New technique could yield knowledge useful to understanding the human brain. Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a novel method that lets them identify which neural connections were active during a specific sensory experience or behavior in the fruit fly. By using engineered fluorescent tags that reveal synaptic activity in distinct colors, the team can … Read more

Summary: Researchers report that the medial prefrontal cortex aligns incoming visual information with recently acquired percepts, helping maintain a stable visual experience even during brief interruptions such as blinks. Source: DPZ. Every five seconds we close our eyes to blink and moisten them. During these fleeting moments, no light reaches the retina, yet our perception … Read more

Summary: Two distinct regions on the BAX protein can bind BH3-only proteins, and these binding sites act at separate stages of BAX activation. A transient, “hit-and-run” interaction at one of these regions triggers BAX to relocate to mitochondria, enabling it to later disrupt mitochondrial membranes and drive cell death. Source: Walter and Eliza Hall Institute … Read more

Summary: A long-term study has identified a promising biomarker that could indicate which patients are moving toward more severe, progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Researchers found that an elevated CXCL13-to-BAFF ratio corresponds with compartmentalized inflammation in the leptomeninges — a characteristic feature of progressive MS. This elevated ratio appeared in a newly developed mouse … Read more

Summary: People who act in pro-social ways during the pandemic — for example, wearing masks, donating supplies, or helping those who are ill even at personal cost — are more likely to feel a strong connection to other people across the world. Source: University of Washington New research from the University of Washington finds that … Read more

Using a novel approach that combines laser illumination with lipid-coated silver nanoparticles, researchers captured direct molecular-level snapshots of amyloid‑β as it interacted with a cell‑like membrane. Although the origins of Alzheimer’s disease remain debated, many experts agree that certain forms of the amyloid‑β peptide that can disrupt cell membranes are central to the pathology. Designing … Read more

Although it may not always be the first concern for people living with facial hemiparalysis, the condition can significantly affect social communication: it not only prevents normal facial expression but also reduces the ability to perceive and interpret emotions on others’ faces. A collaborative study involving the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) in Trieste, … Read more

Laboratory research compared alcohol alone to alcohol mixed with an energy drink on cognitive control and subjective intoxication. Findings indicate that energy drinks increase the stimulant sensations people feel when drinking alcohol. Energy drinks did not change measured behavioral impairment from alcohol, especially impaired impulse control. The combination of heightened stimulation and persistent impulse-control impairment … Read more

Circadian Clock Genes Protect the Brain from Oxidative Stress and Neurodegeneration New findings suggest potential ways to delay or prevent some age-related neurodegenerative conditions. As organisms age, their internal biological clocks gradually lose precision and eventually fail. In mice, disrupting a core clock gene called Bmal1 has long been known to accelerate aging, producing symptoms … Read more

Summary: A recent UC Davis study finds a link between childhood asthma and poorer memory performance, particularly in episodic memory. The research shows that children with asthma scored lower on memory tests than peers without asthma, and that earlier onset of asthma was associated with slower memory development over a two-year period. The findings suggest … Read more