ground sloth, Parocnus dominicanus, from fossils found in the Dominican Republic. The species was smaller than its tree-dwelling cousins and had anatomical differences that may have allowed it to occupy lowland areas.
Fine root anatomy and function data from the FRED 3.0 database informs Earth system models predicting future climate changes. Meanwhile, 3D printed concrete smart walls demonstrate energy efficiency and potential cost savings in buildings.
A new fossil discovery has revealed that dinosaurs did not breathe in the same way, with Heterodontosaurus having unique paddle-shaped ribs and expanded belly to breathe. The study provides insight into the biology of ornithischian dinosaurs and fills gaps in knowledge about their evolution.
Researchers found that castration of male sheep leads to delayed DNA aging compared to intact males, with epigenetic clocks and DNA methylation patterns differing between the two groups. The study's findings also suggest a link between castration, male hormones, and sex-specific differences in DNA aging.
A robot system with a digital twin uses intra-operative ultrasound to guide cardiac surgeons, improving their view of the patient without radiation exposure. The platform can assist less experienced operators and aid in pre-planning and real-time control.
Research by Colette Feehan suggests that voice actors' unique vocalizations can help speech pathologists better understand the muscles involved in creating words and sounds. This knowledge could lead to alternative pronunciations for individuals with speech difficulties, such as those with lost muscle tone due to a stroke or cancer.
A study reveals that Paleocene mammals had stockier builds and more mobile joints than expected, indicating they adapted quickly to survive and thrive. Their anatomy suggests a key role for ground-dwelling lifestyles in their success.
Researchers have identified five additional specimens of a 240-million-year-old ichthyosaur, named Besanosaurus leptorhynchus, providing new information on its anatomy, diet, and exceptionally large adult size. The species is the earliest large-sized marine diapsid with a long and narrow snout.
Researchers analyzed inner ear anatomy in extinct and living species to understand dinosaur sensory biology and behavior. The studies found clear patterns relating the shape of the semi-circular canal and cochlea to movement ability and hearing high-frequency sound.
New research reveals that dinosaurs kept a joint in their lower jaw steady like an alligator, not flexible like a snake, to chomp through bone. The study's findings suggest that bones along the inside of the jaw acted as a strain sink to counteract bending at the intramandibular joint.
Researchers created a low-cost ultrasound training phantom to train treatment of trigger fingers using ultrasound guidance. The 3D-printed anatomical finger model, embedded in ballistic gelatin, allows for precise insertion of a syringe needle and mimics human anatomy and echogenic appearance.
Researchers have developed novel antibiotic-releasing 3D printed scaffolds capable of supporting bone regeneration and delivering antibiotics. The study found that covering antibiotics with lamellar inorganic protectors enabled a controlled release, maintaining cell viability and bone formation.
Watanabe's project aims to improve understanding of brain-skull interactions, potentially preventing and treating neurological and cranial birth defects. He will study this topic using birds as a model system and create educational tools, including a virtual reality game.
A fossil plant with complete anatomical preservation from a 298-million-year-old ash deposit has enabled evolutionary classification of the Noeggerathiales order. Paratingia wuhaia, a small woody tree, belongs to the progymnosperm lineage and produces spores.
A new Harvard-led study challenges the classic lateral-to-sagittal shift in mammal spine evolution, suggesting a completely different type of backbone function. The research found that nonmammalian synapsids had unique spinal characteristics not seen in modern reptiles or mammals.
The Medical University of Vienna has received the original drawings and materials of the famous Pernkopf Atlas of Anatomy from Elsevier, along with funding for digitization and cataloguing. The donation supports historical reappraisal of the atlas's creation, which used models from executed victims of Nazi justice.
A recent study by University of Alberta cardiologists shows that patients with stable ischemic heart disease and high-risk cardiac anatomy benefit from revascularization with stents or bypass surgery. This approach leads to better health outcomes, including reduced risk of death or heart attack.
A landmark animal study reveals that exposure to opioids during pregnancy can cause long-lasting impairments in the brain's ability to process sensory information. The study found that newborn mice exposed to fentanyl developed withdrawal symptoms and sensory processing disorders that lasted until adolescence.
A team of ETH Zurich researchers has developed a 3D-printed bioresorbable airway stent that can be customized to a patient's anatomy. The stents, made from a specially designed resin, are biocompatible and gradually dissolve after implantation.
The study of Tiktaalik roseae reveals an intermediate stage in vertebrate evolution, shifting from suction-based to biting-based feeding strategies. The fossil's anatomy suggests a synergistic feeding strategy combining snapping and suction, potentially leading to the development of four-limbed animals.
A massive study of brain scan and genetic data from over 12,000 people reveals how a genetic disposition toward risky behavior is embodied in the brain. The research found associations between risk-taking and lower levels of gray matter in many brain regions, including the amygdala, hippocampus, and cerebellum.
A team of scientists used virtual anatomy techniques to examine a 400-million-year-old fossil, discovering an unexpectedly modern inner ear structure that challenges previous assumptions about placoderm evolution. The findings suggest a possible link between ancient platypus fish and modern jawed vertebrates.
A biologist's review articles on insect color vision and plant-pollinator interactions highlight the complexity of these relationships, which involve deception, chemical warfare, and biomechanical trickery. Plants have evolved fine-tuned pigments to attract pollinators, but insects have also co-evolved with them.
A newly discovered bird fossil, Falcatakely, sheds light on the evolution of complex anatomy and provides new perspectives on bird facial structure. The species boasts a unique, scythe-like beak shape and is part of an extinct group known as Enantiornithes.
Researchers at the University of Chicago challenged a popular theory on neural population dynamics, finding different activity patterns in the motor cortex for reaching and grasping behaviors. The study, published in E-Life, revealed less orderly neuronal activity patterns during grasping motions compared to reaching movements.
A new curriculum at Washington University School of Medicine equips surgical residents with technical and non-technical skills to treat victims of firearm violence. The Anatomy of Gun Violence (AGV) curriculum includes training sessions, simulations, and discussions on the social context of firearm violence.
Research reveals thymoquinone's ability to induce apoptosis and DNA damage in 5-Fluorouracil-resistant colorectal cancer, demonstrating its potential as a therapeutic agent. The compound targets CSCs enriched from both sensitive and resistant cell lines, suggesting a promising effect on chemoresistant cells.
Researchers analyzed Kalaallitkigun jenkinsi, a late Triassic species from Greenland, to study the origin of double-row cusped molar-like teeth. The findings suggest that these features may have evolved together with biomechanically optimized dual roots.
Researchers aim to determine how autophagy, a cellular recycling process, is related to Alzheimer's disease and dementia. They will examine the effect of compromised autophagy on peripheral tissues and explore potential interventions to reverse decline.
Researchers discovered fossil trees on Peru's Central Andean Plateau, revealing a more humid ecosystem than predicted by climate models. The findings support the hypothesis that tectonic uplift occurred in rapid pulses, shaping the region's climate and vegetation.
The complete dinosaur skeleton of Scelidosaurus has been studied in detail, revealing new insights into its anatomy and relationships. The analysis suggests that Scelidosaurus was an early ancestor of ankylosaurs, a group of armored dinosaurs.
Researchers have reconstructed the ancestral relationships of the hillstream loach family tree, detailing unusual pelvic adaptations that enable some members to crawl or walk on land. The study found three dominant variations of pelvic anatomy that explain different degrees of land-walking behavior among the fishes.
A team of biologists has determined how limbs evolved from fins using embryos of the Australian lungfish. The study suggests that a primitive hand was present in lungfish fins but unique anatomy of limbs with digits only evolved during the rise of tetrapods through changes in embryonic development.
A new tool for diagnosing COVID-19 has been developed by LSU Health New Orleans, using 3D digital models created from CT scans of patients with severe respiratory symptoms. The tool allows clinicians to visualize the distribution of the virus in the lungs and may help identify false negatives in RT-PCR testing.
Researchers studied angel shark body shapes using modern methods and found that early species had distinct external features, while modern species show reduced variation in shape. The integration of skull parts may limit adaptability, increasing extinction risk.