Brain Research: Microscope created allowing deep brain exploration ♦ How the brain balances hearing between our ears ♦ Nerve cells in the fast lane

Nerve cells in the fast lane Researchers have identified in what way a specific form of dopamine producing cells is generated and which networks it forms in the course of brain development. In the process, the researchers discovered a data highway of sorts: the nerve cells use not only dopamine for signal transmission, but also the much-faster glutamate.

How the brain balances hearing between our ears Researchers have answered the longstanding question of how the brain balances hearing between our ears, which is essential for localizing sound, hearing in noisy conditions and for protection from noise damage

Microscope created allowing deep brain exploration A team of neuroscientists and bioengineers has created a miniature, fiber-optic microscope designed to peer deeply inside a living brain. The laser-scanning microscope, a prototype which will be further refined, uses fiber-optics and a tiny electrowetting lens. Compared to other small, focusing lenses, it's fast and not sensitive to motion. This allows it to reliably focus on living tissue.

Nano memory cell can mimic the brain’s long-term memory Researchers have mimicked the way the human brain processes information with the development of an electronic long-term memory cell.