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 identified 200 genetic loci linked to multiple sclerosis, a disease where the immune system attacks the brain and spine. The study, which analyzed over 110,000 samples, highlights the complex interplay of different immune cells in MS susceptibility.
Boston University School of Medicine professor Sudha Seshadri has been awarded three grants totaling $20 million to study healthy brain aging, stroke, and dementia. Her research aims to identify biomarkers for AD and explore reversible lifestyle and vascular risk factors that contribute to dementia risk.
Researchers at MPFI and NYU will use the grant to develop new optogenetic technologies, focusing on synaptic plasticity and its role in learning and memory. The goal is to improve knowledge of biochemical events underlying synaptic plasticity and provide insights into brain disorders.
Researchers have identified a critical survival mechanism that allows animals to quickly respond to and escape from noxious thermal landscapes. The study found that thermosensory neurons in the brain are responsible for sensing the rate of temperature change, with a fast response triggered by rapid increases in temperature.
Researchers studied Zika virus's effects on animal models during early postnatal development and at weaning, finding increased apoptosis in certain brain areas and cell types. This knowledge could help develop treatments for Zika-related birth defects such as microcephaly.
A study of 700 patients aged 65 or older found that sedating them with a mild sedative after surgery reduced the risk of post-operative delirium by nearly two-thirds. The condition, which can cause confusion and hallucinations, affects up to one in three people who have major operations.
Researchers discovered that jumping spiders can detect sounds at distances of over three meters, a finding that changes scientists' understanding of the world spiders live in. The spiders' hearing is most sensitive to frequencies associated with the wingbeats of parasitoid wasp enemies, prompting a startle response.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation has awarded $13.7 million in NARSAD Young Investigator Grants to support groundbreaking neurobiological research on psychiatric disorders affecting one in five people. The grants aim to improve treatments and develop prevention strategies for mental illnesses.
A recent virtual reality study has found that our perception of space and our bodies plays a crucial role in regulating emotional experience and exploratory behavior. By manipulating sensory input on gait and spatial context, researchers have shown that this interplay can intensify or reduce fear and enhance exploration.
A $1.65 million Department of Defense grant will support the development of a brain-machine-brain interface (BMBI) aimed at helping TBI and stroke patients regain motor function. The BMBI records signals from one part of the brain, processes them in real time, then bridges the injury by stimulating a second part of the brain.
A new study found that limited video game play time may provide benefits to children, including improved motor skills and higher school achievement scores. However, excessive gaming was linked to conduct problems, peer conflicts, and reduced social abilities.
A study published in Cell Reports reveals that astroglial cells play a crucial role in forming the corpus callosum, a bridge-like structure connecting the two hemispheres of the brain. Without this cellular support, callosal agenesis occurs, affecting 1 in 4,000 people and leading to developmental disorders.
Researchers removed single neurons from fruit fly embryos to gain insight into gene expression control in developing brain networks. The study identified B52, a protein linked to acetylcholine production, and its disruption may cause severe mental problems.
Research reveals females react differently than males to social isolation, experiencing stress and releasing corticosterone. In contrast, male mice show no similar reaction to physical stress, such as swimming, suggesting a lack of sensitivity towards stressors.
Researchers found that genetic variations controlling neuronal development explain male preferences, suggesting brain over nose plays a key role in mate choice. The study sheds light on the evolution of pheromone systems and brain complexity in moths.
A Baylor University study found that spending quality time together in familiar activities inside the home is a better predictor of happiness for families. The research involved 1,502 individuals in 884 families in the UK and suggested that all family leisure is not equal, with some activities being more effective than others.
Researchers found that glial cells, including astrocytes, are impaired by the genetic defect and involved in symptoms of fragile X syndrome. The study suggests looking beyond neuronal effects to fully understand the disease.
A team of researchers has uncovered the detailed structure of a Type IV pilus, revealing how it binds to and disrupts endothelial cell junctions to breach the blood-brain barrier. This discovery could lead to new ways of treating meningococcal infection and potentially even therapies that deliberately open the blood-brain barrier.
Researchers found that mice can maintain learning and memory when virtually all ApoE is removed from the brain, as long as it remains present in the liver to filter cholesterol. This study supports the belief that reducing ApoE in the brain could be a viable therapeutic option for treating Alzheimer's.
A new type of bike helmet with an air bag system shows promise in reducing the risk of skull fracture and other brain injuries. The helmet's larger size and cushioning provide added protection, but initial pressure is crucial for optimal performance.
Columbia scientists have developed a mathematical model that explains how the human brain lays down new memories without wiping out old ones. The model, which describes synapses as systems with multiple dials, increases storage capacity by an enormous factor and provides a framework for future studies of memory.
Researchers found that midshipman fish rely on a light-driven internal clock and the hormone melatonin to determine when to sing. The study shows that melatonin acts directly on the vocal circuitry in the midshipman's brain, causing them to hum at night.
A systematic review of brain-training studies found limited evidence supporting claims of improved cognitive abilities in daily life. The researchers identified numerous methodological flaws, including inadequate control groups and a lack of measures for real-world performance.
A study by Rush researchers found that TDP-43, a previously recognized pathologic protein, is more likely to result in diagnosed Alzheimer's dementia when combined with plaques and tangles. Mixed pathologies increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's dementia above and beyond just having these brain abnormalities.
A recent study in the American Journal of Psychiatry suggests that a misinterpretation of brain function has hindered the development of effective treatments for fear and anxiety disorders. The researchers propose a new framework that recognizes the distinction between conscious feelings and behavioral/physiological responses.
Researchers discovered that fluoxetine, an antidepressant, causes bone loss by increasing epinephrine levels and impairing bone formation. However, co-treating with low-dose beta-blockers may prevent this effect. This finding has significant implications for preventing fractures in peri- and postmenopausal women.
Researchers found that lysozyme increases in the brains of Alzheimer's patients and has favorable effects on fly models of the disease. The findings indicate that lysozyme may represent a clinical marker for Alzheimer's and a potential therapeutic strategy to slow disease progression.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that craniectomy significantly reduces the risk of death from brain swelling after a head injury. Craniectomy also improved patient outcomes at 6-12 months post-injury, with nearly half of patients regaining independence.
Researchers have identified a rare neurological disorder caused by GPT2 gene mutations, replicating the disease in lab cultures and mouse models. The study reveals insights into brain development, neurotransmitter function, and metabolic pathways, providing new opportunities for diagnosis and treatment.
A Cancer Research UK-funded clinical trial found that whole brain radiotherapy makes little difference in survival and quality of life for lung cancer patients with brain metastases. Patients who received radiotherapy lived five days longer but experienced only small improvements in quality of life.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that language learning boosts brain activity and increases neuroplasticity, leading to improved information processing. The more languages a person knows, the faster their brain adapts to new information.
Research collaboration reveals that blood flow to the brain increased by 600% over human evolution, linked to intelligence growth. Ancient fossil skulls show larger holes in arteries, indicating faster increase in blood flow rate.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that taller individuals have a natural advantage when it comes to spatial relations and judging the location of targets in their middle-distance vision. This ability is particularly important in situations with limited visual cues, such as darkness or obstacles.
A University of Adelaide-led project found that the human brain evolved to become more energetically costly and blood-thirsty, increasing in size by 600% while its metabolic activity grew. This increase is linked to the development of complex thinking and learning abilities.
Researchers found that psychopaths can experience fear, but have trouble detecting threats automatically, and may even feel fear consciously. The study provides new insights into the neural processes underlying fear and psychopathy.
LifeVest, developed to assist newborns breathe, won the competition based on market opportunity and competitive advantage. The technology uses NAVA signal to trigger ventilator breath assistance, greatly improving infant breathing.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed syringe-injectable mesh electronics that stably record neural activity in mice for eight months or more, opening up new possibilities for studying neuro-degenerative diseases and aging processes. The technology also enables the delivery of electrical stimulation to the brain over three m...
Researchers found that when neurons fire in a coordinated rhythm, like different instruments in an orchestra, we remember the order of events. Notably, gamma activity associated with each object was temporally ordered along a slower theta oscillation when the order was correctly encoded.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have developed a way to detect alpha-synuclein, a protein linked to Parkinson's disease, in spinal fluid samples. The new test shows promise in identifying patients with Parkinson's and Lewy body dementia in early stages.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona have made significant advances in developing shuttle peptides that can transport drugs across the blood-brain barrier. These peptide vectors show promise for treating neurological diseases with improved efficiency and lower side effects.
A study by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that visual interference can disrupt recall of what things look like. The study, published in the Journal of Memory and Language, challenged widely held theories about visual knowledge and how it is processed in the brain.
Scientists at HKUST discover how PSD proteins form in living cells via phase-transition, revealing a possible answer to the long-standing question of PSD formation. The study also found that defects in these proteins can alter synaptic signaling activity and contribute to brain disorders.
A new mouse model reveals Zika virus can replicate for extended periods in the vagina, leading to brain infection and growth restriction. Researchers also investigate potential blocking methods using the interferon pathway.
The NSF has awarded $55 million to 11 institutions to build research capacity on pressing issues like the brain, energy, and water. These collaborative projects foster innovation, train a STEM workforce, and develop new tools for neuroscience and sustainable systems.
Researchers found that activating cannabinoid signaling increases activity in retinal ganglion cells, allowing tadpoles to detect dimmer objects in low light. This discovery challenges previous understanding of cannabinoids' role in vision and provides a potential mechanism for their therapeutic use.
AlphaGo, a computer program, defeated an 18-time world champion of Go by integrating data-driven AI approaches and recognizing game patterns
A new NIH-funded study aims to understand individual vulnerabilities to drug addiction by studying genes that influence brain function. The research team will use mouse models to identify specific genes and pathways contributing to poor self-control and associated addiction risk.
Researchers found that Zika virus congenital infection causes a range of brain malformations, including cortical malformations and ventriculomegaly. The study used CT, MRI, and ultrasound to assess pregnant women, fetuses, and newborns infected with the virus.
Researchers found that BPA affects male turtle brains, inducing female-like behavior and altering navigational abilities. This could lead to dramatic population declines in painted turtles, making them a potential indicator species for ecosystem health.
Dr. Leonidas Iasemidis leads a multi-institutional team to investigate the origins and impacts of brain seizures associated with epilepsy. The project aims to uncover the causes of seizures and their impact on higher brain functions such as memory.
Researchers at Georgia State University identified a brain mechanism that prevents morphine tolerance and addiction. Blocking a particular cytokine eliminated morphine tolerance, reducing the dose required for pain relief by half.
A collaborative project led by Peter Ulric Tse aims to develop a unified model of attention that applies across multiple domains. The goal is to understand focused attention, critical for daily tasks, and its impact on brain systems.
The NSF has awarded 18 grants for frontier research on neural and cognitive systems, exploring complexities of brain and behavior. The projects will contribute to the BRAIN Initiative, advancing neurotechnologies and understanding individuality and variation.
A Yale study reveals how the Zika virus crosses the maternal-fetal barrier, affecting infant brain development. Researchers found that specific placenta cells are susceptible to infection, potentially leading to fetal brain damage.
Researchers found that even with the docking stations destroyed, neurons still emitted signals when demand was low and transmitted robust signals when triggers were present. The study suggests the presence of mechanisms maintaining partial communication in the nervous system.
Researchers at University of Washington have introduced a new way to communicate that allows devices like brain implants, contact lenses, and credit cards to talk to everyday devices. The new technique, called interscatter communication, works by converting Bluetooth signals into Wi-Fi transmissions over the air.
A wearable neurotechnology device has been shown to improve sleep quality and lower the risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in military personnel. The study, published recently, found that sleep improvement may be a strategic approach to reducing new-onset cases of PTSD in service members deployed to combat zones.
Researchers have identified two Zika proteins responsible for thousands of microcephaly cases in Brazil and elsewhere. These proteins stunt brain development and promote autophagy, leading to reduced neural stem cell differentiation and growth.
Researchers have successfully developed three novel approaches to restoring vision in individuals with severe eye injuries. Dr. Rizzo's team aims to bypass the damaged optic nerve, while Dr. Weitz's team focuses on generating precise images without causing inaccurate visual field distortions. Meanwhile, Dr. Kao explores using optical p...
Scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding the parasites that cause Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, and human African trypanosomiasis, three neglected diseases affecting 20 million people worldwide. A new chemical has been developed to kill these parasites, offering hope for effective treatments.