BRAIN

May 01 2025SCIENCE

The Shrinking Brain: Shrews' Secret to Surviving Winter

The Eurasian common shrew, Sorex araneus, is a small mammal that has a unique way of dealing with winter. Instead of hibernating or migrating, it shrinks its brain, skull, and most organs. Then, come spring, it grows back to its original size. This ability to change brain size is something that scie

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Apr 30 2025HEALTH

Unraveling Alzheimer's: The Power of Single-Cell Sequencing

Alzheimer's disease, or AD, is a tough nut to crack. It's a brain disorder that slowly chips away at a person's memory and thinking skills. It's tricky because it affects different people in different ways. But here's where things get interesting. Scientists have been using something called single-c

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Apr 29 2025HEALTH

The Gut-Brain Connection: Fecal Transplants and Brain Health

The gut-brain connection is a fascinating topic. It is a two-way communication system that links the brain and the digestive system. This connection is made through nerves, immune cells, and metabolic processes. When the gut's microbial community is out of balance, it can lead to problems in the bra

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Apr 29 2025HEALTH

Virtual Reality: A New Hope for Kids with Brain Injuries?

Virtual reality (VR) is a hot topic in many fields. It is used in rehabilitation and education. But, how does it help kids with traumatic brain injuries (TBI)? That is a question that still needs a lot of answers. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are the experts who work with these kids. They hav

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Apr 27 2025HEALTH

Can Astaxanthin Help Kids with ADHD?

ADHD is a common issue that affects how kids learn and behave. It can make daily tasks tough and slow down personal growth. Astaxanthin, a natural antioxidant, has caught the eye of researchers. They want to see if it can help with ADHD. This study looked at how astaxanthin affects rats that are oft

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Apr 25 2025SCIENCE

The Brain's Role in Risky Choices

Risky decisions are a big part of life. They can be tough to understand. This piece looks at how the brain handles these choices. It focuses on five key parts: what you think before you decide, how quickly you learn, how much risk you like, how you handle losses, and how steady your choices are. Res

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Apr 23 2025HEALTH

Lifestyle Choices and Brain Health: How Daily Habits Shape Our Minds

The brain's hippocampus is a key player in memory and learning. As people age, changes in this region can lead to cognitive decline. This decline is a major risk factor for conditions like dementia. However, lifestyle choices can make a big difference in preserving brain health. This is especially t

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Apr 23 2025HEALTH

Navigating PLAN: A Guide to Understanding and Managing

PLAN, or PLA2G6-associated neurodegeneration, is a tricky condition. It is a type of neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation. It can start at any age, from infancy to adulthood. Symptoms can vary widely, affecting movement, thinking, eyesight, and even basic bodily functions. This makes it a

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Apr 22 2025HEALTH

Brain Chemicals and Football: Unraveling the Impact of Head Hits

Football players often face repeated head impacts. These hits can lead to long-term brain issues. One key area of concern is how these hits affect brain chemicals, specifically catecholamines. These chemicals play a crucial role in brain function. They help with things like mood, attention, and move

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Apr 21 2025HEALTH

Brain Tumors and Their Effects on the Mind

Glioblastoma is a type of brain tumor that can cause a variety of neurological problems. Understanding how these tumors affect different parts of the brain can help doctors diagnose and treat patients more effectively. The brain is a complex organ. It controls everything from basic functions like b

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