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Musical training shapes brain areas responsible for synchronizing rhythm and behavior

Drummers and brass players are better able to judge the timing of visual stimuli than members of the color guard, according to a naturalistic study of the world-class drum corps Bluecoats published in eNeuro.

From Society for Neuroscience 23 Nov 2018

Brain-computer interface enables people with tetraplegia to operate tablet devices

An investigational brain-computer interface can enable people with paralysis to directly operate an off-the-shelf tablet device by thinking about making cursor movements and clicks, according to a study published November 21, 2018 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Paul Nuyujukian, Jose Albites-Sanabria, and Jad Saab from the BrainGate consortium, USA, and colleagues.

23 Nov 2018

Diabetes on the rise and insulin production may soon become inadequate

Diabetes affects millions of people and is currently one of the most prevalent and dreaded non-communicable conditions.

23 Nov 2018

EPFL researchers develop new hydrogel that firmly adheres to soft tissues

EPFL researchers have developed a hydrogel - made up of nearly 90% water - that naturally adheres to soft tissue like cartilage and the meniscus. If the hydrogel carries repair cells, it could help damaged tissue to heal.

22 Nov 2018

Study: The brain prioritizes high-reward events when preserving memories

The brain’s ability to preserve memories lies at the heart of our basic human experience. But what is its mechanism to make sure we remember the most significant events and keep our minds free of superfluous details?

22 Nov 2018

Novel DNA nanoplatform delivers anticancer agents to multidrug-resistant tumors

One of the most successful techniques to combat multidrug resistance in cancer cells is the downregulation of those genes responsible for drug resistance.

22 Nov 2018

Thickness of the brain's outer layer influences how neurons process information

Researchers at the University of Queensland have discovered that the thickness of the brain's outer layer influences how individual neurons process information.

22 Nov 2018

Researchers characterize new animal model that mimics aspects of AMD

Age-related macular degeneration affects roughly 200,000 individuals in the United States each year. In most, it comes on slowly, gradually blurring the central field of vision used for activities like reading and driving. While treatments exist to slow its progression, there is no cure.

22 Nov 2018

Scientists identify key protein involved in Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

A global team of investigators has identified a key protein involved in Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, a serious and sometimes fatal respiratory disease, according to research published today in the journal Nature.

22 Nov 2018

'Longevity protein' restores muscle regeneration after injury in older animals

One of the downsides to getting older is that skeletal muscle loses its ability to heal after injury. New research from the University of Pittsburgh implicates the so-called "longevity protein" Klotho, both as culprit and therapeutic target.

21 Nov 2018

Researchers elucidate infection process of bacterial pathogen Clostridium difficile

Scientists from the VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research identified the mechanisms by which the bacterial pathogen Clostridium difficile kills intestinal epithelial cells, thus destroying the protective mucosal barrier of the intestinal tract.

21 Nov 2018

New diagnostics based on nanopore analytics and AI can identify single influenza virions

Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease of global importance, which causes millions of infections annually with the ever-present risk of a serious outbreak. Passive vaccination is the only method available for partial control of the virus.

21 Nov 2018

Lower levels of protein make squamous carcinoma cells more invasive

Loss of a protein called TRIM29 promotes cancer cell invasion in a common type of skin cancer, suggesting a novel diagnostic marker and a possible therapeutic target.

21 Nov 2018

Researchers aim to protect humans, mammals from deadly effects of African sleeping sickness

A team of Clemson University researchers wants to protect humans and other mammals from the debilitating and even deadly effects of African sleeping sickness.

21 Nov 2018

The brain uses two clocks to predict the future

That moment when you step on the gas pedal a split second before the light changes, or when you tap your toes even before the first piano note of Camila Cabello's "Havana" is struck. That's anticipatory timing.

21 Nov 2018

Brain imaging study reveals 'hot spot' for cue-reactivity in substance users

When patients with dependence on alcohol, cocaine or nicotine are shown drug cues, or images related to the substance, an area of their brain known as the medial prefrontal cortex shows increased activity, report investigators at the Medical University of South Carolina in an article published online September 7, 2018 in Translational Psychiatry.

21 Nov 2018

New low-cost injectable hydrogel could help wounds heal faster

Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have created an easy-to-make, low-cost injectable hydrogel that could help wounds heal faster, especially for patients with compromised health issues.

21 Nov 2018

Biomedical engineers stop cancer cells from moving and spreading

A new study by University of Minnesota biomedical engineers shows how they stopped cancer cells from moving and spreading, even when the cells changed their movements. The discovery could have a major impact on millions of people undergoing therapies to prevent the spread of cancer within the body.

21 Nov 2018

Gut protein mutations protect against spikes in blood glucose levels

Why is it that, despite consuming the same number of calories, sodium and sugar, some people face little risk of diabetes or obesity while others are at higher risk? A new study by investigators at Brigham and Women's Hospital has uncovered mutations in a gene that appear to help drive this difference.

21 Nov 2018

Scientists find evidence of prions in the eyes of CJD patients

National Institutes of Health scientists and their colleagues have found evidence of the infectious agent of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in the eyes of deceased CJD patients.

21 Nov 2018