Articles tagged with Brain
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.
Researchers discovered mice's instinctive behavioral responses based on vision alone, offering a reliable way for future studies. The study found mice freeze 84% of the time when seeing small discs moving slowly across the screen, while fleeing 88% of the time when seeing growing discs simulating approaching predators.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of brain training exercises found that speed of processing training can significantly reduce the risk of dementia. The study, which included 2,832 participants, showed a 48% reduction in dementia risk over 10 years with this specific exercise.
Researchers at Salk Institute discover that the timing of brain activity, not just the number of spikes, is crucial for recognizing shapes and perceiving the world. The study's findings have potential applications in developing more accurate visual prosthetics for people with blindness.
Scientists have developed a rapid and robust protocol to generate functional human GABAergic neurons from stem cells in a single step. This allows for the creation of high-quality neuron populations for studying psychiatric disorders and rapidly screening drugs.
Researchers discovered that ion channel Sandman plays a critical role in sleep control. When dopamine levels increase, Sandman moves outside the cell, effectively shutting down sleep-control neurons and leading to wakefulness.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed dust-sized wireless sensors that can be implanted in the body to monitor internal nerves, muscles, or organs in real-time. The technology also enables stimulation of nerves and muscles to treat disorders such as epilepsy or stimulate the immune system.
Researchers found that a sea lion named Ronan can keep the beat better than any other non-human animal, suggesting that beat-keeping abilities may be more ancient and widespread than thought. The study used mathematical equations to analyze Ronan's brain activity while she moved to different rhythms.
The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has awarded fellowships to 17 early career researchers conducting basic and translational cancer research. The four-year awards total nearly $3.95 million, providing independent funding to support novel ideas in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health have identified a new target for preventing Alzheimer's disease, targeting the mechanism behind neural and vascular death. The study suggests that Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors may be effective in delaying symptom onset and improving quality of life for patients.
The Health-eBrain Study launches Phase II to investigate the impact of Alzheimer's caregiving on brain and behavioral health. An international cohort of caregivers will use a mobile app to assess their cognitive function over 12 weeks, tracking stress levels, sleep, mood, and self-evaluation of memory.
A study comparing SRS alone to SRS combined with WBRT found that SRS alone resulted in less cognitive deterioration at 3 months, with higher quality of life. The findings suggest that SRS alone may be a preferred strategy for patients with 1-3 brain metastases.
A Pew Research Center survey found that a majority of Americans are worried about the potential use of gene editing, brain chip implants, and synthetic blood to 'enhance' human abilities. The survey reveals concerns about unequal access and moral acceptability, with more people expecting downsides than benefits.
Research reveals racial differences in stroke care procedures, with minority patients receiving more life-sustaining treatments like gastrostomy and tracheostomy. However, curative procedures such as IVT and carotid revascularization were less common among minority patients, highlighting disparities in stroke care.
A new study published in JAMA Neurology found that tau imaging using [18F]-AV-1451 PET tracing distinguished participants with Alzheimer's from those who were cognitively normal. Elevated binding was also associated with volume loss in parts of the brain.