brain

The brain is a fantastic thing, not just because it’s the body’s control system—guiding it constantly on what to do, reminding the heart to keep beating—but it’s the wellspring of all of our feelings, a repository of our memories and hard drive of our behavior and self-awareness. It is also known as the most complex organ of the body. But do you know that this organ which carries 100 billion neurons actually functions at only 10% of its capacity? Yes, it’s a popular brain myth that has been going on for a long time.How…

Orienteering is a sport that combines navigation and cross-country running. Participants use a map and compass to navigate through a course in the shortest possible time.According to recent research from McMaster University, orienteering — a sport that combines athleticism, navigational skills, and memory — may serve as an effective intervention or preventive measure against cognitive decline related to dementia.According to researchers, the integration of physical exercise and navigation in orienteering may stimulate…

Calcium is a chemical element with the symbol Ca and atomic number 20. It is an essential nutrient required by the human body for building and maintaining strong bones and teeth, as well as for many other important functions, including nerve function, muscle contraction, and blood clotting.Scientists at Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) have discovered that the side effects associated with treating brain disorders using antisense oligonucleotides are linked to changes in calcium balance.A potential treatment for…

Researchers discovered higher than usual levels of the immune signaling molecule interleukin 1β (green) in neurons (outlined in red) from the brains of alcohol-dependent mice. Credit: Scripps ResearchA team of researchers at Scripps has uncovered findings that suggest a new potential target for developing drugs to treat alcohol use disorder.People with alcohol use disorder (AUD) experience a never-ending vicious cycle of changes in the brain and behavior. AUD can disrupt communication pathways in the brain, leading to an…

A large-scale animal study from 2021 revealed something interesting about yawning: Vertebrates with larger brains and more neurons tend to have longer-lasting yawns.Researchers collected data on 1,291 separate yawns from zoo trips and online videos, covering a total of 55 mammal species and 46 bird species. They found "robust positive correlations" between how long an animal yawns and the size of its brain."We went to several zoos with a camera and waited by the animal enclosures for the animals to yawn," ethologist Jorg…

Functional magnetic resonance imaging, or fMRI, is one of the most advanced tools for understanding how we think. As a person in an fMRI scanner completes various mental tasks, the machine produces mesmerizing and colorful images of their brain in action. Looking at someone’s brain activity this way can tell neuroscientists which brain areas a person is using but not what that individual is thinking, seeing or feeling. Researchers have been trying to crack that code for decades—and now, using artificial intelligence to…

Tech that aims to read your mind and probe your memories is already here In recent years, we’ve seen neurotechnologies move from research labs to real-world use. Schools have used some devices to monitor the brain activity of children to tell when they are paying attention. Police forces are using others to work out whether someone is guilty of a crime. And employers use them to keep workers awake and productive. These technologies hold the remarkable promise of giving us all-new insight into our own minds. But our…

With a horrific mortality and recovery rate, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating disease with poor long-term outcomes for those who do manage to survive it. And studies show that for people who receive treatment at its onset, around 50% of sufferers will see their condition deteriorate within 28 days.In fact, only a quarter of ICH-related brain deterioration happens in that first 24-hour window. Most occurs during the secondary stage, where blood cells lyse and neurotoxic products are generated. With no…

Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of several tree species. It is commonly used in cooking and baking for its sweet and warm flavor, as well as for its health benefits.Cinnamon is a spice that has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and cooking. It is derived from the bark of several trees in the Cinnamomum family and is known for its warm, sweet flavor. In addition to its culinary uses, cinnamon is also known for its numerous health benefits. You can even find cinnamon in supplement form as…

Through a vast network of nerve fibers, electrical signals are constantly traveling across the brain. This complicated activity is what ultimately gives rise to our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors – but also possibly to mental health and neurological problems when things go wrong.Brain stimulation is an emerging treatment for such disorders. Stimulating a region of your brain with electrical or magnetic pulses will trigger a cascade of signals through your network of nerve connections.However, at the moment, scientists…