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.
A new technology allows clinicians to map patient pain in real-time using augmented reality glasses and brain data. The study tested on 21 volunteer dental patients showed promising results, predicting pain with accuracy of about 70%. The tech has the potential to improve pain measurement for various conditions.
A new Salk study found that neurons selectively respond to particular combinations of color and shape, rather than extracting them separately. This breakthrough challenges the long-held notion that color and shape are processed in the early stages of vision.
A high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet improved brain function and memory in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. The modified Atkins diet showed small but measurable improvements on standardized tests of memory compared to a low-fat diet.
Increasing Klotho levels improves neurological deficits and prolongs life span in an experimental ALS model. Brain immune cells also play a crucial role in protecting the brain against inflammation and motor neuron loss.
A new study by Tel Aviv University researchers found that fruit bats integrate vision and echolocation to see and use their eyes as much as they hear and use echolocation. The team trained the bats to land on objects in complete darkness, where they transformed echoes into visual images.
Researchers propose two criteria for selecting optimal brain stimulation strategy, considering interactions between hemispheres and neuronal phenotype. This approach aims to improve effectiveness of non-invasive neuromodulation methods in stroke patients.
A study from MPFI has uncovered that CaMKII decodes calcium signals predominantly through its autonomous activity, rather than just its interaction with calmodulin. This finding broadens our understanding of how molecules contribute to memory and synaptic plasticity.
Research from RIKEN Center for Brain Science found that betaine supplementation can counteract psychiatric symptoms in mice, including depressive behaviors and reduced oxidative stress. The study also identified a genetic variant predicting betaine's treatment efficacy, a potential example of precision medicine in psychiatry.
A review paper highlights the importance of choline and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for infant brain and eye development, with inadequate intakes linked to visual and neurocognitive deficits. The study suggests that supplementation, particularly for vulnerable populations, may improve maternal and infant health.
Scientists have discovered that dung beetles utilize wind direction in addition to sun orientation to navigate. This combination enhances the beetle's compass, allowing for more precise navigation even in challenging conditions.
Researchers have discovered that dung beetles use a wind compass and sun compass to navigate, switching between the two depending on the condition. The insects' brains adapt dynamically to the environment, allowing them to make informed decisions.
A USC study found that pericytes, a type of brain cell, secrete a substance that keeps neurons alive even in the presence of leaky blood vessels. This discovery sheds light on the cascade of events leading to neurodegeneration and offers potential therapy strategies.
Researchers at UC Berkeley discovered synchronized brain activity in Egyptian fruit bats during social behaviors like grooming, fighting, or sniffing. The finding opens the door to future studies on how brains process social interactions and has potential implications for understanding diseases affecting social behavior.
Researchers from McMaster University mapped a toxic protein linked to Alzheimer's disease, providing new insights into its behavior and interactions with neurons. The findings highlight the importance of understanding the structural features that differentiate toxic and non-toxic forms of amyloid beta.
UCF researchers identify molecular changes caused by high levels of Propionic Acid, a common acid in processed foods, reducing neuron development in fetal brains. The study suggests a potential link between maternal diet and autism spectrum disorder.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have successfully developed a noninvasive brain-computer interface (BCI) that enables continuous control of a robotic arm using only thoughts. This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize the lives of paralyzed patients and those with movement disorders.
Researchers at King's College London have identified the earliest signs of Parkinson's disease in the brain, many years before symptoms appear. The study found changes to the serotonin system as a key early warning signal for the disease.
A Yale-led study reveals the mechanisms by which leptin increases appetite in response to low energy levels. The research found that reductions in plasma leptin concentrations stimulate food intake through a chain of events involving the brain, endocrine system, and AgRP neurons.
A specific gene associated with a lower amount of a certain nicotine receptor in the brain increases the risk of cannabis abuse. The study, conducted by Aarhus University, analyzed the complete genome of over 2,000 cannabis abusers and found a strong association between the genetic variant and cannabis abuse.
Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School discovered that a protein complex called CRL4 is essential for reactivating dormant neural stem cells in fruit flies, which can then generate new neurons. This finding could lead to therapeutic treatment of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's.
University of Houston researcher Margaret Cheung is exploring the molecular structure of memories at the precise moment they are formed in single neurons. She aims to understand how calcium signaling and calmodulin affect cellular processes, including human cognition.
Researchers propose a personalized model to study age-related cognitive decline, considering individual risk factors, genetic variants and lifestyle. The goal is to maintain brain health throughout the entire adult lifespan.
A new paper suggests that variation in brain energy expenditure during childhood may influence patterns of energy expenditure and weight gain. The study proposes a hypothesis linking the brain's energy demand to obesity risk, highlighting the need for further research into the role of brain development on body weight.
Childhood brain energy expenditure inversely related to body weight gain; variation may explain obesity timing and lifetime risk. Researchers hypothesize that brain energy demand could help predict obesity risk.
A University of Queensland researcher has identified a potential solution to improve skier safety on snow-covered slopes by modifying the grooming patterns used at ski resorts. By altering the size and spacing of these patterns, visibility can be improved in cloudy conditions, reducing the risk of accidents.
Scientists at the University of York have identified two separate pathways for seeing 3D motion in the human brain, allowing people to perform tasks like catching a ball. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new treatments for lazy eye syndrome and improve virtual reality systems.
Research in hypertensive rat models found impaired glymphatic transport and increased ventricles, suggesting hypertension's impact on brain clearance of waste molecules. Treatments targeting hypertension could reduce Alzheimer's disease buildup and delay onset.
The Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA) will continue to support the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of dementia through its second phase. The new study, CAN-THUMBS UP, aims to identify individuals at risk of dementia and provide combination interventions to prevent progression.
A researcher has received funding to develop new models that use brain imaging and genomic data to predict mental health disorders. The goal is to improve diagnosis accuracy by analyzing a patient's genetics and brain activity.
Researchers found a link between sleep patterns and Alzheimer's disease pathology, suggesting new diagnostic tools and prevention strategies.
Research found that superoxide dismutase improves cognition by fighting oxidative damage but loses effectiveness when tau proteins increase, suggesting a losing battle against Alzheimer's disease. Increasing SOD1 production may delay progression of the disease, according to Iowa State University researchers.
The Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences supports young researchers investigating connections between embryos and their mothers, tick-borne diseases, and sensory information processing. The program aims to drive significant scientific discoveries by investing in promising scientists at the beginning stages of their careers.
Researchers found that a pregnant woman's sense of personal space expands only during the third trimester of pregnancy. This expansion is believed to be an adjustment made by the brain to protect the vulnerable abdomen from daily interactions.
A new microfluidic organ chip model of the human blood-brain barrier has been developed, allowing for in vivo-like transport of drugs and therapeutic antibodies. The model recapitulates the physical barrier functions and transport abilities of the human BBB, offering a significant advance in drug development.
Researchers found that the nerve cell activity in one bird's brain synchronizes with its partner when they start singing together. The brains of both birds essentially function as one, leading to perfect duet coordination.
A mouse study published in the Endocrine Society's journal Endocrinology found that BPA exposure may contribute to autism by disrupting nerve cell connections in the brain. Mice exposed to BPA during pregnancy showed social behavioral deficits similar to autistic behavior.
Researchers found that smarter, more educated people have a 'cognitive reserve' that helps them perform better at baseline, but this doesn't affect their actual decline rate. Higher education levels are associated with lower rates of Alzheimer's disease in midlife, regardless of age or brain amyloid beta protein levels.
Researchers found that poison dart frogs possess a sophisticated brain capable of forming a cognitive map of their environment. They demonstrated this by testing the frogs' spatial awareness in a modified Morris water maze, where they successfully located a hidden platform using visual cues and landmarks.
Neuroscientists have discovered that controlling brain waves through rhythmic neural stimulation can improve memory performance. The study, published in Trends in Neurosciences, suggests that this technique may be a promising tool for improving memory and potentially treating conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
A new study suggests that abnormal chemical changes in specific brain areas may cause functional motor symptoms, which can be treated with medications modulating glutamatergic activity. The study found increased levels of glutamate and glutamine in the limbic areas of people with these symptoms.
Researchers have found that anle138b can reduce alpha-synuclein clumps, restore dopamine levels and stop the progression of Parkinson's. Early treatment may be crucial in stopping the condition in its tracks.
A study found that four out of five people with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) experience lasting physical difficulties, with 80% still having symptoms in their arms and legs 14 years later. Doctors are urged to provide realistic prognoses and encourage targeted treatment for patients.
A new study published in Diabetologia found that type 2 diabetes in midlife is associated with a 30% increased risk of serious brain artery blockage leading to stroke. Additionally, individuals with T2DM at ages 40-59 years had double the risk of cerebral occlusion and a 30% higher risk of cerebral infarction.
A small randomized pilot study found that lower-amp ECT was as effective as standard amplitude ECT in treating suicidal thoughts, with faster relief and fewer cognitive side effects. Patients receiving low amp ECT also experienced higher degrees of relief from depressive symptoms.
A new digital meditation training program called MediTrain improved attention and memory in healthy young adults by tailoring the length of sessions to their abilities. The program, which required just 20-30 minutes of practice per day, showed significant effects on attention and working memory.
A study by University of Zurich researchers found that fathers' reliable care is crucial for brain development, while help from other group members is less essential. This discovery explains why some animal species with large-brained mammals have bigger brains due to their fathers' dependable assistance.
A recent study has confirmed a link between gut problems and autism, revealing that the same gene mutations in the brain can also affect the gut nervous system. The discovery suggests that gastrointestinal issues may stem from the same mutations responsible for brain and behavioral issues in autism.
Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan found that low-frequency magnetic stimulation improved cognitive and motor function in rodents with concussions. The therapy also protected the brain from future degeneration and restored normal sleep patterns.
A recent brain study reveals that our brains can identify objects by performing lightning-fast statistical calculations, incorporating previous experiences, to calculate a complete mental representation of an object. This study challenges conventional views on how our brains extract information from the environment.
Researchers observed brain activity while participants made choices between lotteries, finding neural activity responsible for both rational and irrational decision-making. The study suggests that occasional inconsistent choices are fundamental to how a typical brain works, contradicting previous theories.
Research using functional MRI found that music-based care plans enhanced brain circuit connectivity in preterm infants. This suggests music may improve future socio-cognitive function and prevent brain deficits.
A new study found that middle-aged individuals' health can predict their brain function later in life. Factors such as smoking, diabetes, and a history of head injury were associated with increased risk of brain aging.
A new study provides policy recommendations to help legal authorities determine the accuracy of testimonies from children and adults. The authors suggest using scientifically-established protocols, open-ended questions, and analyzing supporting and opposing elements to verify memories.
A Canadian study found women experiencing minor strokes or TIAs are 10% more likely to receive non-stroke diagnoses. Researchers highlight the importance of recognizing atypical symptoms and accurate diagnosis for prevention and treatment.
A recent study led by McGill University researchers offers a crucial step in unlocking the mystery of Leber hereditary optic neuropathy's cause. The team found that superoxide spreading among cells connecting the eye to the brain is likely the cause of the disorder.
Researchers developed stem cell-based disease models to investigate early brain development linked to Down syndrome. They found that inhibiting the OLIG2 gene improved cognitive function in mouse models, suggesting it as a potential prenatal therapeutic target.
Researchers tracked outcomes from 537 people with brain haemorrhage while taking antiplatelet medicines, finding fewer recurrences compared to those who didn't take these treatments. The study suggests treatments may reduce rather than increase risk of further bleeding in the brain.
A team of neuroethicists examined 41 wearable brain devices, identifying issues with claims made by companies about their products. The study highlights the need for more transparent communication about potential outcomes, as well as consideration of ethical implications and potential risks.
Researchers at UC San Diego found that neonatal nicotine exposure changes the biochemistry of the reward circuitry in mice brains, increasing their preference for nicotine in later adulthood. This study suggests a potential mechanism for how early life exposure to nicotine may contribute to addiction later in life.
Researchers have identified a new mechanism that accelerates aging in the brain and gives rise to the most devastating biological features of Alzheimer's disease. This finding unifies three long-standing theories behind the disease's origins into one cohesive narrative.