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Stay CALM when the heart skips a beat

Researchers at Kyoto University have discovered a genetic mutation that causes lethal arrhythmia in humans. The study found that a novel variant of the CALM2 gene produces robust arrhythmogenicity in human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes.

SourceKyoto University·JournalCirculation Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 13, 2023

Progress in unlocking the brain's "code" for depression

Researchers collected electrophysiological recordings from prefrontal cortical regions in three human subjects with severe treatment-resistant depression. They found lower depression severity correlated with decreased low-frequency neural activity and increased high-frequency activity.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2023

Can humans ‘Sniff out’ the secrets to the sense of smell?

A group of researchers from Osaka University has shown that the segregated function of a messenger ion (Ca2+) can help improve our sense of smell. The study reveals that Ca2+ signaling plays a crucial role in regulating the amplification and reduction of sensory signals, and its processes are clearly segregated within a tiny structure ...

SourceOsaka University·JournalJournal of General Physiology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 2, 2023

Portable and affordable all-optical system for testing lab-on-a-chip human hearts

Researchers have developed a novel portable and low-cost macroscopic mapping system for all-optical cardiac electrophysiology using optogenetics and machine vision cameras. The system can stimulate and image engineered networks of human heart cells, providing insights into cardiac wave function and stability.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateJan 11, 2023

Exercise curbs insulin production

Researchers discovered that physical activity suppresses insulin-producing cells in fruit flies, allowing for efficient energy replenishment. This finding has implications for human health, as reduced insulin activity is linked to healthy ageing and longevity.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 4, 2023

Walk then sit: A scientific recipe that helps babies stop crying

A new study published in Current Biology found that carrying crying infants for 5 minutes can promote sleep and reduce crying. The technique, known as the Transport Response, involves steady walking followed by sitting before laying the baby down to sleep. This method offers an immediate solution for parents of newborns struggling with...

SourceRIKEN·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 13, 2022

Remote programming of cardiac implantable devices is safe for MRI scan

Researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia have developed a novel approach to reprogramming cardiac implantable devices during MRI scans remotely. This technology has shown safe and effective results, saving time and money by eliminating the need for device representatives or on-site personnel.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 4, 2022

Nerve stimulation with the help of implantable mini solar cells

Scientists have created a new technology using colour pigments from the food industry to stimulate nerve cells with the help of implantable mini solar cells. This innovation could lead to accelerated healing and prevention of complications in severe brain injuries, as well as potential applications in pain therapy and retinal implants.

SourceGraz University of Technology·JournalAdvanced Materials Technologies·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 6, 2022

Saving patients an unnecessary procedure

A new web-based application can predict which epilepsy patients will not benefit from stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG), a costly and invasive procedure. The '5-SENSE' score reliably identifies patients who will not have a focal seizure onset zone, allowing clinicians to avoid unnecessary procedures.

SourceMcGill University·JournalJAMA Neurology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 6, 2021

Arrhythmia-free survival is indeed survival of the fittest

A new study shows that physically fit patients are more likely to benefit from atrial fibrillation ablation, with a lower risk of recurrent arrhythmia and improved outcomes. The study found that high cardiorespiratory fitness can act as an antiarrhythmic medication, keeping patients in rhythm after the procedure.

SourceElsevier·JournalHeart Rhythm·DateAug 3, 2020

A new window into macaque brain connections

Researchers have developed a new imaging technique that allows them to see how living monkey brains are wired, revealing precise connections between the two hemispheres. The opto-OISI method combines optical intrinsic signal imaging and optogenetics to map brain connections point-to-point.

SourceRIKEN·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 23, 2019

Patients to benefit from new 3-D visualizations of the heart

Researchers have developed a new technique to visualize the human cardiac conduction system in 3D, providing unprecedented details. This technology will aid cardiologists in placing prosthetic valves near the heart's conduction system, reducing risks and improving surgical outcomes for patients with congenital heart diseases.

SourceAarhus University·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 11, 2017

Is the human brain hardwired to appreciate poetry?

Researchers found that participants' brains responded positively to sentences conforming to traditional Welsh poetry rules, even when they couldn't explicitly identify the correct form. This suggests an innate appreciation for poetic structure in the human brain.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateFeb 17, 2017

Using light to map the circuitry of the brain

Researchers develop space-division multiplexing optical coherence tomography (SDM-OCT) to image single neurons in live tissue, enabling label-free and depth-resolved images of neural activity. This breakthrough technology could revolutionize brain mapping and provide insights into brain disorders such as Alzheimer's and schizophrenia.

Which neuron is more mature? Single cell transcriptome knows!

Researchers have identified 39 generic biomarkers for human neuronal maturation using single cell transcriptome profiling. The study found that certain genes are consistently elevated when neurons mature, highlighting the importance of calcium signaling, mitochondrial function, and ubiquitination-related processes.

SourceSpringer·JournalProtein & Cell·DateMar 14, 2016

New insights into the functional organization of the somatosensory cortex

Researchers at Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience used electrophysiological and optical approaches to visualize and manipulate neuronal activity in individual neurons of the somatosensory cortex. They found that the formation of functional microcircuits was determined by specific settings and the number of neurons stimulated...

SourceMax Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 8, 2016