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 engineering NK cells can target and kill glioblastoma stem cells

Preclinical research from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center finds that although glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) can be targeted by natural killer (NK) cells, they are able to evade immune attack by releasing the TFG-β signaling protein, which blocks NK cell activity.

18 Jun 2021

Researchers systematically analyze alternative splicing in the family of glutamate receptors

Alternative splicing can lead to the formation of numerous protein variants. For the first time, alternative splicing has now been systematically analysed for the family of glutamate receptors.

17 Jun 2021

New technology offers an alternative way to produce highly detailed images of the brain

The gold standard in functional brain imaging for over two decades, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has transformed the landscape of research and clinical care. Yet, because of its cost and functional limitations, scientists have continued to look for new ways to see into the human brain.

15 Jun 2021

New types of glial cells in the brain may treat neurodegenerative diseases

Researchers from the University of Basel have discovered two types of glial cells that may play an important role in brain plasticity and repair.

15 Jun 2021

Study finds a link between progression of Alzheimer’s disease and corpuscles in cell nuclei

Studies conducted on patients’ tissue as well as mini-brains created from stem cells have provided a better insight into Alzheimer’s disease.

15 Jun 2021

Misfolded tau proteins cause progressive degeneration in Alzheimer's disease

According to a study performed by researchers from the Van Andel Institute and the University of Pennsylvania, misfolded proteins that impair neurons in Alzheimer’s disease travel the “roads” of the brain, similar to a supply truck crossing the countryside.

11 Jun 2021

Brain study provides new insights on dementia

The largest study to date has provided a better understanding of how genes are controlled in dementia, including the identification of 84 novel genes associated with the condition.

11 Jun 2021

Naked mole rats' unique DNA repair mechanism helps prevent cancers, dementia

Scientists say naked mole rats - a rodent native to West Africa - may hold the key to new treatments for degenerative diseases such as cancer and dementia.

11 Jun 2021

New research focuses on possible treatment options for childhood brain cancer

Medulloblastoma is a rare but devastating childhood brain cancer. This cancer can spread through the spinal fluid and be deposited elsewhere in the brain or spine.

11 Jun 2021

Commonly used antidepressant drugs can also help the immune system to attack cancer

A class of drug called monoamine oxidase inhibitors is commonly prescribed to treat depression; the medications work by boosting levels of serotonin, the brain's "happiness hormone."

10 Jun 2021

Study reveals the first look of brains retrieving faulty memories

Scientists have observed for the first time what it looks like in the key memory region of the brain when a mistake is made during a memory trial.

9 Jun 2021

Study reveals key molecule involved in myelin repair

New research works indicate that new brain cells are continuously formed in response to physical exercise, injury, and mental stimulation.

9 Jun 2021

Developing computational tools to illuminate how genetic factors impact the brain

Liang Zhan, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at Pitt's Swanson School of Engineering, received a $500,000 CAREER award from the National Science Foundation to develop computational tools that improve our understanding of the human brain.

8 Jun 2021

Gene therapy may be a safe and effective single-dose treatment for hypophosphatasia

A preclinical study led by scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys has established that AAV8-TNAP-D10--a gene therapy that replaces a key enzyme found in bone--may be a safe and effective single-dose treatment for hypophosphatasia (HPP).

8 Jun 2021

Single biomarker in the blood can accurately indicate underlying neurodegeneration

Levels of a protein called neurofilament light chain (NfL) in the blood can identify those who might have neurodegenerative diseases such as Down's syndrome dementia, motor neuron disease (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia, when clinical symptoms are not definitive.

8 Jun 2021

News study may lead to future therapeutic strategies against obesity, diabetes

The gut and the brain communicate with each other in order to adapt satiety and blood sugar levels during food consumption. The vagus nerve is an important communicator between these two organs.

3 Jun 2021

Three plausible solutions mitigates zoonotic risk associated with intensive animal agriculture

As early as the Neolithic period (circa 3900 BC), the domestication of animals likely led to the development of diseases including measles and smallpox. Since then, zoonotic disease has led to other major transnational outbreaks including HIV, Ebola, SARS, MERS, and H1N1 swine flu, among others.

3 Jun 2021

Odor-based test accurately distinguishes hard-to-detect cancers

An odor-based test that sniffs out vapors emanating from blood samples was able to distinguish between benign and pancreatic and ovarian cancer cells with up to 95 percent accuracy, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and Penn's Perelman School of Medicine.

3 Jun 2021

Adolescents with higher omega-3 levels in blood are less likely to acquire psychotic illness

Adolescents who had greater levels of an omega-3 fatty acid in their blood were less likely to acquire psychotic illness in early adulthood.

3 Jun 2021

New method can help diagnose unsolved cases of rare diseases across Europe

Experts in rare diseases have recently described the results of a collaboration to diagnose individuals living with unsolved cases of rare disorders throughout Europe.

3 Jun 2021

Brain News and Research

Genetically engineering NK cells can target and kill glioblastoma stem cells

Researchers systematically analyze alternative splicing in the family of glutamate receptors

New technology offers an alternative way to produce highly detailed images of the brain

New types of glial cells in the brain may treat neurodegenerative diseases

Study finds a link between progression of Alzheimer’s disease and corpuscles in cell nuclei

Misfolded tau proteins cause progressive degeneration in Alzheimer's disease

Brain study provides new insights on dementia

Naked mole rats' unique DNA repair mechanism helps prevent cancers, dementia

New research focuses on possible treatment options for childhood brain cancer

Commonly used antidepressant drugs can also help the immune system to attack cancer

Study reveals the first look of brains retrieving faulty memories

Study reveals key molecule involved in myelin repair

Developing computational tools to illuminate how genetic factors impact the brain

Gene therapy may be a safe and effective single-dose treatment for hypophosphatasia

Single biomarker in the blood can accurately indicate underlying neurodegeneration

News study may lead to future therapeutic strategies against obesity, diabetes

Three plausible solutions mitigates zoonotic risk associated with intensive animal agriculture

Odor-based test accurately distinguishes hard-to-detect cancers

Adolescents with higher omega-3 levels in blood are less likely to acquire psychotic illness

New method can help diagnose unsolved cases of rare diseases across Europe

How to stop the alarming decline in nature's genetic diversity

World Food Safety Day 2021: An Interview with the World Health Organization (WHO)

World Food Safety Day 2021: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

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