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Breakthrough treatment for weight dysregulation after brain tumors

A clinical trial has shown that setmelanotide, a new drug, can achieve significant weight loss in people whose weight has become dysregulated following treatment for a brain tumor. The treatment resulted in a 20% reduction in BMI, with participants experiencing substantial health benefits.

SourcePrincess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 8, 2026

Severe narcolepsy found to damage a second brain region

Researchers found significant loss of neurons in the locus coeruleus, a second critical region involved in arousal and muscle tone regulation. This finding suggests an immune-mediated process and challenges the prevailing explanation for narcolepsy with cataplexy.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 30, 2026

New study finds a missing link in how the brain regulates appetite

A collaboration between the University of Maryland and University of Concepción has discovered a previously unknown communication chain involving astrocytes and tanycytes that controls behavior. The study suggests that targeting the HCAR1 receptor in astrocytes could offer a novel approach to treating eating disorders.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 6, 2026
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Unraveling the neural circuitry that makes mice attack

Researchers investigated brain mechanisms that maintain balance between intimidation and physical aggression in mice. Projections from the lateral hypothalamus to the dorsal raphe nucleus play a critical role in preserving this balance. Increasing pathway activity led to increased attacks, while inhibiting it decreased attack bites.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournaliScience·DateApr 1, 2026

CNIO research links fertility with immune cells in the brain

A study published in Science reveals that microglia and the protein RANK are involved in regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, which controls fertility. The research found that suppressing RANK expression led to distorted reproductive function, including reduced sex hormones and hypogonadism.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 12, 2026

UH researcher disputes claim that multilingualism promotes better brain aging

A University of Houston researcher disputes a study claiming multilingualism promotes healthy brain aging, finding that wealth and healthcare systems may drive longevity instead. Hernandez argues that individual behavioral solutions, such as learning a language, are oversold and distract from structural factors that support healthy aging.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalBrain and Language·DateMar 9, 2026

Day & night: Cancer disrupts the brain’s natural rhythm

Research found that breast cancer flattens corticosterone release in mice, reducing quality of life and increasing mortality. Disruptions to diurnal rhythms have been linked to stress responses like insomnia and anxiety in cancer patients.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNeuron·DateDec 15, 2025

How a fish knows when to blend in

Researchers have identified the cells and connections underlying a fish's ability to dynamically change color to match its surroundings. The study found that specialized skin cells called melanophores control the color change, which helps the zebrafish evade predators by lightening its skin over tens of minutes.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalCurrent Biology·DateNov 16, 2025
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Fat or carbs? The neural mechanism underlying food choices revealed

Research found that high-fat and high-carbohydrate diets are controlled by separate neural pathways in the brain. Neuropeptide Y neurons activate AMPK-regulated corticotropin-releasing hormone neurons to promote high-carb intake, while inhibiting melanocortin 4 receptor neurons to increase high-fat intake.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalMetabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 22, 2025

Stress & Stars: Two more ERC Starting Grants for ISTA

Two ISTA Assistant Professors, Amelia Douglass and Ylva Götberg, have won 1.5 million euro ERC Starting Grants to explore how animals react to stress and the science behind binary-star stripping. Their research could lead to a better understanding of brain pathways disrupted in humans suffering from anxiety and stress.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·DateSep 4, 2025
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.

Investigating how stress may cause sleep and memory deficits

Researchers discovered that stress activates neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, leading to impaired sleep and memory. Inhibiting these neurons reduced stress-related memory issues while slightly improving sleep.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournalJNeurosci·DateJun 9, 2025

Study identifies new mechanism for reducing female post-operative pain

Researchers at University of Arizona Health Sciences identified a potential way to reduce female post-operative pain by inhibiting pituitary prolactin. Stress can increase circulating levels of prolactin, leading to worsened post-operative pain in women.

SourceUniversity of Arizona Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 20, 2025
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.

How mothers adapt to the metabolic demands of nursing

A study published in Nature Metabolism reveals a novel mechanism connecting prolactin, estrogen, the brain, and metabolic adaptations during lactation. Hormonal changes during lactation lead to increased hunger and reduced fat-burning, which are sustained by a specific area of brain cells called ERα neurons.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalNature Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 10, 2025

Calorie-free sweeteners can disrupt the brain’s appetite signals

A study found that consuming sucralose alters brain activity related to hunger and increases appetite, especially in people with obesity. The sugar substitute changes how the hypothalamus communicates with other brain regions, including those involved in motivation, potentially leading to cravings and eating behavior changes.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalNature Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 26, 2025
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.

How specific brain regions drive chemotherapy-induced pain response

Scientists at Indian Institute of Science have found how diverse neurons across different brain regions work together to control chronic pain in mice. The lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBN) plays a key role in driving chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, allowing mice to cope with or suppress pain.

SourceIndian Institute of Science (IISc)·JournalPain·DateJan 8, 2025

Stimulating hypothalamus restores walking in paralyzed patients

Researchers at EPFL and Lausanne University Hospital have achieved a major milestone in treating spinal cord injuries by applying deep brain stimulation to the lateral hypothalamus. This therapy has improved mobility and independence in two individuals with partial SCI, demonstrating long-term neurological improvements.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Medicine·DateDec 2, 2024

Key brain circuit for female sexual rejection uncovered

A team of scientists has pinpointed a critical neural circuit for female sexual rejection, revealing how the brain integrates signals to shape behavior. The ventromedial hypothalamus, specifically progesterone-sensitive neurons in the anterior VMH, play a crucial role in determining whether a female accepts or rejects mating attempts.

SourceChampalimaud Centre for the Unknown·JournalNeuron·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 25, 2024
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.

Brain divides meal into different phases

A recent study by FAU researchers reveals how the brain coordinates food intake to ensure we receive the right amount of energy. The hypothalamus, a control center in the brain, triggers behaviors like eating and satiety through a complex mechanism involving four teams of neurons that work together like relay runners.

SourceFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg·JournalJNeurosci·DateSep 17, 2024

How does the human brain switch between survival tasks?

Researchers found that patterns of neural activity in the hypothalamus predict performance in survival tasks, while associations with other brain regions were observed for hunting and escaping behaviors. The study provides new insights into how the human brain coordinates survival strategies.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 27, 2024

Higher light levels may improve cognitive performance

Research found that higher light levels increase activity in the posterior hypothalamus, leading to improved cognitive performance during executive tasks. In contrast, lower light levels decreased activity in this region, negatively correlating with cognitive performance.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·DateApr 23, 2024
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Middle-age obesity is caused by changes in the shape of neurons in the brain

Researchers found that middle-age obesity is caused by age-related changes in the shape of neurons in the hypothalamus, a region controlling metabolism and appetite. A protein called MC4R detects overnutrition and regulates metabolism to prevent obesity. Dietary restriction may help maintain brain anti-obesity systems as we age.

SourceNagoya University·JournalCell Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 13, 2024

Brain mechanism teaches mice to avoid bullies

A new study published in Nature found that a distinct area on the underside of the hypothalamus influences longer-lasting avoidance behavior after being defeated. The research suggests that oxytocin plays a key role in this process, binding to receptors on brain cells and signaling danger.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalNature·DateJan 24, 2024

Cannabis activates specific hunger neurons in brain

Researchers at Washington State University discovered that cannabis activates a set of cells in the hypothalamus, promoting appetite in mice. The study used calcium imaging technology to determine how brain cells responded to vaporized cannabis sativa.

SourceWashington State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 16, 2024

Life span increases in mice when specific brain cells are activated

Researchers discovered a critical communication pathway between the brain and fat tissue that contributes to aging. Activating specific brain cells improved energy production, physical activity, and lifespan in mice by 7%. The findings suggest potential interventions to maintain this feedback loop and slow aging effects.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalCell Metabolism·DateJan 8, 2024

Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC scientist identifies a connection in the brain between stress and emotional eating

A recent study published in Nature Communications has identified a key brain molecule responsible for triggering overconsumption of comfort foods after stressful events. The lateral hypothalamic proenkephalin neuron plays a crucial role in driving threat-induced eating associated with negative emotional states.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 30, 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.

Leaving on a jet plane in genes

A team of researchers from Kyoto University found that the pituitary vasopressin system is crucial for building a robust circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. This discovery has led to the development of potential treatments for jet lag, which currently target only the suprachiasmatic nucleus.

SourceKyoto University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 23, 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

Newfound brain circuit explains why infant cries prompt milk release

A new study in rodents reveals that infant cries prompt the release of oxytocin, a brain chemical controlling breast milk, in mothers. The study shows how sound information travels to the brain, triggering the hormone release, which continues for around five minutes.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 20, 2023
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.

Penn Medicine researchers identify the link between memory and appetite in the human brain to explain obesity

Researchers found that individuals with higher body mass indexes have impaired connections between the hippocampus and hypothalamus, leading to an inability to control eating habits. The study suggests that targeting this brain circuit may lead to new treatments for obesity and related disordered eating conditions.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 30, 2023
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

They got more than me! The brain circuit for socially subjective reward valuation

A recent study published in Nature Communications identified an important brain circuit for socially subjective reward valuation, finding that temporarily disconnecting the medial prefrontal cortex from the lateral hypothalamus reduces susceptibility to others' rewards but not individual expectations. This research has significant impl...

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2023

The power of flowers: New Zealand researchers discover that dahlia flowers have antidiabetic properties by targeting the brain as a key regulator of blood sugar

Researchers at the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand discovered a dahlia extract that improves blood sugar regulation without reported side effects in humans. The extract targets the brain's function required for blood sugar regulation by enhancing insulin function.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalLife Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 20, 2023

Orexin influences pupil size

Researchers at ETH Zurich discovered that orexin neurons directly influence emotional state through pupil size. This finding opens new avenues for medical treatment and diagnosis of sleep disorders like narcolepsy and other neurological conditions.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2023

Chronic stress-related neurons identified

Scientists at Karolinska Institutet have identified a group of nerve cells involved in creating negative emotional states and chronic stress. The neurons, which are sensitive to oestrogen levels, were mapped using advanced techniques such as Patch-seq, Neuropixels, and optogenetics.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 22, 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.

Sweets change our brain

Researchers found that eating small amounts of high-fat and sugar foods regularly rewires the brain to prefer these types of foods. The brain's dopaminergic system is activated, leading to a subconscious preference for rewarding food.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing·JournalCell Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 22, 2023

Leptin helps hungry mice choose sex over food

Researchers found that leptin receptor neurons prioritize social interaction over eating and drinking in moderately hungry mice. This system can only regulate moderate hunger, but not strong hunger, which may contribute to why diets don't work.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 23, 2023

When chronic stress activates these neurons, behavioral problems like loss of pleasure, depression result

Scientists found that chronic stress increases the activity of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons, leading to behaviors such as anhedonia and depression. Inhibiting POMC neuron activity reduced these behavioral changes. The study suggests that POMC neurons play a key role in increasing susceptibility to stress-related behavioral problems.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateJan 24, 2023
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

How is puberty onset developmentally programmed?

Research reveals TBX3 as a fate determinant controlling hypothalamic KNDy neuron development and puberty onset. Multiple TBX3 mutants fail to form phase-separated condensates, leading to delayed puberty in UMS patients.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 16, 2022

Aging | IGF1 gene therapy in middle-aged female rats delays reproductive senescence through its effects on hypothalamic GnRH and kisspeptin neurons

Researchers found that IGF1 gene therapy increases kisspeptin expression and GnRH release, and alters microglial cell numbers, suggesting a potential protective effect against reproductive decline. This could lead to new strategies for optimizing lifespan and combating age-related health problems in women.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 16, 2022

Study clarifies how physical exercise burns muscle fat

A study published in Science Advances reveals that physical exercise triggers a neuromuscular circuit that links the production of interleukin-6 to muscle fat breakdown. This circuit is crucial for weight loss and has significant implications for obesity treatment.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 26, 2022
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.

Brain cells identified for regulation of sleep-wake rhythm

A research team has identified a specific cell group in the brain that regulates shifts in the sleep-wake rhythm caused by psychostimulants. The hypothalamic dopamine locus is responsible for modulating circadian rhythms and gates the effect of psychostimulants, leading to increased alertness and activity.

SourceMedical University of Vienna·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 11, 2022

Social touch and its newly discovered neural pathway

Researchers at Eötvös Loránd University identified a novel neural pathway in the brain that processes touch information, which plays a crucial role in social behavior. The thalamo-hypothalamic neural pathway uses PTH2 as a neurotransmitter and facilitates friendly social interactions between rats.

SourceEötvös Loránd University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 19, 2022
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.

Harvard-led researchers find how the brain controls symptoms of sickness

A new study published in Nature reveals that a small population of neurons near the base of the brain can induce symptoms of sickness, including fever, appetite loss, and warm seeking behavior. The researchers found these neurons have receptors capable of directly detecting molecular signals from the immune system.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 8, 2022