Articles tagged with Neurophysiology
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 found that participants preferred 60-70 options from ChatGPT, citing high perceived accuracy and increased intent to purchase. This contradicts traditional choice overload theories, highlighting the impact of personalized recommendations on consumer decision-making.
Caribbean box jellyfish have demonstrated complex learning capabilities, including associative learning and memory formation, despite having only one thousand nerve cells. This discovery sheds new light on the evolutionary success of jellyfish and raises questions about the universality of advanced learning mechanisms in animals.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine have developed a brain-computer interface that can decode the intended words of a speech-disabled person and display them on a computer screen. The technology has shown promise in restoring communication for individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) who are unable to speak.
A study in mice found that white matter, a type of nervous system tissue, shows the most pronounced changes as the animals age. The researchers identified 82 genes frequently expressed in different brain regions and developed an aging score to assess gene activity changes with age.
Researchers used a mathematical theory called the free energy principle to predict how real neural networks learn and organize themselves. The study successfully mimicked this process in rat embryo neurons grown in a culture dish, demonstrating the principle's guiding force behind biological neural network learning.
A team of scientists has successfully elucidated the structure and function of LITE-1, a biomolecule used by Caenorhabditis elegans to detect danger. The researchers used artificial intelligence to predict the structure of LITE-1, which is a channel protein that forms a pore in the cell membrane allowing charged particles to pass through.
A Lehigh University professor has received $4 million in NIH grants to develop an AI-driven approach for precision mental health diagnosis and care. The project aims to identify biomarkers in the brain that can predict treatment response and personalize interventions for patients with depression and other mental disorders.
A study by Pierre Hakizimana at Linköping University found that the DC signal in the cochlea can provide an indication of ear health status, allowing the brain to decode faint sounds. The discovery may contribute to new research on diagnosing noise-induced hearing loss and has implications for preventing permanent damage from loud sounds.
A study by researchers from the University of Tsukuba found a key molecule involved in sleep homeostasis also plays a critical role in circadian behavior. The SIK3-HDAC4 pathway modulates the length of the circadian period through NMS-producing neurons, contributing to the sleep/wake rhythm.
Researchers from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that repeated soccer headers equivalent to a throw-in did not cause immediate neurophysiological deficits for teens. However, oblique headers resulted in higher levels of angular head motion, suggesting proper training is necessary to reduce the risk of injury.
Researchers found elephant seals use short sleep cycles at depths below predators to enter full REM sleep with lower risk. These 'sleeping dives' are crucial for the species' survival in open ocean environments.
A new case series study found that an 8-week methylation-supportive diet and lifestyle program reduced biological age by 4.60 years, with five of six participants exhibiting significant age reversal. The study suggests that this intervention may favorably influence biological age in both sexes.
Researchers have discovered volatile compounds in tsetse flies that control mating behavior and potentially aid disease management. The findings may lead to the development of new tools to combat trypanosomiasis, a life-threatening illness transmitted by these insects.
Researchers have identified a full pathway from skin neurons to brain pleasure centers, revealing the neurobiological basis of pleasurable social touch. The study suggests that touch-based therapies may alleviate anxiety, stress, and depression, with potential applications for autism and other conditions.
A new study by Italian neuroscientists found that blind and deaf individuals' brains possess an innate functional architecture for integrating sensory information. This suggests that brain architecture can develop independently from sensory experience, adding weight to the 'nature versus nurture' debate.
A Collaborative Research Centre investigates animal navigation using the Earth's magnetic field. The study focuses on vertebrates, including birds and fish, aiming to protect endangered migratory species.
The Wyss Center's ABILITY system, a fully implantable brain-computer interface, records neural activity in sheep with high accuracy, decoding fine movement intention from small brain areas. The device is designed to improve quality of life and independence for people with severe paralysis.
Research at Northwestern University finds that eating during the daytime is ideal for dissipating energy as heat, while nighttime eating disrupts this process. This study's findings have broad implications for dieting, sleep loss, and patient nutrition, particularly in cases of Type II Diabetes.
Researchers introduced DIANA, a noninvasive neuroimaging method for direct imaging of neuronal activity in living mice. This approach overcomes the limitations of BOLD-fMRI by providing millisecond precision and detection of rapid sequential propagation of neuronal activity across neural pathways.
A novel fluorescent sensor has been developed to visualize the release of oxytocin, also known as the 'happy hormone', in living animals. The sensor, called MTRIA OT, allows for real-time measurement of extracellular oxytocin dynamics in the brain, revealing variability in OT levels dependent on behavioral and physical conditions.
A recent study published in Nature Neuroscience found that a 20-minute non-invasive treatment regimen can improve both short-term and long-term memory in individuals 65 years and older. The treatment involves electrical brain stimulation delivered through scalp electrodes, and its effects were observed to last at least one month.
A pilot study from UCLA researchers found that neurofeedback training significantly normalized brain wave frequencies and improved cognitive function in cancer patients with chemo brain. The study's results support further research into the effectiveness of neurofeedback as a treatment approach.
Rapid eye movements during REM sleep encode direction and amplitude of a mouse's dream environment, providing an external readout of internal cognitive processes. This finding reveals a coordination that may underlie the realistic experience of dreams.
Research suggests rising temperatures could disrupt sleep patterns and blunt the immune response, making people more susceptible to infections. This is particularly concerning for low-income communities and communities of color who face heightened risks from heat and limited access to air conditioning.
Researchers from Rice University, Duke University, Brown University and Baylor College of Medicine developed a magnetic technology to wirelessly control neural circuits in fruit flies. They used genetic engineering to express heat-sensitive ion channels in neurons that control the behavior, and iron nanoparticles to activate the channels.
Researchers discovered that low-signal-to-ambient noise ratio sounds cause analgesia by inhibiting inputs from the auditory cortex to specific somatosensory thalamus regions. This finding provides a model for investigating the mechanistic underpinnings of sound-induced pain relief.
Researchers have discovered a small group of neurons in the ventral tegmental area that detects stress after social defeat and induces restorative sleep. This process alleviates stress levels and mitigates stress-induced anxiety in mice, restoring mental and body functions.
Researchers elucidated the molecular mechanisms of acetylcholine in learning and memory, revealing a signaling cascade involving protein kinase C. The study opens doors to new therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer's disease.
A new model from researchers at the University of Southern California and Lund University suggests that spontaneous movements made by a fetus in the womb are key to getting the body's nervous system 'wired up.' This discovery has implications for treating neuromuscular disorders and designing better robots.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discovered that electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve promotes healing in acute inflammation by shifting the balance between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory molecules. This finding opens new avenues for treating inflammatory diseases, including autoimmune and cardiovascular conditions.
A new study found that genetics and environmental influences both contribute to socioeconomic status's impact on the brain, with different effects on various brain regions. The research used the UK Biobank dataset to analyze nearly 24,000 individuals and identified specific brain regions related to socioeconomic status.
A new study suggests that supplementing a diet with Ascidiacea, also known as sea squirts, reverses some main signs of aging in animal models. The researchers found that plasmalogens, vital to body processes, decrease with age and contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Researchers developed a new method of deep brain stimulation driven by motor cortical activity to treat Parkinson's disease. This approach, known as adaptive DBS (aDBS), uses γ2 band activity from the primary motor cortex to modulate stimulation parameters and reduce battery consumption.
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.
Researchers identify a neural circuit in midbrain, thalamus, and cortex that orchestrates neuronal activity to trigger planned movement. The discovery has important clinical implications for motor disorders like Parkinson's disease.
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.
A new study found that increased dopamine levels in the brain's basolateral amygdala trigger the transition from non-rapid eye movement (NREM) to rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. This discovery raises hopes for developing targeted treatments for sleep disorders such as narcolepsy and Parkinson's disease.
Researchers found that mitochondria act as microlenses to focus light on outer segments where it's converted into nerve signals, shedding new light on the retina's optical properties. This discovery has potential clinical implications for detecting retinal diseases.
Researchers from Karolinska Institutet developed a novel method to diagnose constant tinnitus using auditory brainstem responses (ABR). The study found that people with occasional tinnitus are at increased risk of developing constant tinnitus, while those with existing constant tinnitus are more likely to experience persistent symptoms.
Researchers have developed an ultrasensitive bioelectronic tongue that mimics human taste buds to measure sweetness. The device responds to sweet-tasting compounds at the 0.1 femtomolar level, making it a powerful tool for industries such as healthcare and food.
Researchers from Tel Aviv University have identified the biological mechanism causing nerve destruction in ALS, a fatal neurodegenerative disease. They found that TDP-43 protein accumulation in neuromuscular junctions inhibits local protein synthesis and mitochondrial activity, leading to degeneration and death of motor neurons.
A recent study published in iScience found that congenitally blind individuals and normal sighted people are equally good at discriminating between sounds. However, those who lost sight later in life had more difficulties with tasks requiring detailed auditory processing, suggesting an adaptation to the new condition.
A new web-based application can predict which epilepsy patients will not benefit from stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG), a costly and invasive procedure. The '5-SENSE' score reliably identifies patients who will not have a focal seizure onset zone, allowing clinicians to avoid unnecessary procedures.
Researchers found that low-contrast preferring neurons in primary visual cortex increase after repeated experiences, enabling perception of familiar objects. This flexible mechanism allows for consistent perception of objects with varying contrast.
A new study in mice reveals that the insular cortex plays a crucial role in balancing fear responses, integrating sensory and bodily signals to maintain an adaptive range. The InsCtx function depends on bodily feedback signals, dampening excessive fear-evoked activity and promoting healthy fear regulation.
Researchers at the University of Bern have developed an approach called 'evolving-to-learn' (E2L) that enables computers to discover mechanisms of synaptic plasticity, leading to improved learning capabilities. The algorithm was tested in three scenarios and successfully solved new tasks by mimicking biological evolution.
Researchers at Duke University and UC Irvine identify Kenpaullone, a cancer drug, as an effective analgesic for chronic and challenging-to-treat pain. The compound enhances Kcc2 gene expression, which resets maladaptive genetic switches in neurons, leading to pain signal silencing.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that lack of sleep affects gait control, with students who stayed awake all night performing poorly. However, those who compensated for lost sleep by catching up on weekends showed improved walking control.
Studies in rhesus monkeys and Egyptian fruit bats found that prefrontal neurons represent details of interactions, including identity context and history. This discovery sheds light on the neural mechanisms underlying complex social structures and group communication.
A new deep brain stimulation (DBS) method has been developed by researchers using optogenetics and machine learning to target specific neural circuits in the brain. This approach produced long-lasting effects in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease, with therapeutic benefits that lasted on average 4.5-fold longer than conventional DBS.
Researchers used fractal analysis to study brain network patterns while listening to a story. The results show that complex thoughts are reflected in high-order dynamic correlations in neural activity patterns.
Researchers discovered a two-cell color detection system in lampreys, which they propose could be the evolutionary ancestor of single-cell systems in fish and reptiles. The study found that this ancient system produces similar responses to UV and visible light as modern single-cell systems.
Researchers have discovered that elevated levels of serotonin can prevent the development of compulsive cocaine seeking and addiction in mice. This is achieved through the activation of serotonin receptors and inhibition of synaptic transmission between key brain regions, thereby reducing the risk of addiction.
Research suggests that increased complement factor C1q expression is responsible for chronic inflammation and secondary neuronal loss after mild traumatic brain injury. Blocking C1q expression counteracts these outcomes, suggesting a potential role for this molecule in modifying post-TBI disease.
A recent study by Mount Sinai researchers discovered that certain neurons in the brain's decision-making centers monitor body-state dynamics and hijack the decision-making process during intense states of arousal. This suggests that changes in heart rate and other bodily responses can impact the brain's ability to make rational decisions.
The Daylight Award 2022 is now open for nominations, honoring groundbreaking research on the effects of daylight on human health and well-being. The award also recognizes innovative architectural projects showcasing unique uses of daylight, aiming to improve living conditions and environmental impact.
Researchers found increased capillary blood flow in mice brains during REM sleep, indicating a possible role of adenosine A2a receptors in brain refreshing. This unique state may be crucial for waste removal from the brain, which is associated with Alzheimer's disease development.
Chronic light exposure disrupts circadian rhythms in rats, leading to memory deficits and amyloid β accumulation similar to Alzheimer's disease. Fluoxetine treatment prevents these effects, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy.
A new study developed a wearable technology-based method to assess myoclonus symptoms in the home environment. The method, which measures electrical neuromuscular function and movement, correlates well with assessments performed by experienced physicians.
Researchers developed a 'sensing leg' with sensors that detect pressure and movement, enabling users to navigate obstacles more efficiently. The system also includes a neuro-pacemaker mode that stimulates remnant nerves, reducing phantom limb pain and improving overall well-being.