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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.

Scientists implicate disruption in prenatal neurogenesis in the development of autism

A new study of autism risk genes by UC San Francisco and UC Berkeley scientists implicates disruption in prenatal neurogenesis - a process in which specialized "progenitor" cells give rise to new brain cells - in the development of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).

9 Feb 2021

Study provides a causal link between the Alzheimer's risk gene and COVID-19

A City of Hope-led research team found that the same gene that increases the risk for Alzheimer's disease, ApoE4, can increase the susceptibility to and severity of COVID-19.

5 Feb 2021

Ancestral backgrounds can influence Alzheimer's disease risk, finds study

Genetics contributes to the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, and the APOE gene is the strongest genetic risk factor, specifically the APOE4 allele.

5 Feb 2021

New report highlights coffee's effect on sleep

The Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee (ISIC) published a new report today, titled 'Coffee and sleep in everyday lives', authored by Professor Renata Riha, from the Department of Sleep Medicine at the University of Edinburgh.

5 Feb 2021

Using insights from neuroscience to build modern robots

Today, neuroscience and robotics are developing hand in hand. Mikhail Lebedev, Academic Supervisor at HSE University's Centre for Bioelectric Interfaces, spoke about how studying the brain inspires the development of robots.

4 Feb 2021

Researchers gain a deep insight into the evolutionary history of bitter receptors

To evaluate the chemical composition of food from a physiological point of view, it is important to know the functions of the receptors that interact with food ingredients. These include receptors for bitter compounds, which first evolved during evolution in bony fishes such as the coelacanth.

3 Feb 2021

Study reveals NLRP1 protein that serves as a sensor for invasive pathogens

Researchers are paving the way to a more in-depth understanding of the race between pathogens and the host organisms they search to infect.

29 Jan 2021

3D genome study reveals molecular regulatory mechanisms of human brain evolution

A team led by Prof. SU Bing from the Kunming Institute of Zoology (KIZ) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Prof. LI Cheng from Peking University, and Prof. ZHANG Shihua from the Academy of Mathematics and Systems Science of CAS has reported the highest resolution by far of the 3D genome of the primate brain, and demonstrated the molecular regulatory mechanisms of human brain evolution through cross-species multi-omics analysis and experimental validation. The study was published in Cell.

29 Jan 2021

Tel Aviv University professor receives Blavatnik Award for Young Scientists in Israel

Professor Yossi Yovel, Associate Professor of Zoology at Tel Aviv University (TAU), is one of three Laureates to be awarded 2021 Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists in Israel by the Blavatnik Family Foundation, the New York Academy of Sciences, and the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities.

27 Jan 2021

Study shows two phases of wall restructuring after an aneurysm forms

Hitting a pothole on the road in just the wrong way might create a bulge on the tire, a weakened spot that will almost certainly lead to an eventual flat tire. But what if that tire could immediately begin reknitting its rubber, reinforcing the bulge and preventing it from bursting?

27 Jan 2021

TBI: Increased levels of immune cells promote inflammation that may worsen brain damage

Immediately after a traumatic brain injury and as long as one year later, there are increased levels of immune cells called ILCs in the brain promoting inflammation, which can worsen brain damage, scientists report.

27 Jan 2021

Anchor proteins inhibit a key metabolic driver involved in cancer and neuronal diseases

Certain anchor proteins inhibit a key metabolic driver that plays an important role in cancer and developmental brain disorders.

27 Jan 2021

Microalgae cultivation can be a promising way to produce healthy 'superfoods'

Marine microalgae-based cellular agriculture is a promising new way to sustainably produce plant-based 'meat' and healthy 'superfoods' for the future.

25 Jan 2021

New CAR T therapy could be more effective and less toxic against neuroblastoma

CAR T therapy has transformed the treatment for leukemia. Regrettably, the therapy is not effective enough to treat solid tumors, like neuroblastoma.

22 Jan 2021

New protocol identifies mismatch repair deficiency

Researchers have developed a new integrated genetic/epigenetic DNA-sequencing protocol known as MultiMMR that can identify the presence and cause of mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency in a single test from a small sample of DNA in the colon, endometrial, and other cancers.

22 Jan 2021

Electrical trigger sites in the brain change with experience, shows study

To process information in our brains, nerve cells produce brief electrical impulses, called action potentials, triggered from one highly specialized region.

22 Jan 2021

Common insecticides affect the amount of night's sleep in bumblebees and fruit flies

Just like us, many insects need a decent night's sleep to function properly, but this might not be possible if they have been exposed to neonicotinoid insecticides, the most common form of insecticide used worldwide, suggests research by academics at the University of Bristol.

21 Jan 2021

Researchers discover genetic risk factor for stroke

A research team from Geisinger Health System has detected a common genetic variant as a risk factor for stroke, particularly in patients aged more than 65.

20 Jan 2021

Food choice may accelerate aging and shorten lifespan of fruit flies

Having a choice of foods may accelerate aging and shorten the lifespan of fruit flies, according to a study published today in the open-access eLife journal.

20 Jan 2021

Study reveals genetic variants that increase the risk of nocturnal enuresis

In a large-scale study of Danish children and young people, researchers from Aarhus University have for the first time found genetic variants that increase the risk of nocturnal enuresis - commonly known as bedwetting or nighttime incontinence. The findings provide completely new insights into the processes in the body causing this widespread phenomenon.

20 Jan 2021

Brain News and Research

Scientists implicate disruption in prenatal neurogenesis in the development of autism

Study provides a causal link between the Alzheimer's risk gene and COVID-19

Ancestral backgrounds can influence Alzheimer's disease risk, finds study

New report highlights coffee's effect on sleep

Using insights from neuroscience to build modern robots

Researchers gain a deep insight into the evolutionary history of bitter receptors

Study reveals NLRP1 protein that serves as a sensor for invasive pathogens

3D genome study reveals molecular regulatory mechanisms of human brain evolution

Tel Aviv University professor receives Blavatnik Award for Young Scientists in Israel

Study shows two phases of wall restructuring after an aneurysm forms

TBI: Increased levels of immune cells promote inflammation that may worsen brain damage

Anchor proteins inhibit a key metabolic driver involved in cancer and neuronal diseases

Microalgae cultivation can be a promising way to produce healthy 'superfoods'

New CAR T therapy could be more effective and less toxic against neuroblastoma

New protocol identifies mismatch repair deficiency

Electrical trigger sites in the brain change with experience, shows study

Common insecticides affect the amount of night's sleep in bumblebees and fruit flies

Researchers discover genetic risk factor for stroke

Food choice may accelerate aging and shorten lifespan of fruit flies

Study reveals genetic variants that increase the risk of nocturnal enuresis

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