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Harvard

·October 6, 2024·5 min read

Study Finds Wegovy Reduces COVID-19 Death Risk by One-Third

A new trial reveals that weekly injections of the weight-loss drug Wegovy (semaglutide) lowered the risk of death from COVID-19 by about a third and reduced overall mortality by 19%. The study followed more than 17,000 participants with heart disease and obesity, showing that Wegovy decreased the likelihood of death from cardiovascular disease by 15% and other causes by 23%.

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Featured Neuroscience

·September 25, 2024·7 min read

AI Revolutionizes Drug Discovery for Rare Diseases

AI tool has identified drug candidates for over 17,000 rare and untreated diseases, offering hope for millions of affected individuals. This tool, TxGNN, stands out as the first model developed specifically to repurpose existing drugs for neglected conditions. It predicts which drugs may work and potential side effects, providing new avenues for treatment. The AI model is free to use and aims to expedite therapeutic discoveries for patients in need.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·September 8, 2024·4 min read

Are Smokers Really Less Likely to Develop Parkinson’s?

Low doses of carbon monoxide, similar to levels experienced by smokers, can protect against neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease models. Researchers discovered that carbon monoxide reduced the accumulation of the Parkinson’s-associated protein alpha-synuclein and activated pathways that limit oxidative stress.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 11, 2024·5 min read

Virtual Rat with AI Brain Mimics Real Rodent Movement

Researchers created a virtual rat with an AI brain to study how real rats control movement. Using data from real rats, they trained the AI to mimic behaviors in a physics simulator. The virtual rat's neural activations closely matched those of real rats, offering new insights into brain function. This innovation could revolutionize neuroscience and improve robotic control systems.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 26, 2024·7 min read

Gut Bacteria Gas Linked to Pregnancy Hormone, Mood Regulation, and PPD

Researchers discovered that gut bacteria produce a hormone involved in pregnancy and postpartum depression treatment by modifying steroids in bile. This research highlights the microbiome's role as an endocrine organ influencing human health.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 19, 2024·4 min read

Aging’s Science Explored: Is Immortality Possible?

Researchers explore the science behind aging and the ongoing quest for human longevity. They examine the vast variations in lifespans across species and attributes aging primarily to accumulated chemical damage within cells. The findings highlight promising research areas like rapamycin and cellular reprogramming, while emphasizing the need for caution in the face of hyped claims and potential conflicts of interest within the growing anti-aging industry.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 9, 2024·6 min read

Microscopic Brain Tissue Map Reveals Vast Neural Networks

Researchers created the largest 3D reconstruction of human brain tissue at synaptic resolution, capturing detailed images of a cubic millimeter of human temporal cortex. This tiny piece of brain contains 57,000 cells, 230 millimeters of blood vessels, and 150 million synapses, which amounts to 1,400 terabytes of data.

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Featured Neuroscience

·April 28, 2024·5 min read

Let’s Talk: Web-Based Chats Boost Brain Function in Older Adults

Internet-based conversations can significantly improve cognitive functions in socially isolated older adults. The trial, known as I-CONECT, involved 186 participants aged 75 and older who engaged in structured video chats four times weekly, which helped enhance memory and executive function, particularly among those with mild cognitive impairment.

Brain Cancer Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·April 14, 2024·5 min read

Revolutionizing Glioblastoma Treatment

Researchers demonstrated significant initial success using CAR-T therapy for glioblastoma, a notoriously deadly brain cancer. They detailed the outcomes of the first three patients in a Phase 1 clinical trial who experienced dramatic tumor reductions shortly after treatment.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 24, 2024·5 min read

A Prelude to Speech: How the Brain Forms Words

Researchers made a groundbreaking discovery on how the human brain forms words before speaking. By utilizing Neuropixels probes, they've mapped out how neurons represent speech sounds and assemble them into language.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 21, 2024·6 min read

Neurons Guide Decisions by Suppressing Alternatives

A new study reveals how neurons communicate during decision-making, showing that choices activate neuron groups that suppress the neural pathways of other options. This research combines structural, functional, and behavioral analyses to explore the neural circuitry in decision-making, particularly focusing on the posterior parietal cortex's role as an integrative hub.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 8, 2024·7 min read

Neural Pathways of Navigation Identified

A new study illuminated how fruit flies navigate by revealing the communication between their internal compass and steering brain regions. This study shows that three distinct neuron groups translate directional signals into corrective actions, allowing fruit flies to adjust their course effectively.