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Study shows why “the brain's memory center” is vulnerable to damage, degeneration

In a world first, scientists from the University of Sussex have recorded blood oxygen levels in the hippocampus and provided experimental proof for why the area, commonly referred to as 'the brain's memory center', is vulnerable to damage and degeneration, a precursor to Alzheimer's disease.

31 May 2021

Study: REAER is a promising therapy for improving the lives of patients with multiple sclerosis

A team of multiple sclerosis (MS) experts at Kessler Foundation led the first pilot randomized controlled trial of robotic-exoskeleton assisted exercise rehabilitation (REAER) effects on mobility, cognition, and brain connectivity in people with substantial MS-related disability.

31 May 2021

New probe allows real-time imaging of molecular orientations in live cells

Monitoring alignments of the building blocks of cells is important to understand how the cells are built. By collaborating with imaging scientists at the MBL, researchers from Japan have developed a new probe which they call POLArIS, allowing real-time imaging of molecular orientations in live cells.

17 May 2021

Lack of functional GAS2 gene causes severe hearing impairment in mice

A gene called GAS2 plays a key role in normal hearing, and its absence causes severe hearing loss, according to a study led by researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

10 May 2021

Unique mini-microscope enables imaging of brain activity in freely moving mice

Researchers from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities College of Science and Engineering and Medical School have developed a unique head-mounted mini-microscope device that allows them to image complex brain functions of freely moving mice in real time over a period of more than 300 days.

6 Apr 2021

Innovative computational model of cells could help better understand neurodevelopmental disorders

For a long time, researchers have attempted to gain better insights into the development of the cerebral cortex and its layers, since pathologies are associated with this process.

From University of Surrey 1 Apr 2021

Retinoic acid induces synaptic plasticity in the human brain

Neuroscientists agree that a person's brain is constantly changing, rewiring itself and adapting to environmental stimuli. This is how humans learn new things and create memories. This adaptability and malleability is called plasticity.

1 Apr 2021

New technique can mitigate the effects of brain injury in preterm babies

One in 10 babies are born prematurely in the United States, leading to complications that can impact the infants’ locomotor development and affect basic tasks.

9 Mar 2021

Study reveals new mechanism through which cells build “mini-muscles”

Research teams have revealed how the motor protein, called myosin, which is responsible for causing the contraction of skeletal muscles, also functions in non-muscle cells.

3 Mar 2021

First-in-human clinical trial to test safety, efficacy of gene therapy for Alzheimer's disease

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have launched a first-in-human Phase I clinical trial to assess the safety and efficacy of a gene therapy to deliver a key protein into the brains of persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD) or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), a condition that often precedes full-blown dementia.

From UC San Diego 19 Feb 2021

Regular caffeine intake can change gray matter of the brain

Coffee, cola, or an energy drink: caffeine is the world's most widely consumed psychoactive substance. Researchers from the University of Basel have now shown in a study that regular caffeine intake can change the gray matter of the brain. However, the effect appears to be temporary.

17 Feb 2021

Using insights from neuroscience to build modern robots

Today, neuroscience and robotics are developing hand in hand. Mikhail Lebedev, Academic Supervisor at HSE University's Centre for Bioelectric Interfaces, spoke about how studying the brain inspires the development of robots.

4 Feb 2021

Gene therapy helps paralyzed mice to walk again

For the first time, scientists have successfully used gene therapy to make mice walk again after these animals suffered a complete cross-sectional injury.

18 Jan 2021

Innovative gene therapy approach for regeneration of functional new neurons

Spinal cord injury (SCI) often causes disability and seriously compromises quality of life. While decades of research have made significant progress in axonal regeneration after SCI, most of the interventions have not been translated into clinical therapies.

18 Dec 2020

New model shows how the brain uses "gating" phenomenon to control information

Getting computers to "think" like humans is the holy grail of artificial intelligence, but human brains turn out to be tough acts to follow. T

17 Dec 2020

Tight arrangement between root endodermis and microbiome maintains mineral balance in plants

In a similar way to animal guts and the intestinal epithelium, plant roots are in charge of absorbing nutrients and water and of its subsequent transport to the vascular systems.

10 Dec 2020

Astrocytes modulate balance in neural networks, control decision making

Decision-making during goal-directed behaviors is deliberative process involving different brain areas that considers pros and cons of each option.

8 Dec 2020

Researchers develop new tool to study genes associated with autism spectrum disorder

Researchers have developed technology to analyze the function of different types of genes found in many types of cells in a living organism, at the same time.

1 Dec 2020

Study investigates similarities between the most challenging and complex systems in nature

In their paper published in Frontiers of Physics, Franco Vazza (astrophysicist at the University of Bologna) and Alberto Feletti (neurosurgeon at the University of Verona) investigated the similarities between two of the most challenging and complex systems in nature.

17 Nov 2020

Study unravels how perceptions of beauty drive our appetite and healthiness judgments

As the holiday season nears, thoughts of pumpkin pies, roasted chestnuts and turkey dinners fill our dreams and our grocery shopping lists. While visions of holiday food may be pleasing to the eyes and tantalizing to the palate, it would be a mistake to conclude that pretty food is healthier than other food.

10 Nov 2020