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Computational tools unlock the secrets of the genome

In collaboration with the International Conference on Research in Computational Molecular Biology (RECOMB), Genome Research publishes a collection of 20 computational methods and their applications in genomics including spatial, single-cell, and long-read sequencing.

13 Oct 2024

Bilingualism enhances brain connectivity and efficiency

Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to build connections within itself, adapting to the surrounding environment.

10 Oct 2024

Researchers decode how the brain identifies and responds to odors

Investigating neuronal activity in the brain, this study highlights how olfactory cues are processed, emphasizing the roles of the piriform cortex and amygdala.

10 Oct 2024

Understanding the mysterious cells in the brain's visual cortex

Imagine yourself sometime in the far future aboard a routine rocket to Mars. Someone just spilled their drink. Without gravity, it collects in floating blobs that ripple right before your eyes. Now freeze.

10 Oct 2024

Neuroimaging study reveals structural brain differences in children with autism

There is new evidence that the cells responsible for communication in the brain may be structured differently in children with autism. Researchers at the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience at the University of Rochester discovered that in some areas of the brain neuron density varies in children with autism when compared to the general population.

10 Oct 2024

First map of DNA modification in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex created

A UCLA-led study has provided an unprecedented look at how gene regulation evolves during human brain development, showing how the 3D structure of chromatin - DNA and proteins - plays a critical role.

9 Oct 2024

Researchers uncover neuronal mechanisms of human odor perception

We often only realize how important our sense of smell is when it is no longer there: food hardly tastes good, or we no longer react to dangers such as the smell of smoke.

9 Oct 2024

Vagus nerve stimulation enhances perceptual learning in mice

Just as a musician can train to more sharply distinguish subtle differences in pitch, mammals can improve their ability to interpret hearing, vision, and other senses with practice.

9 Oct 2024

Liver X receptor beta offers new hope in treating depression and anxiety

Liver X receptor beta (LXRβ) shows potential in reducing depression and anxiety by improving neurogenesis, reducing neuroinflammation, and enhancing cognitive and emotional function. More research on LXR agonists could reveal new treatments for mental health disorders.

8 Oct 2024

Researchers uncover how senescent cells can both harm and heal in liver disease

Researchers developed novel genetic tools to trace, ablate, and manipulate p16^Ink4a+^ senescent cells, revealing their distinct roles in liver fibrosis and repair. Senescent macrophages promote fibrosis, while endothelial cells aid in tissue recovery.

7 Oct 2024

Understanding the brain’s process of dividing experiences into events

The moment a person steps off the street and into a restaurant - to take just one example - the brain mentally starts a new "chapter" of the day, a change that causes a big shift in brain activity. Shifts like this happen all day long, as people encounter new environments, like going out for lunch, attending their kid's soccer game, or settling in for a night of watching TV.

3 Oct 2024

Mild COVID-19 disrupts brain connectivity and reduces memory function in adolescents and young adults

Study reveals localized brain changes in adolescents and young adults post-COVID, including reduced hippocampal volume and disrupted connectivity, correlating with impaired working memory. These findings highlight the importance of understanding long-term cognitive effects of mild COVID-19.

3 Oct 2024

International experts to gather for ALS symposium in Chicago

The 2024 Les Turner Symposium on ALS will be held on Monday, Nov. 4 in Chicago. Hosted by the Les Turner ALS Foundation and the Les Turner ALS Center at Northwestern Medicine, this event will assemble internationally-renowned ALS researchers, clinicians, advocates, and people living with ALS to discuss the latest research and perspectives on the disease.

3 Oct 2024

Researchers boost natural defenses to fight cataracts and delay the need for surgery

Researchers have reviewed strategies to increase glutathione levels in the eye lens, focusing on endogenous molecular mechanisms to prevent cataracts by countering oxidative stress.

3 Oct 2024

Study identifies brain circuit linking psychedelics to reduced anxiety

Psychedelics have been used in indigenous cultures for centuries, with empirical evidence of their mood and perception altering effects.

3 Oct 2024

New pathway linking neuron selectivity to cognitive disorders uncovered

Neuroscientists from Johns Hopkins Medicine say they have determined how a brain cell surface molecule shapes the way certain neurons behave.

3 Oct 2024

Deep brain stimulation shows promise for improving arm and hand function after injury

Deep brain stimulation may provide immediate improvement in arm and hand strength and function weakened by traumatic brain injury or stroke, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researchers report today in Nature Communications.

1 Oct 2024

Advanced brain mapping reveals neuronal subtypes and their connections

Scientists at the Salk Institute are unveiling a new brain-mapping neurotechnology called Single Transcriptome Assisted Rabies Tracing (START). The cutting-edge tool combines two advanced technologies - monosynaptic rabies virus tracing and single-cell transcriptomics - to map the brain's intricate neuronal connections with unparalleled precision.

30 Sep 2024

Study reveals impact of adverse childhood experiences on teen mental health

Teens who faced high levels of emotional and multidimensional adversity in their early years are at the most significant risk for mental health challenges, a comprehensive 15-year study revealed.

30 Sep 2024

Targeting brain lesions with TMS shows promise in treating PTSD in veterans

Researchers have identified specific brain lesions associated with reduced PTSD symptoms in veterans, providing a potential noninvasive neuromodulation target. TMS applied to this PTSD circuit could offer new hope for effective treatment.

26 Sep 2024