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The image shows the bone structure of an owl/

·January 31, 2013·5 min read

Owl Mystery Unraveled Scientists Explain How Bird Can Rotate Its Head Without Cutting Off Blood Supply to Brain

Researchers have figured out how night-hunting owls can almost fully rotate their heads without damaging the delicate blood vessels in their necks and heads, and without cutting off blood supply to their brains.

The image shows a modified schematic of the Circulatory system.

Featured Genetics Psychology

·January 31, 2013·3 min read

Examining the so-called Basque Mutation of Parkinson’s

Researchers examine mutations of the LRRK2 gene and R1441G, known as the Basque mutation, to better understand Parkinson's disease among patients in the Basque Country.

The image shows the atlas activity of the forebrain. The caption describes the image best.

Featured Genetics

·January 31, 2013·5 min read

Genome-Wide Atlas of Gene Enhancers in the Brain On-line

Future research into the underlying causes of neurological disorders such as autism, epilepsy and schizophrenia, should greatly benefit from a first-of-its-kind atlas of gene-enhancers in the cerebrum (telencephalon). This new atlas identifies and locates thousands of gene-regulating elements in a region of the brain that is of critical importance for cognition, motor functions and emotion.

The image shows a schematic structure of Insulin-like growth factor-1.

Autism Featured

·January 31, 2013·4 min read

Researcher Uncovers Potential Cause, Biomarker for Autism and Proposes Study to Investigate Theory

Based on prior findings, researchers propose that depressed levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) in the blood of newborns could potentially serve as a biomarker for the later development of autism.

The image shows opera singers performing a scene from La Boheme .

Featured Psychology

·January 31, 2013·5 min read

Listeners Mindfulness Enhanced by Meditation Technique

New research explores how mindfulness meditation could enhance both musical engagement and performance. Additional research into mindfulness meditation could potentially lead to new treatment for mental illness and brain injuries.

The image shows Dr. Lin Mei , Drs. Yongjun Chen and Chengyong Shen; the researchers involved in this study.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 30, 2013·3 min read

Scientists Learn more about how Inhibitory Brain Cells get Excited

New research discovers an early step in how the brain's inhibitory cells get excited. Erbin, a protein critical to brain development, is also crucial for the excitement of inhibitory cells.

The image shows an oligodendrocyte transfected with GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein).

Featured Neuroscience

·January 30, 2013·2 min read

New Drug Target Identified for Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer’s Disease

Researchers report that the protein Klotho plays an important role in the health of myelin, the insulating material allowing for the rapid communication between nerve cells. These findings may lead to new therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer's disease (AD).

The image shows Courney Miller, the lead researcher for this memory research.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 30, 2013·2 min read

Scientists Uncover a Previously Unknown Mechanism of Memory Formation

A recent study indicates microRNAs may play a far more important role in memory formation than previously thought. The research suggests microRNA—miR-182 is involved in developing memory in the amgydala.

The image shows a sketch of a heart with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD).

Featured Neurology

·January 30, 2013·3 min read

Two Brothers with Muscular Dystrophy Live with Heart Pumps that Help Keep them Alive

Doctors implant left ventricular assist device (LVAD) to help stop the progression of heart disease and improve the quality of life in brothers with Becker's Muscular Dystrophy.

Brain image with the basal ganglia and other brain areas.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 30, 2013·2 min read

NIH Study Advances Understanding of Movement Control

Voluntary movements involve the coordinated activation of two brain pathways that connect parts of deep brain structures called the basal ganglia, according to a study in mice.