Hello, kitty: Cats recognize their own names
Domestic cats are able to discriminate the content of human speech, including recognizing their names, based upon phonemic differences.... Read More...
Open Access
Neuroscience research articles and press releases that cover research published in Open Access journals are listed below. We use Open Access (OA) to mean that the general public has free, open access to research journal articles published online.
Skin discovery may help explain why women get autoimmune diseases far more often than men
Skin cells may hold the key to explaining why women are more prone to developing autoimmune diseases, such as lupus than men. Researchers found women have more VGLL3 in their skin cells than men. VGLL3 pushes the immune system into overdrive, resulting in the 'self-attacking' autoimmune response, the mouse study revealed. Findings strongly implicate VGLL3 as a pivotal catalyst in sex-based autoimmunity.... Read More...
Research provides important insight on the brain-body connection
Neurons in the motor cortex of rats fall into two categories, those that are externally focused and relay information to other parts of the body, and those that are internally focused. When inhibition is increased, the externally focused neurons switch to internally focused cells.... Read More...
Light, physical activity reduces brain aging
Light physical activity has positive benefits for brain health as we age. Spending an hour participating in light intensity physical activity was associated with the equivalent of 1.1 years less brain aging. Every additional hour spent exercising was linked to higher brain volume.... Read More...
The brain’s imperfect execution of mathematically optimal perception
Perception is founded on Bayesian principles, even though the brain's execution of strategies appears to be imperfect. Researchers say the view perception is an imperfect Bayesian inference can provide a middle ground between traditional and anti-Bayesian models.... Read More...
Blood pressure drug shows promise for treating Parkinson’s and dementia in animal study
Felodipine, a common hypertension medication, induces autophagy and clears aggregate-prone proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases. The study reveals the drug clears mutant alpha-synuclein in the brains of mice at plasma concentrations to those seen in humans taking the medication. Felodipine appears to have some neuroprotective properties in mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases.... Read More...
Young children judge others based on facial features as much as adults do
Children as young as five use facial appearance to determine meaningful judgements and expectations of the behavior of others. ... Read More...
Two studies explore whether time of day can affect the body’s response to exercise
Two new studies report the time of day is a major modifier of exercise capacity, amplifying the impact exercise has on metabolic pathways and energy homeostasis. Evening exercise, researchers report, has the most productive effect.... Read More...
Study links fluorescent lighting to inflammation and immune response
Studies in fish and mice found genome-wide changes in the gene expression of patterns in the skin, brains and liver following exposure to white fluorescent light. Both the skin and brains exhibited increased inflammation and immune response following exposure. ... Read More...
Why language technology can’t handle Game of Thrones (yet)
Researchers improved the performance of natural language processing technology to increase recognitionion of names associated with characters in Game of Thrones, and other literature, from 7% to 90%.... Read More...
Study shows promise in repairing damaged myelin
A study in mouse models of multiple sclerosis demonstrates a compound called sobetirome promotes remyelination, and a derivative of the compound can penetrate the blood-brain barrier to enable a tenfold increase in infiltration to the CNS. Researchers are confident their research will translate from mice into humans, providing a new avenue of treatment for MS.... Read More...
Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation shows promise for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation reduces inflammation and improves symptoms for those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The simulation technique helps inhibit the production of cytokines and reduces inflammatory response.... Read More...