Scientists have studied the main source of serotonin in the brain — the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN). By studying how activating the brain’s ‘serotonin center’ affects awake animals for the first time, they found that serotonin from the DRN activates brain areas that affect behavior and motivation. Results show that DRN serotonin stimulation causes activation …

Lighting up the brain: What happens when our ‘serotonin center’ is triggered? Read More »

An international team has found a new RNA virus that they believe is hitching a ride with a common human parasite. The virus is associated with severe inflammation in humans infected with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, leading the team to hypothesize that it exacerbates toxoplasmosis disease. ​An international team has found a new RNA virus …

Researchers discover ‘trojan horse’ virus hiding in human parasite Read More »

Researchers have identified a neurodevelopmental disorder, caused by mutations in a single gene, that affects tens of thousands of people worldwide. The findings will improve clinical diagnostic services for patients with neurodevelopmental disorders. ​Researchers have identified a neurodevelopmental disorder, caused by mutations in a single gene, that affects tens of thousands of people worldwide. The …

Researchers identify a genetic cause of intellectual disability affecting tens of thousands Read More »

A consortium of researchers has produced the largest and most advanced multidimensional maps of gene regulation networks in the brains of people with and without mental disorders. These maps detail the many regulatory elements that coordinate the brain’s biological pathways and cellular functions. The research used postmortem brain tissue from over 2,500 donors to map …

Scientists map networks regulating gene function in the human brain Read More »

Brain cancer is difficult to treat when it starts growing, and a prevalent type, known as a glioma, has a poor five-year survival rate. In a new study, researchers report on a new surgical platform used during surgery that informs critical decision-making about tumor treatment within minutes. ​Brain cancer is difficult to treat when it …

New research platform assesses brain cancer mutations during surgery Read More »

Plants and the animals that eat them have evolved together in fascinating ways, creating a dynamic interplay of survival strategies. Many plants have developed physical and chemical defenses to fend off herbivores. A well-known strategy in flowering plants is to produce nectar to attract ‘ant bodyguards.’ Recent research explores the evolution of this same defense …

Tracing the evolution of ferns’ surprisingly sweet defense strategy Read More »

Osteoporosis is characterized by the weakening of bones, making them fragile and prone to breakage. Excessive activity of ‘osteoclasts’ or bone-absorbing cells leads to bone loss. Targeting osteoclast differentiation is therefore, a potential therapeutic strategy. In a new study, researchers have discovered a novel role of the Ctdnep1 phosphatase in suppressing osteoclast differentiation and bone …

New study reveals key protein that could help prevent excessive bone loss in osteoporosis Read More »

Some 13% of older adults are diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI), according to a new study. These injuries are typically caused by falls from ground level. Researchers followed about 9,200 Medicare enrollees, whose average age was 75 at the start of the study, and found that contrary to other studies of younger people, being …

Traumatic brain injury strikes 1 in 8 older Americans Read More »

Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), which can virtually form any cell type, have great potential in the field of regenerative medicine. However, the growth of tumors after PSC transplantation remains to be an unresolved issue. Now, through extensive experiments, researchers have revealed a key role of EPHA2, a membrane protein, on stem cell function and tumor …

Tackling the hurdle of tumor formation in stem cell therapies Read More »