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.

Researchers identify brain cells that drive fruit flies’ food choices based on nutrition needs

Using fruit flies, Johns Hopkins researchers say they have identified a specific and very small set of brain cells -- dubbed dopamine wedge neurons -- responsible for driving the insects' food preferences toward what they need, rather than what they like.

10 May 2017

Smiling can make people look two years older, study shows

Turn that frown upside-down? Not if you're keen on looking younger, you shouldn't. A new study shows that smiling can make you appear to be two years older than if you wear a poker face.

10 May 2017

Scientists aim to revolutionize asthma treatment by replacing inhalers with new drug

A common treatment for asthma, which is the most prevalent chronic childhood disease, requires use of an inhaler. But a big problem with inhalers, used to deliver steroids and other drugs in an aerosol form, is that children often don't operate them properly.

10 May 2017

Contrary behavior by blood vessels in the brainstem is what keeps us breathing, research suggests

Certain blood vessels in the brainstem constrict when blood vessels elsewhere in the body would dilate. And that contrary behavior is what keeps us breathing, according to a new paper by UConn researchers published May 8 in eLife.

9 May 2017

Low BMI may not be causal risk factor for Alzheimer's disease

A new large-scale genetic study found that low body mass index is likely not a causal risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, as earlier research had suggested, according to a study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

9 May 2017

Foot pain and posture may play role in recurrent falls among older adults

Researchers from Hebrew Senior Life's Institute for Aging Research have discovered that foot pain - particularly severe foot pain - correlates to a higher incidence of recurrent falls.

9 May 2017

Stereotactic partial breast radiation decreases treatment time from six weeks to just days

UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers found in a recent phase one clinical trial that stereotactic partial breast radiation was as safe as traditional radiation but decreased treatment time from six weeks to just days.

9 May 2017

Light-sheet fluorescence microscopy manufacturer Luxendo acquired by Bruker

Bruker announces that it has acquired Luxendo, a privately held spin-off of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) that develops and manufactures proprietary light-sheet fluorescence microscopy instruments.

From Bruker Nano Surfaces and Metrology 9 May 2017

Elekta demonstrate high definition dynamic radiosurgery with Versa HD and Monaco at ESTRO

Exhibit and events to highlight High definition Dynamic Radiosurgery with Versa HD and Monaco treatment planning software.

9 May 2017

Scientists show ability to grow specific neurons for treatment of optic neurodegenerative diseases

Scientists have demonstrated the capacity to grow specialized neurons that relay visual data to the brain, creating a source of cells for future treatments of glaucoma and other optic neurodegenerative diseases.

9 May 2017

Research finds evidence that human-like cognition may have emerged 1.8 million years ago

By using highly advanced brain imaging technology to observe modern humans crafting ancient tools, an Indiana University neuroarchaeologist has found evidence that human-like ways of thinking may have emerged as early as 1.8 million years ago.

9 May 2017

PTSD and psychoactive drugs linked to increased risk for dementia

Researchers are discovering that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a significant risk factor in developing dementia.

9 May 2017

Study findings suggest how progranulin deficiency causes frontotemporal dementia

In a recent study in Human Molecular Genetics, researchers from VIB and KU Leuven led by prof. Philip Van Damme, reveal a novel function for progranulin in lysosomes: it acts as chaperone of the lysosomal protease cathepsin D. The results were obtained in collaboration with Prof. Paul Saftig from the University of Kiel.

8 May 2017

Peer victimization in fifth grade has lasting effects on health and later substance use, study finds

A new study led by the University of Delaware found that kids who are bullied in fifth grade often suffer from depression and begin using alcohol and other substances a few years after the incidents.

8 May 2017

New clinical study aims to prevent onset of epilepsy in children with tuberous sclerosis

A clinical trial of a drug that researchers hope can prevent or delay the onset of epilepsy in children with tuberous sclerosis has begun at McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

8 May 2017

Study: Brain injury can increase impulsivity problems in rats

New research from the University of British Columbia confirms for the first time that even mild brain injury can result in impulse control problems in rats.

8 May 2017

Study: Ovarian hormone changes may trigger headache in adolescent girls with migraine

Changes in female hormones may trigger headaches in adolescent girls, but their effect may depend on age and their stage of pubertal development, according to a new study from researchers at University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

8 May 2017

Use of videos can reduce need for anesthesia during radiotherapy for children with cancer

Children with cancer could be spared dozens of doses of general anesthesia by projecting a video directly onto the inside of a radiotherapy machine during treatment, according to research presented at the ESTRO 36 conference.

8 May 2017

Despite availability of life-saving medicaiton, annual deaths due to fungal meningitis are still over 180,000

International HIV experts have reported approximately 250,000 fungal meningitis cases annually, in the AIDS report, sub-Saharan Africa contributing 73% of cases. Cryptococcus fungus causes fungal meningitis and usually affects individuals who are above 35 years old, affecting the tissues covering the brain and the spinal cord

8 May 2017

Drug used to treat bipolar disorder may help prevent brain cell damage in TBI patients

A drug used to treat bipolar disorder and other forms of depression may help to preserve brain function and prevent nerve cells from dying in people with a traumatic brain injury, according to a new Rutgers University study.

8 May 2017

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Researchers identify brain cells that drive fruit flies’ food choices based on nutrition needs

Smiling can make people look two years older, study shows

Scientists aim to revolutionize asthma treatment by replacing inhalers with new drug

Contrary behavior by blood vessels in the brainstem is what keeps us breathing, research suggests

Low BMI may not be causal risk factor for Alzheimer's disease

Foot pain and posture may play role in recurrent falls among older adults

Stereotactic partial breast radiation decreases treatment time from six weeks to just days

Light-sheet fluorescence microscopy manufacturer Luxendo acquired by Bruker

Elekta demonstrate high definition dynamic radiosurgery with Versa HD and Monaco at ESTRO

Scientists show ability to grow specific neurons for treatment of optic neurodegenerative diseases

Research finds evidence that human-like cognition may have emerged 1.8 million years ago

PTSD and psychoactive drugs linked to increased risk for dementia

Study findings suggest how progranulin deficiency causes frontotemporal dementia

Peer victimization in fifth grade has lasting effects on health and later substance use, study finds

New clinical study aims to prevent onset of epilepsy in children with tuberous sclerosis

Study: Brain injury can increase impulsivity problems in rats

Study: Ovarian hormone changes may trigger headache in adolescent girls with migraine

Use of videos can reduce need for anesthesia during radiotherapy for children with cancer

Despite availability of life-saving medicaiton, annual deaths due to fungal meningitis are still over 180,000

Drug used to treat bipolar disorder may help prevent brain cell damage in TBI patients

Industry Focus eBook - Cell & Gene Therapy (1st Edition) eBook

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