Genetic History of Ice Age Europe Suggests Dramatic Population Change
May 3, 2024 9:38 am | by Howard Hughes Medical Institute | CommentsAnalyses of ancient DNA from prehistoric humans paint a picture of dramatic population change in Europe from 45,000 to 7,000 years ago, according to a new study.
Cancer Drugs Tested with Flawed Time-based Method, Says Vanderbilt Study
May 3, 2024 9:25 am | by Seth Augenstein, Digital Reporter | CommentsThe in vitro method of testing cancer drugs on tumor cells is based on observing the rate of growth or death in the cells after set time frames, mostly 24 hours or 72 hours. However, those timeframes aren’t accurate for determining how effective they actually are in the long-run for patients, according to a new study.
ALS Awareness Month Kicks Off
May 3, 2024 9:17 am | by Bevin Fletcher, Associate Editor | CommentsMay marks the start of ALS Awareness Month, to encourage education, research and awareness about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Cytokinetics Inc., a late-stage biopharmaceutical company rang the Closing Bell at Nasdaq Monday afternoon to symbolize its commitment to furthering research and development related to ALS.
Bearded Dragons Show REM and Slow-wave Sleep
May 2, 2024 2:54 pm | by Max Planck Institute | CommentsResearchers describe for the first time REM and slow-wave sleep in a reptile, the Australian dragon Pogona vitticeps. This suggests that brain sleep dates back at least to the evolution of the amniotes, that is, to the beginning of the colonization of terrestrial landmass by vertebrate animals.
Bioengineers Create First Online Search Engine for Functional Genomics Data
May 2, 2024 10:12 am | by University of California, San Diego | CommentsBioengineers have created what they believe to be the first online search engine for functional genomics data. This new search engine, called GeNemo, is free for public use.
Finding Sheds Light on What May Kill Neurons After Stroke
May 2, 2024 10:07 am | by University at Buffalo | CommentsStrokes, seizures, traumatic brain injury and schizophrenia: these conditions can cause persistent, widespread acidity around neurons in the brain. But exactly how that acidity affects brain function isn't well understood. Researchers have begun to unravel some of the puzzle.
First Drug for Delusions in Parkinson's Patients Approved
May 2, 2024 10:03 am | by The Associated Press | CommentsFederal health officials have approved an experimental drug to treat psychotic delusions and behaviors that often afflict patients with Parkinson's disease, the debilitating movement disorder.
Puerto Rico Reports 1st US Zika-related Death Amid Outbreak
May 2, 2024 9:19 am | by Danica Coto and Mike Stobbe, Associated Press | CommentsPuerto Rico announced Friday that it has recorded the first Zika-related U.S. death amid an outbreak of the mosquito-borne virus in the U.S. territory.
Scientists Map Brain's 'Thesaurus' to Help Decode Inner Thoughts
May 2, 2024 9:15 am | by National Science Foundation | CommentsWhat if a map of the brain could help us decode people's inner thoughts? Scientists have taken a step in that direction by building a "semantic atlas" that shows in vivid colors and multiple dimensions how the human brain organizes language.
Rosacea Linked to Increased Risk of Dementia, Alzheimer’s
May 2, 2024 8:55 am | by Seth Augenstein, Digital Reporter | CommentsThe chronic inflammatory disorder is marked by certain increased proteins, which are also active in some neurodegenerative disorders, the authors from the University of Copenhagen found.
Hawaii Looks to Allow Psychologists to Prescribe Drugs
April 29, 2024 9:55 am | by Marina Starleaf Riker, Associated Press | CommentsState lawmakers are poised to make Hawaii one of a handful of states that allow psychologists to prescribe medication in hopes of increasing access to mental health services.
Scientists Turn Skin Cells into Heart, Brain Cells Using Drugs
April 29, 2024 9:53 am | by Gladstone Institutes | CommentsIn a major breakthrough, scientists transformed skin cells into heart cells and brain cells using a combination of chemicals. The research lays the groundwork for one day being able to regenerate lost or damaged cells with pharmaceutical drugs.
Subtle Chemical Changes in Brain Can Alter Sleep-Wake Cycle
April 29, 2024 9:44 am | by University of Rochester | CommentsA study sheds new light on the biological mechanisms that control the sleep-wake cycle. Specifically, it shows that a simple shift in the balance of chemicals found in the fluid that bathes and surrounds brain cells can alter the state of consciousness of animals.
How Old Do You Look? Study Finds an Answer in Our Genes
April 29, 2024 9:36 am | by Cell Press | CommentsResearchers have found a gene that helps explain why some people appear more youthful than others.
Friends 'Better Than Morphine'
April 29, 2024 9:29 am | by University of Oxford | CommentsPeople with more friends have higher pain tolerance, researchers have found.
