In posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), intrusive thoughts, changes in mood, and other symptoms after exposure to trauma can greatly impact a person’s quality of life. About 6 percent of people who experience trauma develop the disorder, but scientists don’t yet understand the neurobiology underlying PTSD. Now, a new genetic study of more than 1.2 million …
Scientists uncover 95 regions of the genome linked to PTSD Read More »
A sensitive perception of the environment is crucial for guiding our behavior. However, an overly sensitive response of the brain’s neural circuits to stimuli can lead to neurodevelopmental disorders such as epilepsy. Researchers now report how neuronal networks in the mouse brain are fine-tuned. A sensitive perception of the environment is crucial for guiding our …
Perfect balance: How the brain fine-tunes its sensitivity Read More »
Superior decision-making in sports such as soccer could come down to the process of inhibiting a motor response, according to a new study. Superior decision-making in sports such as soccer could come down to the process of inhibiting a motor response, according to a new study. Superior decision-making in sports such as soccer could come down …
Quick decisions in soccer enhanced by brain’s ability to suppress actions Read More »
Toxic chemicals used to flame-proof plastic materials can be absorbed into the body through skin, via contact with microplastics, new research shows. Toxic chemicals used to flame-proof plastic materials can be absorbed into the body through skin, via contact with microplastics, new research shows. Toxic chemicals used to flame-proof plastic materials can be absorbed into the …
Toxic chemicals from microplastics can be absorbed through skin Read More »
Researchers have developed a technique to connect lab-grown neural ‘organoids’ (three-dimensional developmental brain-like structures grown from human stem cells) using axonal bundles, similar to the connections between regions in the human brain. This technique allows brain networks to be better represented experimentally in the lab, and will improve understanding and studies of network-related brain disorders. …
Connecting lab-grown brain cells provides insight into how our own brains work Read More »
Researchers have developed a digital display screen where the LEDs themselves react to touch, light, fingerprints and the user’s pulse, among other things. Their results could be the start of a whole new generation of displays for phones, computers and tablets. Researchers have developed a digital display screen where the LEDs themselves react to touch, …
Breakthrough for next-generation digital displays Read More »
Early jawless fish were likely to have used bony projections surrounding their mouths to modify the mouth’s shape while they collected food. Experts have used CT scanning techniques to build up the first 3D pictures of these creatures, which are some of the earliest vertebrates (animals with backbones) in which the mouth is fossilized. Their …
New research reveals AI-generated responses can make humans ‘feel heard’ but an underlying bias toward AI devalues its effectiveness. New research reveals AI-generated responses can make humans ‘feel heard’ but an underlying bias toward AI devalues its effectiveness. New research reveals AI-generated responses can make humans ‘feel heard’ but an underlying bias toward AI devalues its …
Artificial intelligence can help people feel heard Read More »
A star’s magnetic field must be considered in order to correctly determine the characteristics of exoplanets from observations by space telescopes such as Kepler, James Webb, or PLATO. Researchers show that the distribution of the star’s brightness over its disk depends on the star’s level of magnetic activity. This, in turn, affects the signature of …
The rise of RNA viruses like SARS-CoV-2 highlights the need for new ways to fight them. RNA-targeting tools like CRISPR/Cas13 are powerful but inefficient in the cytoplasm of cells, where many RNA viruses replicate. Scientists have devised a solution: Cas13d-NCS. This new molecular tool allows CRISPR RNA molecules that are located within the nucleus of …
Innovative antiviral defense with new CRISPR tool Read More »