Brain News and Research

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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.

Research reveals link between POMC neurons and release of insulin by the pancreas

The brain is key in the regulation of appetite, body weight and metabolism. Specifically, there is a small group of hypothalamus neurons, called POMC, that detect and integrate signals that inform on the energy state of the organism and activate the appropriate physiological responses.

8 Jun 2017

Researchers use MRI to show how infant brain connections can predict autism risk at age two

For the first time, autism researchers used MRIs of six-month olds to show how brain regions are connected and synchronized, and then predict which babies at high risk of developing autism would be diagnosed with the condition at age two.

8 Jun 2017

SLU scientist discovers cause and potential solution for cancer-related bone pain

In a paper published in the journal Pain, Saint Louis University researcher Daniela Salvemini, Ph.D., reports discovering a key molecular pathway that drives cancer-related bone pain while providing a potential solution with a drug that already is on the market.

8 Jun 2017

Salk scientist uses mathematical framework to better understand how cell types divide work

Despite advances in neuroscience, the brain is still very much a black box--no one even knows how many different types of neurons exist.

7 Jun 2017

West Nile virus positive mosquitoes detected in Las Vegas

According to the health officials in Southern Nevada, mosquito samples from multiple Las Vegas neighbourhoods have tested positive for the West Nile virus. The affected zip code areas according to the officials are 89011, 89110 and 89146. These areas were being combed for Zika virus in mosquitoes. One such case of human West Nile virus infection has been confirmed in Clark County a few weeks ago.

7 Jun 2017

Researchers unravel mystery of how human eyes compute direction of moving light

The mystery of how human eyes compute the direction of moving light has been made clearer by scientists at The University of Queensland.

7 Jun 2017

Study uses prebiotic fiber to improve intestinal bacteria profile of children

A couple of teaspoons of a fiber supplement, taken daily, has produced some exciting results that will help children with overweight or obesity maintain a healthier weight and prevent many diseases caused by obesity.

7 Jun 2017

Study shows benefit of thrombectomy in clot removal beyond six-hour time window for stroke

Results of an international, randomized controlled research study show that mechanical thrombectomy, which is an endovascular treatment to remove a stroke-causing blood clot in the brain, is effective in some patients even when performed within 6 to 24 hours after a stroke.

7 Jun 2017

Study establishes BCL6 protein as potential marker to predict overall survival of GBM patients

Researchers from the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore at the National University of Singapore have discovered that the BCL6 protein could potentially be used as a marker to predict clinical outcomes of patients suffering from Glioblastoma Multiforme, the most malignant cancer of the brain.

7 Jun 2017

Molecular biologists identify enzyme that activates and ‘supercharges’ cellular machinery

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital molecular biologists have identified an enzyme that activates and "supercharges" cellular machinery that controls how cells become specialized cells in the body.

7 Jun 2017

Rush offers new, implantable cardiac device to reduce risk of stroke in AFib patients

Rush University Medical Center is offering a new, implantable cardiac device to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, providing an alternative to the long-term use of blood thinners.

7 Jun 2017

Framing the choice as sequence of events can increase patience, prompt future thinking

When faced with a tempting choice, it can be hard to stop and think through the potential consequences, but new research suggests that framing the choice as a sequence of events can help us exercise patience by prompting us to imagine the future.

7 Jun 2017

Researchers show how neurons use crowdsourcing in decision-making process

How do we make decisions? Or rather, how do our neurons make decisions for us? Do individual neurons have a strong say or is the voice in the neural collective? One way to think about this question is to ask how many of my neurons you would have to observe to read my mind.

7 Jun 2017

New protocol offers faster and more effective way to obtain astrocytes from stem cells

Neurons have long enjoyed the spotlight in neuroscience--and for good reason: they are incredibly important cellular actors. But, increasingly, star-shaped support cells called astrocytes are being seen as more than bit players in the brain's rich pageant.

6 Jun 2017

Studies offer hope for developing new biomarker and drug for neurodegenerative diseases

Two new studies of progressive, neurodegenerative diseases linked to defects in cells' mitochondria offer hope for developing a new biomarker for research and diagnostics, and a drug for treating such diseases, report researchers at the University of California, Davis.

6 Jun 2017

Moderate alcohol consumption has adverse effect on brain function

A new study reported this week suggests that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol may also change the brain structure significantly and lead to worsening of functions.

6 Jun 2017

Study suggests promising therapeutic strategy for childhood brain tumor

A study published in Molecular Cancer Research reveals that a tumor suppressor gene p16 is turned off by a histone mutation (H3.3K27M), which is found in up to 70 percent of childhood brain tumors called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG).

6 Jun 2017

Anti-heroin vaccine developed at TSRI proven effective in primate models

A vaccine developed at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) to block the "high" of heroin has proven effective in non-human primates. This is the first vaccine against an opioid to pass this stage of preclinical testing.

6 Jun 2017

New discovery could have major impact on therapies to prevent spread of cancer

A research study led by University of Minnesota engineers gives new insight into how cancer cells move based on their ability to sense their environment. The discovery could have a major impact on therapies to prevent the spread of cancer.

6 Jun 2017

Researchers develop new approach to build better blood-brain barrier model

Delivering drugs to the brain is no easy task. The blood-brain barrier -a protective sheath of tissue that shields the brain from harmful chemicals and invaders - cannot be penetrated by most therapeutics that are injected into a person's blood stream.

6 Jun 2017

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Research reveals link between POMC neurons and release of insulin by the pancreas

Researchers use MRI to show how infant brain connections can predict autism risk at age two

SLU scientist discovers cause and potential solution for cancer-related bone pain

Salk scientist uses mathematical framework to better understand how cell types divide work

West Nile virus positive mosquitoes detected in Las Vegas

Researchers unravel mystery of how human eyes compute direction of moving light

Study uses prebiotic fiber to improve intestinal bacteria profile of children

Study shows benefit of thrombectomy in clot removal beyond six-hour time window for stroke

Study establishes BCL6 protein as potential marker to predict overall survival of GBM patients

Molecular biologists identify enzyme that activates and ‘supercharges’ cellular machinery

Rush offers new, implantable cardiac device to reduce risk of stroke in AFib patients

Framing the choice as sequence of events can increase patience, prompt future thinking

Researchers show how neurons use crowdsourcing in decision-making process

New protocol offers faster and more effective way to obtain astrocytes from stem cells

Studies offer hope for developing new biomarker and drug for neurodegenerative diseases

Moderate alcohol consumption has adverse effect on brain function

Study suggests promising therapeutic strategy for childhood brain tumor

Anti-heroin vaccine developed at TSRI proven effective in primate models

New discovery could have major impact on therapies to prevent spread of cancer

Researchers develop new approach to build better blood-brain barrier model

Industry Focus eBook - Neurology/Neuroscience - 2nd edition eBook

Bringing real-time analytics to downstream bioprocess monitoring

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

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