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Oversensitive sensory neurons can cause joint deformities

Researchers found that excessive mechanosensation in sensory neurons can disrupt musculoskeletal development, causing joint deformities like arthrogryposis. Reducing heightened sensory neuronal activity through Botox or a special diet during critical age may be a viable treatment for some musculoskeletal conditions.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJan 12, 2023

The motor cortex influences perception of neuropathic pain in mice

Researchers discovered that distinct layer-specific neuronal circuits in the primary motor cortex modulate both sensory and emotional components of chronic pain in mice. Activation of specific pathways suppressed sensory hypersensitivity to pain and reduced negative emotional and behavioral components.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateDec 22, 2022

Brain circuit that converts spatial goals to escape actions discovered

Neuroscientists have uncovered a brain circuit that enables mice to rapidly escape to shelter when faced with a threat. The retrosplenial cortex and superior colliculus form a circuit that encodes the direction to a shelter, allowing mice to accurately orient and escape.

SourceSainsbury Wellcome Centre·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 21, 2022

Rethinking how cancer cells evade targeted therapy

UCSF researchers identified glioma's cellular source of recurrent disease, finding cells shift to mesenchymal, radiation-resistant phenotype in response to standard therapy. Paracrine signals from tumor microenvironment drive this transition through AP1 pathway, leading to therapy resistance and tumor recurrence.

SourceUniversity of California San Francisco Medical Center·JournalNature Cancer·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 20, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Changing the intrinsic behavior of neurons

Researchers developed a new method to target diseased neurons using light, changing their long-term behavior. The approach uses light-sensitive enzymes to create insulating or conductive coatings on cell membranes, tuning excitability in neurons.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 8, 2022

New method to detect oxygen consumption in the brain

Researchers developed a novel optical technique to directly monitor cerebral oxygen consumption and blood flow in real-time. The technique uses phosphorescent probes to track the brain's oxygen gradient, providing valuable insights into brain activity and metabolism.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalNeurophotonics·TypeImaging analysis·DateNov 29, 2022

Aging | Krill oil protects dopaminergic neurons from age-related degeneration

Researchers discovered that krill oil protects dopaminergic neurons from age-related degeneration through temporal transcriptome rewiring and suppression of several hallmarks of aging. Krill oil increases neuronal resilience, promoting anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammation, and abrogating multiple aging hallmarks.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 23, 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.

Scientists reveal an unexpected gene in transparent worms

Researchers have identified a new gene, NUCL-1, in the transparent roundworm C. elegans, which is linked to human neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and Alzheimer's. The discovery challenges recent theories on the role of nuclear structures in these disorders.

SourceMDI Biological Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 8, 2022

The brain cells needed for fever

Researchers at Linköping University identified the brain cells necessary for a fever reaction in mice, finding that prostaglandin production in these cells is both necessary and sufficient for triggering a fever response. This breakthrough sheds light on the body's defense mechanism against infection and inflammation.

SourceLinköping University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 26, 2022
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.

New window into brain’s computational function

The study found that human neocortical pyramidal neurons have a more elaborate structure than other mammals, with larger and more complex dendritic trees. This enhancement may contribute to the brain's increased processing power. The research has implications for understanding how the brain is affected in diseases such as epilepsy.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 19, 2022

Identifying how inflammation affects stroke recovery

A new CAPSTONE study aims to identify inflammatory biomarkers associated with positive and poor outcomes in patients after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) strokes. By analyzing patient blood and plasma samples, researchers hope to develop targeted treatments to prevent long-term brain degeneration.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·DateOct 6, 2022
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Nanoparticles can improve stroke recovery by enhancing brain stimulation, study shows

Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University found that brain stimulation combined with a nose spray containing nanoparticles can improve recovery after ischemic stroke. The treatment increased cognitive and motor functions, and weighed more quickly than those treated with TMS alone.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalMaterials Today Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2022

Somatostatin neurons cooperate in the cerebral cortex

The study reveals that somatostatin neurons act as highly coordinated subpopulations throughout the cortex, with local networks tailored to specific cognitive processes. This finding highlights the specialized roles of somatostatin neurons in different brain regions.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 6, 2022
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.

Biochemists reveal how a complex molecule moves iron through the body

Biochemists have discovered that glutathione, an antioxidant, plays a crucial role in moving iron-sulfur cofactors across cell membranes. This finding could lead to better understanding and treatment of diseases caused by impaired iron metabolism, such as Friedreich's ataxia.

SourceOhio State University·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 2, 2022

Single-cell transcriptomics reveals evolutionary innovations in reptile and amphibian brains

Researchers used single-cell and spatial transcriptomics to investigate cell type evolution in reptiles and amphibians, revealing diverse cell types and regions that evolved independently. The studies also highlighted the importance of data sharing and the power of accumulating single-cell data from multiple species for evolutionary co...

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateSep 1, 2022

GnRH therapy improves cognition in patients with Down syndrome

Researchers found that GnRH therapy improved cognitive function in male patients with Down syndrome, reversing olfactory and cognitive defects. The treatment did not affect olfaction but increased cognitive performance in all but one participant.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateSep 1, 2022
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Excessive blue light from our gadgets may accelerate the aging process

A new study published in Frontiers found that excessive blue light exposure can alter cellular functions in fruit flies, potentially leading to accelerated aging. The researchers discovered changes in metabolites essential for cell function and communication between neurons.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Aging·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 31, 2022

Scientists are unravelling the mystery of the arrow of time

Researchers at CUNY Graduate Center explore how particles and cells give rise to large-scale dynamics that we experience as the passage of time. They found that the arrow of time emerges from simple interactions between pairs of neurons, not large groups. This discovery has implications for physics, neuroscience, and biology.

SourceThe Graduate Center, CUNY·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeMeta-analysis·DateAug 22, 2022

Glycoprotein GPNMB is a possible biomarker for Parkinson’s Disease risk

Researchers discover glycoprotein GPNMB as a possible biomarker for Parkinson's Disease risk through interaction with alpha-synuclein and increased plasma concentrations in patients. The study establishes GPNMB as a risk gene and potential therapeutic target for the debilitating neurodegenerative brain disorder.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateAug 18, 2022
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Study: Novel drug promotes nervous system repair in animal models of stroke

Researchers at University of Cincinnati and Case Western Reserve University found a novel drug enables nervous system repair and functional recovery in animal models of severe ischemic stroke. The study demonstrated significant improvement in motor function, sensory function, spatial learning, and memory. NVG-291-R repairs damage throu...

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2022

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

Discovery of molecular signatures of immature neurons in the human brain throughout life provide new insights into brain plasticity and other functions, according to Penn Medicine researchers

A team of researchers has used advanced techniques to identify immature hippocampal neurons in significant numbers throughout the human lifespan. The findings resolve a long-running controversy over adult neurogenesis and provide insights into brain plasticity, memory, mood, behavior, and brain disorders.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 18, 2022
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.

For communication between brain areas, milliseconds matter

Researchers at the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre discovered that brain area communication is dynamic and changes over rapid timespans, with influences varying on a fast timescale. This finding suggests that cortical areas may control different aspects of processing in downstream regions over very short time spans.

SourceSainsbury Wellcome Centre·JournalNeuron·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 10, 2022

Neuroscientists identify role of basolateral amygdala neurons

Researchers discovered two novel categories of cells in the BLA that respond to ethological stimuli, including event-specific neurons responding to one type of stimulus and panresponsive neurons responding equally well to multiple stimuli. These findings suggest a larger role for the BLA in memory and behavior.

SourceSainsbury Wellcome Centre·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 7, 2022

When unconscious, the brain is anything but "silent"

A recent study published in Neuron reveals that general anesthesia induces synchronized activity in layer 5 pyramidal neurons, leading to the loss of consciousness. This finding has significant implications for the development of better anesthetic drugs and improved surgical outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNeuron·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 12, 2022
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.

New sleep molecule discovered: “It shows just how complex the machinery of sleep is”

Researchers have discovered a new sleep molecule, microRNA-137 (miR-137), that regulates hypocretin levels for normal sleep. The study found that miR-137 is associated with hypocretin regulation and sleep disorders such as narcolepsy and insomnia.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 29, 2022

Nerve stimulation with the help of implantable mini solar cells

Scientists have created a new technology using colour pigments from the food industry to stimulate nerve cells with the help of implantable mini solar cells. This innovation could lead to accelerated healing and prevention of complications in severe brain injuries, as well as potential applications in pain therapy and retinal implants.

SourceGraz University of Technology·JournalAdvanced Materials Technologies·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 6, 2022

Scientists pinpoint what makes brain cells develop in a specific order

Researchers have identified the complete series of 10 factors that regulate the development of brain cell types in the visual system of fruit flies. This discovery opens new avenues of research to understand how brain development evolved in different animals and holds clues for regenerative medicine.

SourceNew York University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 6, 2022

Motor neuron toxin associated with ALS identified by UMass Chan investigators

Researchers discovered that an inorganic polyphosphate released by nerve cells contributes to the death of motor neurons in people with ALS and frontotemporal dementia. The study found that lowering levels of this toxin may be an innovative therapeutic strategy for diverse types of ALS/FTD.

SourceUMass Chan Medical School·JournalNeuron·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 10, 2022
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Astrocyte networks in the mouse brain control spatial learning and memory

A study found that intact astrocyte networks are essential for neural homeostasis, synaptic plasticity, and spatial cognitive abilities in adult mice. Disrupting these networks impairs spatial learning and memory due to altered neuronal excitability and compromised synaptic transmission.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 8, 2022

Unexpected element in aging process discovered

A new discovery by VUB professor Ann Massie's research group reveals a strategy that prolongs life expectancy and preserves hippocampal function in the aging brain. The absence of system xc- has positive effects on mouse longevity and cognitive function, challenging current understanding of the aging process.

SourceVrije Universiteit Brussel·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateFeb 18, 2022
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

*Free* Nervous system consequences of COVID-19

Acute COVID-19 infection can lead to various neurological symptoms, including confusion, stroke, and depression, which persist months after infection. The authors propose possible mechanisms, such as vascular and immune dysfunction, that may give rise to these symptoms and trigger future neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJan 20, 2022

Switching in the brain: A fresh perspective

A transdisciplinary research team at Göttingen Campus has found a new perspective on the rhythmic processes in the brain. They discovered that adapting interneurons can switch between very slow rhythms and fast rhythms, challenging previous assumptions about their function.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 21, 2021
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

New autism marker discovered in kids

Scientists have discovered a brain protein, CNTNAP2, that quiets overactive brain cells and is at abnormally low levels in children with autism. The protein can be detected in cerebrospinal fluid, making it a potential biomarker for diagnosing autism and treating epilepsy.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNeuron·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 17, 2021

Tau and PQBP1: Protein Interaction Induces Inflammation in the Brain

Researchers from Tokyo Medical and Dental University found that PQBP1 interacts with Tau protein to drive an immune response in the brain. The study reveals a mechanism of inflammation that functions in both viral infection and neurodegenerative disease.

SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 8, 2021

A "compass" in the brain to navigate thoughts

Researchers at the University of Trento discovered brain cells acting as a compass for navigating conceptual spaces, similar to those found in physical environments. These 'head-direction cells' signal direction even when movement occurs in abstract spaces, suggesting a complementary mechanism for conceptual navigation.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeImaging analysis·DateNov 17, 2021
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

The ultrastructure of huntingtin inclusions revealed

Researchers have used advanced microscopy to study the ultrastructure of huntingtin inclusions, revealing different mechanisms of aggregation that lead to distinct biochemical properties. The findings suggest targeting inclusion growth as a potential therapeutic strategy for slowing Huntington's disease progression.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 12, 2021

Increased fats and protein could provide diagnosis in Lewy body dementia

Researchers at Newcastle University have found that increased levels of ceramides and alpha-synuclein protein in extracellular vesicles could help diagnose Lewy body dementia and test treatment effectiveness. The findings may lead to a more accurate diagnosis for the over 100,000 people affected by the disease.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalActa Neuropathologica·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 8, 2021
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

TTUHSC researcher investigates ways to enhance neurolysin activity in the brain

Researchers at TTUHSC have identified novel targets for treating stroke, focusing on enhancing neurolysin activity. The study discovered small molecules that can selectively enhance the activity of neurolysin, which showed promise in reducing damage to the brain after a stroke.

SourceTexas Tech University Health Sciences Center·JournalJournal of Medicinal Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 8, 2021

Directly into the brain: A 3D multifunctional and flexible neural interface

A team of Korean researchers developed a novel, flexible neural interface that can measure neuronal activity while delivering drugs to the implant site. This breakthrough device has promising implications for brain-machine interfaces and treating neurological diseases.

SourceDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalMicrosystems & Nanoengineering·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 1, 2021

Brain organoids mimic head size changes associated with type of autism

Researchers have created brain organoids from people with 16p11.2 genomic variations, which exhibit differences in brain size seen in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The study revealed new information about molecular mechanisms that malfunction when this region is disrupted, providing opportunities for therapeutic intervention.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateAug 25, 2021
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Overcoming obstacles to promote repair in multiple sclerosis

A new study suggests that existing drugs for multiple sclerosis may not be effective due to toxic blood leaks in the brain. Researchers have identified a promising alternative treatment option that could improve myelin repair, even in the presence of these harmful elements.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalBrain·DateAug 24, 2021

Neural correlate of Pavlovian conditioning

Researchers at NICT unraveled a neural correlate of Pavlovian conditioning, discovering that alteration in information processing by feeding command neurons governs behavioral change. The experimental system made possible real-time observation of cell-cell connection for memory formation.

SourceNational Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2021