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Scientists discover new features of molecular elevator

Researchers visualize nearly complete transport cycle of mammalian glutamate transporter homologue, revealing efficient mechanism for sodium and substrate molecules. The discovery sheds light on potential treatments for schizophrenia and other mental illnesses.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 19, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Insight into the synapses

A recent study published in Science Advances has shed light on the molecular organization of synapses, revealing that glutamate receptors are directly connected to calcium channels and Munc-18-1. This new understanding could lead to a better comprehension of brain function and signal transmission.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 16, 2020

Special issue of 'Neurochemical Research' honors Vittorio Gallo, Ph.D.

This special issue of Neurochemical Research honors Vittorio Gallo's groundbreaking research on glutamate neurotransmission, including his development of cerebellar granule cell cultures and biochemical assays. Gallo's work has had a lasting impact on our understanding of neural development and regeneration.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·JournalNeurochemical Research·DateMar 19, 2020

Glutamate in the brain has unexpected qualities, researchers show with new analysis method

Glutamate molecules have unexpected qualities, researchers show with a new analysis method. The technique measures activity and quantity of glutamate in brain cells, shedding light on its role in neurological disorders and diseases. This breakthrough could help improve understanding of pathologies and deliver real benefit.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJan 21, 2020
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Study finds glutamates such as MSG can help reduce Americans' sodium intake

A new study published in the journal Nutrients found that glutamates such as monosodium glutamate (MSG) can be used to reduce sodium in the food supply. The substitution of glutamates for salt can reduce sodium intake by up to 7-8 percent, according to the study. This finding is consistent with previous research and dietary guidelines ...

SourceEdelman Public Relations, New York·JournalNutrients·DateNov 8, 2019

How hunger makes food tastier: a neural circuit in the hypothalamus

Researchers discovered that starved mice prefer sweet tastes and are less sensitive to bitter tastes, attributing this to a neural circuit in the hypothalamus. The study used optogenetic and chemogenetic techniques to activate AgRP-expressing neurons, which modulated taste preferences through two distinct pathways.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 16, 2019

Direct toxic action of beta-amyloid identified

Researchers discover beta-amyloid blocks glutamate re-uptake in hyperactive neurons, causing false signals and impairments in signal processing. The soluble form of beta-amyloid dimers are responsible for the toxic effect, providing a new target for early treatment strategies.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalScience·DateAug 9, 2019

Researchers repair faulty brain circuits using nanotechnology

Researchers have identified a specific role for astrocyte proteins in directing neural connections, using nanoparticles to deliver corrective proteins to replace missing proteins in neurodegenerative diseases. The study offers new hope for regrowing and repairing damaged brain networks.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJul 30, 2019
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.

ALS research reveals new treatment approach

Scientists from Sanford Burnham Prebys have revealed a new mechanism for ALS' pathogenesis and suggest that modulating membralin has potential in ALS therapy. A membralin-boosting gene therapy extended the survival of mice with ALS-like symptoms, providing an important new perspective into the disease.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 23, 2019

Implant to better track brain chemical gone rogue after neurotrauma

Researchers have created a tiny, flexible sensor that can capture the rapid spike in brain chemical glutamate after spinal cord injury or traumatic brain disease. The sensor, implanted on the spinal cord, helps study how these injuries and diseases develop.

SourcePurdue University·JournalBiosensors and Bioelectronics·DateMar 27, 2019

Boosting glutamate reduces anxiety in monkeys

Researchers found that increasing glutamate levels in the hippocampus normalized anxious monkeys' threat responses, with effects dependent on area 25. This study suggests targeting the brain region and its connection to reduce anxiety.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·DateFeb 4, 2019
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.

New study offers hope of recovery from spinal cord injury

A new Tel Aviv University study suggests that an intravenous injection of a potent enzyme can reduce inflammation and scarring that prevent neuronal regeneration after spinal cord injury. The treatment aims to lower levels of glutamate, released in toxic quantities after trauma, to moderate the damage and enable neuronal cells to survive.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalJournal of Neurotrauma·DateJul 25, 2018

What separates the strong from weak among connections in the brain

A new study by neuroscientists at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory helps explain why strong synapses are stronger. The team found that strong active zones have higher calcium ion channels and more of the protein Bruchpilot, which clusters these channels, maximizing signal transmission. By studying how strong synapses dev...

SourcePicower Institute at MIT·DateJul 10, 2018
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Researchers uncover novel mechanism behind schizophrenia

A study published in PNAS found that a protein called neuregulin 3 suppresses the release of glutamate, a neurotransmitter essential for learning, in people with schizophrenia. The researchers used genetic and biochemical techniques to investigate how neuregulin 3 controls neurotransmitters in the brain.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 21, 2018
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.

Johns Hopkins scientists chart how brain signals connect to neurons

Scientists at Johns Hopkins used supercomputers to create an atomic scale map of how glutamate binds to a neuron in the brain. The study reveals that glutamate molecules follow specific pathways on the surface of glutamate receptors, with positively charged atoms guiding its negatively charged atoms.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNeuron·DateDec 14, 2017

New wake-promoting node pinpointed in brain

Scientists have identified a new group of cells responsible for keeping humans awake. The supramammillary nucleus is part of the caudal hypothalamus and plays a crucial role in maintaining wakefulness. When activated, it promotes prolonged wakefulness during normal sleep periods.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 10, 2017
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.

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.

Recent investigations on human group II pyridoxal 5'-phosphate decarboxylases

These enzymes play essential roles in neurotransmitter synthesis and various physiological processes. A review highlights the importance of specific residues and regions for catalytic competence, including a mobile catalytic loop that undergoes an open-to-close conformational change upon coenzyme binding.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Medicinal Chemistry·DateFeb 28, 2017

Researchers find chemical switch that may decrease symptoms of schizophrenia

A new study by University of Maryland School Medicine researchers found adjusting kynurenic acid levels can reduce schizophrenia-like behavior in mice. Higher KYNA levels are associated with cognitive problems and reduced glutamate signaling in people with schizophrenia.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateFeb 7, 2017

Practice makes perfect, and 'overlearning' locks it in

A Brown University study finds that overlearning visual perception tasks strengthens learning and prevents interference, while a longer break between tasks allows for similar performance on both. The study suggests that a temporary shift in neurotransmitter balance is key to the effect of overlearning.

SourceBrown University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJan 30, 2017

Stroke: Brain cells potentiate harmful electrical discharges

Researchers at DZNE discovered that astrocytes potentiate harmful electrical discharges after a stroke, leading to increased brain damage. Modulating astrocyte calcium metabolism may be a potential starting point for treating stroke in humans.

SourceDZNE - German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 19, 2016
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

When silencing phantom noises is a matter of science

Scientists have identified the GLAST gene as a potential protector against tinnitus, a condition characterized by ringing in the ears. The study found that mice with normal GLAST function were less prone to developing tinnitus when exposed to toxic substances.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·DateSep 1, 2016
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.

Scientists learn more about how star-shaped brain cells help us learn

Researchers found that the LRP4 molecule is crucial for regulating glutamate levels in star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes. Without it, glutamate release is reduced, leading to intellectual impairment and seizures. However, blocking the receptor ATP eventually activates ameliorates the negative impact on mice.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJun 23, 2016

UNC researchers uncover how kappa opioid receptors drive anxiety

Researchers at UNC discovered that kappa opioid receptors inhibit the release of neurotransmitter glutamate in a brain region regulating emotion, leading to increased anxiety. The study found that activating KORs suppresses an anxiety-reducing pathway, making them potential targets for treating anxiety disorders.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalCell Reports·DateMar 17, 2016

How a waste product of exercise protects neurons from trauma damage

Researchers discovered that lactate, a waste product of exercise, can protect neurons against excitotoxicity, a process that damages nerve cells after stroke or spinal cord injury. Lactate triggers the production of ATP, activating defense mechanisms that help neurons withstand overwhelming signals from NMDA receptors.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 19, 2016
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Sleep apnea takes a toll on brain function

Researchers at UCLA found significant changes in brain chemicals GABA and glutamate in patients with sleep apnea, which can lead to symptoms like depression, stress, and memory loss. The study suggests that treating sleep apnea may help restore normal brain chemical levels.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalJournal of Sleep Research·DateFeb 11, 2016

Inflammation markers could guide depression treatments

Depression patients with systemic inflammation have elevated glutamate levels in motivation regions of the brain, which may guide personalized treatment. Elevated glutamate and myo-inositol levels are associated with anhedonia and slow motor function, suggesting a potential target for depression treatment.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateJan 12, 2016

Penn researchers: New neuroimaging method better identifies epileptic lesions

Researchers at Penn developed a new neuroimaging method that uses glutamate detection to identify epileptic lesions in patients with medication-resistant epilepsy. The GluCEST imaging method was tested on four patients and confirmed the location of the seizures with high accuracy.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateOct 14, 2015

Glutamate, an essential food for the brain

Researchers at the University of Geneva have confirmed that glutamate is an essential energy source for the brain, which cannot store glucose. In its absence, the brain sends signals to the liver to increase glucose production, leading to muscle loss and growth deficits.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalCell Reports·DateOct 1, 2015
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Study offers insight on how a new class of antidepressants works

A new class of antidepressants has been found to work by targeting the brain's ability to respond to glutamate. The experimental therapies have been shown to produce an antidepressant effect in mice by altering brain signaling in particular neurons.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateSep 30, 2015

Nerve cells in the fast lane

Dopamine-producing neurons play a crucial role in signal transmission, influencing motor control, reward behaviour, motivation, and impulse control. The discovery reveals that glutamate facilitates rapid signal transmission, enabling the brain to respond quickly to stimuli.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateMay 12, 2015

Pitt team follows zinc to uncover pathway that fine-tunes brain signaling

A team of researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine has uncovered a previously unknown pathway that fine-tunes neural signaling by modulating glutamate NMDA-type receptors. This discovery could lead to new research avenues in understanding neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 4, 2015
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Spontaneous activity shapes neuron development

Research from King's College London found that spontaneous release of neurotransmitter glutamate causes neurons to branch and connect with each other, enabling the formation of synapses. This process plays a crucial role in regulating electrical signals through the brain.

SourceKing's College London·JournalCell Reports·DateFeb 12, 2015

An existing drug, riluzole, may prevent foggy 'old age' brain

Researchers found that riluzole treatment boosted spatial memory and communication between neurons in aging rats. The drug promoted the growth of thin spines, which are rapidly adaptable, and increased synaptic clustering.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 22, 2014

NIDA researchers confirm important brain reward pathway

Researchers have confirmed a critical brain reward pathway involving glutamate, linking it to the activation of the dopamine system. This discovery sheds light on the neurobiology of drug addiction and opens new avenues for research into motivation disorders.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 12, 2014
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.

Team discovers how microbes build a powerful antibiotic

A team of researchers has made a breakthrough in understanding how a powerful antibiotic agent is produced in nature. They found that a special enzyme called dehydratase plays a crucial role in giving the antibiotic its final shape and function.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature·DateOct 26, 2014

Scientists discover 'dimmer switch' for mood disorders

Scientists have identified a control mechanism for the brain's processing of disappointment, which may be a key to treating depression. In experiments with rodents, researchers found that a small region above the thalamus secretes both excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, allowing for a more subtle control of signaling.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScience·DateSep 18, 2014

Keeping it local: Protecting the brain starts at the synapse

New research shows glial cells and neurons work together to protect the brain from oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, and other dangers. The study reveals a precise calibration system between neurons and astrocytes that ensures protective measures are only taken when needed.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 22, 2013
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.

Peritoneal dialysis as an intervention for stroke patients

Peritoneal dialysis has been shown to reduce glutamate levels in the blood following a stroke event, potentially preserving brain tissue and function. In a rat model of ischemic stroke, peritoneal dialysis reduced tissue damage in the brain.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 3, 2013