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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.

Exploring how smoking cannabis alters the oral microbiome and its impact on the brain

Inspiration strikes when you least expect it. For Wei Jiang, M.D., a professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), inspiration came in 2018 on a smoke-filled boat tour around Amsterdam during an international conference.

30 Jan 2023

Long-term deep meditation may have a beneficial effect on gut microbiota, study suggests

Regular deep meditation, practised for several years, may help to regulate the gut microbiome and potentially lower the risks of physical and mental ill health, finds a small comparative study published in the open access journal General Psychiatry.

30 Jan 2023

The 12-hour cyclic gene activity abnormalities in schizophrenic brains

The first proof of 12-hour cycles of gene activity in the human brain is presented by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in the United States.

From University of Pittsburgh 26 Jan 2023

Researchers use supercomputer to unveil new methods for DNA mosaic recognition

As humans, we each have trillions of cells. And each cell has a nucleus with individual genetic information –DNA – that can mutate to create an abnormality.

25 Jan 2023

Studying the association between gut microbe and Parkinson’s disease

A new study by the University of Surrey suggests that Parkinson’s disease may begin in the gut and pass on to the brain.

From University of Surrey 18 Jan 2023

Interpretable framework to investigate the spatial organization of cells

In cells that are similar in form and function throughout tissues and organs, genes that are activated and expressed produce patterns. Identifying these patterns increases the understanding of cells, which could lead to the discovery of disease mechanisms.

18 Jan 2023

Ten years and 1,000 studies later, epigeneticists discover problems in their arsenal

Twenty years ago, following the initial sequencing of the human genome, geneticists started carrying out extensive genome-wide association studies to find genomic regions connected to human disease.

16 Jan 2023

New open-access database provides a map of the proteome signature

The recently released cancer protein profile database, which was created using AI and machine learning, has helped with cancer prediction medicine. The new open-access Disease Blood Atlas, unveiled by KTH Royal Institute of Technology Professor Mathias Uhlén, gives the first-ever map of the proteome signature in cancer patients’ blood.

11 Jan 2023

Investigating the molecular mechanisms that govern cilia force sensing

Although the human body is superficially symmetric along the left–right axis, most internal organs, including the heart, lungs, liver, stomach, and brain, have noteworthy left–right asymmetries in their structure and placement.

6 Jan 2023

Researchers study how cells use their sense of touch to make decisions during embryogenesis

Building tissues and organs is one of the most complex and important tasks that cells must accomplish during embryogenesis.

6 Jan 2023

Discovery of a new cellular element crucial to sense of smell

Researchers at Umeå University have found an organelle, a previously unidentified cellular component, inside the neurons that are responsible for the ability to smell. The finding might have repercussions for future studies on COVID-19 symptoms like impaired smell sense.

5 Jan 2023

New technologies reveal cross-cutting breakdowns in Alzheimer’s disease

A figure from the paper depicts pathways perturbed in Alzheimer's disease. Below examples are listed for each pathway by major brain cell type. Image Credit: The Picower Institute.

4 Jan 2023

The detrimental effects of alcohol consumption during pregnancy

For the first time, researchers at the University of Helsinki in Finland examined the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on the epigenome and gene function of the placenta. The epigenome is a molecular coating on a DNA strand that controls how genes are expressed.

4 Jan 2023

MIT researchers use specialized MRI sensor to detect light deep within tissues

Using a specialized MRI sensor, MIT researchers have shown that they can detect light deep within tissues such as the brain.

3 Jan 2023

Genetic cause behind novel DEE syndrome discovered

Autism and epilepsy are two highly prevalent conditions that fall under the umbrella of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD), which affect 1–3% of the world’s population just in terms of cognitive disabilities.

20 Dec 2022

Octopuses' acuity may provide a critical link in understanding the evolution of complex life

Octopuses have captured the attention of scientists and the public with their remarkable intelligence, including the use of tools, engaging in creative play and problem-solving, and even escaping from aquariums.

16 Dec 2022

Involvement of the piRNA pathway in brain plasticity and successful aging

The Neurobiology of miRNA team, headed by Davide De Pietri Tonelli of the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT-Italian Institute of Technology), established a link between a family of small RNA molecules known as piRNAs and brain inflammation.

16 Dec 2022

Simple inexpensive test determines the genetic susceptibility to PML

Four genetic mutations have been linked to progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare but sometimes fatal brain infection that can be provoked by dozens of FDA-approved drugs.

16 Dec 2022

Using CRISPR technology to reduce the symptoms of Huntington’s disease

A neurological condition called Huntington's disease (HD) results in a progressive decline in movement, coordination, and mental ability. It is brought on by a mutation in the huntingtin, or HTT, gene.

From UC San Diego 14 Dec 2022

Scientist honored for his contribution on ALS research

The Drs Ayeez and Shelena Lalji & Family ALS Endowed Award for Innovative Healing was given to Clive Svendsen, PhD, a pioneer in regenerative medicine, for his significant contributions to the field of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (AL) at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS.

12 Dec 2022