Ever thought about tiny protein friends in our brain? Meet SASH1 and Caskin1. Caskin1 is a vital brain protein that loves to hang out in groups, known as "homopolymers. " Scientists were puzzled about how these groups were formed and broken down. Enter SASH1, the new friend that can bust up Caskin1's clusters. Scientists used a nifty trick called yeast two-hybrid sc...
Imagine trying to assemble a puzzle while your friend keeps shaking the table. That's kind of what happens to your brain when you have atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm issue that makes your heart beat irregularly and quickly. Blood flow to your brain gets messy, and that's not good. Now, add smoking into the mix. Smoking harms your blood vessels, making it even ha...
Scientists are curious about how the front part of our brain, known as the prefrontal cortex, influences our grasp of other people's feelings and thoughts. This ability is called "theory of mind" (ToM). Some studies have different results about how crucial the prefrontal cortex is for this skill. Researchers are also unsure if other brain activities, like planning an...
You might think that skipping a meal could make you feel dizzy and less sharp. But what does science say? A study divided people into three groups: those who went without food for 3 hours, those who fasted for 12 hours, and a group that got a protein shake right after. Afterward, everyone took a brain test called Raven's Progressive Matrices. The results? No signific...
Did you know that periodontitis, a common gum disease, might affect your brain? A study explored how this oral health issue impacts brain function in middle-aged and older folks with normal brain power. Researchers wanted to understand how gum disease alters brain connections. They discovered that even in people with no signs of cognitive decline, periodontitis could...
Imagine stepping up to take the winning penalty kick in a soccer match. The crowd is deafening, and your team's fate hangs in the balance. Can simply picturing yourself sinking that goal actually improve your chances? That's what scientists are trying to figure out. They're exploring the fascinating world of mental imagery, the ability to create vivid mental pictures...