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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.

High rate of iron deficiency among pregnant women in Ireland revealed

Four out of five pregnant women in Ireland are iron deficient by their third trimester, a University College Cork (UCC) study reveals.

26 Sep 2024

Nursing aides plagued by PTSD after ‘nightmare’ covid conditions, with little help

One evening in May, nursing assistant Debra Ragoonanan's vision blurred during her shift at a state-run Massachusetts veterans home.

26 Sep 2024

Could microalgae be the secret weapon to ending global hunger and saving the planet?

Researchers highlight the potential of commercially farmed microalgae to combat global undernutrition by providing essential nutrients and reducing environmental impacts.

26 Sep 2024

COVID-19 causes lasting cognitive impairment tied to brain injury markers

Researchers found that COVID-19 patients experienced widespread cognitive deficits one year post-hospitalization, associated with elevated brain injury markers and reduced brain volume. Cognitive recovery plateaued over time, suggesting lasting impacts.

26 Sep 2024

Research highlights negative brain health outcomes among LGBTQ+ individuals

LGBTQ+ people may be more likely to have negative brain health outcomes, including a higher risk of dementia and late-life depression, than people who are cisgender and straight, according to a study published in the September 25, 2024, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

25 Sep 2024

Concerns raised over safety and effectiveness of donanemab for Alzheimer’s treatment

The safety and effectiveness of donanemab - an Alzheimer's drug recently approved by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) - is called into question in an investigation published by The BMJ today.

25 Sep 2024

Research questions effectiveness of MS medications in slowing disability progression

In people with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), a new study has found no difference in the amount of time before disability worsened between people taking certain medications and those not receiving treatment.

25 Sep 2024

Pigs identified as possible carriers of rat hepatitis E virus infecting humans

New research suggests that pigs may function as a transmission vehicle for a strain of the hepatitis E virus (HEV) common in rats that has recently been found to infect humans.

25 Sep 2024

New AI tool revolutionizes drug discovery for rare diseases

There are more than 7,000 rare and undiagnosed diseases globally.

25 Sep 2024

International research initiative aims to improve cardiovascular care for women

The American Heart Association, celebrating 100 years of lifesaving service as the world's leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, is joining with other top cardiovascular research funders around the world to support an international scientific research grant focused on women's cardiovascular health.

25 Sep 2024

Earthquake aftermath linked to higher rates of menstrual irregularities

In research published in Brain and Behavior, investigators found increased rates of menstrual irregularities in women living in areas affected by the 2023 earthquake in Turkey.

25 Sep 2024

Extracellular vesicles play key role in brain development

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are tiny bubbles released by cells, acting as cargo vessels through which cells exchange signals and thus communicate.

25 Sep 2024

Increasing daily consumption of flavonoid-rich foods may lower dementia risk

Research shows that flavonoid-rich diets, including tea and red wine, are associated with a lower risk of dementia in genetically susceptible individuals.

25 Sep 2024

One-third of former professional American football players report a punch-drunk reality - CTE

Study found that one-third of former American football players reported perceived CTE, which was significantly associated with a higher risk of suicidality and mental health problems.

25 Sep 2024

Research uncovers mechanism of psychedelic-induced anxiety reduction

A classic psychedelic, similar to LSD, psilocybin and mescalin, was found to activate a cell type in the brain that silences other neighboring neurons, a result that provides insight into how such drugs reduce anxiety, according to a new study.

24 Sep 2024

New study challenges dopamine's role in placebo effects and pain relief

New findings argue against a direct causal role for dopamine during the experience of a treatment effect in the establishment of positive treatment expectations and placebo analgesia in healthy volunteers, according to a study published September 24th in the open-access journal PLOS Biology by Ulrike Bingel from University Hospital Essen, Germany, and colleagues.

24 Sep 2024