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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.

Study Investigates Links Between Gene Expression and Primate Brain Evolution

An interdisciplinary team of researchers led by biologists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst recently published the results of a first-of-its-kind study investigating the links between gene expression and brain evolution across 18 primate species.

1 Apr 2024

Key Insights into LAR-RPTP's Synaptic Regulation via Microexon Molecular Codes

The Synapse Diversity and Specificity Regulation Research Team (Director: Jaewon Ko) at DGIST (President Kunwoo Lee) reported on Tuesday the 27th that they have profiled the molecular code that constitutes brain neural circuits and discovered that it regulates specific excitatory synapse characteristics that contribute to memory of new object locations.

30 Mar 2024

Promising Compound Shows Potential in Reducing Alcohol Consumption

Scripps Research scientists have found that LY2444296-;a compound that selectively blocks the kappa opioid receptor (KOP)-;may reduce drinking in cases of alcohol dependence in animal studies.

30 Mar 2024

Chickadees' Brain Activity Reveals Unique Memory Barcodes

Your ability to remember and recall moments in time is important for recording life-defining moments and everyday information like where you parked the car.

30 Mar 2024

Canadian-Led Study Identifies Genetic Links to Cerebral Palsy

A Canadian-led study has identified genes which may be partially responsible for the development of cerebral palsy.

29 Mar 2024

Scientists Pioneer mRNA Approach to Target Alzheimer's Protein

Scientists at The Florey have developed an mRNA technology approach to target the toxic protein tau, which builds up in patients with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

29 Mar 2024

Autofluorescence Reveals Clues to Stem Cell Dormancy

With the help of a tool created at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, researchers can better study the various states of stem cells in the nervous system by utilizing the light naturally emitted by biological specimens.

28 Mar 2024

Study Sheds Light on Human Neocortex Evolution

Neurobiologists are certain that the neocortex is the defining factor that distinguishes humans.

28 Mar 2024

New Study Sheds Light on Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction in Aging

The central nervous system requires a tightly controlled environment for the neurons in the brain to function properly and be able to process information. The blood-brain barrier, which is maintained by specific brain endothelial cells lining blood vessel inner walls, controls the exchange of chemicals between the neurological and circulatory systems.

25 Mar 2024

Federal Regulation Urged for Direct-to-Consumer Microbiome Tests

Scientific research has linked a person's microbiome to everything from gut and mental health to immunity and predisposition to cancer.

25 Mar 2024

Avoiding Post-COVID ‘Brain Fog’

Memory loss and difficulties learning are two of the numerous perplexing symptoms in COVID-19 infected patients.

22 Mar 2024

Decoding the Dynamics of Multiple Sclerosis Lesions

Scientists in Sweden were able to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind the development of lesions in multiple sclerosis by employing sophisticated techniques. The latest findings are detailed in the journal Cell by a team of researchers from Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University.

21 Mar 2024

Researchers Identify RNA-Regulator Brat as Key Player in Restraining Tissue Regeneration

Some animals possess the remarkable ability to regenerate lost structures, exemplified by a lizard regrowing its tail.

20 Mar 2024

Insulin Influences Mitochondrial Recycling in Neurons

The hormone insulin controls many cellular processes and adapts them to the body's current energy supply.

20 Mar 2024

Novel Imaging Technique Unveils Structural Details of Drug-Resistant Cancer Protein

Researchers have shown for the first time that a crucial interface in a protein that drives cancer growth could act as a target for more effective treatments.

20 Mar 2024

Study Reveals Neural Basis of Odor Perception

Scents, such as coffee, flowers, or freshly baked pumpkin pie, are created by odor molecules released by various substances and detected by our noses.

19 Mar 2024

New Biomarker Offers Early Detection of ALS and FTD

Two progressively degenerative diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD, recently in the news with the diagnoses of actor Bruce Willis and talk show host Wendy Williams), are linked by more than the fact that they both damage nerve cells critical to normal functioning -; the former affecting nerves in the brain and spinal cord leading to loss of movement, the latter eroding the brain regions controlling personality, behavior and language.

19 Mar 2024

Baby Gut Bacteria Found to Play Crucial Role in Immune Development

Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have shown that certain bacteria invade the stomach soon after birth and produce serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps teach gut immune cells.

18 Mar 2024

Machine Learning Accelerates Personalized T Cell Therapy Development for Cancer Patients

Making a personalized T cell therapy for cancer patients currently takes at least six months; scientists at the German Cancer Research Center and the University Medical Center Mannheim have shown that the laborious first step of identifying tumor-reactive T cell receptors for patients can be replaced with a machine learning classifier that halves this time.

18 Mar 2024

SIRPβ1 Gene Mutation Alters Alzheimer's Disease Progression

The scientist of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Malaga José Luis Royo has coordinated a study that summarizes eight years of research and brings together 100 multidisciplinary specialists, identifying a mutation that alters Alzheimer's disease progression.

18 Mar 2024