ScienceDaily: Mind & Brain News

People with multiple sclerosis may have lower levels of key nutrients Posted: 19 Feb 2015 01:23 PM PST Women with multiple sclerosis (MS) may have lower levels of important antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients, such as folate from food and vitamin E, than healthy people, according to a new study.

New ALS gene, signaling pathways identified Posted: 19 Feb 2015 11:46 AM PST Using advanced DNA sequencing methods, researchers have identified a new gene that is associated with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease.

New brain mapping reveals unknown cell types Posted: 19 Feb 2015 11:13 AM PST Using a process known as single cell sequencing, scientists have produced a detailed map of cortical cell types and the genes active within them. The study marks the first time this method of analysis has been used on such a large scale on such complex tissue. The team studied over three thousand cells, one at a time, and even managed to identify a number of hitherto unknown types.

Mouse embryo with really big brain: Evolving a bigger brain with human DNA Posted: 19 Feb 2015 10:31 AM PST The human brain expanded dramatically in size during evolution, imparting us with unique capabilities. Scientists have now shown that it's possible to pick out key changes in the genetic code between chimpanzees and humans and visualize their respective contributions to early brain development in mouse embryos. The findings may lend insight what makes the human brain special and why people get some neurological disorders, such as autism and Alzheimer's disease, whereas chimpanzees don't.

Tracing languages back to their common ancestors through the statistics of sound shifts Posted: 19 Feb 2015 10:30 AM PST A statistical technique that sorts out when changes to words’ pronunciations most likely occurred in the evolution of a language offers a renewed opportunity to trace words and languages back to their earliest common ancestor or ancestors.

Possible regulation of cigarettes not likely to significantly change US illicit tobacco market Posted: 19 Feb 2015 08:57 AM PST Although there is insufficient evidence to draw firm conclusions about how the US illicit tobacco market would respond to any new regulations that modify cigarettes -- for example, by lowering nicotine content -- limited evidence suggests that demand for illicit versions of conventional cigarettes would be modest, says a new report.

Statins may not lower Parkinson's risk, experts say Posted: 19 Feb 2015 08:57 AM PST The use of statins may not be associated with lowering risk for Parkinson's disease, according to a new study. The findings cast doubts on reports suggesting that the cholesterol-lowering medications may protect against this neurodegenerative brain disorder.

New scoring system helps predict risk of chronic pain after surgery Posted: 19 Feb 2015 08:24 AM PST There are many variables that contribute to a patient’s risk of chronic pain after surgery; however, until recently, physicians had no way to systematically identify those variables prior to surgery.

Neck pain can be changed through altered visual feedback Posted: 19 Feb 2015 07:16 AM PST Using virtual reality to misrepresent how far the neck is turned can actually change pain experiences in individuals who suffer from chronic neck pain, according to research.

Stem cell specialization observed in the brain Posted: 19 Feb 2015 07:15 AM PST Adult stem cells are flexible and can transform themselves into a wide variety of special cell types. Because they are harvested from adult organisms, there are no ethical objections to their use, and they therefore open up major possibilities in biomedicine. For instance, adult stem cells enable the stabilization or even regeneration of damaged tissue. Neural stem cells form a reservoir for nerve cells. Researchers hope to use them to treat neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.

Digital games and classroom learning: Study finds helpful features, gaps Posted: 19 Feb 2015 06:04 AM PST A new report on how teachers use video games in classrooms identifies features they find most useful to track student learning, as well as gaps where better tools could help link games more closely to the curriculum.

Airport screening misses half of disease cases but could be improved Posted: 19 Feb 2015 06:03 AM PST Researchers have found that in order to be effective, the screening of passengers for disease at airports must be tailored to the outbreak in question.

Sickness and health between men and women Posted: 19 Feb 2015 06:03 AM PST Gender and personality matter in how people cope with physical and mental illness, according to a new paper. Men are less affected by a single-symptom illness than women, but are more affected when more than one symptom is present. The number of symptoms doesn't change how women are affected, according to the authors.

25 percent of children who are homeless need mental health services Posted: 19 Feb 2015 06:03 AM PST 25 percent of children who are homeless are in need of mental health services, a pilot study that took place in North Carolina, USA, has found. The study highlights the need for more screening and support for the millions of homeless children in the United States.

People with 'bonding identity' cope better with structural disadvantage Posted: 19 Feb 2015 05:58 AM PST Individuals from socially disadvantaged populations who define themselves as connected to a group are better prepared to deal with barriers encountered in their life-course. Their self-esteem is indeed less harmed as a result of stronger sense of efficacy, a new article suggests.

Delaying children's school entry linked to poor academic performance Posted: 19 Feb 2015 05:58 AM PST Delaying school entry for children could cause poorer academic performance, according to new research. Many parents are keen to hold their children back a year if they were born prematurely or in the summer months. They argue their child will not be mature enough to start school and previous research has suggested children who are born more than three weeks before their due date would benefit from starting school a year later than those who were born at full-term.

Link between sleep loss, diabetes explained Posted: 19 Feb 2015 05:49 AM PST Lack of sleep can elevate levels of free fatty acids in the blood, accompanied by temporary pre-diabetic conditions in healthy young men. Getting enough sleep could help counteract the current epidemics of diabetes and obesity, scientists say.

New clues to causes of birth defects in children from older mothers Posted: 19 Feb 2015 05:49 AM PST A possible clue has been found to why older mothers face a higher risk for having babies born with conditions such as Down syndrome that are characterized by abnormal chromosome numbers.

Help for people with muscle cramps? Posted: 18 Feb 2015 01:55 PM PST A new treatment may bring hope for people who suffer from muscle cramps or spasms from neuromuscular disorders, diseases such as multiple sclerosis or simply from nighttime leg cramps that keep people from sleeping, according to a new study.

Chicken pox virus may be linked to serious condition in the elderly Posted: 18 Feb 2015 01:55 PM PST A new study links the virus that causes chicken pox and shingles to a condition that inflames blood vessels on the temples and scalp in the elderly, called giant cell arteritis. The condition can cause sudden blindness or stroke and can be life-threatening.

New insight into a fragile protein linked to cancer and autism Posted: 18 Feb 2015 11:13 AM PST In recent years, scientists have found a surprising a connection between some people with autism and certain cancer patients: They have mutations in the same gene, one that codes for a protein critical for normal cellular health. Now scientists have reported that the defects reduce the activity and stability of the protein. Their findings could someday help lead to new treatments for both sets of patients.

A dog lives on; now the stage is being set for treating humans Posted: 18 Feb 2015 07:15 AM PST Scientists are focusing on targeting and destroying the most therapy-resistant infiltrative cells in malignant glioma.