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.
Scientists at The Wistar Institute have identified a novel mechanism by which astrocytes promote cancer cell growth and metastasis in the brain. The pro-metastatic effect is mediated through the activation of the PPAR-gamma pathway, providing a new lead for PPAR-gamma antagonists in cancer therapy.
A new study quantifies the strength of relationship between playing American football and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) severity. The study found that each additional year played increased CTE risk by 30% and severe CTE odds doubled for every 5.3 years played.
A study published in Neurology found that young adults experiencing annual income drops of 25% or more are at risk of having thinking problems and reduced brain health in middle age. Participants with higher income volatility during peak earning years showed worse brain aging, including smaller total brain volume and reduced connectivity.
Researchers confirm that the brain attends to criticality, a state of optimal excitation without disorder, to maximize information processing. This is achieved through the regulation of inhibitory neurons, allowing for efficient encoding and transmission of complex patterns.
A new $2.8 million grant will support a preclinical efficacy study of MW150, a potential treatment for dementia. The drug targets dysregulated brain inflammation driven by p38-MAPK, which is also linked to vascular cognitive impairment and dementia.
Research investigates how diet and excess blood glucose influence Alzheimer's pathology, providing new insights into the link between diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. The study aims to develop therapies targeting glucose pathways, offering potential treatments for this debilitating condition.
Researchers at UVA School of Medicine found that oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, previously thought to be harmless, actively participate in the immune system's attacks on myelin in multiple sclerosis. This discovery offers new hope for finding a cure by promoting brain repair and targeting both aspects of the pathology.
Experts recommend promoting a 'brain-healthy lifestyle' through public education campaigns, research programs, and healthcare system preparedness. This can help reduce the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases by emphasizing that healthy habits are generally good for brain health.
Researchers from Aarhus University discovered that Parkinson's patients have an immune imbalance in their blood, affecting the regulation of immune cells and anti-inflammatory molecules. This finding advocates for immune modulation as a potential alternative treatment for the disease.
Researchers developed a method to characterize brain states and simulate brain activity, enabling prediction of stimulation effects on brain state transitions. The study found that systematic external stimulation can awaken the brain in sleep states and may enhance recovery from psychiatric diseases.
Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a neuroprosthetic system that allows leg amputees to feel sensations from the prosthesis, giving them a sense of control and confidence while walking. The system involves tiny electrodes implanted in the nerve, allowing the brain to perceive the prosthesis as an extension of the body.
A study found that young adults experiencing annual income drops of 25% or more may be at risk of having thinking problems and reduced brain health in middle age. Participants with two or more income drops performed worse on cognitive tests, scoring 3.74 points lower than those with no income drops.
Researchers at UCLA have identified a molecular process controlling nerve growth, which could inform therapies accelerating peripheral nerve recovery. The study shows that manipulating this process can increase nerve regeneration rate by 15% in mice.
Research shows that even mild-to-moderate hearing loss in young children can lead to changes in how their brains process sounds. Detecting these problems early is crucial to limit brain changes and improve language development.
Scientists have identified a key role for the brain protein TOM-1 in regulating inflammatory responses, which are linked to Alzheimer's disease. By restoring TOM-1 levels, the study found improved pathology and cognitive problems associated with the disease.
Researchers detect non-linguistic experience in brain activity during reading, combining with linguistic information to decode sentence meaning. This breakthrough may guide future efforts in language disorders and artificial intelligence.
The new SCAPE 2.0 system allows for faster and more detailed imaging of living tissues, revealing previously unseen details of biological systems. This technology has the potential to impact various fields such as genetics, cardiology, and neuroscience.
A team of US and Chinese scientists, led by UCI Professors Xiangmin Xu and Rozanne Sandri-Goldin, will develop a new brain mapping tool using genetically engineered herpesviruses. The tool aims to enhance signal outputs and generate variants carrying different functional payloads.
A study shows that intensive physical training can harm brain capacity, particularly cognitive control. Excessive physical activity is linked to reduced activity of the lateral prefrontal cortex, leading to impulsive decision-making and burnout syndrome.
A Regenstrief Institute research scientist is testing a novel mobile app designed to improve care for people with Alzheimer's disease. The study aims to determine if the Brain CareNotes app can manage behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, leading to improved quality of life for patients and caregivers.
Researchers identified a neural circuit in fruit flies that controls perseverance, with dopamine and octopamine neurotransmitters playing a key role. The finding suggests that simple organisms like fruit flies exhibit stamina and perseverance, challenging the idea that these traits are unique to humans.
Researchers at MIT have developed a rapid imaging method to visualize hundreds of synaptic proteins at high resolution. By analyzing protein levels in thousands of neurons, they discovered groups of proteins that tend to associate with each other more often than others, shedding light on synapse subtypes and their functions.
Researchers found that people perceive truthfulness higher in claims following alphabetical order, even when source unknown. This can be exploited by companies to convince consumers of slogans or claims.
Researchers at University of Eastern Finland developed a new approach to improve brain drug delivery by utilizing LAT1. The study showed that prodrugs can be converted into active drugs that utilize LAT1 for cell entry, achieving higher concentrations in target cells.
A new study found that mice's neural activity while performing tasks resembles human-like fidgeting, indicating a possible link between movement and cognition. Researchers must now correct for this overlap to accurately study decision-making processes.
A University of Calgary-led study found that MRI scans can significantly improve the diagnosis of minor strokes and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). In 30% of cases, the MRI scan led to a change in diagnosis. The study's findings suggest that MRI scans are essential for patients with non-traditional symptoms, reducing unnecessary med...
Researchers at UCLA Health have developed an experimental brain implant that restores visual perception in patients who are blind due to injury or disease. The device enhances users' ability to navigate the world by detecting movement and distinguishing light and dark, with the goal of one day restoring a full field of vision.
A study by researchers from MIT and Max Planck Institute found that people living in a remote Bolivian rainforest tend not to perceive similarities between notes played at different registers, unlike Westerners. The brain's ability to detect pitch similarity appears to be acquired through exposure to music in octave-based systems.
UC San Diego will collaborate with Stanford University to create the Neuroelectromagnetic Data Archive and Tools Resource (NEMAR), a brain imaging data archive and tools resource. The project aims to add human neuroelectromagnetic brain imaging, including EEG and MEG, to the OpenNeuro archive.
Researchers found that CBD substantially lessened seizure severity in mice and restored normal brain rhythms in Angelman syndrome models. The study suggests CBD could benefit kids and adults with this serious condition, characterized by intellectual disability and epilepsy.
Researchers developed flexible, gel-free EEG electrodes that can record brain waves on hairy and hairless skin. The new electrodes work without sticky gel, allowing for potential use in brain-computer interfaces to drive cars or move artificial limbs.
Researchers at the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown discovered that the brain's circadian clock controls the function of immune cells in the gut, which are crucial for maintaining gut health. Disrupting this clock leads to reduced immune cell numbers, severe inflammation, and increased fat accumulation.
Researchers found atypical brain activity in people with autism when coordinating visual and motor information. This can lead to difficulties with daily activities such as handwriting or playing sports. The study aims to better understand the diverse challenges experienced by individuals with ASD.
Researchers have discovered two short peptides that significantly improved memory and reduced physical changes in the brain of mice with Alzheimer's disease. The treatment uses a process of computer modeling and artificial intelligence to develop an optimized oral version of the drug, which could lead to new treatments for Alzheimer's.
Researchers have found clues to Huntington's disease origins in early brain development, using a new technology that manipulates human embryonic stem cells. The study takes the developmental timeframe back further than previous work, revealing dramatic effects on tissue structures.
Researchers found short-term impairments in brain-to-muscle communication and decreased memory performance after nine-minute boxing sparring sessions. The study suggests that routine impacts in sports like football and other combat sports may pose health risks.
A study found abnormal gut microbiota in veterans with PTSD and cirrhosis is tied to poorer cognitive performance. The research also identified beneficial bacteria like Ruminococcaceae as associated with better performance.
A study by University of Toronto researchers found that metformin promotes brain repair and improves cognitive function in adult female mice, but has no effect on males. The drug works through a sex hormone called estradiol, which enhances neural stem cells' ability to respond to treatment.
A study from Case Western Reserve University found that entrepreneurs who pitch their startup ideas with passion are more likely to entice investors. The researchers used functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to examine the neural responses of investors' brains, revealing a causal relationship between passion and interest. As a ...
Researchers have linked mammalian behavior to its underlying neural code for the first time, shedding light on how a mammal's brain interprets signals from the eyes. This discovery is relevant to all neuroscientists studying perception and has implications for understanding individual 'words' in the brain.
Researchers at UNIGE identified key genes regulating retinal cell differentiation and axon guidance, offering insights into the construction of vision and potential treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. The study's findings have significant implications for regenerative medicine and could lead to new therapies for optic nerve damage.
Researchers at Osaka University developed an oral device that effectively reduces motor and vocal tics in Tourette syndrome patients. The study found that the oral splint improved tic symptoms for both children and adults, with long-lasting effects.
The new guideline offers evidence-based recommendations to improve the standard of care for individuals with Parkinson's disease in Canada. It includes a new section on palliative care, highlighting the need to consider patients' quality of life throughout all phases of the disease.
A University of Michigan study found that a high sugar diet depletes key brain metabolites, affecting behavior and potential connections to depression. The researchers compared fasting and fed fruit flies, discovering rapid changes in brain versus body metabolites.
A study from the University of Washington found that people exposed to multiple languages can identify words in yet another language better than those who live in monolingual environments. This effect was observed even among those with limited proficiency in other languages, suggesting that ambient exposure plays a role in language lea...
Researchers propose mesh electronics as a foundation for brain-machine interfaces, enabling precise targeting of neural communication networks to treat neurological disorders. This technology could lead to improved therapeutic options, such as enhanced prosthetic control and cognitive enhancement.
Researchers at Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience developed a strategy to label and map local inhibitory inputs onto cells. They found that inhibitory inputs may parallel or diverge from target neurons, revealing a diverse palette of inhibition. This discovery suggests complex functional connectivity in the visual cortex.
Researchers at Osaka University used X-ray imaging to visualize Lewy bodies in post-mortem brains and found α-synuclein aggregates with cross-β structure. This discovery supports the idea that Parkinson's disease is a systemic amyloidosis, with implications for diagnosis and treatment.
A study reveals that alternative splicing controls the identity and function of nerve cells, allowing for a complex neuronal network with limited genes. The research team mapped splice variants in different types of neurons, identifying unique repertoires that shape their characteristics.
A team led by Dr. Lim Hyun-Ho identified a new structure and mechanism of a membrane protein that causes epilepsy and muscle problems. The study reveals four different structures in the ion exchange process for a single CLC protein, expanding our understanding of this protein's functions.
Researchers at MIT have designed a robotic thread that can navigate the brain's blood vessels using magnets, aiming to improve endovascular procedures for treating stroke and aneurysms. The thread can be functionalized to deliver drugs or break up blockages with laser light.
UMass Amherst researchers are using fNIRS and ECG to study the coordination of brain and heart activity in 3- to 5-year-olds, aiming to improve learning tools and mental health care for children. The study aims to understand what drives differences in self-regulation tendencies and how this relates to psychopathology.
A multi-site study will assess the safety and efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) paired with exercise therapies to improve upper limb function in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury. The study aims to explore the effects of tDCS on strength, dexterity, and independence.
Salk scientists discover that astrocytes are required for long-term memory formation and consolidation in mice. The study found that disabling astrocytes led to significant deficits in remote memory retention after a few weeks.
A study found that adults carrying a gene associated with higher Alzheimer's risk had difficulty accessing recently acquired knowledge, despite normal cognitive scores. The research used a listening test to assess attention and memory, revealing greater challenges for individuals with the APOE4 gene.
Researchers at Ohio State University have made significant breakthroughs in gene replacement therapy for Niemann-Pick type A disease, demonstrating its safety and therapeutic effects in nonhuman primates and mouse models. The treatment has shown a 'bystander effect', preventing motor and memory impairment and increasing survival rates.
A clinical trial found that mothers who consumed pomegranate juice daily during pregnancy had infants with better brain development and connectivity. The study provides preliminary evidence for the potential neuroprotective effects of polyphenols in at-risk newborns.
A new study on a 20-million-year-old fossil from South America reveals that the brain evolved repeatedly and independently in monkeys, with some early members having more complex brains than previously thought. The research also sheds light on the visual-olfactory trade-off in primate evolution.
A review of adolescent brains across species reveals that impulsiveness is a biological adaptation crucial for brain maturation. The human brain undergoes significant changes during adolescence, including pruning of neural connections and strengthening of white matter tracts, which enables optimal brain function in the adult stage.
A recent study published in PLOS Biology has made significant progress in understanding chronic pain by integrating psychosocial factors and neurobiology. The researchers found two key traits - Pain-trait and Emote-trait - that are associated with back pain characteristics, as well as a link between socioeconomic status and chronic pain.