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Using virtual reality to identify brain areas involved in memory

A study published in Nature Communications used virtual reality to train subjects, then showed that different areas of the hippocampus are activated for different types of memories. The researchers found that the hippocampus is involved in linking similar experiences and encoding time and space information.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 25, 2018

The brain's GPS has a buddy system

Researchers have discovered that brain cells in the hippocampus process spatial information about both oneself and others. This 'buddy system' allows for joint location awareness, enabling rats to track each other's movements through a maze. The findings extend our understanding of the hippocampus' role as the brain's positioning system.

SourceRIKEN·JournalScience·DateJan 11, 2018

Some video games are good for older adults' brains

Researchers found that playing 3D video games like Super Mario 64 increased gray matter volume in the hippocampus and cerebellum of older adults. This led to improved short-term memory and cognitive function. The study suggests that learning new things, such as through video games or piano lessons, can reverse age-related brain atrophy.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 6, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Tracking down genetic influences on brain disorders

New findings help clarify genetic influence on brain disorders by analyzing 3 million genomic locations, revealing links to schizophrenia and other disorders. The study identifies specific variable locations in the genome that affect gene expression and DNA methylation.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 27, 2017

Exercise increases brain size, new research finds

A new Australian-led study found that aerobic exercise increases the size of the left region of the hippocampus, a critical area for memory and other brain functions. The study showed significant benefits of exercise on brain health, with implications for preventing age-related neurodegenerative disorders.

SourceNICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University·JournalNeuroImage·DateNov 13, 2017

How challenges change the way you think

Research in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience found that challenging situations negatively impact the brain's ability to acquire spatial and sequential context. Participants performed poorly on tests after watching clips of positive, negative, and neutral situations.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·DateNov 9, 2017

Scientists identify mechanism that helps us inhibit unwanted thoughts

Researchers discovered that a neurotransmitter called GABA plays a crucial role in inhibiting unwanted thoughts, particularly in individuals with disorders such as schizophrenia and anxiety. The study found that higher GABA concentrations in the hippocampus are associated with better thought suppression abilities.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 3, 2017

Study shows how memories ripple through the brain

A recent NIH-funded study used innovative NeuroGrid technology to show that sleep boosts communication between the hippocampus and association neocortex, crucial for memory formation. The research suggests that neural dialogue between these regions helps retain information during sleep.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke·JournalScience·DateOct 30, 2017
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Memory rides the ripples for long-term storage

Researchers observed coordination between high-frequency oscillations and parts of the association cortex, which helped explicit memories transition from hippocampus to association cortex for long-term storage. The coupling was strengthened during sleep after learning.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateOct 19, 2017

Navigation and spatial memory: New brain region identified to be involved

Researchers have discovered a new brain area, the retrosplenial cortex, that plays a crucial role in spatial memory and navigation. This finding could lead to a better understanding of how our brains process spatial information and may shed light on neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 16, 2017

Playing with your brain

A new study by Dr. Véronique Bohbot and Dr. Greg West found that playing action video games for 90 hours can lead to grey matter loss in the hippocampus, but playing 3D-platform games may be safer and more beneficial for brain spatial memory. This research highlights the importance of choosing the right type of game to play.

SourceMcGill University·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateAug 8, 2017
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.

Playing action video games can actually harm your brain

A new study suggests that habitual players of action video games have less grey matter in their hippocampus, a major part of the brain associated with spatial memory and remembering past experiences. The study found that gaming can lead to changes in the brain that increase the risk of developing brain illnesses and diseases.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateAug 7, 2017

Drug improves brain performance in Rett syndrome mice

Researchers found a small-molecule drug improves synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus and object location memory in Rett syndrome mice. The treatment also restored general locomotor activity to normal levels, offering hope for patients with neurodevelopmental disorders.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalDisease Models & Mechanisms·DateJul 27, 2017

Reduced mastication results in the impairment of memory and learning function

Research found that reduced mastication in mice led to suppressed maxillofacial bone and muscle growth, as well as reduced neural activity in the hippocampus, a key component of memory. This study suggests maintaining or strengthening masticatory function may help prevent dementia and memory/learning dysfunction.

SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalJournal of Dental Research·DateJul 10, 2017
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Controlling memory by triggering specific brain waves during sleep

Researchers at the Institute for Basic Science used optogenetics to manipulate thalamic spindles in mice, affecting their ability to recall memories. The study found that artificial spindles administered at specific timing enhanced memory consolidation, while reduced spindles impaired recall.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNeuron·DateJul 6, 2017

Plasma membrane protein may help generate new neurons in the adult hippocampus

A new study published in The FASEB Journal reveals that the plasma membrane protein Efr3a plays a crucial role in regulating learning and memory by promoting adult hippocampal neurogenesis. This process is essential for learning and memory, and the study provides new insights into its mechanisms.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateMay 11, 2017

Brain tissue structure could explain link between fitness and memory

Researchers discovered that the microstructure of the hippocampus, particularly its viscoelasticity, is correlated with fitness and memory performance. The study used magnetic resonance elastography to measure the structural integrity of the hippocampus in healthy young adults.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNeuroImage·DateMay 1, 2017
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Harnessing brain's internal reserves might help treat epilepsy

Researchers have discovered that activating the endocannabinoid system of the brain can reduce or completely suppress epileptic activity in test animals. This finding has significant implications for developing new treatments for temporal lobe epilepsy, a common form of the condition.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalBrain Research·DateMar 29, 2017

Satnavs 'switch off' parts of the brain

Researchers found that using a satnav switches off brain regions involved in navigating new streets, suggesting the technology reduces mental effort. The study also mapped London's street network to understand how the brain reacts to different layouts.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 21, 2017
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Study identifies molecular signal for maintaining adult neuron

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have identified a molecular signal that maintains adult neuron structure in the hippocampus, a region crucial for learning and memory. The study found that reintroducing this protein restored nerve cell structures to some extent, suggesting potential avenues for studying neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 18, 2017

New avenue for anti-depressant therapy discovered

Researchers identified a new molecule that alleviates anxiety and depressive behavior in rodents by inhibiting JNK protein. This discovery provides fresh insight into the brain's regulation of mood and indicates potential for new anti-depressant drug development.

SourceAcademy of Finland·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateJan 18, 2017

New system for forming memories

A study published in Science found that the entorhinal cortex replays memories of movement independently of the hippocampus, challenging the long-held view of the hippocampus as the primary memory region. The medial entorhinal cortex acts like a navigational system, providing cues for location and movement to the hippocampus.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalScience·DateJan 12, 2017

Researchers uncover how hippocampus influences future thinking

Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have discovered that the hippocampus is crucial for constructing scenes in one's mind when imagining the future. This finding sheds light on how the brain supports the capacity to imagine the future and identifies key brain regions involved.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalCerebral Cortex·DateDec 5, 2016
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Enzyme research provides a new picture of depression

Researchers found that individuals lacking the CYP2C19 enzyme have a lower risk of depression and larger hippocampi in adulthood. Increased expression of the enzyme is associated with higher suicidal incidences in depressed patients, suggesting that early life influences may contribute to depression's development.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateNov 29, 2016

Concern that radiation may contribute to development of Alzheimer's

Researchers found that chronic low-dose-rate ionizing radiation can induce molecular changes in the brain resembling Alzheimer's disease. Studies exposed mice to cumulative doses of radiation, inducing changes in the hippocampus, a key region for learning and memory.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalOncoTargets and Therapy·DateOct 27, 2016
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Female brains change in sync with hormones

Scientists discovered that female brain structures change monthly in response to hormonal fluctuations, particularly the hippocampus which plays a crucial role in memories and emotions. The study aims to better understand premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) by examining the brain's monthly rhythm.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 11, 2016

A reward makes rats more likely to replay memories in reverse

Researchers found that rats' memories of reaching a reward play forward and backward in their hippocampus. The number of reverse replays rose with the size of the reward, while forward replays remained constant, suggesting different roles for each form of fast-motion simulation.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateAug 25, 2016
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Too much activity in certain areas of the brain is bad for memory and attention

Researchers at the University of Nottingham found that faulty inhibitory neurotransmission and excessive activity in the hippocampus impair memory and attention. The study highlights the importance of well-balanced neural activity within brain regions, suggesting that both too much and too little activity can cause impairments.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalCerebral Cortex·DateAug 23, 2016

Can a brain scan early in stress predict eventual memory loss?

Research reveals that a brief period of stress can cause the hippocampus to start shrinking, which precedes the onset of memory loss. The study found that stressed rats performed poorly in memory tests compared to unstressed rats, with individual differences in brain shrinkage predicting worse performance.

SourceNational Centre for Biological Sciences·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 26, 2016

Western-style diet linked to state-dependent memory inhibition

Researchers found that a Western diet impairs the ability to inhibit memories of palatable foods, making it harder to resist treats even when full. This link between dietary habits and brain function could explain why some people develop persistent desires for snacks leading to obesity.

SourceSociety for the Study of Ingestive Behavior·DateJul 12, 2016
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

A new experimental system sheds light on how memory loss may occur

Researchers have developed a new mouse model to study the role of the entorhinal cortex in spatial memory. The model showed that silencing the entorhinal cortex led to scrambled memory codes and impaired navigation. This study provides insights into how dysfunction of this circuit may contribute to memory loss in Alzheimer's disease.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalCell Reports·DateJun 30, 2016

Size of brain region is associated with response to PTSD treatment

A study found that patients with a larger hippocampus are more likely to respond to exposure-based therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The researchers examined the relationship between hippocampus volume and response to treatment in 50 participants with PTSD.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·DateMay 12, 2016
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Researchers discover moving, electrically 'silent' source initiates brain waves

A traveling spike generator has been found to initiate brain waves in the hippocampus, a part of the brain associated with memory. The generator appears to move across the region while generating brain waves, but produces no electrical signal. This discovery may provide new insights into epilepsy treatment and memory consolidation.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·DateApr 20, 2016

Forgetting to learn

Researchers found a pathway in the brain linked to forgetting, which erases memories. The study suggests a balance between learning and forgetting is necessary for memory formation.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 18, 2016

Circuit for experience-informed decision-making ID'd in rats

Researchers discovered a key brain circuit responsible for using past experiences to guide decision-making in rats. The circuit involves coordinated activity between the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex during awake mental replay of past experiences.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·JournalNeuron·DateMar 11, 2016
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Benefits of taking the natural pigment astaxanthin

A University of Tsukuba study found that astaxanthin promotes neurogenesis in the hippocampus and elevates learning and memory capacity. The research discovered specific molecular pathways contributing to improved memory capacity, paving the way for targeted mechanisms in medical food development.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalMolecular Nutrition & Food Research·DateFeb 22, 2016

Memory ensembles

The brain regulates the size of neuronal ensembles that reflect the memory trace to optimize performance, researchers from Université de Genève demonstrate. The study shows that inhibiting or resurfacing a memory can be achieved by targeting neurons in the hippocampus.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNeuron·DateFeb 11, 2016
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Men have better sense of direction than women

Researchers found that men use cardinal directions more efficiently and the hippocampus less than women, while women rely on local memory. Administering testosterone improved women's navigation skills, but not their performance.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·DateDec 7, 2015

Micro-map of hippocampus lends big hand to brain research

Researchers at The Neuro compiled a detailed map of the hippocampus, improving tools for diagnosing and treating epilepsy. The new atlas provides non-invasive ways to assess therapy impact and improve patient quality of life.

SourceMcGill University Health Centre·JournalScientific Data·DateDec 3, 2015

900,000 Euros for memory research

A three-year project is launching to investigate neural network mechanisms of sequence generation in the hippocampus. The researchers aim to shed light upon the neuronal foundations of memory, a brain structure crucial for remembering personal experiences.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·DateNov 30, 2015
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Working memory: Underlying processes are more complex than we thought

Researchers discovered two alternating activity states in the hippocampus that enable effective working memory, a crucial process for retaining new information. This finding suggests that complex tasks rely on intricate neural mechanisms, contrary to common perceptions of simplicity.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalCell Reports·DateOct 30, 2015

The nonagenarian athlete: Researchers study Olga Kotelko's brain

A study published in Neurocase found that Olga Kotelko's brain showed some promising signs, with intact white-matter tracts and a hippocampus larger than expected. However, her brain also had advanced aging markers, highlighting the need for further research into the effects of exercise on cognition in older adults.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·DateAug 17, 2015

Study finds where our brain stores the time and place of memories

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that the hippocampus represents time and space for at least a month of memories spanning up to 30 kilometers. The researchers used an Android-based smartphone to collect real-life photos, which were later analyzed using fMRI scanning.

SourceOhio State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 17, 2015
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.