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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.

Childhood verbal abuse costs global society $300 billion annually, study finds

Childhood verbal abuse by adults costs society an estimated $300 billion (£239 billion) a year globally, show findings presented at the first international conference on childhood verbal abuse, hosted by UCL, Words Matter and the World Health Organization (WHO).

13 Apr 2024

Neural circuitry in the spinal cord allows brain-independent motor learning

Aya Takeoka at the RIKEN Center for Brain Science (CBS) in Japan and colleagues have discovered the neural circuitry in the spinal cord that allows brain-independent motor learning.

13 Apr 2024

New technology can automatically identify infants at risk of developing neuromotor diseases

A team of researchers led by Huanyu "Larry" Cheng, the James L. Henderson, Jr. Memorial Associate Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics (ESM) at Penn State, tested the use of wearable sensors paired with a "tiny" machine learning algorithm to automatically monitor and evaluate general movements in infants.

13 Apr 2024

Understanding the mechanisms behind embryonic diapause in hungry mouse mums

It's challenging to sustain a pregnancy when food is short, or conditions are otherwise tough. That's why many mammalian embryos can postpone their growth to get through periods of environmental stress and then re-enter development when conditions improve.

12 Apr 2024

Visualizing centriole genesis with microscopy and kinematic reconstruction techniques

Cells contain various specialized structures - such as the nucleus, mitochondria or peroxisomes - known as "organelles''.

12 Apr 2024

Cannabis compound d-limonene reduces anxiety-inducing effects of THC

A Johns Hopkins Medicine-led research team has added to evidence that a chemical found naturally in cannabis (also known as marijuana) can -; in the right amounts -; lessen the anxiety-inducing effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive sister chemical found in cannabis.

12 Apr 2024

Geraniol alleviates cognitive decline in D-galactose-induced aging mice

A new research paper was published in Aging (listed by MEDLINE/PubMed as "Aging (Albany NY)" and "Aging-US" by Web of Science) Volume 16, Issue 6, entitled, "Geraniol attenuates oxidative stress and neuroinflammation-mediated cognitive impairment in D galactose-induced mouse aging model."

12 Apr 2024

New review explores the key gender differences in sleep, circadian rhythms and metabolism

A new review of research evidence has explored the key differences in how women and men sleep, variations in their body clocks, and how this affects their metabolism.

12 Apr 2024

Study confirms the mental health benefits of weight training for older individuals

Weight training can help reduce body fat and increase muscle strength and mass in older people, contributing to functional autonomy and avoidance of falls and injury.

12 Apr 2024

Transcranial direct current stimulation shows promise for treating depression, anxiety in older adults

A noninvasive brain stimulation treatment improved depression and anxiety symptoms among older adults in a new University of Florida-led study.

12 Apr 2024

Is psilocybin safe for treating depression and anxiety?

A study in JAMA Network Open examined the acute adverse effects of therapeutic doses of psilocybin for treating depression and anxiety, focusing on its safety profile by assessing the occurrence of immediate side effects like headache, nausea, and elevated blood pressure among others.

12 Apr 2024

Tumor microbiomes offer new insights for enhancing cancer therapies

Comprehensive review reveals the significant impact of tumor-resident bacteria on metastatic cancer, showing how microbiome genomes influence tumor biology, immune system response, and treatment effectiveness. It lays the groundwork for utilizing bacteria-focused therapies to complement traditional cancer treatments.

11 Apr 2024

Newly discovered genetic variant reduces the odds of developing Alzheimer's disease

Columbia researchers have discovered a genetic variant that reduces the odds of developing Alzheimer's disease by up to 70% and may be protecting thousands of people in the United States from the disease.

10 Apr 2024

New technique connects lab-grown "neural organoids" to resemble brain circuits

The idea of growing a functioning human brain-like tissues in a dish has always sounded pretty far-fetched, even to researchers in the field.

10 Apr 2024

Researchers identify the most harmful modifiable risk factors for dementia

Researchers from the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Oxford have used data from UK Biobank participants to reveal that diabetes, traffic-related air pollution and alcohol intake are the most harmful out of 15 modifiable risk factors for dementia.

10 Apr 2024

Periodontal treatment after heart rhythm ablation may reduce AFib recurrence

Treating gum disease in the 3-months after a procedure to correct an irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation (AFib) may lower oral inflammation and may reduce AFib recurrence, according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.

10 Apr 2024

New natural supplement shows promise in preventing postpartum blues

A new study published in the Lancet discovery science journal eClinicalMedicine has confirmed that a novel natural supplement-;invented, researched, developed and commercialized at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)-;prevents postpartum blues, and reduces symptoms of postpartum depression over the following six months after giving birth.

10 Apr 2024