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Is shaping brain activity a mechanical process? An international research team provides new insights

A recent study published in Nature Communications reveals that the mechanical properties of the developing brain play a significant role in synapse formation and electrical signal emergence. The researchers found that softer regions exhibit higher synapse densities, while stiffer regions show lower densities.

SourceMax Planck Institute for the Science of Light·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateNov 14, 2025

Pushing calcium against the flow: High-speed pumps in the cell

A team of researchers has established the first comprehensive model of how calcium is transported out of the cell by the plasma membrane Ca²⁺-ATPase, explaining its high speed. The model reveals that PIP₂ stabilizes calcium binding and facilitates rapid release, making it the pump's primary acceleration factor.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 21, 2025

Synapses brought to the point

Researchers at ISTA investigated the crucial set of synapses between neurons within the cerebellum, uncovering details of their function and development. The study used advanced techniques to look at the inhibitory synapses in great detail, revealing how they delicately influence the cell's signal output.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalNeuron·TypeImaging analysis·DateJan 11, 2024
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Voltage tester for beating cardiac cells

Electrical engineers at ETH Zurich and biologists from the University of Bern have developed a new method to record the activity of moving cells, including beating cardiac muscle cells. The new method combines the patch-clamp technique with an atomic force microscope, allowing for longer measurements and automation.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNano Letters·DateFeb 17, 2015

How sperm crack the whip

A team of scientists has discovered that a protein called CatSper1 plays a crucial role in hyperactivation, the whiplike motion of sperm tails, and male fertility. The breakthrough uses patch clamp recording to study electrical currents inside sperm cells, opening new avenues for research into infertility and contraception.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalNature·DateFeb 8, 2006
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.