Articles tagged with Brain
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.
The Human Connectome Project aims to create detailed maps of brain circuitry in healthy adults and those with psychiatric and neurologic illnesses. The project will use state-of-the-art imaging instruments and analysis tools to shed light on how brain networks are organized and how they change as we age.
Researchers at University of South Florida (USF) are studying the impact of maternal infections on fetal brain development, aiming to prevent autism. Natural compounds like luteolin and diosmin may block detrimental effects of maternal infection on offspring's brains.
Neuralstem's spinal cord stem cells survive and differentiate into neurons in rat brains affected by stroke, leading to improved motor skill and strength measurements. The study shows significant promise for treating post-stroke symptoms and paralysis.
Researchers at Washington State University have discovered a key mechanism behind sleep, which could lead to the development of new treatments for fatigue and sleep disorders. The finding reveals how brain activity is linked to sleep and provides potential targets for medications.
Researchers at OHSU and Washington University use functional MRI to examine the brain at rest, revealing a 'maturation index' that can determine brain development. This technology has clinical applications for assessing childhood development, diagnosing ADHD and autism, and potentially improving treatment outcomes.
Research published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that children under 12 do not combine different sensory information like adults, and this ability develops around age 12. Adults can integrate multiple sources of visual information, such as perspective and binocular depth, to make a unified estimate.
University of Oklahoma researchers have developed a new method for understanding brain function in humans, leveraging advances in genetic techniques to manipulate small subsets of brain cells. This breakthrough has significant implications for studies of human neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
A high-fat diet causes brain cells to become insulated, rendering them unable to detect signals of fullness. The insulation also creates a further complication in that the body is unable to detect signals to increase energy use and burn off calories.
Researchers have identified gamma-secretase activating protein (GSAP) as a key player in the formation of Alzheimer's disease-plaque beta-amyloid. Gleevec, a cancer drug, shows promise in targeting GSAP and reducing plaque production.
Researchers discovered that mentally stimulating activities like crossword puzzles and reading may slow initial cognitive decline but accelerate dementia progression in older age. People with more active lifestyles tend to experience faster declines once diagnosed with dementia.
Researchers identified TRPC6 as a key player in ischemic nerve cell death and found that suppressing its degradation prevents brain damage. In a rat model of stroke, they demonstrated that inhibiting TRPC6 degradation reduces nerve cell death.
Fruit fly research found that starvation increases resistance to sleep loss, linked to a protein managing lipid storage. Disabling a specific gene produces effects similar to starvation, creating sleep resistance and preventing cognitive impairments.
Valentin Dragoi, a UTHealth neuroscientist, has won the prestigious NIH Director's Pioneer Award to study how the brain processes information and develop new technologies to monitor neural activity in naturalistic environments. This award will support his high-impact approach to understanding major challenges in biomedical research.
Carnegie Mellon researchers found that heterogeneous groups of neurons transmit twice as much information as homogeneous groups. This diversity is essential for overall brain function and may also play a role in neurological disorders like epilepsy and schizophrenia.
A new study published in PLoS One reveals that the brain shifts between sleep/awake states under anesthesia through different processes. The researchers identified a fundamental state called neural inertia, which explains the brain's resistance to changes in consciousness. This finding may lead to the development of novel anesthetic dr...
Researchers have found that boosting brain levels of 2-AG, a natural painkiller, soon leads to loss of its therapeutic effect due to receptor downregulation. This discovery has implications for drug development and basic science, suggesting that more modest elevations in 2-AG may produce sustained pain relief.
As we age, breakdowns in brain connections lead to slower reactivity and confusion during one-sided motor movements. Researchers found that older adults' brains communicate more with each other while at rest, hindering brain function.
Researchers at Boston University and VA have discovered a new disease, CTEM, that mimics ALS in athletes with repeated head trauma. The disease is characterized by abnormal tau protein deposits and TDP-43 pathology, which are also found in sporadic ALS cases.
Research conducted by the USDA found that low levels of folate are associated with symptoms of dementia and poor brain function, as well as depression in women. The study also identified a protein called holoTC as a potential key to detecting cognitive decline earlier.
A team of researchers at Tel Aviv University has developed genetically mutated mice to study Vanishing White Matter disease, which destroys brain myelin. The new tool allows for the first time to follow the exact process of myelin destruction, providing valuable information about the molecular mechanisms of the disease.
A new study published in Schizophrenia Research found that exposure to certain immune proteins during pregnancy is linked to an increased risk of schizophrenia in offspring. Maternal levels of interleukin-8 were associated with structural brain changes in children diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Researchers at University College London found that single neurons and even individual dendrites can effectively distinguish between different temporal sequences of incoming information. This challenges the widely held view that large numbers of neurons working together are necessary for sequence processing in the brain.
A $1.7 million NIH grant supports UT Dallas researcher Dr. Michael Kilgard's investigation into nerve stimulation as a long-term cure for tinnitus. The goal is to retrain the brain to ignore nerve signals that simulate ringing, offering a possible permanent end to the condition.
A team of Canadian scientists has developed a new neurochip technology that can track subtle changes in brain activity at the level of ion channels and synaptic potentials. This breakthrough allows for the analysis of several brain cells networking and performing automatic, large-scale drug screening for various brain dysfunctions.
High plasma beta-amyloid levels are associated with faster cognitive decline, even in those without dementia. Cognitive decline was more pronounced in memory domains than other areas.
Researchers found that five nights of restricted sleep produced intense recovery sleep following each wake cycle, with both longer and deeper sleep. Chronic sleep restriction evokes the same brain response as acute total sleep deprivation.
Researchers at Cardiff University are using advanced brain imaging techniques to investigate how people with autism process touch sensations. The study aims to provide a clearer understanding of sensory symptoms in autism and potentially lead to the development of new treatments.
Researchers found diminished cognitive performance in obese adolescents with type 2 diabetes, as well as subtle brain abnormalities detected by MRI. The study highlights the importance of addressing obesity and inactivity to prevent cognitive deficits.
A new study found that people whose hearts pump less blood have brains that appear older, with decreased brain volume and atrophy. This association was seen even in those without cardiovascular disease, suggesting a link between cardiac index and brain health.
Researchers used brain potentials to study the influence of context on letter recognition. The study found that linguistic context impacts access to single abstract representations, which are partially independent from physical properties. This suggests a complex processing mechanism for word recognition.
A new study by Indiana University researchers found that negative stereotypes can inhibit actual learning, not just performance, in math and science. Women who experience stereotype threat may have reduced learning and struggle to learn complex skills, which could worsen over time.
A study of 872 individuals found that more education reduces dementia risk by improving brain coping mechanisms. Individuals with higher education levels exhibited similar brain pathology but better compensation for dementia effects.
A review of research linking musical training to learning highlights the neural connections made during musical training also prime the brain for other aspects of human communication. Music training enhances neuroplasticity and enables the nervous system to provide stable patterns for meaningful learning.
Researchers identified a gene regulatory link between early brain development and aging, suggesting 'runaway' development may be detrimental. This process is observed in both humans and macaques, with the latter experiencing accelerated rates, potentially limiting their lifespan to one-third that of humans.
Researchers monitored Israeli soldiers' neural mechanisms during daily rocket attacks, revealing a dissociative state rather than hypervigilance. This study has significant implications for PTSD therapy, suggesting a neuromarker that can predict chronic PTSD risk.
Researchers found that treating people with botulinum toxin to block facial expressions caused them to take longer to read angry and sad sentences compared to happy ones. The study supports the embodied cognition hypothesis, suggesting that emotions are rooted in basic bodily processes of perception and action.
Mice cages alter brains in mice used in laboratories, affecting outcomes of research, according to a breakthrough study published in PLoS One. The type of cage can change the brain's olfactory bulb and levels of aggression.
A study analyzing almost 500 mammal species found that larger brain sizes are linked to longer lifespans. This contradicts the assumption that only larger animals live longer, with even smaller hyenas exhibiting longer lifespans due to their brain size compared to body size.
A new study found that obesity is associated with poorer memory and brain function in older women, particularly those who carry excess weight around their hips. The research controlled for various health factors and suggests that different types of fat may have varying effects on cognition.
A six-year study found that anticholinergic medications increase the risk of mild cognitive impairment and memory loss in older adults, especially those from African-American communities. The researchers suggest that these drugs may worsen cognitive function, but not necessarily lead to Alzheimer's disease.
The University of Mississippi Medical Center is leading a nationwide NIH-funded investigation to identify risk factors for Alzheimer's disease, with a focus on vascular risk factors and ethnic differences. The $26 million study will examine thousands of patients using detailed neurocognitive testing and brain imaging.
A recent study published in Neurology found that individuals with larger heads who have Alzheimer's disease tend to exhibit better memory and cognitive skills. The research suggests that brain reserve, or the individual capacity to withstand changes in the brain, plays a crucial role in protecting against Alzheimer's symptoms.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology successfully establish conditions for decoding fly brain's motion vision mechanisms. They use fluorescence molecules and state-of-the-art microscopes to observe nerve cell activity, revealing that L2-cells transform data and relay information about light intensity reductions to subseq...
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute found that Sirtuin1 promotes memory and brain flexibility, with potential implications for treating neurodegenerative diseases. The study suggests a novel microRNA-based mechanism by which SIRT1 aids memory and synaptic plasticity.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles will investigate how a type of white blood cell called macrophages help bacteria like E. coli accumulate in the blood and enter the brain. This understanding could lead to the development of treatments to prevent meningitis buildup and infection.
Research published in Science reveals that muscle weakness and coordination problems in children with neonatal diabetes are caused by neurological issues rather than muscle problems. The study provides implications for developing improved treatments for the disease, which affects one in 100,000 infants in the UK.
Researchers at NYU identified a key mechanism in the brain's computation of sound location, finding that neurons are sensitive to rise times and detect differences between input shapes on a microsecond scale. This contradicts previous theories, which held that biophysical properties were identical for both ears.
Researchers found that only one side of the brain can be motivated at a time, with subliminal cues influencing hand grip strength. This unilateral effect challenges traditional views on motivation and its relationship to conscious awareness.
Researchers at NYU identified a key mechanism in the brain's computation of sound location, challenging existing theories. The study found that neurons respond to the rise time of synaptic inputs rather than their width.
The brain is highly flexible during growth, with neuronal connections restructured through self-organisational processes. The number of nerve cells remains unchanged, but non-neuronal cells increase, enabling the visual cortex to adapt to new experiences.
A new study reveals that lead exposure damages brain function by disrupting the normal formation of synapses and altering the levels of key proteins involved in neurotransmitter release. The research provides a comprehensive mechanism for how lead ions impair brain development and function throughout life.
Brain signs of schizophrenia found in babies with larger brains and lateral ventricles in high-risk group, differing from girls in the study. Early detection could lead to new approaches to prevent or treat the disease.
A study found that ghrelin hormone increases the appeal of high-calorie foods over low-calorie foods, suggesting a potential mechanism for weight loss. Ghrelin levels may help regulate calorie intake by altering food preferences during fasting periods.
A University of British Columbia study suggests that screening participants based on these factors can reduce costs while safeguarding their welfare. The researchers found that a full radiological exam before enrolling women with a family history of aneurysm is cost-effective, but not necessary for men without such a history.
In a three-year study, UCLA scientists found that networks of brain cells in culture can learn to generate simple timed intervals after being stimulated with patterns. The research provides new insights into how the brain tells time and enhances understanding of its workings.
Movshon and Stanford's William T. Newsome receive award for their decades-long research on how the brain reconstructs images to support perception, linking perception to specific neural activity
A University of Pennsylvania psychologist reanalyzes data suggesting that the brain does not consume extra glucose when exerting self-control, contradicting a popular model. The analysis also suggests that any potential decrease in glucose levels may be due to other factors, such as increased heart rate.
Researchers from the University of Adelaide discovered how insects judge speed and motion in a natural setting, revealing additional brain mechanisms. Insects use visual motion analysis and adapt to different light conditions, similar to humans.
Scientists have identified two genes, Clock and cycle, that regulate the need to sleep and eat in fruit flies. The study found that these genes help flies regulate sleep when food is scarce, providing new insights into the neural mechanisms underlying this conflict.
A team of researchers found that early hominids in northern Kenya ate a wide variety of foods, including fish and aquatic animals, rich in protein and nutrients. This diet may have played a key role in the development of larger brains in early humans.