Summary: Weaker long-distance connections in the mammalian cortex may help explain why larger brains show greater vulnerability to certain mental illnesses. Source: PLOS Understanding cortical networks across mammals — a common organizational principle may explain why larger brains are more susceptible to some mental disorders The cerebral cortex in humans and other mammals supports sensory … Read more
They’re similar to the receptors in your nose, but instead of helping you smell coffee they can provoke coughing and airway constriction. Your nose is not the only organ that detects airborne chemicals. Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Iowa have identified odor receptors in the lung — not on … Read more
Summary: A new method identifies which proteins in human muscle cells are most important for increasing sugar uptake after exercise, improving our understanding of how exercise helps regulate blood sugar. Source: University of Sydney An international team of researchers has developed a precise, protein-focused method to determine which cellular proteins drive the improved sugar absorption … Read more
Summary: A new model gives a richer, testable understanding of how activity is coordinated between neurons in neural circuits and promises improved prediction of brain dynamics. Source: University of Pittsburgh New model promises better prediction of brain dynamics by extending balanced network theory For decades neuroscientists have worked to explain the brain’s apparently noisy and … Read more
Summary: Dog owners may enjoy measurable cardiovascular benefits. Analysis from the Kardiovize Brno 2030 cohort shows that pet owners—especially those who own dogs—report better physical health, higher levels of physical activity, and healthier diets than people without pets, and they score higher on cardiovascular health measures. Source: Mayo Clinic Overview A recent analysis using baseline … Read more
Summary: After a single night without sleep, levels of the tau protein in blood rose by about 17% in healthy young men. Sleep loss linked to short-term rise in blood tau — a biomarker associated with Alzheimer’s disease Source: Uppsala University A preliminary crossover study from researchers at Uppsala University reports that one night of … Read more
Summary: A recent paper outlines a practical strategy for creating new anti‑aging therapies and reliable biomarkers by mining large medical studies and population biobanks. Source: GERO. Aging is the principal single factor driving chronic disease and mortality. As global populations age rapidly, health care and social systems face mounting challenges. By 2050, the number of … Read more
Summary: Longer and greater lifetime exposure to estrogen was linked with larger gray matter volume in middle-aged women. Source: Alzheimer’s Research UK Researchers based in the United States report a relationship between markers of extended estrogen exposure and reduced brain shrinkage in women during midlife. These results were published in the peer-reviewed journal Neurology. Past … Read more
New machine learning algorithm identifies the facial expression a person is viewing by reading neural activity. Research co-led by the University of Glasgow has been reported alongside work at The Ohio State University that advances understanding of how the human brain recognizes facial expressions—a development with potential implications for neurological research and clinical applications. Scientists … Read more
Summary: A new optogenetics-based method enables optical imaging of neuronal electrical activity without electrodes, according to MIT researchers. Source: MIT. Neurons communicate through rapid electrical impulses that underlie behavior, sensation, thought, and emotion. Traditionally, researchers record these signals with electrodes inserted into brain tissue, a process that can be technically challenging and time-consuming. Scientists at … Read more
