Computational models can help study exactly how brain reacts to fearSeptember 30th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Using computational models of the brain, University of Missouri researchers have found new evidence on how the brain reacts to fear, including important findings that could help victims of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). "Computational models make it much easier to study the brain because they can effectively integrate different types of information related to a problem into a computational framework and analyse possible neural mechanisms from a systems perspective.
Drug researcher dies of apparent overdose; fellow scientist-boyfriend faces drug chargesSeptember 30th, 2009 Drug researcher dies, boyfriend faces drug chargesBALTIMORE — A neuroscientist who studied the effects of drugs on the brain is dead of an apparent overdose and her live-in boyfriend, who did similar research, is facing drug charges, Baltimore police said Tuesday. Carrie E. Johns, 29, who had a Ph.D.
Attention lights up brain's sensory signals even in background noiseSeptember 24th, 2009 WASHINGTON - When we pay attention on something, the sensory signals in our brains make themselves heard even in background noise, according to a new study by researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. While studying visual attention, the researchers have discovered a novel mechanism that explains how incoming sensory signals stand out amidst the constant background rumblings, so they can be reliably processed and passed on.
Junk DNA's cut and paste mechanism could lead to gene therapiesSeptember 22nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have discovered that a protein enables sections of so-called junk DNA to be cut and pasted within genetic code- a finding which could speed up the development of gene therapies. The study sheds light on the process, known as DNA transposition, in which shifted genes have a significant effect on the behaviour of neighbouring genes.
Gene therapy may soon be helping dieters keep off weight gainSeptember 21st, 2009 LONDON - Researchers from Columbia University have suggested a gene therapy that will allow dieters to eat less and burn calories at the same rate as they do when eating normally, thus helping them keep off weight gain. During the study, the team genetically engineered a group of to limit the action of a gene called Cpe.
Scientists reveal how HIV cripples immune cellsSeptember 17th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Experts at the Heidelberg University Hospital in Germany have discovered a mechanism in an animal model revealing how HIV cripples immune cells. Dr. Oliver Fackler, in the Virology Department of the Hygiene Institute of the Heidelberg University Hospital, examined the movement of cells in living zebra fish embryos, and showed that cell mobility is inhibited by the HIV Nef protein.
Scientists unveil brain area involved in 'alert status' controlSeptember 15th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have gained fresh insights into how anaesthesia and anaesthesia-like states are controlled in the brain, opening the door to possible new future treatments of various states of loss of consciousness, such as reversible coma. Marshall Devor, the Cecile and Seymour Alpert Professor of Pain Research, graduate student Ruth Abulafia and research associate Dr.
Soon, robot controlled by human brain cellsSeptember 10th, 2009 LONDON - Scientists from University of Reading are working on developing a robot that would be controlled by human brain cells. Lead researchers Kevin Warwick and Ben Whalley have already used rat brain cells to control a simple wheeled robot.
Brain training's efficacy in preventing dementia being tested in UKSeptember 7th, 2009 LONDON - British people would be put on test to see if brain-training can help to prevent diseases like Alzheimer's. The Alzheimer's Society and the BBC are running Brain Test Britain to assess whether mind-training-such as with hand-held computers-can really help ward off dementia.
Missing protein in rare genetic brain disorder restoredSeptember 7th, 2009 WASHINGTON - By using protease inhibitors, researchers at the University of California-San Francisco (UCSF) have restored to normal levels a key protein that is involved in early brain development, and causes the rare brain disorder lissencephaly. Reduced levels of the protein called LIS1 have been shown to cause lissencephaly, which is characterized by brain malformations, seizures, severe mental retardation and very early death in human infants.
Injectable gel helps regenerate brain tissue in traumatic injuriesSeptember 3rd, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a breakthrough study, a Clemson University bioengineer has successfully regenerated brain at the site of a traumatic brain injury with the help of a novel biomaterial gel. Assistant professor of bioengineering Ning Zhang has shown that the biomaterial gel made up of both synthetic and natural sources has the potential to spur the growth of a patient's own neural stem cells in the body, structurally repairing the brain injury site.
New discovery may help in developing effective cancer therapiesSeptember 3rd, 2009 LONDON - Canadian researchers have come across a novel mechanism that may be instrumental in the development of new, more effective cancer therapies. They have discovered that activation mechanism of the RAF protein kinase which, when mutated, is responsible for more than 25 per cent of cancers.
Nigerian woman detained in Mumbai after cocaine found in her stomachSeptember 2nd, 2009 MUMBAI - A Nigerian woman has been detained at the Mumbai international airport on suspicion of carrying drugs. She landed in Mumbai on Tuesday by an Emirate flight from San Paulo in Brazil via Dubai.
Playing Tetris could boost brain powerSeptember 2nd, 2009 LONDON - Playing Tetris may help increase brain efficiency, says a new research. Researchers from Mind Research Network in Albuquerque, New Mexico, examined the effects of practice in the brain using two image techniques.
'Addiction gene' puts white women at high risk of becoming drug, booze addictsSeptember 1st, 2009 LONDON - Scientists at Yale University have identified an 'addiction gene' that puts white women at high risk of drink or drug abuse. The finding paves way for a DNA test to screen for those people who are most at risk of becoming drug addicts or alcoholics.
