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.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in developing an objective, brain-based test to diagnose autism. The study used fMRI to measure the response of autistic children to social cues, finding that their brains respond differently than typically developing children.
A study from the University of Oregon suggests that specific angles and sharpness of brain waves in unfiltered EEG data may indicate Parkinson's disease. Researchers used raw, unfiltered beta waves to distinguish between patients on and off medication, providing a potentially new approach for diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers found that older adults who regularly participate in word and number puzzles have improved brain function, particularly in attention, reasoning, and memory. The study suggests that engaging with these puzzles can lead to cognitive improvements equivalent to a decade younger in age.
Researchers found that the risk of stroke at middle age declined by 39% and at older age by 53% between 1998-2005 and previous periods. Lifestyle choices like exercise and a healthy diet can reduce stroke risk across all ages.
Researcher Pat Levitt will investigate how genetic factors interact with early experiences to influence brain circuit development, with a focus on the MET receptor gene. The study aims to determine the brain cells dependent on proper MET function to form healthy connections.
Researchers found that messages about corruption from the rival party have a greater impact on Spanish Popular Party voters' brains, triggering areas related to risk, disappointment, and rejection. This biased rejection affects PP voters more intensely, regardless of whether the message is positive or negative.
A study by Lund University researchers shows that blocking the galectin-3 protein reduces Alzheimer's plaque and inflammation in mice. The protein is also involved in Parkinson's disease and stroke inflammation. Inhibiting galectin-3 with inhibitors can reduce its effects, offering potential treatment avenues.
Researchers found that rTMS improved working memory performance in both young and older adults, with the effect most pronounced when participants were actively using the information. The study suggests that brain stimulation may be a viable treatment option for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.
Researchers captured detailed images of infants' skulls and brains before and during delivery using 3D MRI, finding that fetal head molding occurs in all seven infants, with different parts of the skull overlapping. The study suggests that infants experience greater skull stresses during birth than previously thought, potentially under...
A study published in Gastroenterology suggests that patients with IBS who have multiple intestinal and brain abnormalities experience more severe symptoms, making combination therapy a potential solution to improve treatment outcomes
Research found thalidomide alters CRBN protein function in neural stem cells, leading to smaller brains and embryonic malformations. Increasing CRBN availability results in larger brains.
A new brain-controlled hearing aid technology developed by Columbia engineers can identify and amplify the correct speaker in a crowded environment. The device uses artificial intelligence to monitor wearers' brain waves and boost the voice they want to focus on, solving the 'cocktail party problem' that modern hearing aids struggle with.
Many Americans in their 50s and early 60s worry about declining brain health, taking supplements or doing puzzles to stave off brain decline. However, few have talked with their doctors about evidence-based ways to prevent memory loss, potentially missing out on proven strategies.
A La Trobe University study has found significant levels of fatigue and poor brain function can persist after concussion, with implications for diagnosis and treatment of persistent post-concussion syndrome (PCS). The study used innovative brain technology to assess brain functioning in a way that has never been done before.
A new Johns Hopkins University study found that rewards can improve learning incrementally but mask the true knowledge animals have attained. The researchers trained mice, rats, and ferrets on various tasks with and without rewards, revealing a distinction between knowledge and performance.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine identified average brain changes linked to Alzheimer's disease that occur 3-10 years before symptoms appear. Researchers found subtle cognitive test score changes and protein increases in cerebrospinal fluid an average of 34.4 years before cognitive impairment onset.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that large-scale systems in the brain interact with each other in distinct ways for different psychiatric conditions. The researchers used brain network connectivity data from over 1,000 individuals to identify correlations between brain networks and symptom...
The NIH is funding a new study that aims to discover the link between early life blood sugar levels and middle-aged brain health. The Bogalusa Heart Study will use advanced imaging techniques to assess brain health in participants, and the results could lead to new guidelines for managing childhood blood sugar levels.
A new model demonstrates how a network of neurons can act as a 'neuronal metronome' by accurately estimating time intervals between beats within tens of millisecond accuracy. This framework relies on rhythmic brain activity patterns known as gamma oscillations to keep track of time.
The Excellence in Prehospital Injury Care Project has doubled the survival rate of severe traumatic brain injury victims and tripled the survival rate among those who were intubated. First responders are now taught to treat and prevent the
A new study found that approximately half of former professional athletes with multiple concussions had higher than normal levels of tau protein in their cerebrospinal fluid, linked to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The athletes with high tau levels scored lower on cognitive tests and brain scans showed white matter damage.
Researchers found that electroconvulsive therapy corrects brain networks associated with learning and thinking impairments in individuals with depression. ECT reconfigures brain networks that promote flexibility in how people remember events, helping them cope better with daily challenges.
A new study found that a serotonin shortage in the gut can cause constipation, similar to depression, and that treatment increasing serotonin levels may alleviate both conditions. The research suggests that slow-release 5-HTP therapies could treat related brain-gut disorders.
Researchers at the University of Michigan discovered that paper wasps possess the ability to use known relationships to infer unknown ones, similar to humans. This cognitive skill may be linked to their complex social behavior and dominance hierarchies, allowing them to rapidly make deductions about novel social relationships.
A recent study has discovered that female fruit flies can sense the sensation of sex and reject unwanted partners, independent of sperm presence. The 'copulation effect' involves a neural circuit that allows females to quickly determine if they've successfully mated.
Researchers determined that atrial fibrillation is independently associated with age-related and dementia changes. Longitudinal analysis showed increases in subclinical cerebral infarctions, sulcal size, ventricular size, and white matter hyperintensity volume in people with Afib.
The team's artificial synapse is similar to a battery, emulating how learning is wired in the brain, and processes data in one action. The prototype array outperformed expectations with high speed, energy efficiency, reproducibility and durability, paving the way for small devices to support artificially intelligent learning.
Researchers controlled specific neurons in macaques' brains with images generated by artificial neural networks, demonstrating a new tool for neuroscientists to design experiments. This breakthrough uses current computer vision applications to predict and control visually evoked neural responses in primate brains.
Researchers developed a chemical probe that enables live-imaging of microglia in the brain, crucial for understanding brain development and disease. The probe, CDr20, labels microglia in both human- and primate-derived cells, allowing for clinical-relevant studies.
Researchers created an algorithm that generated images to super-stimulate monkey neurons, showing the brain builds preferred images from scratch. The study reveals insights into how the brain learns to abstract statistically relevant features of its world.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a technique that facilitates precise placement of cancer drugs in the brain using positron emission technology and image-guided drug delivery. This approach shows promising results in improving treatment outcomes for difficult-to-treat brain cancers, such as glioblastoma.
A new experimental therapy has demonstrated potential in slowing the progression of a genetic form of ALS by reducing SOD1 protein levels. Patients who received the treatment showed improved breathing capacity, muscle strength, and functional abilities compared to those given a placebo.
Researchers found that resting state of signaling proteins are highly mobile and dynamic, affecting how they respond to drugs. This new understanding may explain previous disappointments in drug development for neurological diseases.
Scientists have developed a new method to quickly map brain connections, enabling systematic study of connection patterns within single individuals. The technique, combining infrared laser stimulation with functional MRI, reveals the direction of information flowing in the brain, critical for understanding brain processing.
A new form of dementia, Limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE), has been characterized by researchers. LATE affects multiple areas of cognition and its progression is more gradual than Alzheimer's disease. Further research into LATE may lead to the development of disease-specific drugs.
Researchers have identified a drug that can reverse hyperactivity induced by Toxoplasma gondii infection, reducing inflammation rather than parasite reduction. The study suggests the immune system plays a key role in behavioral changes caused by the parasite.
Research on brain-heart interactions may lead to life-saving therapies for heart failure and arrhythmia by manipulating specific nerves to emit electrical signals. Dr. Cheng's lab is developing a comprehensive map of neurons and their connections to the heart.
Studies found that all brain parts process touch signals, complementing each other for perception. Brain network processing information as a single network with partially different functions from situation to situation.
Research at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience reveals that insomnia may be caused by a failing neutralization of emotional distress. Good sleepers can settle past experiences as neutralized memories, but people with insomnia are unable to do so.
Researchers found that Integrator complex proteins regulate Earmuff, a transcription factor that prevents dedifferentiation. This process is critical for healthy brain development. Mutations in human Integrator genes are associated with neurodevelopmental syndrome.
A team of Arizona State University psychologists tested how people interpret the timing and sequence of physical touches, finding that people tend to prioritize their own action when sequencing events. The study used three experiments to test this effect, with consistent results showing a 50 millisecond delay in perceived time.
Researchers used brain signals from epilepsy patients to program a computer to mimic natural speech, potentially improving quality of life for paralyzed individuals. The study successfully recreated vocal sounds with varying accuracy and demonstrated generalizability across patients.
A new study found that CBD buffers against THC's effects on the brain, potentially making higher-CBD cannabis strains less harmful. The research used fMRI to gauge how different cannabis strains impact brain function.
A study found that exercise-induced cognitive improvements can be inherited by offspring via sperm. Exercise has been shown to increase the growth of immature neurons and improve mitochondrial function in the brain, leading to enhanced memory performance.
Researchers found that light-intensity physical activity is associated with larger brain volume and healthy brain aging. The study suggests that achieving even moderate levels of physical activity may be beneficial for preventing dementia.
A groundbreaking experiment has successfully restored some functions and structures in donated pig brains for up to four hours after they were butchered. The result challenges the notion that mammalian brains are fully and irreversibly damaged by a lack of oxygen, raising questions about when to save patients and organs.
A 30-person study found that the brain implements mathematically optimal principles for perception in a 'middle ground' between opposing literature. The results suggest that human perception is based on imprecise sensory inputs, but still follows optimal strategies.
Researchers at Georgia State University discovered that societal expectations around gender roles can alter the human brain at a cellular level. This finding suggests that epigenetic marks in the brain drive differences between males and females, influenced by gender identity rather than just biological sex.
Researchers have found that cannabidiol (CBD) can be used as a 'Trojan horse' to deliver medications across the blood-brain barrier and into the brains of mice. CBD was attached to lipid nanocarriers, which caused more fluorescent molecules to pass through brain cells, resulting in targeted delivery to the animal's brains.
Researchers study coelacanth specimens at different stages of cranial development, providing new insights into the biology of this iconic animal. The study reveals unique observations about the development of the living coelacanth skull and brain, and opens up new avenues for research on the evolution of vertebrate heads.
A new study provides fresh insights into the development of the Coelacanth skull and brain, revealing a unique 'intracranial joint' that allows the fish to survive despite its small brain size. The research also sheds light on the evolution of vertebrate species, including humans.
A recent study from Binghamton University found that negative behaviors like substance abuse can lead to a cycle of poor lifestyle choices, mental distress, and low grades. Positive behaviors, on the other hand, support brain chemistry profiles that promote mood maturity and rational thinking.
Researchers at MUSC found that procedure time is vital in thrombectomy success, with diminishing returns after the 60-minute mark. The study suggests that surgeons should pause and reassess if a procedure is worth continuing beyond this point.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that ICU patients with non-brain-related injuries often experience cognitive deficits, despite lack of brain injury. The study used online tests to detect cognitive impairments in 20 patients and revealed significant cognitive deficits in memory, attention, decision-making, and reasoning.
The PATHS program, funded by Chan Zuckerberg Initiative grants, aims to empower underrepresented students to succeed in STEM fields at UC San Diego. The initiative replicates successful models from UMBC's Meyerhoff Scholars Program and offers research experiences, team learning, peer counseling, and more.
The Charisma for Youth program has shown strong results in improving social skills in children with autism, ADHD, and self-worth challenges. The program involves virtual sessions that teach real-world social scenarios, resulting in improved ability to understand others' points of view, start conversations, recognize emotions, and build...
A small-scale NIH-led clinical study found that pembrolizumab can slow or stop the progression of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a fatal brain infection caused by the JC virus. The treatment resulted in improved symptoms and reduced viral levels in five patients with PML.
Parvalbumin-containing cells have been found to regulate blood flow and volume in different brain regions, pulling back excess supply when activated. This discovery sheds new light on the role of these cells in neurovascular coupling and their potential involvement in neurological disorders.
A two-center study used EEGs to assess the impact of maternal stress on infant brain development, finding distinct patterns in brain activity at just 2 months old. Babies whose mothers reported higher levels of stress tended to have lower power in higher frequency bands and relatively higher power in lower-frequency bands.
A new mouse study found that consuming alcohol and a high-fat diet activate the same brain circuitry, leading to binge eating patterns. This research suggests that limiting access to high-fat foods may help curb excessive alcohol consumption.