Scientists at SISSA have developed a method to stimulate genes to work twice as hard to compensate for missing genes, potentially treating diseases like Rett's syndrome by leveraging the gene's natural endogenous regulation
Researchers studied 36 mini-spiral galaxies and found a link between ordinary matter and dark matter. The structure of dark matter mimics visible matter in its own way, disagreeing with current hypotheses.
A study by SISSA researchers found that our brains use color to guide food choices, with red foods being perceived as more calorie-dense. The visual system's trichromatic nature and evolutionary history support this preference.
Researchers at SISSA have developed a theoretical framework to detect confinement in ferromagnetic systems by analyzing the shape of correlations between particles. The study suggests that a flask-shaped graph indicates confined particles, providing a promising tool for experimental verification.
A recent study published in Brain and Cognition found that lexical and semantic knowledge related to food is relatively well preserved even in diseases like Alzheimer's and Aphasia Primary Progressive. Food information was processed better than non-food, with caloric foods being more resiliently remembered.
Researchers created a three-dimensional map of chromosomes, revealing their complex 3D structure. The 'neighbor maps' method uses proximity pairs to infer chromosome organization and geometry.
Two new studies describe the function of PrPC, the physiological form of the prion protein. The protein promotes neurite growth and guides nerve impulses through homophilic interactions with neural cell adhesion molecules (NCAM).
Researchers found that infants selectively paid attention to native speakers of their language, even when the information was not transmitted through verbal speech. This behavior was replicated with 5-month-old infants and suggests that children use native speakers as a way to efficiently learn relevant cultural knowledge.
Research by Stefano Fabris and colleagues reveals that moisture boosts the efficiency of a catalyst in fuel cells by creating a 'proton pinball game' that facilitates molecular transport. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient fuel cell designs.
Scientists have created a high-tech material that connects neurons in vitro and is compatible with living organisms in vivo. The 'carbon sponge' stimulates growth of nerve fibers and enables functional connections between different neural populations.
A recent SISSA/CNR-IOM study reconstructed the cleavage process for group II introns using computer simulations, shedding light on the human spliceosome's complex mechanism. The research provides valuable information for fighting diseases related to aberrant splicing, such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers used computer simulations to model chromosomes and found that reorganization occurs only on small spatial scales and short time scales. The study aims to develop new methodologies for visualizing genome distances smaller than 0.1 Mbp, improving our understanding of chromatin behavior during interphase.
Researchers Rumiati and Foroni review how food is represented in the brain, exploring theories on sensory-functional and domain-specific categorization. They find that the 'foodstuff' category can help disambiguate among approaches and highlight the importance of variables like transformation and perceived calories.
A new study published in Hormones and Behavior shows that oxytocin administration enhances facial mimicry and emotion recognition in adult males. The researchers found that the subjects who received oxytocin exhibited greater facial mimicry when observing infant faces, which was not seen in those who received a placebo.
A team of physicists has developed a new method to calculate the thermodynamics of black holes, leveraging quantum gravity and holographic principles. The study proposes that a 'condensate' of space quanta can describe homogeneous classical geometries, allowing for a more realistic and robust calculation of black hole entropy.
Researchers used transitional probability to segment natural language and found it effective for 49-86% of word identification across languages. The method performed better on stress-timed languages, while mora-timed languages required relative thresholding.
Researchers at SISSA have developed a gene therapy approach targeting glioblastomas by introducing an active version of the Emx2 gene, which inhibits astrocyte growth and leads to tumour cell suicide. The treatment has demonstrated efficacy in both vitro and in vivo tests, with potential for preventing aggressive recurrence development.
Research at SISSA reveals Botox-based aesthetic procedures can impair emotional processing, particularly in subtle situations. The study confirms the importance of embodied cognition in understanding emotions and highlights a potential risk for those undergoing these treatments.
Researchers have discovered a new approach to modulating synapses using graphene flakes, which buffer activity without acting on the brain or neurosurgery. The method is selective for excitatory synapses and could be used to target certain diseases with non-invasive treatments.
In a study, MS patients showed more severe moral judgments than average, even in neutral conditions, attributing negative emotions to external causes. This 'externally oriented thinking' helps them minimize damage but also leads to an inability to reflect on emotions and identify real causes of their negative emotional state.
Physicists have long struggled to reconcile classical physics and quantum mechanics. New research by Stefano Liberati and colleagues proposes a scenario that preserves special relativity while introducing non-local effects. The model suggests space-time becomes granular at tiny scales, allowing for experimental testing of its predictions.
Researchers measured critical Casimir forces with two and three particles to demonstrate nonadditivity and show that these forces are crucial for designing micro-machines. The study used colloids immersed in fluid and optical tweezers to measure the effects of many-body interaction.
Researchers from SISSA have developed a novel technique to visualize RNA dynamics using stop-motion animation, based on a huge international database of crystallographic images. This approach allows for the creation of coherent sequences of conformations, providing valuable insights into molecular transitions and dynamics.
Physicists validate numerical simulation methods using 40 methods and 15 software packages, confirming high precision. The study's results aim to improve accuracy in theoretical speculation.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports dispels the myth that autistic individuals are cold and unempathetic. In fact, research suggests that people with autism exhibit an empathic response similar to those without autism when faced with moral dilemmas. The study found that individuals with high-functioning autism were more like...
A study found that individuals with right- or left-sided facial hemiparesis have difficulty interpreting emotions, particularly when the expression starts on the paralyzed side. Facial mimicry, which helps understand emotions, is also affected by asymmetry, suggesting a lateralized and anatomical basis for this phenomenon.
A new study by SISSA/CNR IOM scientists reduces wastage of expensive catalysts used in fuel cells, allowing for more efficient and sustainable energy production. The researchers created nanoparticles on nanosteps, which remain dispersed and stable, enabling the material to be reused with lower costs.
Researchers found that brain regions synchronize electrical activity in a specific rhythm, known as theta oscillation, to facilitate spatial choice and memory processes.
Infants as young as a few months can understand the physical properties of liquids, including loose cohesiveness and changes in shape with movement. This 'naïve physics' knowledge is evident even when faced with unexpected behaviors, such as liquids getting trapped on grids or solids passing through them.
Scientists at SISSA create synthetic prion series for the first time, allowing precise control over their pathogenic behavior. The study verifies that these synthetic prions cause illness comparable to natural ones, paving the way for potential treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers investigate brain structure involved in imitation after stroke or brain injury, discovering the importance of similarity between observed action and produced movement. Lesions in the left hemisphere affect anatomical match, while those in the right hemisphere impact spatial translation.
Researchers have developed models to rationalize the action of chemotherapeutic molecules on body cells, enabling better understanding of how drugs interact with biological targets. The study aims to improve the design of new therapeutic molecules, resulting in more effective and side-effect-free drugs.
The special issue of Current Opinion in Neurobiology delves into various aspects of brain plasticity, from language development at birth to cognitive flexibility associated with bilingualism. The journal features expert reviews that connect different fields of research and explore the role of artificial intelligence.
Researchers have created more efficient nanoparticles in fuel cells, improving the conversion of methanol into electrical energy. The study provides guidelines for controlling the charge of nanoparticles, a crucial step in optimizing catalytic efficiency.
A new study uses real-time fMRI-based neurofeedback to help kids control their emotions, improving regulation and preventing future mental health issues.
A team of researchers from SISSA investigated the mechanism behind biological tissues' resistance to external strain, discovering that cracks appear in multiple places rather than one. This study aims to create artificial materials with similar features for biomedical applications.
A new SISSA study uncovers a critical cofactor in prion protein transformation from 'good' to 'bad', revealing the role of copper in triggering the process. The study suggests a new potential target for treating prion diseases, including Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and mad cow disease.
Researchers have developed a theoretical description of thermal conduction, accounting for both atomic and electronic behavior, allowing for accurate numerical simulations. This breakthrough enables scientists to study complex materials and processes, such as those found on planets, with unprecedented precision.
A new study by researchers at SISSA found that individuals with autism have difficulty interpreting facial expressions due to impaired facial mimicry, which can be exacerbated when making joint attention. The study suggests that understanding the interaction between these two functions is crucial for social interaction.
Researchers found that faces expressing emotions, especially anger, have a powerful distractor effect on drivers' attention. This study emphasizes the need for authorities to consider this risk when designing road signage. By understanding how facial expressions impact driver behavior, we can better mitigate potential dangers.
Researchers used immersive virtual reality to explore the effect of embodiment on thought processes. The results show that embodying a trusted authority figure, such as Sigmund Freud, leads to more effective self-advice and improved problem-solving skills.
Scientists created a detailed model of the NS3 helicase enzyme, which facilitates viral replication. The study provides insights into how this protein interacts with RNA and could lead to the development of new treatments that target only the hepatitis C virus without harming human cells.
Scientists at SISSA and Northwestern University propose a new model for creating multiferroic materials that combine magnetism and ferroelectricity in the same substance. Theoretical study shows promise for controlling ferroelectricity with magnetism, paving the way for new technologies.
Infants at 4 months old can associate words with objects, suggesting early knowledge of language's relation to the world. This ability is crucial for language acquisition and learning about surroundings.
Researchers found that reading emotional content in a second language results in blander facial expressions compared to native language readings. This reduced physiological response may influence decision-making by limiting the impact of emotions.
A study by Hanna Marno and colleagues found that languages with SVO structures prefer simplicity due to cognitive load constraints. In experiments where participants were not required to invent their own gestures, a preference for the SVO form emerged in both Italian-speaking and Farsi-speaking groups.
A new stellar model developed by researchers at SISSA reveals that cosmological 'lost' lithium in metal-poor stars was not destroyed, but rather accreted from the surrounding environment. The model, which agrees with observations, provides a plausible explanation for the low abundance of lithium-7 in ancient stars.
Researchers identified a link between cognitive deficits and lesions in areas processing emotions, suggesting a third category of knowledge representation for social groups. This discovery highlights the close relationship between social relations and emotional processing in the human brain.
Researchers at the International School of Advanced Studies (SISSA) found that newborn brains process language using cognitive mechanisms similar to those of adults. They demonstrated that babies are sensitive to the edges of words and can differentiate between sequences with or without edge changes.
Researchers developed an RNA dynamics model using beads and springs, achieving accurate predictions comparable to Molecular Dynamics simulations. The model's simplicity allows for near real-time processing and may be a viable alternative to expensive computer simulation methods.