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.

Genetically encoded sensor helps detect hallucinogenic substances

Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have created a genetically encoded sensor for detecting hallucinogenic substances.

From The University of California, Davis 29 Apr 2021

Study identifies single protein key to regulating sex differences in Parkinson’s disease

Neuroscientists have found that a single protein is critical to controlling sex disparities in the brain’s susceptibility to age-related neuron loss.

From University of Pittsburgh 29 Apr 2021

Study discovers that mutations in a specific gene cause mitochondrial disease

For the first time, a research team from Monash University has discovered that mutations in a specific gene cause mitochondrial disease.

29 Apr 2021

Researchers discover new approach to reform plant breeding and genetics

The research was conducted at the Department of Food Science at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH FOOD) with professor emeritus Lars Munck as coordinator and builds on earlier work since 1963 at Svaloef Plant Breeding Institute and the Carlsberg Laboratory.

28 Apr 2021

National DNA Day 2021: An Interview with Professor George Church

In celebration of National DNA Day, AZoLifeSciences interviews renowned DNA expert Professor George Church about his life-long career in DNA research.

From Harvard Medical School 23 Apr 2021

New algorithm maps gene expression patterns into specific locations

Cell-type databases are increasing in size and complexity as researchers accumulate a great deal of gene-sequencing data.

21 Apr 2021

Chaperone protein imbalance initiates toxic accumulation of tau in the aging brain

Chaperone protein imbalance can play a significant role in initiating toxic accumulation of tau in the aging brain - an early step in the development of Alzheimer's disease and related neurodegenerative disorders known as tauopathies, a new preclinical study by University of South Florida Health (USF Health) neuroscientists suggests.

21 Apr 2021

Study shows how tau aggregates promote Alzheimer’s disease

If looked deep into the brain of a patient with Alzheimer’s disease or those suffering from the most types of dementia or the concussion-associated syndrome, called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), there would be hairball-like tangles of a protein known as tau—a common suspected culprit.

20 Apr 2021

New method helps map the epigenetics of mouse brain

Histones are essentially small proteins that attach to DNA and store information that can be used to switch individual genes on or off.

14 Apr 2021

Study shows that neural stem cells age quickly

A research team has revealed that neural stem cells (NSCs)—that is, the stem cells of the nervous system—age quickly.

14 Apr 2021

Women may be at a greater risk of experiencing chronic pain than men

According to a new study, women may be facing a higher risk of feeling chronic pain since the condition has a different genetic basis in men and women.

9 Apr 2021

Study finds an amyloid link between melanoma and Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder and melanoma is a type of skin cancer but on the surface, these disorders do not seem to have much in common.

8 Apr 2021

Dopamine-releasing brain cells shed light on Parkinson’s disease

Scientists have found that botulinum toxin—commonly known as Botox—can expose the inner workings of the brain, in addition to smoothing out wrinkles.

From New York University (NYU) 7 Apr 2021

3D-printed system enables the growth of self-organizing brain tissue

A research team has created brain tissue organoids in a tiny 3D-printed system that helps them observe as they grow and develop.

7 Apr 2021

Researchers identify overlapping genetic locations that shape face and the brain

An interdisciplinary team led by KU Leuven and Stanford has identified 76 overlapping genetic locations that shape both our face and our brain.

6 Apr 2021

New blueprint of brain connectivity provides detailed understanding of the basal ganglia

Thousands of our daily activities, from making coffee to taking a walk to saying hello to a neighbor, are made possible through an ancient collection of brain structures tucked away near the center of the cranium.

6 Apr 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