Neuroscience News and Research

RSS

Scientists use fruit fly embryos to study immune cell invasion

To fight infections and heal injuries, immune cells need to enter tissue. They also need to invade tumors to fight them from within.

7 Jan 2022

Novel tool provides an unprecedented view of brain cell activity

To decipher the mysteries behind memory and learning, researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine developed a system to trace millions of connections amongst brain cells in mice.

22 Dec 2021

Multiple changes in brain cells during embryonic development may contribute to schizophrenia

Multiple changes in brain cells during the first month of embryonic development may contribute to schizophrenia later in life, according to a new study by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators.

17 Dec 2021

Experts investigate link between COVID-19 and Parkinson’s disease

Case reports of younger COVID-19 patients developing Parkinson’s disease within weeks of contracting the virus led researchers to investigate a possible link between the two conditions.

17 Dec 2021

Study employs gene reactivation to treat Fragile X syndrome

Fragile X syndrome, or FXS—a principal genetic cause of autism—impacts around one in 6,000 females and one in 4,000 males.

17 Dec 2021

Why is Innovation Critical to Life Sciences Research?

In this interview, we speak to Kirstie Speck from Abcam about the importance of innovation within the life sciences and how its role will change over the next 10 years.

From Abcam 13 Dec 2021

New two-photon microscope provides unprecedented brain-imaging ability

Advancing our understanding of the human brain will require new insights into how neural circuitry works in mammals, including laboratory mice.

3 Dec 2021

Researchers expand understanding of how T cells recognize infections or disease

T cells communicate with other cells in the body in search of infections or diseases. This crosstalk relies on specialized receptors known as T cell receptors that recognize foreign molecular fragments from an infection or cancer that are presented for detection by particular molecules called major histocompatibility complex (MHC) or MHC-like.

23 Nov 2021

New gene critical for daily behavioral rhythms discovered

Life is organized on a 24-hour schedule. Central to this regular rhythm is the circadian clock, timekeepers that are present in virtually every organ, tissue and cell type.

16 Nov 2021

Multiple sclerosis drug improves memory in mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

Losing memory is a hallmark of Alzheimer's, a symptom of the disease that depletes a patient's quality of life. Improving memory and slowing cognitive changes caused by the disease is an ongoing challenge for researchers seeking to develop novel therapies.

8 Nov 2021

Voles provide an opportunity to understand the biology of forming social bonds

Being with friends and family may be a positive experience for some voles but it is merely tolerable to others, suggests a study published today in eLife.

3 Nov 2021

Discovery of long-lived mitochondrial proteins reveals increased stability of the electron transport chain

Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of the cell, generating the energy that's needed to fuel the functions that our cells carry out.

29 Oct 2021

Genetic liability to mental health conditions may affect a person's choice of residence

Living in cities has been highlighted as an environmental risk factor for schizophrenia and, to a lesser extent, other mental health conditions. However, few studies have explored genetic effects on the choice of residence.

28 Oct 2021

Correction of immune system's faulty timing may offer a new strategy to prevent severe COVID-19

Once an infection is under control, the body normally uses a biochemical messenger known as TGFβ to downgrade its immune response.

27 Oct 2021

Internal workings of next-word prediction models closely fit the human brain

In the past few years, artificial intelligence models of language have become very good at certain tasks. Most notably, they excel at predicting the next word in a string of text; this technology helps search engines and texting apps predict the next word you are going to type.

26 Oct 2021

New insight into how neurons and astrocytes work together to form healthy synapses

Brain cells called astrocytes play a key role in helping neurons develop and function properly, but there's still a lot scientists don't understand about how astrocytes perform these important jobs.

26 Oct 2021

'Mini brains' allow researchers to study a fatal, untreatable neurological disorder

Cambridge researchers have developed 'mini brains' that allow them to study a fatal and untreatable neurological disorder causing paralysis and dementia – and for the first time have been able to grow these for almost a year.

22 Oct 2021

Novel research reveals a vital but previously unknown role for microglia

University of Virginia School of Medicine researchers have revealed a vital but previously unknown role for immune cells that protect the brain from disease and injury: The cells, known as microglia, also help regulate blood flow and maintain the brain's critical blood vessels.

18 Oct 2021

Researchers refine cryogenic electron microscopy technique

In the late 1600s, the Dutch tradesman Anthoni van Leeuwenhoek began investigating the world of the very small using the first microscope, discovering a riotous world of protists, bacteria, and other previously unseen organisms.

18 Oct 2021

Researchers discover how neurons filter distracting signals to coordinate movements

As you read this article, touch receptors in your skin are sensing your environment. Your clothes and jewelry, the chair you're sitting on, the computer keyboard or mobile device you're using, even your fingers as they brush one another unintentionally-;each touch activates collections of nerve cells.

15 Oct 2021