Summary: Activation of noradrenergic neurons originating in the locus coeruleus and projecting to the spinal dorsal horn stimulates a distinct population of astrocytes, and that astrocyte activation promotes heightened pain sensitivity. Source: Kyushu University A research team in Japan has identified a previously unrecognized mechanism in spinal pain control: a selective group of astrocytes in … Read more

Summary: Researchers engineered an RNA molecule into a programmable, logically operating ribocomputing device. The advance could enable the construction of more sophisticated synthetic biological circuits for diagnostics and therapeutics. Source: Wyss Institute Novel RNA nanodevices in living cells can sense and evaluate multiple signals, offering a path to advanced synthetic diagnostics and targeted therapeutics. Synthetic … Read more

Summary: One of the toughest challenges for robots is not brute strength but fine finger control—tasks like clicking a mouse, cutting with scissors, or pressing individual piano keys. While robotic hands have improved at gripping, they have historically lacked reliable proprioception—the internal sense of where their fingers are in space. A collaborative research team has … Read more

New Chromosome 6 Genetic Syndrome Linked to Obesity, Overeating and Behavioural Challenges Researchers at the University of Manchester have identified a previously unrecognised genetic syndrome that links a small deletion on chromosome 6 with severe obesity, excessive eating (hyperphagia), and a range of developmental, intellectual and behavioural difficulties. Dr Siddharth Banka, Clinical Senior Lecturer at … Read more

Summary: Adolescents with higher blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids—particularly DHA—had a lower risk of developing psychotic disorder by their mid-twenties. At age 24, people with psychosis showed lower DHA levels than those without the disorder. Source: RCSI New research indicates that higher concentrations of certain omega-3 fatty acids in adolescence may reduce the likelihood … Read more

Summary: A new study finds that recalling positive memories before stepping on stage can meaningfully improve musicians’ performances. Professional wind instrumentalists who focused on uplifting past experiences showed greater sympathetic nervous system activity, reported more positive emotions and higher arousal, and were rated as performing better than those who recalled negative memories or no memories … Read more

Tel Aviv University, Harvard, and Technion team report that a routine blood test could reveal Alzheimer’s risk and relate to IQ Diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease today often requires lengthy cognitive evaluations, expensive brain imaging and, in some cases, invasive testing of cerebrospinal fluid. These procedures can be time-consuming, costly and sometimes subjective. A new collaborative study … Read more

Summary: Although incidence rates for malignant brain cancers have fallen in recent years, five-year survival for people diagnosed with brain tumors remains low. Source: American Cancer Society A comprehensive analysis found that incidence rates for malignant brain and other central nervous system (CNS) tumors in the United States declined by 0.8% per year from 2008 … Read more

Summary: Researchers have identified a clear relationship between the control energy required to steer brain state transitions and regional glucose metabolism in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). This finding establishes a biological foundation for applying network control theory to the study of brain dynamics. Source: USTC A research team led by He Xiaosong at the University … Read more

Summary: Unexpectedly positive outcomes strengthen memory for specific events. These results may have implications for understanding and treating memory problems associated with depression. Source: Brown University Key finding: Researchers found that moments when outcomes exceed expectations — for example, finding an unexpectedly good parking spot or discovering a $20 bill on the sidewalk — not … Read more