Brain

Did you know your brain might be more receptive to learning new things depending on the time of day? This study examined how a 24-hour cycle alters brain plasticity and neuronal excitability in rats.

New study argues standard forms of consent for cell donations would not be appropriate for this line of research

Duke-NUS scientists have built one of the largest and most comprehensive maps of the developing human brain, marking a major step forward in testing new therapies for Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions

The regulatory directions of Agentic AI systems and Open-Source AI have become hot topics globally. In light of this, Lingnan University and the University of Bologna in Italy co-hosted the 2nd International Workshop on Technologies for AI Governance (TAIG) from 25 to 26 October, as part of the 28th European Conference on Artificial Intelligence (ECAI 2025). The workshop brought together numerous world-leading experts, academics, and policymakers, aiming to enhance governance in areas such as AI risk assessment, accountability tracking, and safety assurance, and to foster cross-regional exchange on AI governance between Asia and Europe. The two-day event attracted over 150 academics and students.

This innovative technique allows for precise measurement of brain activity without the need for open-brain surgery by using blood vessels as conduits for electrodes. This holds immense potential for improving neurological care, advancing our understanding of the brain, and unlocking new possibilities for brain-computer interfaces.

- A research team led by Professor Kyung-In Jang at DGIST has developed a flexible implantable device for brain drug delivery, which applies a pump structure inspired by human gastrointestinal motility. - Wireless control enables precise drug delivery to deep brain regions, thus opening new possibilities for treating intractable brain diseases.

Self-healing hydrogel, Cool crawler, AI and world's longest crop experiment & Freeze-framing cells. Plus how media interest helps engineers and society. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice

Researchers at National Taiwan University developed a biodegradable, electroconductive self-healing hydrogel combined with acupuncture that restores motor function and protects brain neurons in Parkinson’s disease models.

A research group led by The University of Osaka has discovered that the DNA repair enzyme Polβ plays a crucial role in protecting the developing brain from harmful mutations. The study found that a lack of Polβ leads to a significant increase in small insertions and deletions of DNA, known as indels near CpG sites, which are important regulatory regions in genes. This accumulation of mutations could contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders.

- Confirmed protein-bound microplastics disrupt brain cells and potentially cause neurotoxicity - Published findings in Environmental Science & Technology and registered in Hanbitsa (People Making Korea Shine)

Whispers in the gut, "Memory foam" for space 🚀, Potassium power 🔋& Intelligent multitasking. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice

In Hong Kong’s fast-paced lifestyle, many people need to multitask in order to get things done, and whether this ability is innate or can be developed through training has long been a subject of academic debate. A recent study by the Department of Psychology at Lingnan University has found that multitasking is not a singular skill, but rather a composite of various cognitive abilities, and the research team suggests that systematic training has the potential to enhance performance across work and learning contexts. Their findings have been published in the prestigious international Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance and were selected as an editor’s choice article.

Researchers are one step closer to finding a common target for treating ALS - a fatal neurodegenerative disease that causes progressive muscle weakness.

Singapore-led study shows specialised support cells in the gut form direct, neuron-like connections to deliver precise instructions to stem cells; Overturns long-held beliefs about how gut cells communicate; Opens new paths for treating colon cancer and IBD

As the days grow shorter, many animals prepare for the approaching winter by suspending reproduction. Insects, for example, accumulate energy stores while halting ovarian development through a process known as reproductive diapause. In a recent study published in The Journal of Experimental Biology, researchers at The University of Osaka uncovered a key neuroendocrine pathway underlying this seasonal shift in the bean bug Riptortus pedestris, identifying the neuropeptide corazonin as a molecular signal that suppresses reproduction in response to changes in day length.

By just sprinkling it on top and waiting 10 seconds, researchers can use this new fluorescent probe to clearly show synapses, the connection points between brain cells.

Dietary prebiotics may induce an increase in brain GABA levels through the regulation of gut microbiota, which can be a major point for reducing or even treating these occurrences of certain neurological diseases in individuals.

Cosmic hide-and-seek, Controlling quantum light, Thinking face robot, Live DNA folding & Menopause-dementia link. Plus latest SciCom Coffee talk. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice.

A research team at The University of Osaka has identified a crucial brain region involved in motor learning during reaching movements. The parvocellular division of the red nucleus, a small but specialized structure in the midbrain, was found to generate and transmit “error signals” necessary for adapting hand movements. This discovery clarifies a long-standing question in neuroscience about how the brain detects and corrects motion inaccuracies, with potential applications in developing new rehabilitation methods.

- A DGIST research team led by Professors Ko Jaewon and Um Ji Won has identified an interaction mechanism involving proteins that regulate NMDA receptor function - The discovery is expected to provide key clues for the management of mental diseases such as autism and schizophrenia

Researchers develop energy-efficient spintronic devices with 11 memory states for next-generation neuromorphic computing.

A joint study by National Taiwan University’s Prof. Hsiao-Mei Wu and Academia Sinica’s Dr. Yi-Chung Tung reveals that oxygen tension elevation during week 4–6 promotes neurogenesis in brain organoids, regulated by Neuroglobin.

Phosphorylation of tau protein triggers the formation of phase-separated liquid droplets of tau, known as liquid-liquid phase separation, in a temperature-dependent and reversible mechanism. The modified tau protein (p-tau) had a looser and more flexible shape, as shown by advanced protein analysis. Intracellular tau aggregation formed surrounding the cell nucleus only when cells were treated with this form of tau, similar to what is seen in Alzheimer’s disease brains.

Why does dementia affect more women than men? To help solve this mystery, researchers uncovered a new risk factor: age of menopause onset.

New research in model mice suggests low-dose opioids may help improve social interactions in people with autism spectrum disorder.

Researchers at Tohoku University examined the change in brain energy dynamics from induced seizures - which could potentially help us better understand individuals with epilepsy.

A virtual reality experiment suggests that fear, pain, and expectations shaped by prior experiences can disrupt the mind’s grip on the body.

For International Women's Day, we have prepared a list of women experts who have agreed to share their expertise with journalists. Their expertise include AI, astronomy, medicine and public health, sustainability, women’s rights, and more.

Lingnan University held its inaugural Technology Transfer Forum today, 28 February, at the Qianhai International Talent Hub in Shenzhen. Supported by the Innovation and Technology Fund of the Innovation and Technology Commission, the forum focused on “Building a Smart Future for Sustainability”. It brought together over 160 government officials, leading scholars, and industry pioneers from Hong Kong and Mainland China to explore the latest research and practical applications in the four cutting-edge technological areas of New Energy, New Material, New Data, and New Humanity.

Researchers used motion capture technology to create a database of body language – ranging from happiness to contempt – targeted towards an Asian population for the first time.