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.
Researchers at UC Berkeley observed the brain's re-tuning process when listening to previously unintelligible speech after priming. The study confirms speculation that neurons in the auditory cortex continually tune themselves to pull meaning out of a noisy environment, enabling individuals to quickly comprehend garbled speech.
Scientists at the Salk Institute have developed a 3D mini-brain model grown from human stem cells, which is structurally and functionally more similar to real brains than existing 2D models. This breakthrough model may help understand brain development and neurological diseases like Alzheimer's or schizophrenia.
Assistant Professor Leah Shriver aims to find new ways to promote nervous system regeneration and prevent destruction of brain cells in multiple sclerosis patients. She plans to study the cuprizone intoxication model to understand mechanisms contributing to oligodendrocyte and myelin loss.
Researchers found that a high-fat, low-sugar diet for 72 hours prior to diagnostic imaging improved the accuracy of diagnosing cardiac sarcoidosis. This technique minimizes indeterminate findings and allows clinicians to better monitor patient progress under treatment.
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.
Rare type 2 innate lymphocytes found in meninges around the brain may play a critical role in battling Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, and other neurological diseases. The discovery suggests these cells could be the missing link between the brain and gut microbiota.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have developed a graphene system that can differentiate between cancerous and normal brain cells, detecting hyperactivity in single interfaced cells. This technique uses Raman spectroscopy to pinpoint changes in atomic vibration energy, allowing for early cancer diagnosis.
Astrocytes play a crucial role in brain tissue recovery after injury, with the Ror2 protein promoting their proliferation. The research team discovered that Ror2 is activated by basic fibroblast growth factor, which enables astrocytes to start proliferating and minimizing inflammation around damaged neurons.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center discovered that a subset of neurons anticipates the effects of drinking by preparing the body for an influx of water seconds before consumption. This 'top-down' control helps regulate intake and prevent negative consequences.
Researchers found that the Parkin gene is turned on in response to environmental insults causing free radical formation and cataract development. Parkin helps prevent free radical damage and increases lens cell survival.
A study published in Cell Reports found that training participants to use their non-dominant hand by tricking their brain through virtual reality showed significant improvements in motor skills. The researchers used fMRI scans to track brain activity, which was correlated with improved performance.
Researchers at the University of Buffalo discovered that short-term hearing loss can cause auditory nerve cells to change their behavior and shape. The study found that these changes are related to neurotransmitters, with cells depleting their reserves and decreasing vesicle storage space when it's quiet.
Microglia coordinates reinforcements to warn neighbouring cells of invading virus, recruiting astroglia and neurons to remove injured or killed cells. The discovery aims to contribute to new treatment of brain diseases like multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at OIST uncover a neural mechanism that uses silent gaps to detect species-specific birdsong. Juvenile zebra finches learn song by mimicking adults and preferentially adopt the song of their own species despite noise and variety of birdsongs.
Researchers at Duke University have identified a common mechanism underlying separate forms of dystonia, a brain disorder causing involuntary movements. A new cell-based screening test has been developed to identify new drug candidates, leveraging the misplacement of the DYT1 protein near the nucleus.
A study published in Neuron reveals the mechanisms behind learning social hierarchies, with the prefrontal cortex playing a key role. The researchers found that people can rapidly form coherent understandings of their own social hierarchy through integrating interaction outcomes.
Researchers found that harmine increases proliferation of human neural progenitor cells by inhibiting DYRK1A, leading to a 70% increase in new neural cell generation. This effect may lead to potential therapeutic applications for depression and neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers found that specific cells in the medial septum fire at higher rates when a mouse moves faster, influencing activity in the brain's navigation center. This 'speedometer cell' data bus relays speed information to the entorhinal cortex, essential for spatial orientation.
Researchers have identified the functions of two sibling RNA-binding proteins in neural stem cells and neurons. PTBP1 and PTBP2 serve both redundant and unique roles in brain development, contributing to neuronal differentiation. This discovery has implications for fine-tuning stem cell therapeutic strategies for neurologic disorders.
Researchers identified a potential target for restoring ejaculation in men with spinal cord injuries or ejaculatory disorders by targeting the L3-L5 spinal segments. The study suggests that this approach could be a promising therapy for patients unable to ejaculate due to spinal cord injury or other ejaculatory disorders.
Artificial brains, called organoids, are created using traditional Japanese flower arranging techniques, providing a more authentic model for studying brain tumours and their growth. The technique enables researchers to test hundreds of different chemical combinations on patient cells to identify promising treatment options.
Scientists at UCSB developed a powerful new technique to measure the mechanical properties of cells in living tissues, shedding light on how cells respond to biochemical and mechanical cues. The method reveals that cells perceive their natural habitat as a fluid-like environment, with varying stiffness and viscosity along the body axis.
Researchers found that brain cells in specific columns cycle independently between active and inactive states during both sleep and wake. This cycling is linked to improved attention and response to external stimuli.
Research in mice reveals that gut microbe movements can influence a host animal's circadian rhythms by exposing different microbes and their metabolites as the day goes by. The study shows profound effects on host physiology, including changes in liver function and gene expression.
Researchers discovered that neural stem cells serve as RNA highways, transporting proteins and messenger RNAs to the endfeet. FMRP was found to be responsible for controlling mRNA movement and is linked to autism-related disorders.
Researchers at Caltech discovered a functional link between bacteria in the intestines and Parkinson's disease, showing that changes in gut bacterial populations contribute to motor skill deterioration. The study found that an imbalance in short-chain fatty acids regulates brain inflammation and symptoms of PD.
ARSACS affects brain movement coordination due to gene alterations, leading to uncoordinated movements and muscle stiffness. Researchers will generate stem cells from skin biopsies to create neurons for new insights into cellular defects underlying the disease.
Researchers have discovered unexpected cells in the protective membranes covering the brain that produce new neurons after birth. This finding challenges current ideas about the brain's ability to heal and regenerate, and opens up new possibilities for developing new therapies for brain damage or neurodegeneration.
The study reveals a rapidly-acting glutamate neurotransmitter called Vglut2 that suppresses feeding behavior in mice. The discovery suggests an important but unknown neural component of the satiety system is missing from current models, which could help researchers find solutions to obesity.
Researchers developed MEMOIR to record cellular histories in genomes, allowing them to analyze cell relationships, communication patterns, and influential events. The technique aids in understanding tissue and animal development, as well as the abnormal development of diseased tissues like tumors.
Researchers at Salk Institute discover a holy grail of gene editing, allowing precise DNA insertion into adult organs and tissues. This breakthrough enables partial restoration of visual responses in blind rodents and holds promise for treating retinal, heart, and neurological diseases.
Scientists have successfully synchronized two types of nano-oscillators, one driven and the other mutual, achieving robust synchronization over long distances. This breakthrough enables future oscillatory networks for wave-based neuromorphic computing.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have identified a gene that may permit early detection of Alzheimer's disease. The RGS2 gene is involved in neurotransmission signaling and its reduced expression increases the sensitivity of brain neurons to toxic effects of amyloid-β, a protein associated with the disease.
Research reveals that mutations in succinate dehydrogenase lead to distinct disease phenotypes, with tumors showing loss of complex I and impaired cellular fitness. Neurodegeneration, on the other hand, does not result in loss of complex I, leading to a metabolically different phenotype.
A multidisciplinary team created a living bio-hybrid system that connects neurons in the brain to human-made electronic devices. The research used Raman spectroscopy to analyze biocompatibility and functionality of adhering cells, paving the way for seamless interfacing between machines and nervous systems.
The study found that neurons fire to relatively few concepts, which tend to be largely related. Internet searches were used to establish degree of association between concepts and show that these associations are encoded by neurons in memory areas.
The study found that the GSK3 enzyme regulates the persistent sodium current, which affects a nerve cell's excitability and firing activity. This discovery may lead to chronotherapeutics, where treatments are tailored to the time of day to maximize health benefits and minimize side effects.
A recent study published in Science Advances found that over 85% of pain-sensing neurons are sensitive to one specific type of painful stimulus. This challenges previous findings suggesting most neurons respond to all types of pain.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience has made significant discoveries about the effects of anesthesia on brain activity. The researchers found that neurons under anesthesia become highly synchronized and more sensitive to environmental stimuli, which challenges traditional views on consciousness.
Researchers found that rats only enjoy ticklishness when they are in a good mood, similar to humans. The study also suggests that the somatosensory cortex may play a role in regulating mood.
A team of researchers identified three novel proteins that act together on clock neurons to make the clock light responsive. The Quasimodo protein regulates light responses in the fly's clock neurons, controlling the circadian rhythm.
A collaboration of 32 researchers found a genetic mutation in the PINK1 gene that confers a risk for developing Parkinson's disease earlier than expected. The study showed that a specific mutation impairs the PINK1-PARKIN pathway, leading to damaged mitochondria accumulation and neurodegeneration.
Researchers identify ATR gene as crucial for brain tumor growth and development, developing nanoparticle-formulated drug to block tumor growth. The investigational treatment shows promise in reducing cerebellar growth by causing cell death in neural progenitors.
Chronic neurodegenerative disorders are progressively altered brain cell functions, but nanotechnology offers a solution with bio-engineered systems that interact at a molecular level. Nanomedicine improves drug efficacy with sustained release, reduced toxicity and fewer side effects.
Researchers discovered a neural circuit in fruit flies that creates an internal representation of direction and velocity, allowing them to navigate accurately. This finding has implications for our understanding of self-movement perception in humans and other animals.
A recent CU Boulder study has shown that mitochondrial division is a complex process involving at least three constriction steps and two proteins, Drp1 and Dyn2. The discovery changes the understanding of mitochondrial function and its role in cellular processes such as energy generation and longevity.
A new model of brain dynamics, extending balanced network theory, provides deep predictions linking brain circuits to activity. The model accurately explains experimental findings on neuronal variability in living animals, enabling potential discovery of neural signatures associated with learning or disease.
Researchers found that distinct tau aggregate conformations cause different pathological patterns in the brain, affecting specific regions and progressing at varying rates. This discovery has implications for developing targeted therapies and diagnosing dementias.
A research team at CRCHUM discovered that the ABHD6 enzyme in certain brain neurons plays a key role in controlling body weight. Blocking this enzyme disrupts normal metabolism and prevents mice from losing weight, even under ideal conditions.
A new technology, developed by University of Calgary researchers, enables recording brain cell activity for weeks with higher resolution than conventional methods. This allows researchers to investigate neurological diseases and cognitive functions like learning and memory in animal models.
Early epigenetic modifications play a crucial role in determining the fate of neurons during embryogenesis. Deregulation of Uhrf1, a key epigenetic gene, leads to activation of endogenous retroviruses, causing accumulation of retroviral proteins and cell death.
A new robotic technique developed by Georgia Tech researchers enables the reuse of pipettes in patch-clamping, a method used to record signals from brain cells. The technique has been shown to produce results comparable to those obtained with fresh pipettes and holds promise for accelerating neuroscience research.
A new study published in Cell Reports identifies two proteins relevant to Alzheimer's disease, Interleukin-4 and STAT6, which play a crucial role in neural stem cell proliferation and formation of new neurons. This discovery offers hope for the development of regenerative therapies for Alzheimer's.
Researchers identify two distinct genetic markers, Rspo2 and Ppp1r1b, corresponding to negative and positive neurons in the basolateral amygdala of mice. These neurons regulate behaviors tied to negative and positive stimuli, respectively.
Researchers studied Zika virus's effects on animal models during early postnatal development and at weaning, finding increased apoptosis in certain brain areas and cell types. This knowledge could help develop treatments for Zika-related birth defects such as microcephaly.
The NIH has increased its investment in the BRAIN Initiative to over $150 million, supporting 170 researchers at 60 institutions. This funding will help develop new tools and technologies to understand neural circuit function and capture brain activity.
Researchers at Rockefeller University discovered a protein called CRHBP that reduces anxiety in male mice by halting the activity of a stress-inducing hormone. In contrast, the same protein has no effect on female mice.
Sreekanth Chalasani's sonogenetics technique uses ultrasonic waves to selectively activate cells in mammals, opening doors to deep brain stimulation, pacemaker technology and more. The $1 million grant from the BRAIN Initiative could lead to breakthroughs in treating neurological disorders.
Researchers found that depriving brain tumor cells of cholesterol specifically kills them and causes tumor regression. This alternative method targets glioblastomas, the most aggressive form of brain cancer, which are difficult to treat due to their biochemical composition and blood-brain barrier.
Quiescent human cells exhibit an inflammatory profile similar to acute infections when energetically stressed, suggesting a pro-survival strategy may not be well-suited for long-term chronic stresses. This could impair genome repair and increase cancer risk.