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mRNA

·March 5, 2021·2 min read

mRNA Vaccine Developed to Treat MS-Like Condition in Mice

When injected with the new mRNA vaccine, mice with multiple sclerosis-like symptoms developed less severe symptoms than would normally occur.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·February 27, 2020·4 min read

Printer toner linked to genetic changes and health risks

Rat model study reveals printer toner nanoparticles may change both genetic and metabolic profiles, making disease more likely.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 18, 2019·3 min read

Adolescent drinking increases anxiety and alcohol abuse risk later in life

Teenage binge drinking is linked to altered gene expression in the brain, specifically the central nucleus of the amygdala. Adolescent rats exposed to alcohol had increased levels of miR-137, resulting in lower expression of proteins essential for healthy neuron growth. During adulthood, these rats displayed higher levels of anxiety and an increased preference for alcohol consumption.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·September 6, 2019·3 min read

Is laziness a choice or genetic trait?

Study identifies a specific gene in rats that relates to physical inactivity. The gene could play a role in human sedentary behaviors.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·September 4, 2019·4 min read

Receptor protein in brain promotes resilience to stress

S1PR3, a receptor found on the surface of brain cells, may play a key role in stress resilience. Veterans with severe PTSD symptoms had lower levels of the S1PR3 protein in their blood than peers without the disorder.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·July 31, 2019·4 min read

‘Love hormone’ has stomach-turning effect in starfish

Oxytocin, a hormone commonly associated with love and bonding in humans, causes starfish to turn their stomachs inside-out to feed. The findings provide vital new evidence for the evolutionary role of oxytocin and vasopressin neuropeptides as regulators of feeding in animals.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·July 23, 2019·3 min read

Study looks at stem cells for answers to how a type of autism develops

Stem cell study reveals a genetic defect associated with fragile X syndrome delays the production of neurons during a critical stage of embryonic development.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 5, 2019·3 min read

Connecting neurons in the brain

The phosphatase Prl-1 plays a key role in specifying where to form the highest density of synaptic connections on a neuron.

This shows a person licking an ice cream

Featured Neuroscience

·April 24, 2019·4 min read

Smelling with your tongue: Functional olfactory receptors in human taste center identified

Functional olfactory receptors have been identified in human taste cells. The findings suggest olfactory receptors play a role in the taste system by interacting with taste receptors on the tongue. The brain, researchers say, combines input from taste, smell and other senses to create a multi-modal sensation of flavor.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·April 10, 2019·5 min read

Inflammation linked to chemical imbalance in schizophrenia

Increased kynurenic acid production has been implicated in the pathology of schizophrenia. The findings provide a new target for cell-specific treatments that help reduce the production of kynurenic acid and reduce symptoms of schizophrenia.

This shows tyrobp expression in cells from the spinal cord in ALS

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·April 7, 2019·5 min read

How ALS progresses on genetic and cellular level revealed by high-res spinal cord study

Changes in gene expression help researchers identify ALS associated pathways and establish the key drivers of motor neuron degeneration in the disease.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·February 6, 2019·3 min read

Nicotine Exposure During Pregnancy Alters Dopamine Neurons and Genes in Newborns

A new study reports chronic nicotine exposure during pregnancy alters the genetics and dopamine neurons of newborns. The findings could help researchers develop a possible cure for nicotine addiction.