Articles tagged with Neurons
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
Practical application of scientific knowledge and engineering principles to solve real-world problems and develop innovative technologies. Encompasses all engineering disciplines, technology development, computer science, artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, agriculture, materials applications, energy systems, and industrial innovation. Bridges theoretical research with tangible solutions for infrastructure, manufacturing, computing, communications, transportation, construction, sustainable development, and emerging technologies that advance human capabilities, improve quality of life, and address societal challenges through scientific innovation and technological progress.
Study of the practice, culture, infrastructure, and social dimensions of science itself. Addresses how science is conducted, organized, communicated, and integrated into society. Encompasses research funding mechanisms, scientific publishing systems, peer review processes, academic ethics, science policy, research institutions, scientific collaboration networks, science education, career development, research programs, scientific methods, science communication, and the sociology of scientific discovery. Examines the human, institutional, and cultural aspects of scientific enterprise, knowledge production, and the translation of research into societal benefit.
Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
A team of scientists from Caltech has found that lamprey gut neurons originate from cells called Schwann cell precursors, challenging the long-held theory that these cells give rise to vagal neural crest cells. This discovery offers insights into the evolutionary origins of vertebrates and their digestive systems.
Scientists at the Salk Institute have developed a new method to predict which individuals with bipolar disorder will respond to lithium therapy. Using a system trained on electrical firing patterns of neurons from six patients, the method achieved 92% accuracy in classifying responders and nonresponders.
The study found that distortion of radial glial fibers leads to aberrant neuron localization and formation of periventricular nodular heterotopia (PNH), a brain abnormality in thanatophoric dysplasia. This discovery paves the way for developing therapy using animal models with brain architecture similar to humans.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine found that electroacupuncture triggers the release of reparative mesenchymal stem cells, which promote tendon repair and anti-inflammatory cell activity. The study's findings suggest a new approach to treating pain and injuries by harnessing the healing properties of stem cells.
A University at Buffalo research team has successfully reprogrammed adult skin cells into neural crest cells, a type of stem cell, without adding foreign genetic material. These cells can differentiate into various cell types found in the spinal cord and brain, holding promise for studying genetic diseases and generating regenerative t...
A team of scientists at the University of California San Diego has created a cellular model of anorexia nervosa using induced pluripotent stem cells, revealing a potential genetic link to the disease. The study identified a novel gene, TACR1, that may contribute to the development of eating disorders.
Researchers have characterized cerebral organoids, showing they recapitulate human brain developmental processes and involve forebrain organizing centers. These findings advance our understanding of normal organoid development and are essential for modeling human developmental diseases.
A specific protein forms gels in response to stress, which helps cells function and grow under challenging conditions. This gel-like structure is not a sign of damage but rather an adaptive response.
Researchers at Duke University identified a mechanism linking 'jumping genes' to brain cell death in Alzheimer's, potentially leading to new treatments. The study suggests that Alu elements, normally held in check by DNA methylation patterns, can disrupt mitochondrial function and contribute to neurodegeneration.
Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have discovered a bone-derived hormone that regulates food intake and blood sugar. The study found that the hormone, lipocalin 2, turns on brain neurons involved in appetite suppression, potentially leading to new targeted therapies for obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Researchers found that fruit fly infections trigger a reduction in egg-laying activity and affect the octopaminergic signalling pathway. The study reveals a protective mechanism allowing fruit flies to regulate their offspring's impact on the environment during bacterial infection.
Researchers used systems biology approaches to study the emergence of life and found that a few simple compounds could support a phosphate-free metabolism. This discovery challenges the current understanding of life's origin and suggests that an early self-sustaining metabolic network predated the emergence of nucleic acids.
Scientists found that cell powerhouses called mitochondria can break down misfolded proteins, which are thought to contribute to neurodegenerative diseases. This discovery could help explain why protein clumping and mitochondrial deterioration are hallmarks of these conditions.
Researchers found Zika virus alters host cell cytoskeletal architecture to build replication factories, potentially targeting with existing chemotherapy drugs. This study suggests a new approach to treating Zika-related disorders like microcephaly and neurodegenerative diseases.
Scientists from Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry are investigating a potential new drug therapy for dementia diseases. They aim to understand how impaired autophagy, or cellular recycling, contributes to neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
A new study from the University of Utah School of Medicine shows that brain cells often activate one copy of a gene over the other's, breaking basic genetic principles. This finding suggests new ways in which genetic mutations might cause brain disorders, including mental illness and intellectual disability.
Research reveals that individual neurons or specific types of neurons can silence genes from one parent or the other, particularly during brain development. As the brain matures, these differences tend to decrease, but some genes continue to exhibit differential expression in adult brains.
A new study suggests that a fasting-mimicking diet can reprogram pancreas cells in diabetic mice, enabling them to produce insulin and repair themselves. The researchers found that the diet triggered developmental reprogramming in the pancreas, rebuilding damaged areas and restoring function.
Researchers have discovered neural circuits regulating sleep/wake cycles, providing new targets for therapies. The brain's complexity remains a major medical mystery, with ongoing research aiming to develop drugs that mimic orexin to wake people up and address metabolic disease and mood disorders.
In a groundbreaking study, UNC School of Medicine scientists have uncovered the brain circuitry behind reward-seeking behavior, revealing two distinct populations of prefrontal neurons that promote or suppress motivation. The research has major implications for understanding addiction, depression, and other neuropsychiatric disorders.
Researchers found that itch and mild pain signals can be transmitted through the same spinal cord neurons, with GRP neurons acting as a 'braking system' to mitigate intense pain. In mice without these neurons, pain responses were increased and scratching behaviors were altered.
Cedars-Sinai neuroscientists have uncovered the human brain's processes involved in creating and maintaining short-term memories. The study found that persistently active neurons in the medial frontal lobe and medial temporal lobe are critical for memorization, with activity levels correlating to memory recall.
Research suggests that stimulating GLP-1-producing neurons in the brain can control appetite and glucose levels. The study found that this stimulation reduced food intake and suppressed glucose generation in lean mice, but had no effect on obese mice.
Researchers at UTMB have discovered that the Asian lineage of the Zika virus halts brain stem cell proliferation and hinders their ability to develop into brain nerve cells. This finding provides insight into the mechanisms behind Zika-induced microcephaly, a serious birth defect characterized by small brain and head development.
Researchers at the University of Leicester have discovered a genetic 'switch' called ATF4 that plays a key role in Parkinson's disease. By targeting this gene, they hope to develop tailored interventions that can prevent or delay neuronal loss.
Researchers found that vitamin B3 administration eliminated age-related molecular changes and provided robust protection against glaucoma. The treatment boosted metabolic reliability of aging retinal ganglion cells, keeping them healthier for longer.
A new study published in Cell Metabolism found that changes in the size of mitochondria in a small subset of brain cells play a crucial role in maintaining safe blood sugar levels. The researchers discovered that these mitochondrial changes are critical for activating counter-regulatory responses to hypoglycemia, which can help prevent...
Engineers at the University of Texas at Austin created ultra-flexible brain probes that achieve more reliable long-term neural recording without causing scar formation. The probes' mechanical compliances mimic brain tissue and enable reliable recording of individual neurons for extended periods.
Scientists have identified specific groups of neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex that develop codes to store relevant information from multiple experiences. Over time, these neurons lose less important details unique to each experience. The findings provide new insight into how the brain collects and stores useful knowledge.
A research team discovered that Tdp-43 cryptic exons are highly variable between cell types, potentially leading to early diagnosis and therapeutic agents for neurological diseases. This finding may elucidate the causes of Frontotemporal Dementia and Lou Gehrig's Disease.
Researchers tracked lens epithelial cells in live zebrafish using genetically engineered fluorescent proteins to determine factors responsible for regulating eye development. The study reveals a complex interplay between E-cadherin and N-cadherin proteins controlling cell movement and adhesion.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara found that low-intensity exercise increases activation in the visual cortex, enhancing information representation and selectivity. This effect is linked to increased arousal, which may provide a competitive advantage.
Recent studies found that tumors exploit neuronal signals to grow and thrive. Researchers aim to develop targeted therapies by interrupting specific molecular pathways co-opted by tumor cells. This growing understanding sheds light on cancer pathology observations.
Researchers at Rutgers University found that neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's may be linked to defective brain cells that dispose of toxic proteins, causing harm to neighboring neurons. The study uses transparent roundworms to understand the process of eliminating toxic cellular substances, revealing a potent...
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center identified an ion channel, TrpC5, essential for the brain's response to leptin and lorcaserin, two hormones and medications used to suppress appetite and reduce body weight. In mice deficient in TrpC5, these hormones were ineffective, leading to increased body weight and disrupted metabolism.
Scientists have developed mini-brains that can grow blood vessels, enabling the study of neurological diseases such as stroke and concussion. The presence of vasculature makes these mini-brains more realistic models of natural brains, allowing researchers to investigate the interaction between the brain and its circulatory system.
Researchers have discovered a new epigenetic marker, pS10H3, that regulates pain processing in the spinal cord. Blocking this marker may lead to new pain relief therapies for burn victims.
Researchers discovered that abnormality with gatekeeper cells, which surround blood vessels in the brain, leads to neuron deterioration and possible influence on Alzheimer's disease. Pericyte degeneration restricts blood flow and oxygen supply to active areas of the brain.
Researchers have discovered that stem cell secretions, called exosomes, can promote survival of retinal ganglion cells in rats, which could lead to potential therapies for glaucoma. The study found that exosome-treated retinal ganglion cells maintained function and lost fewer cells after optic nerve injury.
Researchers discovered LSD binds at an angle, trapping it in the receptor, and part of the protein folds over, sealing it inside. This explains why LSD trips last for a full day despite small doses.
Researchers have shed light on the relationship between misfolded alpha-synuclein protein and Parkinson's disease, identifying key genes and cellular processes involved. The study provides new insights into the underlying mechanisms of synucleinopathies, paving the way for developing patient-specific treatments.
Researchers found two types of face cells that respond differently to human and non-human faces. The study's findings suggest that the brain processes faces based on attention focus, not just visual presence. This discovery may lead to a better understanding of social cognitive defects like autism.
Researchers at Lund University successfully incorporated transplanted neurons into a stroke-injured rat brain, showing they formed normal connections with the host brain. The study used human skin cells reprogrammed to become healthy neurons and demonstrated functionality in response to touch.
Researchers have found that Zika virus alters the expression of hundreds of genes responsible for guiding brain cell formation, leading to microcephaly. The study reveals new therapeutic targets by analyzing molecular interactions in infected brain cells.
Researchers found that inhibiting PLSCR1 controls the infected cell's antiviral response, providing long-term protection from immune attack and excessive inflammation. This discovery holds promise for virally delivered treatments, inflammatory conditions, autoimmune disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers discovered that excess tau protein damages brain's GPS, leading to spatial disorientation and cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease. The findings may lead to early diagnostic tests and novel targets for treating this common symptom.
A synthesized steroid called squalamine has been shown to prevent the buildup of a lethal protein implicated in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's. In an animal model, squalamine reduced the toxicity of alpha-synuclein clumps and protected healthy human neuronal cells from damage.
Researchers at UC San Diego discovered that bacteria in biofilm communities can send long-range electrical signals to recruit new members from different species. This discovery reveals a human-like trait in bacteria, showing that they can exert dynamic control over distant cells through electrical signaling.
A new study by Yale University suggests that two sets of neurons deep in the forebrain control hunting behavior, enabling precise muscle control and increased efficiency. The central amygdala region is preserved in almost all vertebrates, suggesting its importance in evolution.
A new study from Drexel University College of Medicine suggests that a commonly used antibiotic, minocycline, may exacerbate cognitive deficits in newborn rats with traumatic brain injury. The researchers hypothesize that the treatment, which targets inflammation, may be ineffective or even harmful to developing brains.
Researchers found that glial cells, which support neurons, undergo significant changes with aging, particularly in brain regions damaged by neurodegenerative diseases. This discovery suggests a new approach to understanding and treating dementia, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's diseases.
A new computational model reveals a winner-take-all operation is enabled by a configuration of inhibitory neurons. The model, developed by MIT researchers, uses theoretical computer science to prove that a specific arrangement of inhibitory neurons is necessary for the operation.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine found that mice reared in darkness show degraded dorsal stream responses, highlighting the importance of early visual experience for proper development. This discovery has implications for understanding vision restoration and recovery from bilateral cataracts.
Researchers found that hummingbird brains are uniquely attuned to detect fast visual motion in any direction. This discovery sheds light on the birds' remarkable ability to zoom and stop quickly while sipping nectar. The findings have implications for understanding flight behaviors, competitive interactions, and courtship displays.
Researchers found that inhibitory brain cells form maps that broaden with maturation, unlike excitatory neurons which refine and define areas. This discovery sheds light on how the brain organizes and processes information.
Researchers have found that activating the protein Nrf2 can restore normal levels of disease-causing proteins in cells, preventing cell death. In models of Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases, Nrf2 was shown to protect cells against the disease better than any other treatment.
Researchers have developed a novel GAL4-UAS system for C. elegans, allowing for systematic perturbation of the nervous system and creation of a database linking neural activity to behaviors. This 'breadboard' system enables precise control of neural activity, simplifying the study of nervous system function.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered a receptor on the inner mitochondrial membrane plays a crucial role in guiding autophagosomes to damaged mitochondria for destruction. The process, called mitophagy, is essential for cellular health and preventing diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
Research shows that brain maturation varies by individual and region, making it difficult to pinpoint a static baseline for maturity. Leah Somerville highlights the importance of considering brain development in policy-making decisions.
Neurons in the brain store immature RNA copies that are pre-manufactured and only need splicing upon stimulation, significantly reducing production time and enabling rapid adaptation. This discovery reveals a new regulatory mechanism for brain plasticity processes.