A Boston University study finds that in zebra finches new neurons often tunnel through mature brain tissue. The discovery, published in Current Biology, could affect ideas about brain repair and future therapies.
Photo by Bioscience Image Library by Fayette Reynolds, Unsplash
Researchers developed a nasal spray that delivers extracellular vesicles with microRNAs to the brain. In preclinical models it reduced inflammation, restored neuronal mitochondria and improved memory, but human tests are still needed.
New research shows the human brain anticipates upcoming language by grouping words into grammatical phrases rather than predicting only the next single word. Scientists used brain recordings, behavioral tests and LLM measures across languages.
A University of Zurich study explains adaptive mentalization—how quickly people infer others' thoughts and change behavior. Over 550 participants played rock-paper-scissors while researchers used fMRI and a computational model to link brain activity to adaptation.
A UC Riverside-led study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that voluntary hand signals travel through the brainstem and top spinal segments as well as directly from the cortex. Mapping this pathway could guide new stroke therapies.
Researchers developed a genetically encoded protein sensor, called MAPPER, that makes molecular activity visible to MRI by changing water movement in cells. The modular system could let scientists image processes like cancer and inflammation continuously in animals.
