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.

New approach to analyzing brain patterns appears to help reduce people’s fear, build confidence

A new technique of analyzing brain patterns appears to help people overcome fear and build self-confidence.

15 Dec 2016

Viral infection during pregnancy affects maternal care and can trigger depression in offspring

A viral infection in a pregnant woman not only affects her subsequent ability to provide maternal care but can also trigger depression in her offspring, which can then even extend into the next generation as a result of changes to genetic mechanisms in the brain.

15 Dec 2016

Researchers pinpoint mechanism underlying astrocyte-mediated recovery of brain tissue after injury

A Kobe University research team has pinpointed the mechanism underlying astrocyte-mediated restoration of brain tissue after an injury. This could lead to new treatments that encourage regeneration by limiting damage to neurons incurred by reduced blood supply or trauma.

15 Dec 2016

Endurance runners' brains have greater functional connectivity, research shows

If you're thinking about taking up running as your New Year's resolution and still need some convincing, consider this: MRI scans reveal that endurance runners' brains have greater functional connectivity than the brains of more sedentary individuals.

15 Dec 2016

People with protein in urine more likely to develop memory problems, dementia

People who have protein in their urine, which is a sign of kidney problems, may also be more likely to later develop problems with thinking and memory skills or even dementia, according to a meta-analysis published in the December 14, 2016, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

15 Dec 2016

Over-the-counter antioxidant may promote reductions in alcohol use in marijuana-dependent teens

An over-the-counter antioxidant known as N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is showing early promise at promoting abstinence from or reduced use of alcohol in marijuana-dependent adolescents, report researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in the December 2016 Addictive Behaviors.

15 Dec 2016

Virtual reality intervention shows promise to repair mobility and motor skills in impaired limb

A combination of traditional physical therapy and technology may improve the motor skills and mobility of an impaired hand by having its partner, more mobile hand lead by example through virtual reality training, new Tel Aviv University research suggests.

15 Dec 2016

New technology that increases Natural Killer cells to stop cancers gets licensed

Our bodies contain Natural Killer (NK) cells - an army that stops cancers and viruses before they can make us sick.

15 Dec 2016

Infants appear to notice differences in ethnicities, new UCLA study shows

Infants less than a year old, who have yet to learn language, appear to notice differences when looking at adult women of different ethnicities, a new study by UCLA psychologists shows.

15 Dec 2016

Lactate component responsible for anti-tumor effects of plasma medicine, research shows

Physical plasma is one of the four fundamental states of matter, together with solid, liquid, and gas, and can be completely or partially ionized (thermal/hot or non-thermal/cold plasma, respectively).

15 Dec 2016

Additional MRI scan during pregnancy could help accurately detect foetal abnormalities

An additional MRI scan during pregnancy could help to more accurately detect foetal abnormalities and give more certainty for parents whose 20-week ultrasound scan showed a potential problem, according to new research by scientists at the University of Sheffield.

15 Dec 2016

New book provides insights into latest treatments for partial blindness

In Restoring Low Vision, renowned neuroscientist Bernhard Sabel explains cutting-edge science in language that patients can easily understand and provides a comprehensive look at the latest treatments for partial blindness.

15 Dec 2016

Karolinska Institutet researchers find solutions for nerve stimulation

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a method for producing flexible plastic electrodes capable of releasing the neurotransmitter acetylcholine upon an electrical trigger.

14 Dec 2016

Technological advancements in hearing implants

Hearing aids capture sound, make the sound louder and then send the sound down the ear canal, through the middle ear to the inner ear where the hearing nerves are located. They are most beneficial for people with mild to moderate hearing loss...

14 Dec 2016

Common anti-cholesterol drugs show promise for reducing Alzheimer's disease risk

Common anti-cholesterol drugs show promise for reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease, a University of Southern California-led study of Medicare data reveals.

14 Dec 2016

Research into common congenital brain defect identifies molecular basis

Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute (SBP) have discovered a molecular cause of hydrocephalus, a common, potentially life-threatening birth defect in which the head is enlarged due to excess fluid surrounding the brain.

14 Dec 2016

Novel plasma medicine with anti-tumor effect discovered

Nagoya University researchers develop cold plasma-activated Ringer's solution for chemotherapy. The solution has anti-tumor effects in vitro and in vivo that derive from the lactate component.

14 Dec 2016

Innovation in stroke aftercare across Europe: an interview with Professor Urs Fischer

Stroke is the epidemic disease of the twenty-first century and the second most frequent cause of death in 2011, accounting for 11% of all deaths worldwide. Stroke is also the second most important cause of permanent disability and...

13 Dec 2016

Cedars-Sinai surgeons use high-definition imaging device to map the brain during surgery

Cedars-Sinai neurosurgeons have begun using a high-definition imaging device to see inside the brain during surgery, allowing them to map safer pathways to reach and remove tumors.

9 Dec 2016

Oxytocin levels affect synchronization in leader/follower relationship

When standing in a crowd at a concert, clapping hands along with the music on stage, it may be that people with higher levels of oxytocin are better synchronised with the beat of the music than those with lower levels of oxytocin.

9 Dec 2016

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

New approach to analyzing brain patterns appears to help reduce people’s fear, build confidence

Viral infection during pregnancy affects maternal care and can trigger depression in offspring

Researchers pinpoint mechanism underlying astrocyte-mediated recovery of brain tissue after injury

Endurance runners' brains have greater functional connectivity, research shows

People with protein in urine more likely to develop memory problems, dementia

Over-the-counter antioxidant may promote reductions in alcohol use in marijuana-dependent teens

Virtual reality intervention shows promise to repair mobility and motor skills in impaired limb

New technology that increases Natural Killer cells to stop cancers gets licensed

Infants appear to notice differences in ethnicities, new UCLA study shows

Lactate component responsible for anti-tumor effects of plasma medicine, research shows

Additional MRI scan during pregnancy could help accurately detect foetal abnormalities

New book provides insights into latest treatments for partial blindness

Karolinska Institutet researchers find solutions for nerve stimulation

Technological advancements in hearing implants

Common anti-cholesterol drugs show promise for reducing Alzheimer's disease risk

Research into common congenital brain defect identifies molecular basis

Novel plasma medicine with anti-tumor effect discovered

Innovation in stroke aftercare across Europe: an interview with Professor Urs Fischer

Cedars-Sinai surgeons use high-definition imaging device to map the brain during surgery

Oxytocin levels affect synchronization in leader/follower relationship

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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