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Binge drinking during youth may impact future offspring

A recent rat model study found that preconception binge drinking can negatively affect future offspring's growth, social interactions, and pubertal development. The study also discovered that these effects can be passed down through generations, highlighting the importance of parental behavior in shaping offspring's traits.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalJournal of the Endocrine Society·DateJun 19, 2018

Stress regulates self-harm in rats

Researchers manipulated brain activity and stress hormone levels to control self-inflicted bite wounds in rats, identifying key brain regions involved in self-injurious behavior. The study provides new insights into the regulation of compulsive self-biting and its relationship with stress and reward processing.

The clinical and experimental research on the treatment of endometriosis with thiostrepton

Researchers studied thiostrepton's effects on endometriosis using an endometriotic rat model. Thiostrepton, a FOXM1 inhibitor, reduced expression of key proteins in endometriotic lesions. This suggests thiostrepton may inhibit endometriosis growth by decreasing FOXM1 expression and exerting a pro-apoptotic effect.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalAnti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry·DateApr 4, 2018

HSP72 confers protection in retinal ganglion cells and lateral geniculate nucleus neurons

Researchers found that HSP72 protects retinal ganglion cells and lateral geniculate body in a rat model of chronic ocular hypertension from injury by blocking the activation of the stress-activated kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase apoptotic pathway. Zinc sulfate inhibited HSP72 expression, while quercetin induced its expression.

SourceNeural Regeneration Research·JournalNeural Regeneration Research·DateAug 16, 2014

Electroacupuncture effect on depression and variation of polygenes expression

Researchers used a rat genomic gene-chip to profile hippocampal gene expression changes after electroacupuncture therapy. The results showed that electroacupuncture regulates the expression of specific genes involved in depression, including Vgf and Igf2. These findings suggest that electroacupuncture may be a useful treatment for depr...

SourceNeural Regeneration Research·JournalNeural Regeneration Research·DateMar 21, 2014

Neural prosthesis restores behavior after brain injury

Scientists have successfully restored behavior in rats using a neural prosthesis after brain injury. The device, a closed-loop microelectronic system, recorded signals from one part of the brain and stimulated another to facilitate repair. Two weeks after implantation, rat models recovered nearly all function lost due to injury.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 9, 2013

What's in a name? Broadening the biological lexicon to bolster translational research

Developmental biologist Hazel Sive proposes using the term 'tool' to define biological systems that don't accurately recapitulate human disorders, but provide valuable insights. These 'tools' can be used in loss-of-function studies and screening for chemicals that affect gene activity, potentially leading to therapeutic targets.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalDisease Models & Mechanisms·DateMar 9, 2011

What a rat can tell us about touch

Researchers at Northwestern University are studying the rat whisker system to gain a better understanding of how animals perceive touch. By developing models and simulating the rat's behavior, they aim to unlock the secrets of neural processing and potentially create new technologies that can mimic the senses of mammals.

The emergence of a sense of orientation

Scientists from Berlin developed a theoretical model that shows how an orientation map develops in the brain, allowing for the emergence of place cells and head direction cells. The model analyzes realistic image data to extract information relevant to orientation, leading to the formation of cognitive maps.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateAug 30, 2007