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Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·November 17, 2022·4 min read

Genetic Links Between Traits Are Often Overstated

Researchers say estimates of how strongly diseases and traits share genetic signals could be over-inflated. Instead, they suggest, mating patterns may help explain the biological relationship between traits.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·November 2, 2022·5 min read

Brain Changes in Autism Are Far More Sweeping Than Previously Known

Brain changes associated with ASD encompass more areas than previously believed, a new study reports. Researchers identified brain-wide changes in all 11 cortical regions analyzed. The greatest gene drop-offs were found in the visual cortex and the parietal cortex, a brain area associated with processing touch, pain, and temperature information. The findings shed light on sensory hypersensitivity associated with ASD. Additionally, researchers say the RNA alterations associated with ASD are more likely a cause than a result of autism.

Brain Cancer Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·October 1, 2022·5 min read

Long-Term Study Supports Link Between Inflammation and Cognitive Problems in Older Breast Cancer Survivors

Higher levels of the inflammatory C-reactive protein were discovered in older breast cancer survivors who experienced cognitive issues. The study is one of the first long-term assessments linking chronic inflammation to cognitive decline in breast cancer survivors.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·September 29, 2022·6 min read

Making Lab-Grown Brain Organoids ‘Brainier’

A new study offers guidelines and methods for consistently generating high-quality, well-structured brain organoids.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 15, 2022·3 min read

Length of REM Sleep Linked to Body Temperature

Study reports warm-blooded animals with higher body temperatures have lower amounts of REM sleep, while those with lower body temperatures have more REM sleep. Researchers say REM sleep acts like a "thermostatically controlled brain heater."

Brain Cancer Featured Neuroscience

·August 28, 2022·4 min read

Neurofeedback Shows Promise for Addressing ‘Chemo Brain’

Neurofeedback has the potential to alleviate symptoms of "brain fog" and cognitive impairments associated with chemotherapy.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·August 18, 2022·6 min read

New Dementia Risk Genes Identified Through Novel Testing Approach

Researchers have identified multiple new risk genes for Alzheimer's disease and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·July 19, 2022·4 min read

A Blueprint for Turning Stem Cells Into Sensory Interneurons

Researchers have created a new blueprint that outlines how embryonic stem cells from mice become sensory interneurons and identified a method for producing sensory interneurons in a lab setting. If the results can be replicated in human stem cells, researchers say the findings could contribute to the development of therapies to restore sensation to those suffering nerve damage and spinal cord injury.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 13, 2022·4 min read

Even in Sleep, Your Brain’s Neurons Are Humming Along to Mozart

A study of the cerebral cortex discovered there is a robust response to sound during sleep that largely mirrored the brain's response during wakefulness. However, differences in brain waves that help the brain understand sound and anticipate what comes next is missing during sleep.

This schematic shows how words and concepts are processed

Featured Neuroscience

·June 18, 2022·5 min read

Can Computers Understand Complex Words and Concepts?

Artificial intelligence can understand complex words and concepts by representing the meaning of words in a similar way that correlates with human judgments.