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Archive for the ‘neuroscience’ category: Page 26

Nov 11, 2024

Reprogrammed Brain Cells Could Restore Damaged Circuits

Posted by in category: neuroscience

Summary: Scientists have successfully reprogrammed astroglia, a type of brain support cell, into neurons that mimic specific interneurons critical for brain function. By modifying the Ascl1 protein, they increased its efficiency in converting astroglia to neuron-like cells, opening new possibilities for regenerative treatments for brain disorders such as epilepsy.

The engineered neurons exhibit high-frequency firing, a signature of certain interneurons essential for regulating brain activity. This work suggests astroglia could serve as a repair mechanism, allowing us to restore lost or damaged brain circuits.

Nov 11, 2024

“Wearable” devices for cells

Posted by in categories: neuroscience, wearables

MIT researchers developed tiny wearable devices for cells that can snugly enfold neurons and neuronal processes without damaging the cell. These thin-film wearables, made from a soft polymer, could enable scientists to measure and modulate neurons at a subcellular level.

Nov 10, 2024

The Mystery of How Neurons Control The Brain Has Finally Been Solved

Posted by in categories: business, evolution, neuroscience

The brain is a marvel of efficiency, honed by thousands of years of evolution so it can adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world. Yet, despite decades of research, the mystery of how the brain achieves this has remained elusive.

Our new research, published in the journal Cell, reveals how neurons – the cells responsible for your childhood memories, thoughts and emotions – coordinate their activity.

Continue reading “The Mystery of How Neurons Control The Brain Has Finally Been Solved” »

Nov 10, 2024

“Astonishing” — Scientists Unveil First Blueprint of the Most Complex Molecular Machine in Human Biology

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, genetics, nanotechnology, neuroscience

Scientists at the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) in Barcelona have developed the first comprehensive blueprint of the human spliceosome, the most complex and intricate molecular machine found in every cell. This groundbreaking achievement, over a decade in the making, was published in the journal Science.

The spliceosome edits genetic messages transcribed from DNA, allowing cells to create different versions of a protein from a single gene. The vast majority of human genes – more than nine in ten – are edited by the spliceosome. Errors in the process are linked to a wide spectrum of diseases including most types of cancer, neurodegenerative conditions, and genetic disorders.

The sheer number of components involved and the intricacy of its function has meant the spliceosome has remained elusive and uncharted territory in human biology – until now.

Nov 9, 2024

There’s a Critical Thing We Can Do to Keep Alzheimer’s Symptoms at Bay

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, education, health, neuroscience

Deep sleep could be key to forestalling slow declines in brain health that may one day lead to Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia.

In their 2023 study of 62 older, cognitively healthy adults, researchers from the University of California (UC) Berkeley, Stanford University, and UC Irvine in the US found individuals with brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s performed better on memory function tests as they got more deep sleep.

This was irrespective of education and physical activity, two factors along with social connection known to contribute to cognitive resilience in older age.

Nov 9, 2024

Unlocking Genetic Clues to Teen Behavior and Mental Health

Posted by in categories: genetics, neuroscience

A multitude of genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors come together to create mental health problems in teens.

Using a broad genetic trawling method, scientists at Washington University identified connections between genetic risk factors and behaviors like screen time and stressful life events in youth. Their findings highlight potential areas for intervention to mitigate the risk of psychiatric disorders.

Genetic Research in Youth Behavior.

Nov 9, 2024

Hidden Brain Pathways Uncovered: How Dopamine Shapes Movement and Mood

Posted by in category: neuroscience

MIT researchers have uncovered two additional pathways in the brain’s striatum that modulate traditional movement control pathways by influencing dopamine production.

These pathways, connected to the brain’s striosomes, may play a crucial role in decisions with strong emotional components, potentially altering our understanding of how motivation and movement are interconnected.

In the human brain, movement is coordinated by a region called the striatum, which sends signals to motor neurons. These signals travel along two main pathways: one initiates movement (“go”), and the other inhibits it (“no-go”).

Nov 9, 2024

Study shows bats have acoustic cognitive maps

Posted by in categories: habitats, mapping, neuroscience

This finding, published in Science, was demonstrated by researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, the Cluster of Excellence Center for the Advanced Study of Collective Behavior at the University of Konstanz, Germany, Tel Aviv University, and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.

Would you be able to instantly recognize your location and find your way home from any random point within a three-kilometer radius, in complete darkness, with only a flashlight to guide you?

Continue reading “Study shows bats have acoustic cognitive maps” »

Nov 9, 2024

Accumulation of F-actin drives brain aging and limits healthspan in Drosophila

Posted by in categories: life extension, neuroscience

Changes to actin dynamics during brain aging are not well understood. Here, the authors report that there is an age-related increase in F-actin in Drosophila brain which disables autophagy within the tissue and limits the fly lifespan.

Nov 9, 2024

Forget Black Holes—White Holes Would Break Your Puny Brain

Posted by in categories: cosmology, evolution, information science, mathematics, neuroscience, physics

White holes, the theoretical opposites of black holes, could expel matter instead of absorbing it. Unlike black holes, whose event horizon traps everything, white holes would prevent anything from entering. While no white holes have been observed, they remain an intriguing mathematical possibility. Some astrophysicists have speculated that gamma ray bursts could be linked to white holes, and even the Big Bang might be explained by a massive white hole. Although the second law of thermodynamics presents a challenge, studying these singularities could revolutionize our understanding of space-time and cosmic evolution.

After reading the article, Harry gained more than 724 upvotes with this comment: “It amazes me how Einstein’s theory and equations branched off into so many other theoretical phenomena. Legend legacy.”

Black holes may well be the most intriguing enigmas in the Universe. Believed to be the collapsed remnants of dead stars, these objects are renowned for one characteristic in particular – anything that goes in never comes out.

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