A new wrinkle: Geometry of brain's outer surface correlates with genetic heritage The three-dimensional shape of the cerebral cortex -- the wrinkled outer layer of the brain controlling many functions of thinking and sensation -- strongly correlates with ancestral background, . The study opens the door to more precise studies of brain anatomy going forward and could eventually lead to more personalized medicine..
Scientists ‘watch’ rats string memories together By using electrode implants to track nerve cells firing in the brains of rats as they plan where to go next, scientists say they have learned that the mammalian brain likely reconstructs memories in a way more like jumping across stepping stones than walking across a bridge. The research sheds light on what memories are and how they form.
Memory-loss man case 'like nothing we have ever seen before' A psychologist has described a unique case, new to science. A 38-year-old fit and healthy man suffered memory loss after a local anesthetic and root-canal treatment at his dentist. There is no evidence that the treatment at the dentist can be blamed for his condition. He is fully aware of his identity and his personality did not change -- but every day the man thinks it is the day of his dental appointment.
Researchers stimulate human amygdala to gain key insight into sudden unexpected death in epilepsy Researchers have identified areas of the human brain in which breathing is controlled and, in some cases, impaired. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy is becoming increasingly recognized as a very real and devastating problem in which impaired breathing is thought to play a critical role. Researchers believe breathing may be impaired during and after seizures, without the patient's knowledge.
'Decoder ring' powers found in microRNA MicroRNA can serve as a "decoder ring" for understanding complex biological processes, a team of chemists has found. Their study points to a new method for decrypting the biological functions of enzymes and identifying those that drive diseases.
Ending Medicaid dental benefit is costly A study finds states gain little when dropping adult dental coverage. Researchers say adults in California made 1,800 more hospital visits annually for dental care after losing the benefit. California spent $2.9 million each year, 68 percent more before eliminating the benefit.
Smoking induces early signs of cancer in cheek swabs DNA damage caused by smoking can be detected in cheek swabs. The study provides evidence that smoking induces a general cancer program that is also present in cancers which aren't usually associated with it -- including breast and gynecological cancers.
Study discovers how pancreatic cancer spreads to the liver Investigators has illuminated the precise molecular steps that enable pancreatic cancer to spread to the liver -- the event that makes the most common form of the disease lethal. By understanding this process, their discovery can lead to targeted treatments that delay metastasis, and offer clinicians a new biomarker to test for the earliest signs of pancreatic cancer.
Non-invasive colon cancer screening may be promising for African-Americans, Stool DNA (sDNA) testing, a new non-invasive technology for colon cancer screening, is a promising alternative to colonoscopy for African Americans. sDNA sensitivity and specificity of advanced lesions and all adenomas (polyps) in African Americans was similar to or exceeded that of other racial group.
Organic nanoparticles, more lethal to tumors Carbon-based nanoparticles could be used to sensitize cancerous tumours to proton radiotherapy and induce more focused destruction of cancer cells, a new study shows. Radiotherapy used in cancer treatment is a promising treatment method, albeit rather indiscriminate. Indeed, it affects neighboring healthy tissues and tumors alike. Researchers have thus been exploring the possibilities of using various radio-sensitizers; these nanoscale entities focus the destructive effects of radiotherapy more specifically on tumor cells.
