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Neuroscience news

Neuroscience

Miniature microscope captures real-time voltage signals in awake animals

Researchers have built a tiny, lightweight microscope that captures neuron activity with unprecedented speed that can be used in freely moving animals. The new tool could give scientists a more complete view of how brain ...

Neuroscience

Dance effective in fighting against cognitive decline in Parkinson's, study finds

A new study led by researchers at York University shows that dance can be beneficial in halting the cognitive decline associated with Parkinson's disease and, for some participants, they even showed signs of improvement. ...

Health

Five ways microplastics may harm your brain

Microplastics could be fueling neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, with a new study highlighting five ways microplastics can trigger inflammation and damage in the brain.

Neuroscience

Tricking the brain to make exercise feel easier

Why do some people find a short jog exhausting, while others seem to run effortlessly? Of course, part of the answer lies in training and muscle strength. But the brain also plays a role, particularly in how we perceive effort.

Neuroscience

Recent trial reveals promising therapy for aggressive brain cancer

Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah (the U) participated in a clinical trial that found that a new combination treatment plan helped people with recurring grade 3 astrocytoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, ...

Neuroscience

Single enzyme failure found to drive neuron loss in dementia

Researchers at Helmholtz Munich, the Technical University of Munich and the LMU University Hospital Munich uncovered a mechanism that protects nerve cells from premature cell death, known as ferroptosis. The study provides ...

Psychology & Psychiatry

Breathe in, breathe out: How respiration shapes remembering

First and foremost, we breathe in order to absorb oxygen—but this vital rhythm could also have other functions. Over the past few years, a range of studies have shown that respiration influences neural processes, including ...

Psychology & Psychiatry

How the brain prioritizes bodily signals in conscious awareness

A new study shows that visual and tactile impressions that are related to our own body are prioritized for reaching conscious awareness. This helps us understand how we develop the feeling that the body is our own—through ...

Psychology & Psychiatry

How reward modulates attention in humans

Have you ever noticed how animals instinctively choose the ripest fruits in a tree? This behavior, of seeking out the most rewarding option, offers a fascinating glimpse into the workings of the brain. Animals not only focus ...

Psychology & Psychiatry

How letting your mind wander can reset your brain

Every day, we're faced with constant opportunities for stimulation. With 24/7 access to news feeds, emails and social media, many of us find ourselves scrolling endlessly, chasing our next hit of dopamine. But these habits ...

Neuroscience

Why 'sleeping on it' may improve learning and memory

When faced with difficult tasks, sometimes people hit a mental wall and make the decision to "sleep on it." Returning to the task after sleeping, they often perform better. Why? Rhythmic brain activity during sleep transforms ...

Neuroscience

Brain signals from cerebellum can control prosthetic devices

Cedars-Sinai investigators found a new way to control prosthetic devices using brain signals. Their preclinical findings, if confirmed in clinical studies, could help stroke survivors control external prosthetic devices to ...