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Blood vessels control brain growth

New UCL research reveals that blood vessels play a vital role in telling neural stem cells when and how to reproduce. The study found that preventing blood vessel growth interferes with normal neuron production, causing stem cells to disappear from the brainstem.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 7, 2016
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.

Schizophrenic stem cells do not differentiate properly into neurons

Researchers have discovered that schizophrenia-linked gene deletions alter the brain's ability of stem cells to differentiate into neurons and astrocytes. HiPSCs from patients with schizophrenia exhibit reduced neurogenesis and increased glial cell production compared to healthy controls.

SourceRIKEN·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateNov 1, 2016

Breakthrough in the production of dopamine neurons for Parkinson's disease

Researchers at Lund University have made a significant breakthrough in producing high-quality dopamine neurons using stem cells. The study has identified key markers that correlate with successful transplantation and graft function, enabling a more accurate methods for producing dopamine cells for clinical use.

SourceLund University·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateOct 28, 2016

Tweaking the immune response might be a key to combat neurodegeneration

A recent study suggests that manipulating the immune response in adult zebrafish brains could lead to the activation of neural stem cells and the proliferation of new neurons. This finding has significant implications for the potential development of novel therapies against Alzheimer's disease.

SourceDZNE - German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases·JournalCell Reports·DateOct 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.

SNPRC scientists develop MRI-guided neural stem cell delivery method

Researchers at SNPRC have developed an operational technique for delivering neural stem cells to the brain with low invasiveness and high accuracy, targeting the basal ganglia to treat Parkinson's disease. The technique revealed a pulsatile dispersion of injected cells, which could enhance cell survival and efficacy.

SourceTexas Biomedical Research Institute·JournalStem Cells Translational Medicine·DateOct 18, 2016

Real-time, observable MRI delivery updated to improve stem cell therapy for Parkinson's

Researchers used Real-time intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (RT-IMRI) to guide the transplantation of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons into brains modeled with Parkinson's disease. The study found that RT-IMRI guidance enhances cell survival and improves procedure efficacy and safety.

SourceCell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair·JournalCell Transplantation·DateOct 12, 2016

Dysfunction in neuronal transport mechanism linked to Alzheimer's disease

Researchers have confirmed that mutation-caused dysfunction in a process cells use to transport molecules within the cell plays a previously suspected but underappreciated role in promoting Alzheimer's disease. The study found that treating mutated neurons with a beta-secretase inhibitor rescued endocytosis and transcytosis functions.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCell Reports·DateOct 12, 2016

Transplantation with induced neural stem cells improves stroke recovery in mice

Researchers found that induced neural stem cells promoted survival and functional recovery in mice modeled with ischemic stroke. The study also discovered that early administration of iNSCs protected the brain from ischemia-related damage, reducing infarct volume and enhancing sensorimotor function.

SourceCell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair·JournalCell Transplantation·DateOct 11, 2016

Human stem cells treat spinal cord injury side effects in mice

Researchers used human embryonic stem cells to treat spinal cord injuries in mice, finding that the cells produced GABA, reduced neuropathic pain and bladder dysfunction, and improved voiding ability. The study suggests a new approach for treating chronic pain and bladder issues in spinal cord injury patients.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateOct 3, 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.

Nijmegen breakage syndrome: Molecular pathways that lead to microcephaly

Researchers generated induced pluripotent stem cells from Nijmegen breakage syndrome patients and found that the P53 gene plays a crucial role in neural development, leading to cancer and neurological impairments. The study provides a powerful tool for understanding the disease and may lead to new treatments.

SourceHeinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf·JournalCell Reports·DateSep 8, 2016

Yale team discovers how Zika virus causes fetal brain damage

A Yale team discovered that Zika virus diverts a key protein necessary for neural cell division, causing microcephaly. Researchers found an FDA-approved drug, Sofosbuvir, may prevent Zika virus infection of neural stem cells and keep phospho-TBK1 involved in cell division.

SourceYale University·JournalCell Reports·DateAug 24, 2016

Hope for reversing stroke-induced long-term disability

A new study found that a human protein combined with stem cell therapy can repair brain damage caused by stroke. The treatment, known as 3K3A-APC, was tested in mice and showed promising results, including the growth of functional neurons and improved motor function. Researchers believe this could pave the way for a potential breakthro...

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalNature Medicine·DateAug 22, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Stem cell therapy heals injured mouse brain

A new study found that a combination of stem cell grafts and a compound called 3K3A-APC significantly improves motor and sensory functions in mice with stroke-induced brain damage. The therapy increases the production of nerve cells, forming functional connections with the host's nervous system.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke·JournalNature Medicine·DateAug 22, 2016

Neural stem cells in adult mice also vulnerable to Zika

Researchers discover Zika virus kills off neural stem cells in adult mice, raising concerns about its impact on the adult brain. The study found a 4- to 10-fold drop in adult stem cell proliferation, which could have implications for learning and memory.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateAug 18, 2016

Neural stem cells control their own fate

Researchers found that neural stem cells in the hippocampus use the Drosha protein to regulate their differentiation into specific cell types. The discovery challenges the long-held view that stem cell differentiation is controlled solely by the local environment.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateAug 18, 2016

Two Zika proteins responsible for microcephaly identified

Researchers have identified two Zika proteins responsible for thousands of microcephaly cases in Brazil and elsewhere. These proteins stunt brain development and promote autophagy, leading to reduced neural stem cell differentiation and growth.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateAug 11, 2016
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.

Microcephaly discoveries made in non-Zika cases help explain abnormal brain growth

Researchers identify citron kinase as key to building a normally sized human brain, finding mutations associated with severe microcephaly and lissencephaly. Studying stem cells and human brain tissue provides clues to the condition's origins, paving the way for further research into its causes.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateAug 5, 2016

New microfluidic chip replicates muscle-nerve connection

A microfluidic device has been developed to replicate the neuromuscular junction, enabling precise stimulation of nerve cells and observation of muscle interactions. This innovation may help identify effective treatments for ALS and other neuromuscular disorders.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 3, 2016
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

New neurons reveal clues about an individual's autism

A new study co-led by Salk Institute scientists found that some people with autism spectrum disorder have brains that grow faster than usual, often before diagnosis. The researchers used stem cell reprogramming technologies to model the earliest stages of complex disorders and evaluate potential therapeutic drugs.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateJul 7, 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.

Unsilencing silenced genes by CRISPR/Cas9

Scientists at Hokkaido University developed a new CRISPR/Cas9 technique to unleash silenced genes, changing cell fates. They used DNA repair mechanism MMEJ with CRISPR/Cas9 to replace off-switches with on-switches, enabling efficient gene expression in cultured cells.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 30, 2016

Gamma-ray irradiation improves safety of cell therapy for Parkinson's disease

A new study shows that post-transplant gamma-ray irradiation can prevent immature cells from forming tumors in rat brains after human iPS cell transplantation. This approach aims to improve the safety of cell replacement therapy using human iPS cells for Parkinson's disease treatment.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalStem Cells and Development·DateJun 23, 2016

Lab-grown nerve cells make heart cells throb

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have successfully grown lab-grown human nerve cells that can partner with heart muscle cells to stimulate contractions. The nerve cells, derived from pluripotent stem cells, were found to connect with and control heart muscle cells, similar to their natural counterparts.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateJun 16, 2016
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.

Neural stem cell transplants promote Parkinson's recovery in non-human primates

Human parthenogenetic stem cells derived from unfertilized oocytes can be used to generate unlimited supply of neural stem cells for transplantation. The study found that grafting these cells into non-human primates with Parkinson's disease promoted behavioral recovery and increased dopamine concentrations.

SourceCell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair·JournalCell Transplantation·DateJun 7, 2016

Swapping sick for healthy brain cells slows Huntington's disease

By transplanting healthy human glia cells into mice with Huntington's disease, researchers were able to reduce symptoms and slow disease progression. The transplanted cells restored normal neuronal activity and rescued nerve cells at risk of death.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 7, 2016

Brain power

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have pinpointed a specific long non-coding RNA that regulates neural development and drives human brain expansion. The lncRNA, called lncND, binds to microRNAs and regulates the expression of Notch proteins, which are critical for cell differentiation and development.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNeuron·DateJun 2, 2016
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Zika virus may cause microcephaly by hijacking human immune molecule

Researchers have discovered how Zika virus blunts brain development by hijacking the human immune system. The study found that activating a specific protein called TLR3 triggers genes that block stem cell differentiation and lead to increased cell suicide.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateMay 6, 2016

Adult brain prunes branched connections of new neurons

A recent study tracked developing cells in an adult mouse brain, finding that the brain prunes back excess dendrite branches to achieve optimal design. This pruning process may hold implications for understanding neurological disorders such as autism, intellectual disabilities, and schizophrenia.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateMay 2, 2016

Cell transplant treats Parkinson's in mice under control of designer drug

A University of Wisconsin-Madison neuroscientist has successfully inserted a genetic switch into nerve cells to regulate dopamine production with designer drugs. This breakthrough could lead to the development of a new Parkinson's disease treatment and expand its application to other conditions.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateApr 28, 2016
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.

Could a cancer drug be repurposed for fragile X syndrome?

A cancer drug has improved learning and memory in mice with fragile X syndrome by coaxes neural stem cells to generate neurons critical for cognitive function. The treatment targets the MDM2 enzyme, which is overactive in FMRP-deficient cells, leading to enhanced proliferation but reduced differentiation.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateApr 27, 2016

Zika is test case for brain organoid mini-reactors

Brain-region-specific organoids were used to model Zika virus exposure, showing the virus prefers to infect neural stem cells and causing cell death. The technology has potential as a preclinical testing ground for therapies against Zika.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateApr 22, 2016
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.

Neural stem cell transplants aid traumatic brain injury recovery

Researchers found that neural stem cell transplantation increased M2 microglial proteins, contributing to anti-inflammatory effects and reducing axonal injury. The study suggests a potential therapeutic strategy for treating traumatic brain injury.

SourceCell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair·JournalCell Transplantation·DateApr 19, 2016

Zika virus tested in brain precursor cells

Researchers tested Zika virus in human neural stem cells to understand its effects on developing brains. The study found that the virus preferentially killed brain cells, reducing growth by 40% in a brain organoid model.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateApr 11, 2016
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.

'Honeycomb' of nanotubes could boost genetic engineering

Researchers have developed a new method for gene transfer using an array of carbon nanotubes, overcoming limitations of existing technologies. The device successfully delivers DNA into tens of thousands of cells simultaneously with minimal toxicity and no restrictions on genetic payload.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalSmall·DateApr 6, 2016

Why neural stem cells may be vulnerable to Zika infection

The study found that the AXL surface receptor is highly abundant on human neural stem cells, but not on neurons in the developing brain. This discovery suggests that the Zika virus may be able to hijack this receptor to infect vulnerable cells, leading to devastating cases of microcephaly and eye lesions.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateMar 30, 2016
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.

Unraveling the mystery of stem cells

Researchers have deciphered an early step in the process of stem cells transforming into neurons, revealing a fundamental understanding of stem cell differentiation. The discovery identifies a new pathway, known as the PAN axis, which plays a crucial role in determining a stem cell's final form.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalCell·DateMar 24, 2016

Researchers track neural stem cells by coloring chicken eggs from the inside

Scientists have developed a novel approach to track neural stem cells using microscopic iron beads and magnetic resonance imaging, allowing for non-invasive tracking without harming the cell. The findings focus mainly on neural stem cells but also show potential for use with mesenchymal stem cells.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateMar 18, 2016

3-D technology enriches human nerve cells for transplant to brain

Researchers developed a 3D micro-scaffold technology that promotes reprogramming of stem cells into neurons and supports growth of neuronal connections. The system improved cell-survival rates by nearly 40-fold compared to individual cell injections, enabling the potential treatment for human neurodegenerative disorders.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Biomedical Imaging & Bioengineering·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 17, 2016
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.

Single brain cells reveal genes controlling formation, development

University of Wisconsin-Madison neuroscientist Xinyu Zhao has identified the genetic machinery that causes maturation in a young nerve cell, revealing four stages of gene activation. The study found hints about the origin of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's diseases and autism, suggesting a link between stem cell impairment and complex disorders.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalCerebral Cortex·DateMar 17, 2016

Likely biological link found between Zika virus, microcephaly

A Johns Hopkins Medicine research team found that Zika virus selectively infects and kills cells in the brain's cortex, leading to disruptions in cell division and growth. This discovery using lab-grown stem cells may lead to identifying potential therapies for protecting these susceptible cells.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateMar 4, 2016

Zika virus infects human neural stem cells

Researchers have found that Zika virus infects a type of neural stem cell responsible for brain development, leading to cell death and disruption of growth. The study provides new insights into the potential effects of Zika on neural tissue and may lead to the development of therapeutics.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateMar 4, 2016
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.

Stemming the flow: Stem cell study reveals how Parkinson's spreads

A stem cell study published in Stem Cell Reports has discovered that the GBA1 mutation creates problems with protein processing and recycling in cells, leading to an accumulation of alpha-synuclein. This excess protein is released into the brain, contributing to Parkinson's spread and symptoms.

SourceParkinson's UK·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateFeb 18, 2016

New drug target for Rett syndrome

Harvard researchers have identified a disrupted signaling pathway that, when corrected, can ameliorate symptoms of Rett syndrome in mice. The findings may lead to the discovery of compounds or drugs that can benefit children affected by the disease.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 2, 2016
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.

New study of gene mutations causing Leigh syndrome shows effects on embryonic development

A new study using mouse embryonic stem cells found that gene mutations leading to Complex I deficiency cause significant differences in early patterns of cellular gene expression. The mutations also disrupted energy-producing processes, affecting neuronal development and the initiation of a heartbeat.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalStem Cells and Development·DateJan 20, 2016

Slow stem cell division may cause small brains

Researchers at Duke University found that delayed neural stem cells can cause premature differentiation into neurons and increased cell death, leading to smaller brain development. This study provides new insights into the mechanisms of microcephaly and its potential links to other neurodevelopmental disorders.

SourceDuke University·JournalNeuron·DateJan 7, 2016

First serotonin neurons made from human stem cells

Researchers have successfully created human stem cell-derived serotonin neurons, a breakthrough that could lead to more effective drug treatments for depression and anxiety. The cells were generated using induced pluripotent stem cells from patients' skin cells.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateDec 15, 2015