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University of California - Los Angeles


'Tis better to give than to receive?

A new brain-imaging study by UCLA life scientists reveals that providing support to a loved one offers health benefits to the giver. The study found that women who gave support to their boyfriends in pain showed increased activity in reward-related regions of the brain, including the ventral striatum and septal area.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalPsychosomatic Medicine·DateNov 9, 2011

How the brain makes memories: Rhythmically!

UCLA neuro-physicists discovered an optimal brain 'rhythm' for changing synaptic strength, contrary to previous assumptions. The findings suggest that stimulating synapses at naturally occurring frequencies, not high frequencies, increases synaptic strength and may lead to new therapies for learning disabilities.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalFrontiers in Computational Neuroscience·DateOct 3, 2011

UCLA study shows cell-penetrating peptides for drug delivery act like a Swiss Army Knife

Researchers at UCLA have discovered how cell-penetrating peptides, such as the HIV TAT peptide, interact with cells to facilitate the transfer of molecular cargoes. The study reveals that these peptides can act like a Swiss Army Knife, interacting strongly with membranes and cytoskeletons to produce multiple pathways of translocation.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 3, 2011

UCLA Engineering researchers help develop complete map of mouse genetic variation

Researchers from UCLA's Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science contributed to the development of a comprehensive genetic catalog of 17 strains of mice. The study provides a complete picture of genetic variation in these mouse strains, enabling scientists to accurately predict gene expression levels and identify variant...

UCLA life scientists' study of abalone yields new insights into sexual reproduction

Researchers studied interactions between individual sperm and eggs in red abalone, making precise chemical measurements and physical models of these interactions. They found that the egg releases a plume of tryptophan to attract sperm, greatly increasing its target area. Ocean flow conditions also play a significant role in fertilization.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 3, 2011

What is war good for? Sparking civilization, suggest UCLA archaeology findings from Peru

A new UCLA study suggests that warfare likely shaped the development of civilization in the Titicaca basin of southern Peru. The researchers found evidence of massive fires, iconographic signs of conflict and agricultural decline after a devastating fire in Taraco state, indicating war may have led to the downfall of this early settlem...

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 25, 2011

Sweating the small stuff: Early adversity, prior depression linked to high sensitivity to stress

A new study suggests that people with early life adversity or prior depressive episodes are more sensitive to later life stress. Individuals who experienced early parental loss or separation and those with a history of depression became depressed following lower levels of life stress than those without these predisposing factors.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalJournal of Psychiatric Research·DateJun 28, 2011

People with body-image disorders process 'big picture' visual information abnormally

A new UCLA study reveals that individuals with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) exhibit abnormal brain activity when processing holistic visual elements, such as the overall shape of an object. This finding suggests that BDD patients have general abnormalities in visual processing, which may contribute to the development of the disorder.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalPsychological Medicine·DateMay 26, 2011