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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.

Eye research charity funds development of ‘organ-on-a-chip’ to fight glaucoma

Eye research charity, Fight for Sight, is funding the development of an ‘organ-on-chip’ that for the first time will be used to help investigate glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness.

22 May 2019

For civilians, finding a therapist skilled in PTSD treatments is a tough task

Lauren Walls has lived with panic attacks, nightmares and flashbacks for years. The 26-year-old San Antonio teacher sought help from a variety of mental health professionals — including spending five years and at least $20,000 with one therapist who used a Christian-faith-based approach, viewing her condition as part of a spiritual weakness that could be conquered — but her symptoms worsened. She hit a breaking point two years ago, when she contemplated suicide.

22 May 2019

New fluorescent sensor can detect migrating cancer cells

A new fluorescent sensor developed by researchers from the University of Adelaide can detect migrating cancer cells and could be used to target medication to stop metastasis in aggressive cancers.

22 May 2019

Scientists identify new therapeutic target for depression

Depression is one of the most widespread disorders that affects society, according to the World Health Organization. In fact, it is estimated that 4 million people are affected in Spain.

22 May 2019

Neonatal exposure to nicotine alters neurons, predisposes brain to addiction in adulthood

Neonatal exposure to nicotine alters the reward circuity in the brains of newborn mice, increasing their preference for the drug in later adulthood, report researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine in a study published "in press" April 24, 2019 in Biological Psychiatry.

22 May 2019

New assessment tools capture implicit signs of word knowledge in individuals with Level 3 ASD

Tests that assess vocabulary among individuals with the severest forms of autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, are notoriously inaccurate.

22 May 2019

UNLV study reveals new mechanism in long-term memory retrieval

There have been many famous duos throughout history: Sonny and Cher. Batman and Robin. Penn and Teller.

22 May 2019

New study explores link between traffic-related air pollution and childhood anxiety

Exposure to air pollution is a well-established global health problem associated with complications for people with asthma and respiratory disease, as well as heart conditions and an increased risk of stroke, and according to the World Health Organization, is responsible for millions of deaths annually.

21 May 2019

New algorithm guides catheters to accurately locate atrial fibrillation sources

Patients with atrial fibrillation or AFib experience chaotic electrical signals in the upper chamber of their heart (atria), which cause an irregular or quivering heartbeat (arrhythmia) that can lead to blood clots and heart failure. AFib also is a major cause of stroke and affects 33 million people worldwide.

21 May 2019

New study shows how a kidney biopsy can be used to tailor treatment for lupus patients

The kidneys of patients living with systemic lupus erythematosus are often under assault, and not all those living with the disease will respond to standard treatment.

21 May 2019

Lung cancer screening using Google AI proves to be successful

Researchers at Google have developed an algorithm that can successfully diagnose lung cancer in 94.4 percent of cases.

21 May 2019

Distractions and exercise may be key to managing chronic pain

A man who developed scoliosis as a teenager has developed ways to cope with chronic pain without using pain medication.

21 May 2019

Cannabidiol reduces cue-induced craving and anxiety in individuals with history of heroin abuse

Cannabidiol reduced cue-induced craving and anxiety in individuals with a history of heroin abuse, suggesting a potential role for it in helping to break the cycle of addiction, according to research conducted at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and published May 21 in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

21 May 2019

Researchers explore link between aging fat cells and Alzheimer's

Scientists want to know whether our aging fat cells are important to the onset and progression of Alzheimer's.

21 May 2019

Novel measures of PD-related brain activity detected with scalp electroencephalography

Novel measures of brain activity associated with Parkinson’s disease can be detected with scalp electrodes, according to a new analysis published in eNeuro. Such a marker of PD — detected using a noninvasive, affordable approach — could improve management of the disease by doctors and patients, particularly in rural areas.

From Society for Neuroscience 21 May 2019