Brain News and Research

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The human brain is the center of the human nervous system and is a highly complex organ. Enclosed in the cranium, it has the same general structure as the brains of other mammals, but is over three times as large as the brain of a typical mammal with an equivalent body size.

Zebrahub Offers Unprecedented Insight into Embryonic Development

When early cartographers undertook perilous expeditions to map unknown corners of the world with sextants, compasses, and hand-drawn diagrams, it's unlikely they imagined that someday anyone with an internet connection would have access to a seamless view of the entire planet from the comfort of their own home.

25 Oct 2024

New Study Links Cannabis Use to DNA Methylation Changes in Mental Health Pathways

Research reveals that frequent high-potency cannabis use alters DNA methylation, affecting mitochondrial and immune genes, with implications for mental health.

25 Oct 2024

Artificial Intelligence Designs Novel DNA Elements for Precise Gene Control

Using artificial intelligence, scientists at Yale University, the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, and The Jackson Laboratory have created thousands of novel DNA switches that can precisely regulate a gene's expression in many cell types.

24 Oct 2024

Simple Neural Circuit Controls Chewing and Appetite

Speaking, singing, coughing, laughing, yelling, yawning, chewing-;we use our jaws for many purposes. Each action requires a complex coordination of muscles whose activity is managed by neurons in the brain.

24 Oct 2024

Personalized Mini-Brains Provide Insight into Autism Spectrum Disorder

Using stem cells generated from patients with a rare and severe form of autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability, Scripps Research scientists have grown personalized "mini-brains" (or organoids) to study the disorder in new detail.

24 Oct 2024

Discovery of RNA Brake Offers Insights into Neurodevelopmental Disorders

When a gene produces too much protein, it can have devastating consequences on brain development and function.

24 Oct 2024

New Study Uncovers How Viral Infections Trigger Pain, Identifies Potential Target for Relief

Findings indicate nociceptors detect viral nucleic acids, activating STING and TRPV1, highlighting new pain mechanisms in viral infections like HSV-1.

23 Oct 2024

Unraveling the Genetic Blueprint of the Deep Brain

Researchers have discovered 254 genetic variations that influence important “deep brain” structures, such as those that govern memory, motor skills, addictive behaviors, and more, in one of the biggest-ever investigations of DNA and brain volume.

22 Oct 2024

Advancements in Understanding Intestinal Hormone Secretion

A multi-institutional group of researchers led by the Hubrecht Institute and Roche's Institute of Human Biology has developed strategies to identify regulators of intestinal hormone secretion.

21 Oct 2024

Study Uncovers How MANF Protein Enhances Cellular Homeostasis and Longevity

McMaster University researchers have discovered a previously unknown cell-protecting function of a protein, which could open new avenues for treating age-related diseases and lead to healthier aging overall.

21 Oct 2024

A Novel Method for Improving Spatial Resolution in Transcriptomic Analysis

Existing spatial transcriptomics methods frequently lack the precision required to examine single cells in tissue samples, hindering their ability to reveal intricate biological information.

21 Oct 2024

A Novel Regulator of RNA Processing in Alzheimer's Disease

A research team from the University of Barcelona's Institute of Neurosciences described a novel molecular mechanism that modifies the process of protein synthesis and impacts RNA processing in Alzheimer's patients' brains.

21 Oct 2024

Human Organoids Provide Insights Into Gut Hormone Release

A collaborative team of researchers from the Hubrecht Institute and Roche’s Institute of Human Biology has formulated strategies to identify the regulators involved in intestinal hormone secretion.

18 Oct 2024

MANF Protein Found to Boost Cellular Clean-Up and Efficiency

Researchers at McMaster University have uncovered a previously unrecognized function of a protein that helps protect cells, potentially leading to new treatments for age-related conditions and promoting healthier aging.

18 Oct 2024

Magnetic Control of Brain Cells: A Step Forward in Neuromodulation

The introduction of magnetogenetics provides a noninvasive technique to modulate brain circuits, paving the way for innovative therapies in neuromodulation.

18 Oct 2024

Fly Hormone Discovery Sheds Light on Lifespan Regulation and Aging

Researchers at Brown University have found that a neuropeptide hormone produced in the gut of flies influences their lifespan.

17 Oct 2024

Next-Generation Sequencer Enhances Genetic Research at UT Arlington

The North Texas Genome Center (NTGC) at UT Arlington is getting an upgrade in the form of a next-generation genetic sequencer that will allow researchers to study genetic links between health and disease at a large scale.

16 Oct 2024

Mutant Neurons Show Accelerated Development in Mouse Brain

The mechanisms behind intellectual disabilities and autism remain largely unknown. However, researchers from the labs of Prof. Pierre Vanderhaeghen and Prof. Vincent Bonin at the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research and NERF have identified that mutations in the SYNGAP1 gene interfere with the extended development of human neurons, a process believed to be critical for normal cognitive function.

15 Oct 2024

A New Technique Reveals the Behavior of OPCs in the Brain

Imagine yourself sometime in the far future aboard a routine rocket to Mars. Someone just spilled their drink. Without gravity, it collects in floating blobs that ripple right before your eyes. Now freeze.

14 Oct 2024

New Insights Into Early Brain Development and Mental Health

An unparalleled glimpse at how gene regulation changes during human brain development has been provided by a study led by UCLA, which demonstrates the crucial role played by the 3D structure of chromatin, which is made up of proteins and DNA.

10 Oct 2024