Brain

A newly discovered mechanism of fear memory formation in mouse brains may help reduce the negative impact of fear and provide new treatment methods for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the future , according to a study published on August 5th in the open-access journal Cell Reports by Wen-Hsien Hou (侯文賢) from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan, and colleagues.

Ecklonia cava, a brown algae seaweed, is shown to have the ability to protect against neurodegeneration

Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are gene transplants that help flies live longer, a COVID-19 treatment using embryonic stem cells, and how a frog named after Darwin likes to get it on.

Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are the smallest and lightest drone that can pave the way for new models, how good intentions may have provoked a heatwave, and how eating fruit can stave off depression.

- DGIST Professor Ko Jaewon and team identify a single family of synaptic membrane proteins that inhibit excitatory and synaptic properties - The findings may provide key clues to the development of therapeutics for related brain disorders targeting different synaptic protein complexes inhibited by MDGA proteins * MDGA: a synaptic adhesion protein that plays an essential role in how nerve cells connect with each other to transmit neural signals.

Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are small robots with human brain organoids, new findings about the ancient Denisovan culture, and how to create the perfect environment for bad bacteria.

Results compare favorably with conventional microscopic method, with added benefit of shorter operative times, less blood loss

Researchers from France, Japan, and Italy have developed BiœmuS, a low-cost, flexible, and real-time biomimetic tool designed for biohybrid experiments. This system enables closed-loop interactions between artificial and living neural networks. Moreover, BiœmuS offers accessibility and ease of use, facilitating real-time emulation of neural network dynamics both in vitro and in vivo. This interdisciplinary collaboration aims to enhance bioelectrical therapeutics and neuroprosthetic development.

A study from Duke-NUS Medical School and the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine) estimates that the yearly additional costs of about S$700 per person are mainly due to emergency and subsequent hospital admissions. In total, these costs are set to rise to S$106 million annually in 2030 as the population ages.

- Explaining the roles of various membrane proteins that facilitate interactions between astrocytes and neurons - Expected to provide critical insights for related R&D in the diagnosis and treatment of brain diseases

Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are how drug-resistant bacteria survive in space, omnipresent microplastics, and a glowing treatment for brain tumors.

Blue energy future, Off switch for brain cells, New Japanese lily species, Generative AI in motion, Economies take off with new airports and Braille-shaped electrodes for retinal implants. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice. Plus SciCom Coffee with Catriona Child.

Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are how catching up on sleep in big chunks does not completely pay our sleep debt, a biodegradable paper placed on the brain to help with neurological diseases, and a dinosaur that shows the transition between scales and feathers.

New genetic tool developed by Duke-NUS could help investigate brain function and psychiatric disorders.

Paper-based battery for wearable devices, To pass or not to pass? Kirigami hydrogels rise from cellulose, Climate impact on mountains, Effects of space weathering. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice.

Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are the lifespan of different cat breeds, the possibility of regrowing teeth, and how small creatures can help maintain our environments.

Our brains are truly miraculous. They can process vast swathes of information with very little energy supply. One of the many ways our brain may do this is through dilation of blood vessels, which enhances energy circulation and clears wasteful materials. A research team has recently developed a method that easily observes and monitors this phenomenon.

Skilled players show stronger inhibition processes when electing not to pass the ball

Zika virus vaccine targets brain cancer, 120-year quest to farm lobsters, Arctic nightlife bursts with sound, Eating a robot, Molecular orientation is key & New treatment for ALS and dementia. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice.

Researchers from the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, find that providing lab-grown ‘cerebral organoids’ with connections similar to those in real brains enhances their development and activity

Insights into ethical and legal ramifications of growing brain organoids from human fetal brain tissue

Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are where music affects our bodies, a battery powered by the oxygen inside our bodies, and the largest bird family tree to date.

Bilingualism is often associated with stronger executive function. SUTD and NUS scientists found that early bilingual acquisition can also protect cognitive processes that facilitate our social and emotional skills against normal age-related decline.

Revelation of the molecular code for constructing brain neural circuits With identification of the characteristics of excitatory synapses and memory cognition regulation mechanisms mediated by synaptic gene microexons - A research team led by DGIST Prof. Jaewon Ko has unearthed the microexon molecular code for the formation of synaptic signal patterns through the synaptic adhesion protein LAR-RPTP. - This finding is expected to provide crucial clues for the development of new brain disease treatments targeting protein complexes.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) are neurodegenerative diseases that commonly occur in middle-aged people. FTD is second only to Alzheimer's disease in terms of dementia prevalence. Both ALS and FTD arise from neuronal degeneration through mechanisms that remain unclear. Dr. Yun-Ru (Ruby) Chen's team in the Genomics Research Center (GRC), Academia Sinica recently discovered a new pathological mechanism for neuronal degeneration using synthetic peptides. They also discovered that a disaccharide can increase neuronal survival and reduce degeneration. The result provides therapeutic strategies for future treatment of these neurodegenerative diseases. The study was published in the top international journal "Science Advances" on February 23, 2024.

Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are what happens in our brains when we interact with dogs, our brain and eye activity when we focus on something, and how many children is the ‘ideal’ amount.

Findings could aid research into how information presentation might prevent human error

Scientists from Duke-NUS Medical School have developed a new approach using the Zika virus to destroy brain cancer cells and inhibit tumour growth, while sparing healthy cells.

Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are the mechanisms behind regrowing limbs and middle-age weight gain, and a new wound dressing combining mussels and silkworms.

A group of Tohoku University researchers has developed a theoretical model for a high-performance spin wave reservoir computing (RC) that utilizes spintronics technology. The breakthrough moves scientists closer to realizing energy-efficient, nanoscale computing with unparalleled computational power.