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.

Three proteins that lead to memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease identified

A scientific group led by the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) have identified three kinases, or proteins, that dismantle connections within brain cells, which may lead to memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease.

18 Jan 2010

Study reveals interaction of genetic and environmental factors in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease

"Our study reveals the interaction of genetic and environmental factors such as dietary habits in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease," explained Dr. Matthias Elstner of the Neurological Clinic of LMU and Helmholtz Zentrum M-nchen, lead author of the study.

18 Jan 2010

Study provides strong evidence that intense neural activity underlies the experience of seeing

How do the visual images we experience, which have no tangible existence, arise out of physical processes in the brain? New research at the Weizmann Institute of Science provided evidence, for the first time, that an 'ignition' of intense neural activity underlies the experience of seeing.

18 Jan 2010

FDA admits concern, but does not ban BPA: Consumers Union disappointed

Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports, expressed disappointment with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration's (FDA) failure to ban the chemical bisphenol A (BPA), despite announcing today that there is cause for concern over its potential effect on children. Consumers Union believes that that there is enough scientific evidence to date to warrant a ban on BPA in food contact products now.

18 Jan 2010

IGC scientist wins ERC grant for neuroscience research

Zachary Mainen, coordinator of the Champalimaud Foundation Neuroscience Programme at the IGC, has become one of the most recent winners of the prestigious and highly competitive European Research Council grants, to the value of 2.3 million euro, for a period of five years.

18 Jan 2010

M. D. Anderson researchers discover mechanism that helps glioblastomas evade immune attack

Cancer-initiating cells that launch glioblastoma multiforme, the most lethal type of brain tumor, also suppress an immune system attack on the disease, scientists from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center report in a paper featured on the cover of the Jan. 15 issue of Clinical Cancer Research.

18 Jan 2010

New findings may yield novel therapies for chronic neurodegenerative diseases

We all have at one time or another experienced the typical signs of an infection: the fever, the listlessness, the lack of appetite. They are orchestrated by the brain in response to circulating cytokines, the signaling molecules of the immune system. But just how cytokines' reach extends beyond the almost impenetrable blood-brain barrier has been the topic of much dispute.

18 Jan 2010

Law enforcement and community activists join hands to support anti-marijuana cause

With President Obama leading the charge against legalization of marijuana in what he calls a "new era of responsibility," a cultural change is taking place in California as more and more community activists join law enforcement officers, former drug addicts and faith-based leaders in support of the anti-marijuana cause.

13 Jan 2010

Spectros expands T-Stat product line with new Continuum Cerebral Sensor

Spectros announced today that the T-Stat® Tissue Oximeter sensor line will be expanded to include the new Continuum™ Cerebral Sensor line upon receipt of FDA marketing approval anticipated in 2010.

13 Jan 2010

Sudden deaths attributed to cocaine use; drug remains a growing health problem in Europe

Forensic pathologists have shown that over three per cent of all sudden deaths in south-west Spain are related to the use of cocaine. They believe their findings can be extrapolated to much of the rest of Europe, indicating that cocaine use is a growing public health problem in Europe and that there is no such thing as "safe" recreational use of small amounts of the drug.

13 Jan 2010

Study finds no elevated risk of dust-related disease for subway workers

New York subway commuters may worry more about rats and rising fares than dust floating through the system, but for the workers who spend their whole shift below ground, air quality has long been a concern. Results from a new pilot study using miniaturized air samplers to look at steel dust exposure may help them breathe easier.

13 Jan 2010

Tips to prevent injuries during winter season

"There is always a risk of suffering injuries during physical activities, and skiing and snowboarding are no exception," said orthotraumatologist Wade Smith, Vice-Chairman of Orthopedics for Geisinger Health System. "Due to the nature of these sports, many of the injuries that skiers and snowboarders suffer are serious and require immediate medical attention."

13 Jan 2010

In-home virtual reality videogames improve hand function in teens with hemiplegic cerebral palsy

Remotely monitored in-home virtual reality videogames improved hand function and forearm bone health in teens with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, helping them perform activities of daily living such as eating, dressing, cooking, and other tasks for which two hands are needed.

13 Jan 2010

Growth hormone deficiency can lead to memory deficits later in life

Scientists have shown that early growth hormone supplementation in rats with growth hormone deficiency can prevent defects in memory developing later in adulthood. The study, published in the Journal of Endocrinology is the first to show that memory defects in adults as a result of growth hormone deficiency arising in childhood can be prevented by growth hormone treatment during adolescence.

13 Jan 2010

Findings may pave way for significant advancements in cochlear implant technology for hearing loss

Loss of spiral ganglion neurons or hair cells in the inner ear is the leading cause of congenital and acquired hearing impairment. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health found that Sox2, a protein that regulates stem cell formation, is involved in spiral ganglion neuron development. The study was published in the January 13 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience.

13 Jan 2010

Research shows missing, mutated genes occur simultaneously in unique set of pediatric brain tumors

Brain cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in children. Now a more accurate diagnosis of childhood brain cancers may soon be possible, according to researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah. The information is published online today in the journal Cancer Research.

13 Jan 2010

Olfactory dysfunction may serve as an early diagnostic tool for Alzheimer's disease

A study published in the January 13, 2010 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience links a loss of smell function in Alzheimer's disease (AD) model animals with amyloid β (protein) accumulation in the brain, a distinguishing hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. Research conducted by NYU Langone Medical Center suggests that olfactory dysfunction, a common symptom of AD, may serve as an early diagnostic tool for the disease.

13 Jan 2010

Studies show naturally-occurring protein in humans restores motor function in rats after a stroke

People with impaired mobility after a stroke soon may have a therapy that restores limb function long after the injury, if a supplemental protein works as well in humans as it does in paralyzed rats.

13 Jan 2010

New book provides tools to control mind/body connections

Brain Drain (ISBN: 0984196307; 978-0984196302) authored by Charles F. Glassman, M.D., FACP, is a powerful new book that teaches people how to break free of their brains' automatic responses through understanding and controlling their mind/body connections.

13 Jan 2010

Masimo announces strategic investment totaling $3.5M in SEDLine

Masimo, the inventor of Pulse CO-Oximetry™ and Measure-Through Motion and Low Perfusion pulse oximetry, today announced a strategic investment totaling $3.5 million in SEDLine, Inc., a newly-formed private company that was formerly operated by Hospira, Inc.

13 Jan 2010

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Three proteins that lead to memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease identified

Study reveals interaction of genetic and environmental factors in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease

Study provides strong evidence that intense neural activity underlies the experience of seeing

FDA admits concern, but does not ban BPA: Consumers Union disappointed

IGC scientist wins ERC grant for neuroscience research

M. D. Anderson researchers discover mechanism that helps glioblastomas evade immune attack

New findings may yield novel therapies for chronic neurodegenerative diseases

Law enforcement and community activists join hands to support anti-marijuana cause

Spectros expands T-Stat product line with new Continuum Cerebral Sensor

Sudden deaths attributed to cocaine use; drug remains a growing health problem in Europe

Study finds no elevated risk of dust-related disease for subway workers

Tips to prevent injuries during winter season

In-home virtual reality videogames improve hand function in teens with hemiplegic cerebral palsy

Growth hormone deficiency can lead to memory deficits later in life

Findings may pave way for significant advancements in cochlear implant technology for hearing loss

Research shows missing, mutated genes occur simultaneously in unique set of pediatric brain tumors

Olfactory dysfunction may serve as an early diagnostic tool for Alzheimer's disease

Studies show naturally-occurring protein in humans restores motor function in rats after a stroke

New book provides tools to control mind/body connections

Masimo announces strategic investment totaling $3.5M in SEDLine

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

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