Researchers mapped brain circuits that cause hyperactive dopamine release in response to cocaine. The study found a key relay between the extended amygdala and ventral subiculum drives persistent dopamine hyperactivity.
Researchers found that gut bacteria produce proteins that stimulate the release of satiety hormones and activate neurons that reduce appetite. This discovery suggests that gut microbiota play a role in controlling appetite and satiety.
Bioart uses genetic engineering, bacteria manipulation, and other scientific methods to create artistic works, sparking discussions about ethics and safety. The field has evolved from Fleming's 'germ paintings' to modern-day projects like genetically engineered silk worms and metagenomics analyses.
New methods using stem cells and reprogramming technologies aim to create biological pacemakers, potentially replacing electronic devices. Researchers are working on coaxing stem cells into cardiac pacemaker cells or directly converting supporting cells into pacemaker cells.
Researchers found that prenatal exposure to valproic acid inhibited new neuron birth and impaired learning, but running prevented these effects. The findings suggest that voluntary exercise could improve cognitive functioning in children of epileptic mothers.
A study found that combining bacterial protein Skp with small molecules can convert pluripotent cells into functional neurons. The research used Sox2 and Skp to initiate differentiation, followed by the use of neurodazine to direct lineage-specific commitment.
A new study published in Cell Press found that the glycemic index of foods varies significantly between individuals, contradicting traditional dietary recommendations. The research, led by Eran Segal and Eran Elinav, used a large cohort of participants to demonstrate the power of personalized nutrition in managing blood sugar levels an...
A study published in Cell Metabolism found that weight loss surgery curbs sweet tooth behavior by reducing dopamine release in the brain. The research suggests that positive outcomes are more likely if sugary foods seem less rewarding after surgery.
Researchers found that infants of blind parents paid less attention to adults' eye gaze compared to those with sighted parents. However, these infants developed advanced visual attention and memory skills, suggesting active learning from their blind caregivers.
A recent study reveals that over 50% of tropical plant specimens are likely to be incorrectly named, raising concerns about the reliability of biodiversity data. Researchers estimate it takes £500 to revise a species, suggesting a feasible solution to address this issue.
Researchers discovered that ancient bees used both generalist and specialist pollen-collecting strategies, finding pollen from diverse flowers on their bodies except for the hind legs. This finding challenges previous theories about the early history of bee pollination.
Neuroscientists can analyze social media broadcasts to measure emotional states, social conformity, and personality traits. Social media use also reveals differences in brain structure and function compared to offline environments.
A pre-clinical study reveals that treatment with first-line antibiotics can make MRSA skin infections worse by inducing a harmful inflammatory response. Newer tests are being developed to quickly diagnose and treat these infections, but caution is needed before extending the findings to humans.
A recent study published in Current Biology suggests that growing up in a non-religious household may increase altruism in children. The research found that children from non-religious families were significantly more likely to share with others, contrary to the commonly held notion that religion promotes generosity.
Researchers propose a working definition of curiosity as a drive state for information, which can be observed in organisms as simple as nematode worms. They also discuss the benefits and drawbacks of curiosity, including its role in learning and decision-making, and how it relates to attentional disorders.
Researchers found that grid cells integrate information about time and distance to support memory and spatial navigation, even without visual landmarks. The discovery suggests a broader role for the medial entorhinal cortex in coding locations, time, and distance.
A new theory suggests that mood can aid adaptation to environmental changes by reflecting recent changes in reward availability. This effect may help explain the causes of mood disorders and predispose individuals to conditions like bipolar disorder.
Researchers identify cognitive barriers that hinder pro-vaccination views, including the need for trust in medicine and government. They argue that transparency and efficient science communication can increase public trust in vaccination.
Researchers have discovered that electric eels can double the power of their electrical discharge by curling up their bodies, allowing them to handle larger and more struggling prey. This behavior enables the eels to induce involuntary fatigue in prey, rendering them temporarily immobilized.
Researchers identified GlycA, a molecular byproduct of inflammation, as a predictor of premature death due to infections. High GlycA levels indicate chronic inflammation, which damages the body and increases susceptibility to severe infections.
Researchers discovered evidence of plague infections in humans 4,800 years ago using DNA sequencing from ancient tooth samples. The Yersinia pestis lineage is believed to have acquired key virulence genes around 3,700-3,000 years ago, allowing it to spread via fleas.
Human embryonic stem-cell-derived cardiomyocytes surpass bone marrow-derived cells in repairing damaged heart tissue, suggesting a better option for future therapies. The study's findings also indicate that more mature and stable heart muscle cells may be more effective than progenitor cells in clinical studies.
Researchers have discovered that a Brazilian social bee must cultivate fungus to survive, highlighting the importance of symbiotic relationships in colony health. The fungus is grown in the nest and is transferred to newly built cells, with larvae surviving 76% of the time when fed fungal mycelia.
Researchers found that red mason bee females prefer males from their own region based on specific vibration patterns. This discovery suggests that vibrational signals carry complex information about a male's place of origin.
Researchers found that howler monkey species with larger hyoid bones produce sounds with lower frequencies, suggesting a larger body size. This is associated with smaller testes and vice versa, indicating a trade-off between vocal investment and sperm production.
A study published in Immunity suggests that dietary fat impacts the severity and duration of autoimmune flare-ups in mice. Short-chain fatty acids were found to alleviate symptoms by promoting regulatory T cells, while long-chain fatty acids exacerbated inflammation.
Researchers found that four-month-old infants can correctly identify the source of a tickle on their feet, but six-month-olds cannot. This suggests that human babies perceive touches solely on their bodies before developing a sense of touch in external space.
Brazilian scientists review advances in nanodentistry, exploring how nanoparticles can improve dental materials, prevent oral diseases, and create wearable toothpaste. However, safety and cost concerns hinder the adoption of these new technologies.
Researchers found that caffeinated nectar tricks honey bees into valuing it as a higher quality forage, leading to increased foraging and recruitment behaviors. The study suggests that plants may be using caffeine as a way to deceive pollinators.
Researchers found that three ancient groups of hunter-gatherers slept an average of 6.5 hours per night, similar to modern humans. Their sleep patterns were influenced by temperature, not light, and they lacked chronic insomnia compared to modern society.
Leading US neuroscientists advocate for a coordinated national network of neurotechnology centers to accelerate the BRAIN Initiative. The proposed brain observatories would unite and synergize hundreds of individual laboratories, enabling rapid progress in key areas like connectomics and neural nanoprobe systems.
A recent study found that diet-based and anti-inflammatory therapies alter different components of the microbial community without fully restoring the normal balance of gut bacteria and fungi in children with Crohn's disease. The treatment did not restore the normal balance of gut microbes, despite reducing inflammation.
The Blue Brain Project digitally reconstructs a slice of juvenile rat brain containing over 31,000 neurons and 55 layers, enabling researchers to simulate neural activity and circuit-level behaviors
Researchers have successfully generated aged neurons using stem cell technology, allowing for the study of age-related changes in the brain. The newly created neurons exhibit defects in protein transport and gene expression patterns similar to those found in older brains.
A team of researchers discovered that fishes' jaw protrusion ability is a relatively new trait, appearing only in the last 100 million years of their 400-million-year history. This finding suggests that the evolution of jaw protrusion played a crucial role in the success of spiny-rayed fishes.
Researchers found that variation in a single gene, plep-1, produces males with excretory pores attracting other males. This attraction is likely never manifest in nature due to the rarity of males, but highlights the role of molecular biology and genetic differences in shaping sexual behavior.
Researchers found that polyamine supplementation reverses slowed circadian clocks in aging mice, opening new possibilities for nutritional interventions. The discovery has potential implications for age-related diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's disease.
Attention plays a critical role in structuring the internal world, prioritizing relevant thoughts and emotions for goal-oriented processing. The integrated theory proposes that attention is a cascade of effects beginning with stimulus detection, suppressing competing stimuli, and resetting upon completion.
Researchers find abundant wildlife populations in Chernobyl site, including elk, wolves, and deer. Long-term census data reveal a bounce-back of mammal populations after the devastating nuclear accident.
Researchers found that Eurasian reed warblers use a geomagnetic map to navigate during migrations. The birds can reorient themselves towards their original destination even after being exposed to a different magnetic field.
Researchers at California Institute of Technology have developed a proof-of-concept study on an injection that stops egg and sperm production in mice, using packaged DNA to produce neutralizing antibodies. This method could be a cheap alternative to spaying or neutering feral animals.
Agricultural researchers propose using odors and nectars from wild plants to attract pest-eating predators, mimicking nature's defense against aphids and other insects. This approach could be achieved through breeding programs or artificial devices.
Several laboratories are developing exercise pills targeting skeletal muscle performance, aiming to improve strength and energy use. However, the benefits of exercise extend beyond muscular improvements, and it's unrealistic to expect pills to fully substitute physical exercise.
Researchers discovered a molecular switch that balances the activity of two key proteins in the circadian clock, PER2 and CK1. This finding provides insights into familial advanced sleep phase disorder (FASP) and may lead to new treatment strategies using drugs that inhibit these proteins.
Researchers have found that snakes share similar genetic patterns with mammals and birds in their limbs and genitalia, suggesting a common ancestry. The study's findings suggest that these genetic elements may play a crucial role in phallus development and genital shape variation among species.
Researchers have created a new investigational drug that traps IGFBP3, preventing gastrointestinal symptoms and restoring the intestine's mucosal lining structure. The drug may hold promise as a potential treatment for diabetic enteropathy, a common complication of type 1 diabetes.
Researchers found that people's aesthetic preferences for faces agree about 50% and disagree about 50% with others. Personal experiences, such as those with friends or media, play a significant role in shaping individual face preferences, according to the study published in Current Biology.
The article explores eight big questions in cancer research, including the role of genetic mutations, tumor microenvironments, and epigenetics. Researchers discuss the importance of targeted treatments, prevention, and screening, as well as the potential for precision medicine to improve cancer outcomes.
Researchers propose that deep sleep strengthens immunological memories of previously encountered pathogens, enabling adaptive responses. Studies show that slow-wave sleep contributes to the formation of long-term memories of abstract information.
Researchers believe that tick spit proteins, such as alpha-gal, can cause severe allergic reactions in humans. A vaccine could be created to target these proteins, potentially providing protection against tick bite allergies.