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Damaged myelin generates abnormal rhythms in the sleeping brain

Researchers discovered that damaged myelin generates abnormal rhythms in the sleeping brain, linked to disruptions in brain circuit stability. This finding may help design non-invasive approaches to repair myelin during sleep, improving sleep quality in patients with MS and Alzheimer's disease.

SourceFederation of European Neuroscience Societies·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 9, 2026

Discovery shines light on a cascade of events that occurs when toxic tau impacts synapses, suggesting new mechanisms for neurodegeneration

Researchers developed a new tool to track changes in the synaptic proteome over time, correlating changes to synaptic dysregulation and synapse loss. The results suggest that toxic tau oligomers impact postsynaptic structures first, leading to a dynamic cascade of events that contribute to neurodegeneration.

SourceBuck Institute for Research on Aging·JournalMolecular Neurodegeneration·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 28, 2026

What determines the fate of a T cell?

Researchers found autophagy plays a major role in ensuring T stem cells undergo normal cell division. Boosting autophagy could enhance memory T cell generation and improve long-term immunity.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalNature Cell Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 19, 2025

Neuroscience research reveals synapse functions, relationships in detail

Research from Colorado State University sheds light on the regulation of chemical balance in the brain, focusing on GABA, a neurotransmitter that helps calm brain activity. The study provides insights into how neurons maintain effective communication with each other, even when GABA is produced far from synapses.

SourceColorado State University·JournalJNeurosci·DateDec 17, 2025
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Observing synapses in action

A team of researchers has captured the process of synaptic vesicle fusion with neurotransmitters, revealing a direct form of vesicle recruitment that enables neurons to send signals over longer periods. This breakthrough could lead to targeted therapies for synaptic disorders and improve our understanding of brain function.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 17, 2025

Brain probe powerfully records neural circuits during behavior

The Neuropixels Ultra probe overcomes technical challenges in recording individual cells across multiple brain regions. It detects twice as many brain cells and distinguishes specific subtypes, enabling scientists to decode and track brain cell performance related to visual stimuli.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalNeuron·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 2, 2025

Multisynapse optical network outperforms digital AI models

A new photonic neural network developed in China achieves higher classification accuracy than digital models by using physical light transformations and multisynaptic optical paths. The system's design avoids errors introduced by translating software to hardware, marking a major step forward in optical AI hardware.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics Nexus·DateJul 9, 2025
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Do neurons transmit light?

Scientists investigate whether living neurons can transport light through their axons, which would significantly change current models of the nervous system. If successful, it could have major implications for treating brain diseases and healing the brain.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·DateApr 14, 2025

Innovative protocol maps NMDA receptors in Alzheimer's-Affected brains

The study found decreased NMDA receptors in synapses and increased extrasynaptic membranes in Alzheimer's patients, suggesting neuronal toxicity-related activity. The novel protocol allows for precise analysis of these receptors in human postmortem brains, paving the way for new therapeutic approaches.

SourceUniversidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2024
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Axon-mimicking materials for computing

A team of researchers discovered a class of materials that mimic the behavior of axons by spontaneously amplifying electrical pulses. These materials can harness internal instabilities to create spiking behavior and amplify signals, potentially leading to more efficient computing and artificial intelligence.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalNature·DateSep 13, 2024

Study provides the first anatomical and functional representation of the ocular surface in the central nervous system

Researchers characterize thalamic and cortical neurons responding to ocular surface stimulation, showing diverse multimodal response profiles. The study provides insights into how sensory stimulus information is integrated from the peripheral nervous system into the brain's cortical networks.

SourceUniversidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche·JournalPhysiology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 25, 2024
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

The body’s own lipids affect mental disorders: Can specific inhibitors help?

Research suggests that altered lipid signaling in brain cells contributes to mental disorders, with specific inhibitors showing promise in rebalancing this mechanism. The study found similar changes in both human patients and healthy relatives, as well as mice with genetic disorders, opening up new treatment opportunities.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2024

Dancing cells show how the brain awakens from anesthesia

A Mayo Clinic study found that microglia shield neurons from the aftereffects of anesthesia, enhancing and boosting neuronal activity to awaken the brain. This discovery could lead to new treatments for post-anesthesia delirium and hyperactivity.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateMar 20, 2024

A sense of touch: ASICs are the receptor for a proton synaptic messenger between Merkel cells and an afferent nerve

A study by University of Alabama at Birmingham researchers discovered that protons are the primary signals transmitting tactile sensations from Merkel cells to nerves. Protons bind to ASIC receptors on nerve endings, triggering an influx of sodium ions that propagate action potentials up the nerve towards the brain.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalNeuron·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 14, 2024
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Buck scientists discover a potential way to repair synapses damaged in Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers at Buck Institute for Research on Aging propose an alternate strategy for reversing memory problems in Alzheimer's disease by targeting the KIBRA protein. The findings suggest that KIBRA can rescue mechanisms that promote synapse resilience, potentially leading to improved memory function.

SourceBuck Institute for Research on Aging·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 1, 2024

A potential new therapeutic approach for curing neurodegenerative diseases

Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf have discovered a potential therapeutic approach for curing neurodegenerative diseases using magnetic fields. In vitro trials showed that damaged motor neurons can be restored by exposure to magnetic fields, leading to axonal transport and regeneration of mitochondria.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalCells·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 12, 2023

Understanding the speed of brain communication

A study by Mayo Clinic researchers found that brain transmission speeds continue to increase into early adulthood, reaching a plateau around age 30-40. This may help clinicians offer therapies to treat disorders such as anxiety and depression that emerge during late adolescence and early adulthood.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateMay 11, 2023
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Serine racemase upregulation improves learning and synaptic function

Researchers found that enhancing NMDAR function via increased serine racemase expression improved attention and cognitive flexibility in middle-aged rats. Upregulating serine racemase in the medial prefrontal cortex also increased glutamatergic synaptic transmission, including NMDAR activity.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 19, 2023

Using photons as neurotransmitters to control the activity of neurons

Scientists have developed a system called PhAST, which uses light-emitting enzymes and ion channels to transmit information between neurons. This method has shown promising results in restoring communication in defective circuits and modifying animal behavior.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalNature Methods·DateApr 6, 2023

UC Davis study uncovers age-related brain differences in autistic individuals

A new UC Davis study has identified 194 significantly different genes in the brains of people with autism, with many linked to brain connectivity, immune response, and inflammation. The research also found age-dependent differences in genes related to synaptic function and cell loss.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 3, 2023
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Inner ear has a need for speed

Researchers have discovered a unique, fast synapse in the inner ear that processes signals faster than any other in the human body. This breakthrough could lead to improved treatments for vertigo and balance disorders affecting millions of Americans over 40.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 18, 2023

The hunt for disrupted brain signals behind autism

Researchers found that deleting a copy of the Arid1b gene in specific brain cells decreased inhibitory signaling, leading to changes in synaptic properties and connectivity. The study suggests that this gene may be a key target for therapeutics in treating autism spectrum disorder.

SourceOhio State University·DateNov 14, 2022

Discovery gives insight into brain function, breakdowns

Scientists at OHSU have identified synaptotagmin-3 (SYT3) as a crucial protein for replenishing neurotransmitters between neurons. This discovery sheds new light on the underlying causes of neurological disorders such as epilepsy and autism, and may lead to the development of gene therapies or pharmaceutical approaches targeting SYT3.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 19, 2022

Buck Institute scientists uncover a new role for blood-brain barrier in neuron function and damage

Researchers at Buck Institute discover that blood-brain barrier cells influence neuron function and can cause problems rather than just being protective. This finding opens up new avenues for therapies targeting neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

SourceBuck Institute for Research on Aging·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 15, 2022

A methodological leap in the exploration of memory

Researchers have developed a groundbreaking 'toolbox' to study receptor mobility in the brain, revealing its critical role in certain types of memory. The study used high-resolution imaging and manipulation techniques to observe receptor dynamics in intact brain tissue, providing new insights into the mechanisms controlling memory.

SourceCNRS·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2022
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

New findings reveal how neurons build and maintain their capacity to communicate

Neuroscientists have uncovered the step-by-step process of how calcium channels accumulate at active zones in neurons, a critical component of synaptic transmission. The study reveals that alpha2delta plays a key role in regulating Cac levels, and its function has important clinical effects on conditions such as epilepsy and nerve pain.

SourcePicower Institute at MIT·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 20, 2022

Untangling the role of tau in Alzheimer’s disease

A recent study published in eLife has revealed that high levels of soluble tau protein impair signaling between neurons, leading to cognitive decline. The research suggests that targeting the binding site of dynamin, a protein that binds to microtubules, may rescue synaptic transmission and prevent memory impairment.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 22, 2022

Molecular mechanism behind migration revealed in salt-seeking worms

A team at the University of Tokyo discovered that syntaxin protein plays a vital role in storing memory in the nervous system, influencing the migratory behavior of nematodes. The study found that altering syntaxin can lead to reversed behavior, allowing worms to choose whether to approach or avoid salt concentrations.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2022
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Eating sea squirts may reverse the signs of ageing, study shows

A new study suggests that supplementing a diet with Ascidiacea, also known as sea squirts, reverses some main signs of aging in animal models. The researchers found that plasmalogens, vital to body processes, decrease with age and contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalFrontiers in Molecular Biosciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 9, 2022

Cell biology -- Masters of synapse modulation

Researchers from LMU have identified two RNA-binding proteins that regulate synaptic transmission in distinct ways, controlling mRNA levels and translation. These findings provide insight into the mechanisms of neurological disorders such as epilepsy and autism.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalCell Reports·DateJun 29, 2021

New research sheds light on the role of proteins and how synapses work

A recent study published in Nature Neuroscience has made significant progress in understanding the role of proteins in synaptic transmission. The researchers identified two variations of a protein called Unc13 that work separately to regulate synaptic function, paving the way for new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateAug 15, 2016
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.

Optogenetics captures neuronal transmission in live mammalian brain

Researchers used optogenetics to record synaptic transmissions from light-sensitive neurons to interneurons in the mouse barrel cortex. The study revealed cell-type-specific synaptic connectivity and transmission patterns, shedding new light on brain function.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNeuron·DateDec 24, 2014

Loose coupling between calcium channels and sensors

Researchers at IST Austria found loose coupling between calcium channels and sensors in a specific synapse, challenging the view that it's a developmental phenomenon. This discovery has implications for synaptic plasticity and the function of neurotransmission.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalScience·DateFeb 6, 2014

Noise down, neuron signals up

A new biologically accurate model of background noise in the nervous system has been developed to explain how noise induces delays in neuron responses. The researchers found that modulating two factors can help neurons encode information more accurately.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateAug 15, 2012
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

OHSU researchers capture cell transmissions on tape for first time

OHSU researchers have successfully recorded individual nerve cell transmissions for the first time, revealing how synapses enable cells to communicate. The study provides new insights into the mechanisms of neural communication and has potential implications for understanding neurological and mental diseases.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalNature·DateAug 23, 2000

Learning To Feel Chronic Pain

Researchers found that the brain enhances pain signals through silent synapses, which can lead to persistent pain. Blocking these pathways may lead to better treatments for chronic pain.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature·DateJun 18, 1998

R-Type Channels - A New Type Of Calcium Channels Controlling Signal Transduction Between Neurons In The Brain

Researchers found that R-type channels control transmitter release in presynaptic terminals, contributing to fine-tuning synaptic activity. These high-voltage-activated channels are resistant to known blockers and have been identified through simultaneous recordings of Ca2+ influx and EPSC evoked by a single action potential.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 29, 1998