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Sleep and stress give clues to understanding epileptic seizures - study

A recent study discovered two subgroups of people with idiopathic generalized epilepsy, one experiencing highest incidence during sleep and the other during daytime. The researchers found that either dynamics of cortisol or sleep stage transition explained most of the observed distributions of epileptiform discharges.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 17, 2023

AI language models could help diagnose schizophrenia

Researchers developed AI tools to analyze speech patterns in people with schizophrenia and found that these patterns can be distinguished from those of healthy individuals. The study uses an AI language model trained on internet text to represent the meaning of words, and it was able to predict the words generated by control participan...

SourceUniversity College London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 9, 2023

Unleashing the power of AI to track animal behavior

GlowTrack, a non-invasive movement tracking method using fluorescent dye markers, improves the capture of diverse movements in laboratories. This technique enables easier comparison of movement data between studies, increasing scientific discovery and advancing fields like biology, robotics, and medicine.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 26, 2023

New study sheds light on the impact of in-stream video advertising on ad information encoding

A recent study published in Journal of Advertising sheds light on the effects of in-stream video advertising on ad information encoding. The research found that mid-roll ads elicit negative emotions but do not affect viewers' purchase intention. In contrast, pre- and post-roll ads have a significant impact on memory formation, highligh...

New human cell-based 3D model reveals insights into how immune cells contribute to Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have developed a novel 3D human cellular model that mimics the intricate interactions between brain cells and immune invaders, providing insights into how immune cells contribute to Alzheimer's disease progression. The study identified specific types of immune cells called CT8+ T Cells surg...

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 25, 2023

Are you breaking your body clock?

Researchers developed a new mathematical model to study circadian rhythm resilience and develop ways to improve it in individuals with weak internal clocks. Sustained disruptions can lead to disorders like diabetes and memory loss.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalSIAM Journal on Applied Dynamical Systems·DateAug 17, 2023

Classic rock music can be recreated from recorded brain activity

Scientists successfully reconstructed recognizable versions of Pink Floyd's 'Another Brick in the Wall, Part 1' using nonlinear modeling to decode brain activity. The study identified a unique region in the Superior Temporal Gyrus (STG) responsible for rhythm perception, with electrodes from this region crucial for accurate reconstruct...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 15, 2023

AI models are powerful, but are they biologically plausible?

Researchers propose a hypothesis that astrocytes, non-neuronal cells in the brain, can perform core computation as transformers, providing insights into human brain function and machine learning success. This discovery could spark future neuroscience research and help explain transformer performance across complex tasks.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 15, 2023

Mathematical theory predicts self-organized learning in real neurons

Researchers used a mathematical theory called the free energy principle to predict how real neural networks learn and organize themselves. The study successfully mimicked this process in rat embryo neurons grown in a culture dish, demonstrating the principle's guiding force behind biological neural network learning.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 7, 2023

Cell-to-cell diversity is key to protecting brain from neurological diseases: University of Ottawa research

A University of Ottawa study reveals that a diverse brain's ecosystem is key to maintaining normal function while responding to changes. This concept is inspired by Charles Darwin's idea that biodiversity is crucial for survival, suggesting cell-to-cell diversity helps prevent failures in brain circuits.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 18, 2023

Bringing COVID-19 data into focus

Researchers developed a deconvolution method for epidemiology using neural networks, inferring daily infection rates from mortality data. The approach can assess the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions like lockdowns and mask mandates in reducing infection transmission.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 14, 2023

Artificially grown ‘mini-brains’ without animal components bring opportunities for neuroscience

Scientists have created human brain organoids free of animal cells, which could greatly improve the study and treatment of neurodegenerative conditions. The novel method uses an engineered extracellular matrix to support stem cell growth, resulting in more accurate models of brain development.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAnnals of Clinical and Translational Neurology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2023

The Ising on the cake

A team of researchers from Kyoto University and international institutions has developed a mathematical solution to the temporal asymmetry of nonequilibrium disordered Ising networks. This breakthrough offers insights into the behavior of biological systems, machine learning, and AI tools.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 4, 2023

Stem cell model of human brain development suggests embryonic origins of Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers used a stem cell model to study the effects of Alzheimer's disease-associated mutations on early human brain development, finding that mutant spheres were larger and contained fewer mature neurons. The study highlights the need for tailored therapies and paves the way for studying Alzheimer's in its early stages.

SourceInternational Society for Stem Cell Research·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateJun 22, 2023

Advanced universal control system may revolutionize lower limb exoskeleton control and optimize user experience

Researchers developed a new method for controlling lower limb exoskeletons using deep reinforcement learning, enabling more robust and natural walking control. The system has the potential to benefit users with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, stroke, and other neurological conditions.

SourceKessler Foundation·JournalJournal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 15, 2023

Illusions are in the eye, not the mind

A new study suggests that simple limitations in neural responses explain visual illusions, rather than deeper psychological processes. Researchers developed a model that combines information on neural firing speeds, pattern perception, and natural scene assumptions to predict how animals see colour and understand visual illusions.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJun 15, 2023

Computational model mimics humans’ ability to predict emotions

Researchers at MIT have designed a computational model that can predict other people's emotions, including joy, gratitude, and regret. The model uses insights into human intuition, incorporating factors such as desires, expectations, and observation of actions to make predictions.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 6, 2023

Fruit fly's complex symphony of vision

A unique microcircuit in fruit flies' visual system transforms a single type of neuronal input to compute direction selectivity, with no inhibitory neurons present. The discovery reveals a striking example of the multilayered mechanisms of inhibition and excitation in the brain.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 29, 2023

UNDER EMBARGO: Mount Sinai researchers identify potential new treatment for those who act out their dreams while sleeping

Researchers have identified a novel model and therapy to mitigate the development of REM sleep behavior disorder, which affects over 3 million Americans. Dual orexin receptor antagonists have been shown to significantly reduce dream enactment behaviors, providing a promising new treatment option.