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Showing posts from August, 2023

COVID Pandemic Infants Show Reduced Gut Microbiome Diversity

Infants who spent most of their first year during the COVID-19 pandemic have a less diverse gut microbiome compared to those born pre-pandemic. Researchers found lower levels of certain bacteria, like Pasteurellaceae and Haemophilus, and overall fewer types of bacteria in the gut. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/kpPbYZB
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Two-Step Blood Test Sharpens Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

Researchers have developed a two-step workflow using a new blood-based p-tau217 biomarker to improve the accuracy of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) diagnosis. The first step uses a diagnostic model that combines plasma p-tau217 with age and the APOE e4 gene to identify high-risk patients. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/uSgTX87
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Marijuana Users Found to Have Elevated Lead Levels

Researchers found marijuana users have significantly higher levels of metals like lead and cadmium in their blood and urine. The study, which is one of the largest of its kind, analyzed data from over 7,000 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/pUi6CqA
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Educational Buffer: How Learning Slows Genetic Alzheimer’s Risk

Researchers examined the role of genetics and educational attainment in early-onset Alzheimer's disease, specifically focusing on carriers of the PSEN1 E280A mutation. They found that carriers with an additional high-risk mutation, APOE e4, experienced faster cognitive decline, while those with a protective APOE e2 mutation had delayed onset. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/IpyYPew
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Vaccines on Horizon to Prevent Fentanyl and Heroin Overdoses

Researchers are nearing human trials for vaccines aimed at preventing fentanyl and heroin overdoses. The vaccines could offer a lifeline to those struggling with opioid addiction or at risk of accidental overdose. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/Aru7jy2
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Rethinking Brain Cancer: Not Just Mass, but Hacked Neural Circuits

New research challenges the widely held belief that cognitive impairments from brain metastasis are solely due to the tumor's mass effect. The study reveal that metastasis alters the brain’s chemistry and disrupts neural communication. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/BisUobh
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The Secret to Aging Gracefully? Simple Dietary Changes, Not Just Cutting Calories

A simple dietary change, without caloric restriction, can promote healthier aging. The study in yeast cells revealed that a shift from a glucose-rich to a galactose-based diet led to molecular changes that typically accompany aging. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/Xh94ZJA
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Small Steps, Big Change: How Light Activity Could Guard Against Alzheimer’s

Researchers will explore how light physical activities like walking can affect cognition in older adults at risk for Alzheimer's or related dementias. Unlike previous studies that focused on the total amount of light activity, the research will examine day-to-day variations in light physical activity. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/0sraS2D
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From Concussion to Alzheimer’s: Mini-Brain Unlocks Time-Sensitive Link

Researchers developed a "traumatic brain injury (TBI) on a chip" to explore the links between concussions and Alzheimer's disease. Using clusters of neurons from embryonic mice, they exposed the "miniature brain" to g-forces mimicking those experienced by football players. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/EzTF45b
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Echo Chambers Amplified: How CNN and Fox News Fuel America’s Polarization

Researchers utilized AI and natural language processing to analyze 10 years of broadcasts and tweets from CNN and Fox News, revealing a surge in partisan and inflammatory language. The study shows that the media language influences public debates on social media, creating divisive echo chambers. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/lJ1KLbY
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How Wildfire Smoke Can Alter Brain Health and Trigger Inflammation

Researchers discovered that wildfire smoke can trigger long-lasting inflammation in the brain. Their study shows that this inflammation specifically targets the hippocampus, a brain area crucial for learning and memory. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/l7PcZ9r
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Acting Out Dreams: Sleep Disorder A Warning Sign of Parkinson’s Disease

Researchers are probing into REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), a condition where people physically act out their dreams. This parasomnia is more than a nocturnal hazard: research indicates a strong link between RBD and neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/DdhUCH7
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AI Turns Brain Waves into Spoken Words

Researchers achieved a breakthrough in converting brain signals to audible speech with up to 100% accuracy. The team used brain implants and artificial intelligence to directly map brain activity to speech in patients with epilepsy. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2s5dOkT
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Optimal Sleep Temperature: 68-77°F Ideal for Adults

Researchers have discovered that the best sleep for older adults comes at bedroom temperatures between 68 and 77°F. Beyond this range, sleep efficiency can plummet by 5-10%. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/qjKeOpT
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UK’s First Womb Transplant Offers Hope for Childless Women

For the first time in the UK, a woman born without a functioning womb has new hope for carrying her own child thanks to a groundbreaking womb transplant. The procedure was led by a team from Imperial College London and Oxford University Hospitals. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/4J6vChQ
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Bilingual Brain Boost: How Knowing Two Languages Enhances Memory and Prediction

Could being bilingual make you better at predicting words and enhancing memory? A new study reveals that bilingual individuals have a unique advantage when it comes to memory retention and word prediction, due to the "competing words" effect. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/5h9w8lD
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Neuroscience Nuggets: This Week’s Top Neuroscience News Articles – August 27, 2023

This week in neuroscience showcases a range of groundbreaking discoveries—from decoding complex life oscillations to enhancing memory with visual symbols. Researchers have also completed the intricate neural mapping of the C. elegans worm, paving the way for deeper behavioral studies. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/uEdLfnj
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Omega Fatty Acids Improve Vision in Preterm Babies

A novel study reveals that preterm babies given a supplement of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids show significantly better visual function by age two and a half. Conducted between 2016 and 2019, the study involved 178 extremely preterm babies, born before the 28th week of pregnancy. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/SyDGlWg
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Anger, The Forgotten Emotion Unveiled: How Trauma Influences Problem Anger

Anger remains a misunderstood emotion, often stigmatized and mishandled in society. Researchers revealed a significant link between problem anger and trauma experiences, with anger serving as a common, yet overlooked symptom of PTSD. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/r5S1UgQ
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Mental Health and Cannabis Use in Pregnant Women

A recent study reveals a potential vulnerability of pregnant and postpartum women with mental health disorders towards self-medicating with cannabis. Prior research had been vague, generalizing mental health issues without delving into specific disorders. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/SVgp7Ij
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Dance Beyond Disease: Parkinson’s Patients Find Identity Through Performance

Dancing offers Parkinson’s patients more than physical rehabilitation; it provides a transformative avenue for personal identity and self-expression. Researchers discovered that participating in a dance company can profoundly influence the disease-related identity negotiation in individuals with Parkinson’s. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/GfC9uF1
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Mindfulness and Morality: A Study on Injustice Awareness

Researchers studied the relationship between mindfulness and people's reactions to injustice. They aimed to understand whether mindfulness might make people less responsive to perceived unfair treatment of others. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/5LdNFxv
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Gut Instincts: Can Digestive Issues Predict Parkinson’s Onset?

New research posits that particular gastrointestinal issues may be precursors to Parkinson's disease. Utilizing a vast US medical record network, the study contrasted people diagnosed with Parkinson’s against those with Alzheimer’s, cerebrovascular disease, or none of these conditions. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/mrtWlyT
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Is A Hidden Brain Hub A New Key to Combating Drug Relapse?

Researchers spotlighted a brain region, typically overlooked in addiction research, that may be pivotal in predicting drug relapse. While past research has honed in on the medial prefrontal cortex, these scientists turned their attention to the supplementary motor cortex. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/dvrcyQW
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Revolutionizing Autism Research in Virtual Reality

Autism, an inherently unique and multi-faceted condition, lacks a standardized diagnostic approach, making treatment and research challenges. A new study highlights the potential of mouse models in autism research, offering insights into molecular and physiological mechanisms. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/OxhpPtV
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Gene Transfer Offers Longevity Hope

In a pioneering study, researchers transferred a longevity gene from the remarkably age-resistant naked mole rat to mice, leading to an extended lifespan for the mice. This gene is responsible for producing high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HMW-HA), known for its exceptional cellular repair capabilities. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/HavDyIq
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CPAP Therapy Slows Aging Tied to Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a common condition marked by breathing interruptions during sleep, accelerates aging by hastening telomere shortening. However, a study found that using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) can counteract this effect. CPAP, while often resisted due to its complexity, not only helps in cardiovascular and metabolic aspects but also curtails inflammation, slowing down telomere reduction. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/cVPbMyk
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Deciphering Life’s Rhythms: A Universal Key to Oscillations

Life is punctuated by stochastic oscillations, from fireflies to heartbeats. While researchers have managed to interpret some patterns, many have remained unexplained. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/Ir98LWq
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Skin Speaks: Directing Nerve Growth for Sensation

Researchers found that the skin, not pre-existing genetic programming, instructs nerve cells on how to mature for specific sensory tasks. The findings showcase that skin cues determine whether nerve endings develop to detect sensations in hairy or hairless skin. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/HzBwN1b
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Why Our Brains Prefer Symbols to Words

Research reveals symbols are more memorable than words. This novel study dives into our brain's knack for recalling graphic symbols and logos over their word counterparts. Symbols, offering visual anchors for abstract ideas, outperform words in memory tests. This understanding could revolutionize visual communication and design. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/MfPKJd1
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ALS Breakthrough: Neuron Grafting Restores Muscle Function

Researchers have discovered a promising method to restore muscle function in a severe mouse model of ALS using a blend of grafted motor neurons and optical nerve stimulation. This study showcases compelling evidence that suggests potential therapy avenues for all ALS patients. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/8wVfbvy
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Immune’s Surprise Role: Regulatory T Cells Impact Mood and Memory

Regulatory T cells (Tregs), usually tasked with immune system regulation, might also play a pivotal role in mood stabilization. Controlled by the transcription factor Foxp3, any decrease in its expression has been linked to major depressive disorders. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/r8uXUQf
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Is the Brain’s White Matter an Unexpected Key to Aging and Memory?

Researchers have discovered that age-related cognitive decline is most pronounced in the brain's white matter, crucial for signal transmission. This study in mice sheds light on aging's contribution to neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/XPsORwp
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Mapping the Mind: Worm’s Brain Activity Fully Decoded

Researchers successfully mapped the neural activity of the C. elegans worm, correlating it to its behaviors such as movement and feeding. Using novel technologies and methodologies, they developed a comprehensive atlas that showcases how most of the worm's neurons encode its various actions. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/9e71ijO
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Decoding Music from the Mind

Researchers played Pink Floyd's “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 1,” to patients, recording the brain's electrical activity. The objective was to reconstruct what the patients were hearing. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/CyfBhZI
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Anxiety and the Brain: The Forebrain’s Role in Social Decisions Unveiled

Researchers discovered that anxious individuals utilize a less optimal region of the forebrain when navigating socially challenging situations compared to their non-anxious counterparts. This was determined through brain scans that mapped regions active during simulated social scenarios. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/mwW2UI6
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Forgetting: Not a Flaw, But a Brain’s Hidden Feature of Memory

Recent studies suggest that forgetting might not just be a mere oversight of our brains, but a dynamic response to our changing environments. Neuroscientists propose that as environments shift, forgetting irrelevant memories can foster adaptability and better decision-making. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3O8e2Sw
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Long-term Acid Reflux Drugs Linked to Higher Dementia Risk?

Long-term use (over 4.4 years) of proton pump inhibitors, prescribed for acid reflux, may be associated with an increased risk of dementia. However, this research does not establish a direct causation but reveals an association. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/Aj98c2I
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Rethinking the Gut’s Neurons: Newly Discovered Neurons Upend Established Theory

Previously, scientists believed that the enteric nervous system (ENS) development stopped before birth. However, recent findings overturn this by showing ENS development continues after birth in mice and humans. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/FQvsquz
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Hearing Loss Reversed Using Gene Therapy

Researchers made a breakthrough in reversing hearing loss in mice. By targeting the inactive Spns2 gene and activating it using a specific enzyme, the team successfully restored the mice's hearing in low and middle frequency ranges. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/yKwFpkQ
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Psychedelics Sync Neurons: A Glimpse into Consciousness & Psychosis

Researchers have pioneered a method to simultaneously measure electrical signals from 128 brain regions in conscious rats. Using this technique, they observed the effects of psychedelic drugs, LSD and ketamine, on the brain's neural oscillations. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/i1yg7Pw
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Why Do We Like Certain Scents?

Researchers delved into understanding why certain smells appeal to us and others don't by studying locusts. Through a series of experiments, they analyzed how locusts' brains reacted to various odors and the behavior exhibited in response. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/9A5r6as
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Music and Coffee May Boost Brain Power

A recent study reveals that everyday pleasures like music and coffee can significantly enhance cognitive performance. Utilizing groundbreaking brain-monitoring technology, the study examined brain activity during cognitive tests under various stimulants, including music, coffee, and perfume. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/x3GVPos
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COVID Variants Can Affect the Brain in Different Ways

New research found that variants of COVID-19 can affect the brain in different ways and that the blood-brain barrier can be impacted. Scientists exposed brain cells to multiple strains of SARS-CoV-2, including the original wild-type virus, alpha, beta, delta, eta and omicron. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/vE9o7JT
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Navigators of Nature: Butterflies Exhibit Spatial Learning

Until now, research on insect spatial learning primarily focused on social species like bees and ants. This new revelation underscores the possibility of more widespread complex learning skills, such as the use of spatial information, in insects than previously recognized. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/JNqkTD3
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Untangling the Ties Between Chronic Pain and Mental Health

A recent commentary underscores the complex relationship between chronic pain and mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. The interaction is revealed to be driven by a bi-directional feedback loop, where physical pain impacts sleep and mood, making individuals more susceptible to mental health issues. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/aPLpcZq
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Negative Memory Replay Offers PTSD Insight

Scientists discovered that rats intensify their memories of negative experiences in familiar places by repetitively replaying them. This mental map, generated by specific neurons known as place cells, can be altered when the animal encounters a negative experience. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/Y41TNvc
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Selfish or Generous? Your Behavior Dictates Your Perception of Others

A recent study finds that an individual's own behavior, rather than societal norms, plays a pivotal role in how they perceive and respond to others in competitive situations. Generous people tend to reward generosity, while selfish individuals tend to punish it, even at personal cost. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2hwuzMg
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Probing Pathways of Perception: This Week’s Top 5 Advances from Neuroscience News, August 6, 2023

This week's top neuroscience news includes breakthroughs such as a promising Alzheimer's vaccine, the unveiling of a key inflammation pathway impacting aging, and the identification of sensory neurons in the colon. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/Xh37jlr
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Linking Childhood Trauma to Mental Illness: Astrocytes Key to the Puzzle

The removal of excitatory synapses by astrocytes, triggered by stress hormones, can lead to mental illnesses induced by childhood neglect or abuse. The study reveals that synthetic glucocorticoids, or stress hormones, can boost astrocyte-mediated phagocytosis to abnormal levels. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/YqUJze8
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How Insulin-Like Growth Factors Bolster Brain Plasticity

Researchers discovered a mechanism linking insulin-like growth factors (IGF) to brain plasticity. This groundbreaking study uncovers how IGF1 and IGF2 promote brain health and functionality, including learning and memory, through the activation of IGF1-Receptor during synaptic plasticity. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/shoQWrI
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How Our Own Sleep Ratings Shape Our Next-Day Mood

According to a recent study people's feelings about their sleep have a stronger influence on their well-being than data from sleep-tracking technology. Over 100 participants kept daily sleep diaries and wore actigraphs on their wrists to monitor sleep patterns. The research compared these readings to participants' personal evaluations of their sleep and their moods the next day. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/uZkhf6r
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A Fresh Look at Free Will: Challenging the Libet Paradigm

A recent study challenges the long-standing Libet paradigm about free will. The team discovered that the EEG activity, dubbed readiness potential, registered before decision-making in Libet's original experiment has no direct correlation to the actual decision. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/uIYigAT
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Social Perception’s Critical Brain Circuitry Discovered

Researchers identified a crucial brain circuit that affects how we value rewards in comparison to others. The team temporarily blocked connections between the medial prefrontal cortex and the lateral hypothalamus in monkeys, using a technique known as DREADD. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/iAF5jLC
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Adolescence’s Impact on Adult Dopamine Function and Impulsivity

In a novel study, researchers reveal a sensitive developmental phase during adolescence that significantly influences adult impulsivity, aggression, and dopamine function in mice. This study highlights the implications of stimulant drug exposure during this period. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/Sowj3EL
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Beyond Reward, Dopamine Drives Movement

Researchers discovered a genetic subtype of dopamine neurons that fires during movement, contrary to the long-standing belief that dopamine neurons primarily respond to rewards. This groundbreaking discovery has implications for Parkinson's disease, a disorder characterized by the loss of dopamine neurons affecting the motor system. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/GuZYdmw
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Bridging the Sex Gap: Personalizing Treatments for Mood Disorders

Researchers explore the advancements made in understanding sex differences in mood disorders since the 2016 NIH mandate to include sex as a biological variable in basic research. Their review uncovers important findings, such as the higher risk and earlier onset of depression in women, and the underdiagnosis of depression in men due to differences in symptom presentation. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/aFoWbmw
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Detecting Schizophrenia Risk Early Via Brain Pattern Changes Linked to Age

A new study discovered age-related changes in brain patterns associated with the risk for developing schizophrenia. Using a data-driven method known as Neuromark, the team analyzed functional MRI scans, genetic, and clinical measures from 9,236 individuals to determine alterations in brain network connectivity linked to genetic risk for schizophrenia. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/dD1yMIa
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Taming the Flame of Aging: Key Pathway for Chronic Inflammation Revealed

Researchers have unveiled the key role of the cGAS/STING molecular signaling pathway in driving chronic inflammation and functional decline during aging. The team discovered that blocking the STING protein suppressed inflammatory responses in aging cells and tissues, leading to improved function. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/qXZv1Fg
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Study Links Vision Problems and Dementia in Older Adults

A recent study suggests a significant link between vision problems and dementia in older adults. The study examined nearly 3,000 elderly individuals, showing a higher risk of dementia among those with eyesight issues. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/YboH6Ph
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Charting Infant Minds: Early Brain Development Mapped

Scientists have created a set of infant brain cortex parcellation maps that offer an intricate look into brain development from birth to two years old. Using a combination of high-resolution functional and structural MRI scans, these maps reveal a fine-grained understanding of when different brain functions develop. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/LHR7KoA
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Plasma Proteins Predict Mental Health Risk in Teens

Researchers discovered plasma protein-based biomarkers that could predict mental health risks in adolescents. These markers offer a potential for early detection of mental health issues, which currently afflict 10-20% of adolescents, largely undiagnosed and untreated. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/Ugw9nzv
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Scentful Slumbers: Enhancing Memory in Older Adults Through Nightly Aromatherapy

A new study demonstrates how nightly aromatherapy can enhance memory in older adults. Over six months, subjects were exposed to various natural oil fragrances for two hours each night, leading to a remarkable 226% increase in cognitive capacity. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/mUOjrIZ
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