Harvard study reveals inner workings of fruit fly brain compass
A recent study at Harvard Medical School has revealed how the brain’s internal compass and steering regions in fruit flies collaborate to guide navigation and make real-time course corrections. The research provides valuable insights into how the internal compass directly drives behavior, shedding light on the complex process. By examining the brains of fruit flies deliberately thrown off course, researchers identified three distinct groups of neurons facilitating communication between the compass and steering regions, assisting the flies in correcting their course. The study’s implications extend beyond fruit flies and could serve as a foundational framework for future research on how brain signals translate into actions in more complex species, including humans.
Scientists Develop World’s First 3D-Printed Brain Tissue with Potential to Revolutionize Neuroscience and Brain Disorder Treatments
Scientists in Wisconsin, USA, have achieved a groundbreaking feat in the field of neuroscience by developing the world’s first 3D-printed brain tissue that mimics the functionality of natural brain tissue. This development is a significant stride towards the advancement of treatments for neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The innovative approach employed by the scientists involved the use of a 3D printer that departed from the conventional method of stacking layers vertically. Instead, they utilized a horizontal layering technique and placed brain cells, specifically neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells, in a softer ‘bio-ink’ gel compared to previous attempts. According to Su-Chun Zhang, a professor of neuroscience and neurology at UW–Madison’s Waisman Center, the 3D-printed brain tissue provides a powerful model for understanding human brain cell communication. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize stem cell biology, neuroscience, and the understanding of various neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Groundbreaking Soft Implantable Device Developed for Recording Brain Activity
This week, a groundbreaking development in the field of neuroscience has been announced. A team of researchers from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, in collaboration with The University of Texas at Austin, MIT, and…
New Technology Allows Scientists to Track ‘Off Switches’ of Brain Cells
Scientists at Scripps Research have developed a groundbreaking technology that allows them to track the ‘off switches’ of brain cells, shedding light on the process of inhibition in the brain. This innovative approach provides a new avenue for studying normal…
Study Links Short Strands of Toxic RNAs to Brain Cell Death in Alzheimer’s Disease
Scientists from Northwestern University and elsewhere have published details of a study that links short strands of toxic RNAs to brain cell death and DNA damage in Alzheimer’s disease and aged brains. The paper, which is titled, “Death induced by…
Groundbreaking Study Reveals New Insights into Brain’s Sensory Processing
A groundbreaking study conducted by a team of scientists from Japan has uncovered new insights into how the brain processes sensory information related to movement. The study, led by Professor Takayuki Yamashita of Fujita Health University (FHU) and Dr. Masahiro…
Rice University Scientists Develop Noninvasive Method to Monitor Gene Expression in the Brain
This week, Rice University scientists have made a groundbreaking development in the study of gene expression in the brain. Their research, published in Nature Biotechnology, introduces a noninvasive method to monitor gene expression dynamics in the brain through a simple…
Advancements in Neuroscience Research for Movement Disorders
Neuroscience, the last frontier of medical research, continues to unlock the enigmas of the human brain. Leading the charge is Professor Lee Miller, whose recent studies have unearthed significant insights into the treatment and understanding of movement disorders. These studies…
Groundbreaking Discovery in Understanding Memory Formation
Scientists at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience have made a groundbreaking discovery in understanding the molecular mechanisms behind memory formation. Their research has identified a crucial protein, VAP (vesicle-associated membrane protein-associated protein), as the molecular anchor that stabilizes…
Study Reveals Unique Characteristics of Human Purkinje Cells in the Cerebellum
Recent research has shed light on the morphological and physiological characteristics of human Purkinje cells (PCs), a crucial type of neuron in the cerebellum. While these cells have been extensively studied in rodents, our understanding of them in humans has…