FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·May 26, 2020New method provides unique insight into the development of the human brainResearchers have developed a new model of early embryonic brain development. The model, called MiSTR, allows researchers to create tissue that contains different brain regions and place them next to each other. The model produces results similar to embryonic brain development at five weeks post-fertilization. Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceneurotechPsychology·May 26, 2020Designing technologies that interpret your mood from your skinA new smart device can measure electrical signals from your skin, providing the potential to track your emotions and stress level. Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·May 26, 2020Dementia gene raises risk of severe COVID-19People with the Alzheimer's associated ApoE e4e4 gene have increased vulnerability to developing severe symptoms of COVID-19 if they become infected with the virus. Findings suggest those with the dementia-related gene have double the risk of developing severe coronavirus symptoms compared to those who those with the common e3e3 form of the APOE gene. Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·May 25, 2020Coronavirus mutations do not appear to increase transmissibilityResearchers have identified 6,822 mutations of SARS-CoV-2 across a global dataset. 273 mutations have occurred repeatedly and independently. Of those, researchers investigated 31 mutations that have occurred at least ten times during the current pandemic. They found no evidence that any of the common mutations are increasing the ability of the virus to be transmitted. Some common mutations are neutral, but most are mildly detrimental to the virus. New evidence also suggests the viral spike protein, D614G, is not associated with increased viral transmission. Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceNeuroscience VideosOpen Neuroscience Articles·May 25, 2020Babies know when you imitate them, and like itBy the age of six months, infants can recognize when an adult imitates them and perceive the imitator as more friendly. Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·May 25, 2020Scientists isolate live COVID-19 virus from feces, detect RNA on surfacesResearchers isolated live SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, from the feces of patients who died as a result of coronavirus infection. Antigens to the virus were also found in post-mortem gastrointestinal surface cells. Isolating the live virus from fecal matter indicates evidence of the infectious virus in feces is a common manifestation of COVID-19. Researchers also found SARS-CoV-2 RNA on surfaces and bedding samples in hotel rooms used by two presymptomatic people who were later diagnosed with COVID-19. Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·May 25, 2020A child’s brain activity reveals their memory abilityActivity in the frontoparietal network during memory tasks reflected the individual working memory capabilities of children, with an activity pattern unique to working memory. Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·May 25, 2020Problems with alcohol? 29 gene variants may explain whyResearchers have identified 29 genetic variants linked to problematic alcohol use. Nineteen of the genes were previously unknown independent risk factors for alcohol use disorder. Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·May 24, 2020Preventing ‘cytokine storm’ may ease severe COVID-19 symptomsTreating coronavirus patients with alpha-blockers may help prevent the cytokine storm associated with severe COVID-19 infection. Alpha-blockers interfere with the cell signaling that triggers cytokine storms. Mice with bacterial infections that were treated with alpha-blockers experienced reduced cytokine storms and decreased death rates. Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·May 24, 2020Behavioral disorders more common in children exposed to maternal antenatal corticosteroidsChildren exposed to maternal antenatal corticosteroids had higher rates of emotional, behavioral, and psychological developmental disorders than their peers whose mothers did not take the drug. Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·May 24, 2020Sleep-wake disturbances can predict recurrent events in stroke survivorsRecovered stroke patients who suffer from sleep-wake disruptions are more likely to experience another stroke, researchers report. Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·May 24, 2020No improvement in death rate for COVID-19 patients who received hydroxychloroquineCoronavirus patients treated with chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine are significantly more likely to experience ventricular arrhythmias than those who were treated with other medications. The study also revealed that out of 100,000 COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized, the 15,000 who received hydroxychloroquine were more likely to have worse health outcomes than those treated with other drugs. Read More
