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Discovery of retinal cell type ends 4-decade search

A research team at UCSC and Salk Institute has discovered a new retinal cell type called the upsilon cell, which shares similar properties with Y retinal ganglion cells. The discovery may help humans see motion and is a significant step towards understanding how primates process visual information.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Penn researchers calculate how much the eye tells the brain

The human retina can transmit data at roughly 10 million bits per second, similar to Ethernet connections. Researchers used a miniature multi-electrode array to record electrical impulses from guinea pig retinas, revealing that sluggish cells convey most of the information.

Light-sensing cells in retina develop before vision

Researchers discovered that light-sensing retinal ganglion cells are active and functioning at birth, surprising the developmental timeline of the mouse retina. The cells react to light in two ways, sending messages to parts of the brain controlling circadian rhythms and visual development.

The synapse is a shotgun

Researchers have developed a biologically accurate computer simulation of synaptic function, indicating that the synapse may behave like a shotgun firing buckshot-like bursts of neurotransmitter to reach receptors arrayed beyond known receiving sites. The new data suggest an alternative mode of neurotransmission called ectopic release.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Researchers identify key pathway in the pupil’s response to light

Researchers identify a crucial pathway in the retina that allows the pupil to respond to light, even when rods and cones are absent. This discovery suggests a complex non-visual photoreceptive system in the inner retina that helps regulate the body's internal clock and unconscious activities.

Tracing the neural circuitry of ‘second sight’

Researchers mapped the neural circuitry of a light-sensing system that governs the body's internal clock and regulates sleep-wake cycles, discoveries that could lead to new treatments for jet lag and depression. The study identified melanopsin as a key player in this system.

Study suggests potential new approach to glaucoma therapy

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have identified a potential new approach to treating glaucoma by inhibiting an enzyme that produces excessive nitric oxide, leading to cell damage. The study found that rats with elevated eye pressure lost less than 10% of their retinal ganglion cells when treated with the inhibitor.