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Scientists discover area of brain that makes a 'people person'

Researchers found that a specific region of the brain, orbitofrontal cortex and ventral striatum, is associated with higher levels of social reward dependence and emotional warmth. This discovery may help understand why some people are more sociable than others.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalEuropean Journal of Neuroscience·DateMay 19, 2009

Smoking interferes with recovery from alcohol-related brain damage

Chronic smoking impairs brain blood flow recovery after long-term heavy drinking, according to a new study. Brain perfusion in frontal and parietal cortices improved with abstinence, but smokers showed significantly less recovery, particularly in the frontal lobes.

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateMay 11, 2009

Lithium may help radiation target cancer, spare healthy tissue

Researchers found that lithium promotes DNA repair in healthy cells but not in brain tumor cells, protecting healthy hippocampal neurons from radiation-induced damage. This mechanism could provide a way to increase the radiation dose to kill tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 4, 2009
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.

Conserved gene expression reveals our 'inner fish'

Researchers found strong conservation of gene expression in brain tissue across five species, including mammals and non-mammalian vertebrates. This suggests that neurons play a more central role in functional interactions than cells in other tissues.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalJournal of Biology·DateApr 15, 2009

Social isolation makes strokes more deadly, study finds

Researchers found that socially isolated mice suffered more brain damage and higher inflammation levels after a stroke compared to paired mice. Social support was shown to reduce damaging inflammatory responses and increase anti-inflammatory cytokines in the brain.

SourceOhio State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 23, 2009

Gulf War veterans display abnormal brain response to specific chemicals

A new study by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers has pinpointed damage inside the brains of Gulf War syndrome patients, linking their illness to chemical exposures. The research identifies areas of the brain that function abnormally, including the basal ganglia, hippocampus, and thalamus.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·DateMar 20, 2009
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Nanotech coating could lead to better brain implants to treat diseases

Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a nanotech coating that can help brain implants operate longer and improve treatment for various diseases. The coating, made of three components, enables electrodes to interface more smoothly with the brain, reducing tissue damage and improving signal transmission.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateMar 10, 2009

Stem cells replace stroke-damaged tissue in rats

Scientists have successfully replaced damaged brain tissue in rats with stem cells, filling cavities within 7 days. The new tissue interacts with the host brain and can be gradually replaced by natural processes.

SourceBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council·JournalBiomaterials·DateMar 8, 2009

UT Houston launches stem cell study for acute stroke patients

Researchers at UT Houston are launching a Phase I study to treat acute stroke victims with their own stem cells, harvested from bone marrow. The goal is to assess the safety and potential benefits of this treatment in reducing disability.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·DateFeb 13, 2009
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Mesh-like network of arteries adjusts to restore blood flow to stroke-injured brain

Researchers discovered that small arteries at the brain's surface redirect and widen to maintain a constant blood supply after a stroke. The mesh-like vascular network enables the arteries to compensate for reduced blood cell velocity by increasing diameter, ensuring steady delivery of oxygen and nutrients.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJournal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism·DateJan 30, 2009

Blast overpressure is generated from the firing of weapons and may cause brain injury

Scientists found that exposure to blast overpressure from certain weapons, such as anti-tank guns and automatic rifles, causes mild brain injuries in pigs and rats. The study's results suggest that low frequencies are more effectively transmitted to the brain than high frequencies, leading to small haemorrhages and brain edema.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalJournal of Neurotrauma·DateJan 28, 2009

Slices of living brain tissue are helping scientists identify new stroke therapies

Scientists are using slices of living human brain tissue to identify new stroke therapies by blocking anoxic depolarization, a wave of death that engulfs and engorges brain cells. The study aims to find treatments that can delay or prevent the destructive electrical activity, potentially improving treatment options for strokes.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·DateJan 21, 2009
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Hormone therapy linked to brain shrinkage, but not lesions

Two new studies link hormone therapy to reduced brain volume in critical memory areas, accelerating loss of cognitive function in postmenopausal women. Researchers found no correlation between hormone therapy and increased brain lesions, contradicting previous hypotheses.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalNeurology·DateJan 12, 2009

Study shows how social support may protect brain during stroke

Researchers found that male mice that lived with a female partner before and after a stroke had a much higher survival rate compared to those mice that lived alone. Socially housed mice suffered significantly less brain damage, with reduced inflammation and increased levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-6.

SourceOhio State University·DateNov 18, 2008

Researchers identify toehold for HIV's assault on brain

Scientists discovered a key step in HIV's attack on brain cells and were able to reverse its effects by blocking the receptor. The discovery opens up a new avenue for researchers to explore in preventing or treating HIV's neurological effects, which have no currently approved treatment.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 14, 2008
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

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

Ultrasound shown to exert remote control of brain circuits

Neuroscientists at Arizona State University developed pulsed ultrasound techniques to remotely stimulate brain circuit activity, offering insights into noninvasive neurostimulation of brain circuits. The findings provide a new tool for modulating neural circuit activity, potentially treating post-traumatic stress disorders, traumatic b...

SourceArizona State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 29, 2008

MIT funds collaborative neurotechnology projects

The McGovern Institute's MINT program awards up to $100,000 in seed funding for innovative collaborative projects in neuroscience research. Recent awards focus on developing alternative electrode materials, manipulating intracellular signaling pathways with light, and improving computational analysis of brain imaging data.

SourceMcGovern Institute for Brain Research·DateOct 27, 2008

Memory function varies after damage to key area of the brain

Researchers found two patients with hippocampal damage showed strikingly different patterns of memory performance, one with no deficit and the other impaired. The study suggests that subtle differences in brain pathology may be critical to understanding memory outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalHippocampus·DateOct 23, 2008

Where optics meets medicine

Researchers have developed an animal model to study the effect of small strokes on nearby neurons, finding that blockages can cause significant decreases in blood flow and death of neurons. A potential new tool for brain surgeons is being developed using optical measurements to detect and protect critical areas during surgery.

SourceOptica·DateOct 9, 2008
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.

Researchers identify novel mechanism to reduce nervous system inflammation

Scientists at Georgetown University Medical Center identified a new way to limit brain cell damage by reducing microglial activation. They found that a selective activator of a key receptor can turn off microglial activity, potentially treating conditions like stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·JournalGlia·DateSep 24, 2008

Study identifies changes to DNA in major depression and suicide

A new study finds that proteins modifying DNA play a key role in major depression and suicide, with brain tissue showing higher rates of epigenetic regulation. The research, led by Dr. Michael O. Poulter, identifies a gene involved in regulating brain activity as being heavily chemically modified in deceased individuals.

SourceUniversity of Western Ontario·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateJul 30, 2008

Researchers link Huntington's disease to overactive immune response in the brain

Studies found that patients with Huntington's disease have higher levels of immune-system signaling molecules, called cytokines, in their brain tissue. This suggests that the protein produced by the Huntington's disease genetic mutation is causing an overactive immune response, leading to damage to neurons in the brain.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateJul 14, 2008
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.

Tsunami in the brain

Researchers at Heidelberg University Hospital discovered that depolarization waves in the brain spread through adjacent areas after a stroke, leading to further cell death. The study's findings may enable the translation of decades-long experimental research into clinical applications.

SourceHeidelberg University Hospital·JournalAnnals of Neurology·DateJun 12, 2008

Memory loss linked to common sleep disorder

Researchers at UCLA have discovered a link between sleep apnea and memory loss, finding nearly 20% smaller mammillary bodies in patients with the disorder. This suggests a long-lasting brain injury from repeated drops in oxygen, leading to cell death and inflammation.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalNeuroscience Letters·DateJun 11, 2008
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

When your memories can no longer be trusted

A new study by Dr. Martha Turner and colleagues found that patients with confabulation, a condition where memories are distorted after brain damage, all shared damage to the inferior medial prefrontal cortex. This discovery sheds light on how the human brain controls memory and distinguishes true from false recollections.

SourceElsevier·JournalCortex·DateMay 28, 2008

Harvard researchers publish MRI images of genes in action in the living brain

Researchers at Harvard have developed gene probe eye drops that enable non-invasive monitoring of brain activity in living organisms. The technology uses MRI to detect tissue repair and has potential applications in treating neurological diseases, diagnosing conditions, and delivering therapeutic agents to the brain.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateMar 31, 2008
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Researchers use light to detect Alzheimer's

Researchers have developed a method using near-infrared light to identify microscopic changes in brain tissue associated with Alzheimer's disease. This technique can potentially detect the disease earlier than current methods, which rely on clinical symptoms or imaging tests.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateMar 14, 2008

Autism's origins: Mother's antibody production may affect fetal brain

A recent study published in the Journal of Neuroimmunology found that mothers of autistic children may produce antibodies against their fetuses' brain tissue, which can cause changes leading to autism. The study suggests an association between maternal antibody production and developmental regression in children with autism.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of Neuroimmunology·DateFeb 25, 2008

Study suggests some brain injuries reduce the likelihood of post-traumatic stress disorder

A new study found that certain brain injuries, such as damage to the amygdala and ventromedial prefrontal cortex, may reduce the likelihood of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in combat-exposed veterans. The findings suggest that drugs or pacemaker-like devices targeting these areas might be effective treatments for PTSD.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateDec 23, 2007
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

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

Why diving marine mammals resist brain damage from low oxygen

A study by researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, found that certain marine mammals have evolved to protect their brains from conditions of low oxygen. The amounts and kinds of globins in the brain correlate with physical activity patterns of various wild mammals.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·DateDec 18, 2007
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.

Rosemary chicken protects your brain from free radicals

Researchers discover mechanism by which rosemary's carnosic acid fights off free radical damage in the brain, potentially leading to new treatments for stroke and neurodegenerative diseases. The active compound activates a novel signaling pathway, providing a 'pathological-activated therapeutic' approach with reduced side effects.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalNature Reviews Neuroscience·DateOct 30, 2007

Imaging shows structural changes in mild traumatic brain injury

Researchers found that diffusion tensor imaging can identify structural changes in the white matter of the brain, correlating to cognitive deficits even in patients with mild TBI. The study also discovered axonal damage and myelin abnormalities in more severe injuries.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalBrain·DateOct 25, 2007

Mini-strokes linked to uric acid levels

Researchers found a link between high-normal uric acid levels and mini strokes, which may contribute to mental decline in aging adults. High-UA levels were associated with increased volumes of white matter hyperintensities in the brain.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNeurology·DateOct 1, 2007
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Brain abnormalities found in people with writer's cramp

People with writer's cramp have reduced grey matter in specific brain regions, including the cerebellum and sensorimotor cortex. The study suggests that these changes may be a result of sustained repetitive movement, or an adaptation to the condition.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateJul 23, 2007

'Preconditioning' helps protect brain's blood vessels from stroke

Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College have discovered that preconditioning, a process where the brain is challenged with a small noxious stimulus, can shield blood vessels from stroke injury. This study found a 68% reduction in stroke intensity and a 114% boost in blood flow in areas unaffected by the stroke.

SourceNewYork-Presbyterian·DateJul 19, 2007

Study links manic depression with brain tissue loss

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have found that people with bipolar disorder experience accelerated brain tissue loss, particularly in areas controlling memory, face recognition, and coordination. The study shows that repeated episodes of illness can lead to greater brain loss and decline in mental ability.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateJul 19, 2007

Study evaluates brain lesions of older patients

A recent study found that hyperintense lesions in older patients may indicate more severe brain damage, associated with conditions like dementia and memory problems. The study's lead author suggests that these lesions could be a sign of widespread disease in the brain.

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateJul 9, 2007
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

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

Study advances vCJD prion detection

Scientists have developed a method to amplify vCJD prions from human brain tissue extracts, enabling recognition by existing detection methods. This breakthrough could aid in confirming whether someone is infected with variant CJD, crucial for preventing further disease spread through infected blood donations.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalThe Journal of Pathology·DateJul 5, 2007

Stroke study sheds light on left-right brain divide

Researchers found that people with damage to their left frontal lobe are more likely to correct mistakes, while those with right-brain damage struggle to track changing task rules. This study highlights the crucial role of self-monitoring functions in everyday situations.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalBrain·DateJun 10, 2007

Limiting stroke damage is focus of study

Researchers are focusing on preventing further brain damage after a stroke, targeting the penumbra region where blood flow is reduced by 60%. They hope to restore normal electrical activity in neurons and promote recovery. Dr. Sergei Kirov's study uses real-time microscopical imaging and pharmaceuticals to stop anoxic depolarization.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·DateMay 30, 2007
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.

Mice with a migraine show signs of brain damage

Research in mice shows migraines can lead to brain damage, with areas of the brain experiencing oxygen shortage. The study emphasizes the importance of preventing migraines through avoiding triggers and using prescribed medications.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateApr 30, 2007

Moral judgment fails without feelings

A study by neuroscientists from Harvard, USC, and Caltech finds that damage to the frontal lobe's ventromedial prefrontal cortex leads to abnormal moral choices. The research suggests that emotions play a crucial role in moral judgments, but also leaves intact other moral problem-solving abilities.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalNature·DateMar 21, 2007

Stroke damage keeps brain regions from 'talking' to each other

Researchers found a tight correlation between the severity of spatial neglect symptoms and the degree of impairment in communication within and between two brain networks. This study suggests that testing for communication breakdowns could improve clinical assessment and treatment of stroke and other brain injuries.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNeuron·DateMar 14, 2007
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Stem cells cultured from human bone marrow behave like those derived from brain tissue

Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center successfully cultured stem cells from human bone marrow that can differentiate into neurons and other central nervous system cells. These cells exhibit behaviors similar to those derived from brain tissue, suggesting a promising approach for treating brain disorders and tumors.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalJournal of Neuroscience Research·DateJan 25, 2007