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Connectivity scans could serve as brain ‘blueprints’ for adolescents, researchers find

Two new studies by experts at Georgia State University's TReNDS Center highlight the potential of brain imaging to identify biomarkers for cognitive developments and psychiatric issues in adolescent brains. The research team analyzed functional network connectivity across scans and found associations with various health measures, inclu...

SourceGeorgia State University·JournalNature Mental Health·TypeImaging analysis·DateNov 7, 2023

Brain implant may enable communication from thoughts alone

A new speech prosthetic developed by Duke neuroscientists and engineers can translate brain signals into spoken words, improving communication for people with neurological disorders. The device achieved an accuracy rate of 40% in predicting intended speech from 90 seconds of brain activity.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 6, 2023

Parkinson's: New hope when treatment options seem exhausted

Researchers found that changing treatment can lead to significant improvement in mobility and quality of life for patients with advanced Parkinson's disease. A nationwide registry is planned to develop scientifically sound guidelines for combination therapies.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNeurology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 6, 2023
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

What happens when we pass out? Researchers ID new brain and heart connections

Scientists have discovered a genetic pathway between the heart and brain tied to fainting, suggesting that the heart sends signals back to the brain that can change its function. The study found that vagal sensory neurons play a key role in fainting, with their activation leading to rapid pupil dilation, suppressed heart-rate and breat...

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 1, 2023

Largest brain autopsy study of female intimate partner violence decedents reveals brain injury pathology unlike that seen among male contact sports athletes

A large brain autopsy study of women who experienced intimate partner violence found substantial vascular and white matter damage, but no evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The study also revealed significant medical comorbidity, including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalActa Neuropathologica·TypeImaging analysis·DateOct 30, 2023

fMRI study finds correlated shifts in brain connectivity associated with overthinking in adolescents

A recent study from Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and colleagues found that Rumination-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (RF-CBT) can reduce rumination in adolescents. The study also showed correlated shifts in brain connectivity, suggesting that RF-CBT can help young people break the painful mental loops that contribu...

SourceOhio State University Wexner Medical Center·JournalBiological Psychiatry Global Open Science·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 27, 2023
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Stunting in infancy linked to differences in cognitive and brain function

Research from the University of East Anglia found that children who are too short for their age can suffer reduced cognitive ability due to differences in brain function as early as six months. The study discovered a link between stunted growth and disrupted visual working memory, making them more easily distracted.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeObservational study·DateOct 26, 2023

Zooming in on our brains on Zoom

Researchers found that neural signaling during online exchanges was substantially suppressed compared to face-to-face conversations. The study used imaging tools to track brain activity in real-time, revealing increased coordination of neural activity and enhanced face processing ability during in-person interactions.

SourceYale University·JournalImaging Neuroscience·DateOct 25, 2023

Brain-computer interface restores control of home devices for Johns Hopkins patient with ALS

A brain-computer interface (BCI) has been successfully used to restore control of home devices for a patient with ALS, allowing the individual to navigate a communication board and smart devices without recalibration. The BCI device was implanted on the surface of the brain areas responsible for speech and upper limb function, enabling...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAdvanced Science·DateOct 25, 2023
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Two regions of the brain critical to integrating semantic information while reading, UTHealth Houston research finds

A new study from UTHealth Houston has found that the posterior temporal cortex and inferior frontal cortex are crucial for semantic integration during reading. This discovery may help illuminate the inner dynamics of aphasia, a disorder affecting language expression and comprehension.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 24, 2023
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

WVU joins BRAIN Center to advance technology for neurological disorders

The WVU School of Medicine and Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources will support clinical trials and engineering technology development. The project aims to improve care and rehabilitation for people with neurological disorders through novel physician-engineer programs and human research.

SourceWest Virginia University·DateOct 19, 2023

Brain connectivity is disrupted in schizophrenia

Researchers found that hierarchical cortical organization is impaired in people with schizophrenia, leading to disruptions in processing stimuli from the external world. This disruption affects secondary processing of sensorimotor-visual gradients, explaining behavioral and clinical symptoms of the disease.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging·TypeImaging analysis·DateOct 17, 2023

Study: Deep neural networks don’t see the world the way we do

Researchers found that deep neural networks often respond the same way to images with no resemblance to the target, generating unnatural signals. The models develop unique invariances that are different from human perceptual systems, causing them to perceive pairs of stimuli as similar despite their differences.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateOct 16, 2023

Computational researchers participate in third Frontera User Meeting

The 3rd annual Frontera User Meeting showcased the power of the NSF-funded supercomputer in various domains of science. Researchers presented findings on projects utilizing Frontera's capabilities, including compound storm surge models and nonlinear earthquake simulations. Additionally, scientists leveraged the system to analyze anonym...

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·DateOct 16, 2023
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.

Drug-delivery technique for brain cancer shows growing promise

Researchers developed a nanotechnology method to deliver medication through the blood-brain barrier, overcoming its selectivity and expanding therapeutic options for glioblastoma treatment. The technique demonstrated improved tumor shrinkage and survival rates in mice, paving the way for further preclinical studies.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 16, 2023

We can respond to verbal stimuli while sleeping

Researchers found that ordinary sleepers can pick up verbal information and respond to it by contracting facial muscles, even during most stages of sleep. The study suggests that standardized communication protocols may be possible with sleeping individuals to better understand mental activity changes during sleep.

SourceInstitut du Cerveau (Paris Brain Institute)·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 12, 2023

Cell atlases of the human brain presented in Science

Two parallel projects publish detailed cell atlases of the adult human brain and brain development, revealing over 3,000 cell types, including new insights into brain diseases and potential therapeutic targets. The freely available brain atlases will enable researchers to compare healthy brains with diseased ones.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 12, 2023
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Researchers construct first “multiome” atlas of cell development in the human cerebral cortex from before birth to adulthood

Researchers created the first 'multiome' atlas of brain cell development in the human cerebral cortex, revealing specific changes in chromatin structure that precede gene expression. The study pinpointed regions associated with genes linked to neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalScience Advances·TypeImaging analysis·DateOct 12, 2023
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Researchers unravel cross-species pain-preferential neural pathway

A study published in Nature Human Behaviour has uncovered a neural pathway preferentially involved in pain perception across species. The researchers identified the central role of the medial-dorsal thalamic nucleus in pain perception, which exhibited a more pronounced activation in response to painful stimuli.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeObservational study·DateOct 11, 2023

New guidance issued on the determination of brain death

The new consensus practice guideline integrates guidance for adults and children into a single guideline, providing clinicians with a comprehensive way to evaluate someone who has sustained a catastrophic brain injury. The guideline outlines the standardized procedure for trained clinicians to evaluate people for brain death, including...

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateOct 11, 2023
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.

Practicing mindfulness with an app may improve children’s mental health

A study found that daily mindfulness training at home reduced kids' stress levels and negative emotions, while a remote, app-based intervention showed improvements in mental health. Researchers suggest that mindfulness can support mental well-being and promote mental health in diverse children.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalMindfulness·DateOct 11, 2023

Commonly used herbicide is harmful to adolescent brain function

Researchers measured metabolite concentrations of two herbicides in urine samples from Ecuadorian adolescents and found negative associations with attention, memory, and language. Glyphosate was also linked to social perception issues.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·TypeObservational study·DateOct 11, 2023

How video games could unlock new treatments for Parkinson’s

A study by researchers at the University of California - Riverside found that certain aspects of video game play can stimulate dopamine release and potentially aid in treating Parkinson's disease symptoms. The research suggests a promising new approach for managing the condition.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·DateOct 10, 2023
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.

New drug offers relief for treatment-resistant epilepsy patients

A new study shows that XEN1101 can reduce seizure frequency by more than 50% in some patients and sometimes eliminate seizures altogether. The medication, a potassium-channel opener, boosts the flow of potassium out of nerves to stop them from firing.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Neurology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 9, 2023

Is this how antidepressants work, and why they take weeks to kick-in?

Researchers found that antidepressant escitalopram increases synaptic density in the brain over weeks, leading to greater brain plasticity. This explains why effects of antidepressants take time to kick-in, with significant differences in synapse density between treatment and placebo groups.

SourceEuropean College of Neuropsychopharmacology·DateOct 8, 2023

New study at the Alzheimer’s Center at Temple casts light on protein that could help defeat Alzheimer’s disease and increase productive lifespan

Scientists at Temple University's Alzheimer's Center have identified a promising new therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease: the protein ABCA7. The study found that cholesterol depletion and inflammation suppress ABCA7 levels in human brain cells, potentially contributing to disease onset.

SourceTemple University Health System·JournalCells·DateOct 5, 2023

Cellular atlas of amygdala reveals new treatment target for cocaine addiction

Researchers created a unique, cell-by-cell atlas of the amygdala to identify potential new treatments for cocaine addiction. The study revealed connections between addiction behaviors and genes involved in energy metabolism, offering a brand-new way of thinking about the molecular biology of cocaine addiction.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateOct 5, 2023
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.

Reactivate, repurpose, and rewire the brain

New research from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory explores how adult brains adapt through critical periods of learning, such as caring for young. MECP2 dysfunction causes neurodevelopmental disorder Rett syndrome, but the study finds that brain circuits can be rapidly rewired in adults.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalJNeurosci·DateOct 4, 2023

Being a vegetarian may be—partly—in your genes

A genome-wide association study reveals 34 genes potentially involved in choosing a vegetarian diet, including those related to lipid metabolism and brain function. The findings suggest that genetics play a role in the ability to subsist on a vegetarian diet.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateOct 4, 2023

New study reveals how biological sex influences brain proteins and disease risk

Researchers discovered that around 13% of brain proteins differ between males and females, with some proteins more abundant in females and others in males. The study also found that genetic variation influences protein expression, with sex-related differences prominent at the protein level.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalNature Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateOct 3, 2023

Brain biometrics help identify sports concussions

Researchers used custom-designed headsets to evaluate headpulse biometrics among Australian Rules Football players and found brain abnormalities in 81% of those inflicted with concussion. These alterations lasted 14 days beyond expected recovery times.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeCase study·DateOct 2, 2023
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

New insights into how the human brain organises language

A Leipzig-based meta-analysis of over 400 neuroscientific experiments has provided new insights into the organisation of language processing in the human brain. The study found that brain regions below the cerebral cortex, including the cerebellum and amygdala, play a key role in language processes, influencing emotion and memory.

SourceUniversität Leipzig·JournalPsychological Bulletin·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 29, 2023

The Human Brain Project ends: What has been achieved

The Human Brain Project has driven outstanding advances in brain research and medicine, producing over 3000 academic publications and 160 digital tools. The EBRAINS infrastructure will remain accessible to the scientific community after the project's end.

SourceHuman Brain Project·DateSep 28, 2023

New study provides evidence for more effective brain-based treatment of chronic back pain

A new study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that reattribution of pain to mind or brain processes can lead to significant reductions in chronic back pain intensity. Participants who received pain reprocessing therapy reported being pain-free or nearly so after treatment, compared to those receiving placebo controls.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateSep 28, 2023

For the lonely, a blurred line between real and fictional people

Researchers found that lonely individuals' brains show a blurred boundary between real friends and favorite fictional characters, such as those in Game of Thrones. The study suggests that lonelier people may turn to fictional characters for a sense of belonging lacking in their real life.

SourceOhio State University·JournalCerebral Cortex·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2023
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.

Researchers uncover why a gene mutant causes young children to have strokes

Researchers discovered that a mutation in the gene ACTA2 causes moyamoya disease and strokes in young children. The mutation leads to dysfunctional smooth muscle cells in arteries, resulting in blockages and increased risk of stroke. Understanding this mechanism could lead to new treatments for moyamoya disease.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalNature Cardiovascular Research·DateSep 28, 2023

Unleashing the power of AI to track animal behavior

GlowTrack, a non-invasive movement tracking method using fluorescent dye markers, improves the capture of diverse movements in laboratories. This technique enables easier comparison of movement data between studies, increasing scientific discovery and advancing fields like biology, robotics, and medicine.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 26, 2023

Common brain network detected among people with substance use disorder

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have identified a common brain network associated with substance use disorder, regardless of the substance used. The finding could lead to targeted neurostimulation therapies for addiction, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNature Mental Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 25, 2023
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.

Jellyfish are smarter than you think

Caribbean box jellyfish have demonstrated complex learning capabilities, including associative learning and memory formation, despite having only one thousand nerve cells. This discovery sheds new light on the evolutionary success of jellyfish and raises questions about the universality of advanced learning mechanisms in animals.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 22, 2023

NTU Singapore scientists find new evidence to explain how we pay attention

Researchers uncover clues about how chemicals released by brain cells regulate our attention span, finding that two neurotransmitters work together in a precise sequence to regulate signal transmission. This discovery could lead to new treatments for neurological conditions associated with concentration difficulties.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2023

Getting ready for bed controlled by specific brain wiring in mice

Researchers at Imperial College London found that specific brain cells in the prefrontal cortex trigger mice to prepare for bed when tired, a behavior likely shared with humans. This hard-wired survival feature suggests that humans should prioritize sleep hygiene to maintain good health.

SourceImperial College London·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateSep 21, 2023