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Tag Archives: neuron

An itch switch

By Stephen Ornes / June 5, 2013

Itchy skin sends a signal to your brain. Scientists have now identified a key player in that process. Credit: iStockphoto

Scientists identify a chemical that helps the brain know where to scratch

Posted in Body & Health | Tagged brain, getinvolved, Glenn Giesler, itch, Jr., Mark Hoon, mice, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, nerve, neuron, neurotransmittors, NIDCR, Santosh Mishra, scratch, spinal cord, Twin Cities, University of Minnesota

Stem cells: The secret to change

By Alison Pearce Stevens / April 10, 2013

Ahmad_iPS.RGC_feature

Unusual, versatile cells hold the key to regrowing lost tissues

Posted in Body & Health | Tagged adult stem cells, Anne Cherry, axon, cornea, dachshund, embryonic stem cells, feature, genetic disease, glaucoma, Harvard University, induced pluripotent stem cells, Iowa State University, iP stem cells, iPS cells, Iqbal Ahmad, Kyoto University, marrow, neuron, Nick Jeffery, Nobel prize, Pearson syndrome, red blood cells, retina, Robin Franklin, Shinya Yamanaka, specialization, spinal cord injury, Stem cells, topstories, University of Cambridge, University of Nebraska Medical Center, vision loss, white blood cells

Concussion: More than ‘getting your bell rung’

By Alison Pearce Stevens / February 20, 2013

Scientists are studying the brain and helmets to better understand and prevent concussions. Researchers at Virginia Tech use this device to test how well helmets protect heads. Credit: Courtesy of Steven Rowson

This common brain injury can cause serious — and lasting — damage

Posted in Brain & Behavior | Tagged athletic injury, axon, balance, brain, brain injury, cells, concentration, concussion, Dennis Molfese, dizziness, feature, football, headache, memory, nervous system, neuron, sledding, STAR helmet ratings, Steven Rowson, Summer Ott, unconsciousness, University of Nebraska, University of Texas Medical Center, Virginia Tech

The teenage brain

By Amanda Leigh Mascarelli / October 17, 2012

The brain releases dopamine when something makes us feel good — like pulling off an exciting trick. The strength of this “feel good” response in teens helps explain why they sometimes chance real risks. Credit: iStockphoto

Adolescence triggers brain — and behavioral — changes that few kids or adults understand

Posted in Brain & Behavior | Tagged Adaptation, adolescence, Beatriz Luna, behavior, BJ Casey, brain, Brown University, Cornell University, decision making, Eveline Crone, evolution, feature, impulsiveness, incentives, learning, Leiden University, Michael Frank, nerve, neuron, prefrontal cortex, reward center, risk taking, synapses, synaptic pruning, teenager, temptations, topstories, University of Pittsburgh, ventral striatum

Fooling the mind’s eye

By Amanda Leigh Mascarelli / September 19, 2012

magic_feature

Brain scientists find they have much to learn from magicians and their tricks

Posted in Brain & Behavior | Tagged Alzheimer’s, Anthony Barnhart, axon, Barrow Neurological Institute, consciousness, feature, illusion, invisible gorilla, magic, magician, misdirection, neuromagic, neuron, neuroscience, optic nerve, Penn & Teller, perception, primary visual cortex, reality, sleight of hand, Stephen Macknik, Susana Martinez-Conde, topstories, trick

Candy on the brain

By Stephen Ornes / June 11, 2012

Credit: Scientists have found which parts of the brain make you covet someone else’s candy. Credit: © Meda4

Imaging reveals brain regions that become active when you want someone else’s stuff

Posted in Brain & Behavior | Tagged brain scan, candy, covet, getinvolved, Mathias Pessiglione, mirror neurons, neuron

No ordinary zzz’s

By Susan Gaidos / June 6, 2012

comafeature

Anesthetics can put you in a coma — but that’s a good thing

Posted in Brain & Behavior | Tagged anesthesia, anesthetic, brain, cerebral cortex, Coma, Emery Brown, feature, fMRI, nerve cells, neuron, Nicholas Schiff, pain, REM, sleep, surgery, thalamus

Contemplating thought

By Susan Gaidos / February 20, 2009

Your brain is more complex than a computer, but the two are similar

Posted in Body & Health | Tagged brain, memory, nervous, nervous system, neuron