ScienceDaily: All - December 09, 2023
Today's top research news
What happens when the brain loses a hub?
Neuroscientists have obtained the first direct recordings of the human brain in the minutes before and after a brain hub crucial for language meaning was surgically disconnected. The results reveal the importance of brain hubs in neural networks and the remarkable way in which the human brain attempts to compensate when a hub is lost, with immediacy not previously observed.
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Zika's shape-shifting machinery, and a possible vulnerability
Viruses have limited genetic material -- and few proteins -- so all the pieces must work extra hard. Zika is a great example; the virus only produces 10 proteins. Now researchers have shown how the virus does so much with so little and may have identified a therapeutic vulnerability.
Conjoined 'racetracks' make new optical device possible
Kerry Vahala and collaborators from UC Santa Barbara have found a unique solution to an optics problem.
Potential new drug treatment for multiple sclerosis
Pre-clinical studies using a small molecule drug have shown promise as a potential new treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS).
Genetic mutations that promote reproduction tend to shorten human lifespan, study shows
A study based on a review of genetic and health information from more than 276,000 people finds strong support for a decades-old evolutionary theory that sought to explain aging and senescence.
When is an aurora not an aurora?
While auroras occur at high latitude, the associated phenomena Steve and the picket fence occur farther south and at lower altitude. Their emissions also differ from aurora. A physics graduate student has proposed a physical mechanism behind these emissions, and a rocket launch to test the theory. She argues that an electric field in the upper atmosphere parallel to Earth's magnetic field could explain the green picket fence spectrum and perhaps Steve and the enhanced aurora.
Major breakthrough for severe asthma treatment
A landmark study has shown that severe asthma can be controlled using biologic therapies, without the addition of regular high-dose inhaled steroids which can have significant side effects.
Veins of bacteria could form a self-healing system for concrete infrastructure
In hopes of producing concrete structures that can repair their cracks, researchers are putting a new twist on an old trick for improving the durability of concrete. Fiber reinforcement has been around since the first masons were mixing horsehair into their mud. But this research team is taking this method to the next level by turning reinforcing fibers into a living tissue system that rushes concrete-healing bacteria to the site of cracks to repair the damage.
Immersive VR goggles for mice unlock new potential for brain science
New miniature virtual reality (VR) goggles provide more immersive experiences for mice living in laboratory settings. By more faithfully simulating natural environments, the researchers can more accurately and precisely study the neural circuitry that underlies behavior. Compared to current state-of-the-art systems, which simply surround mice with computer or projection screens, the new goggles provide a leap in advancement.
Suburban backyard home to more than 1,000 species
A challenge among three housemates to identify species around their inner-Brisbane home has resulted in an academic research paper, showcasing the rich biodiversity in urban landscapes.
Formaldehyde, a carcinogen, is also used by the body to regulate our genes
Formaldehyde's toxicity was presumed to derive from its ability to crosslink DNA, but that happens only at huge doses. Recent discoveries that formaldehyde is found in the body in small amounts led a team to investigate its natural role. They found that formaldehyde regulates epigenetic modification of DNA, interfering with an enzyme that carries methyl groups used to modify DNA. Too much formaldehyde could suppress methylation, potentially leading to cancer.
