All articles tagged with #mini brains
This week in science features a promising Alzheimer's drug tested in mice, a new theory about the purpose of the Bayeux Tapestry, the discovery of three colliding galaxies, insights into lactose tolerance in South Asian populations, a theoretical model explaining particle mass through extra dimensions, and advances in understanding schizophrenia and bipolar disorder using lab-grown mini-brains.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins have used lab-grown 'mini-brains' or organoids to identify neural signatures associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, achieving up to 92% accuracy in distinguishing these conditions through electrical activity patterns, which could lead to more objective diagnoses and targeted treatments in the future.
Scientists have developed complex brain organoids that mimic a kindergartner's neural wiring, raising ethical concerns about their potential to develop sensations or consciousness. Experts advocate for global regulation to oversee research, especially as these mini brains could lead to breakthroughs in treating neurological disorders, but also pose moral questions about their use and treatment.
Scientists are transforming eerie concepts into innovative solutions, including lab-grown mini-brains for studying the human brain, spider-inspired gloves for quick wound dressings, edible coatings from wolf apple to extend produce freshness, and discovering microplastics in human retinas, highlighting environmental concerns.
Scientists in Switzerland are using human-derived brain organoids as biological processors for computing, aiming to create energy-efficient alternatives to silicon chips, with potential applications in AI and medical research, while addressing ethical and technical challenges.
Lab-grown mini-brains with Neanderthal and modern human genes suggest that intermittent lead exposure may have influenced brain development and survival differences between the species, potentially impacting language and social cohesion. The study highlights how environmental factors like lead pollution, present in ancient times, could have played a role in human evolution.
Scientists have developed mini-brains using human fetal brain tissue, roughly the size of a grain of rice, in a breakthrough that could revolutionize neuroscience. The mini-brains were grown to model brain cancer and understand brain development, potentially leading to new insights and treatments for childhood brain cancer and neurodevelopmental diseases. This research could offer hope for the 4,000 children diagnosed with brain and spinal cord tumors in the U.S. each year.
Scientists have used organoids, or "mini-brains," to study the origins of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). By analyzing these miniature brain models, researchers discovered an imbalance of excitatory cortical neurons in the forebrains of individuals with ASD. This imbalance is believed to occur during early brain development in utero, shedding light on the genetic origins of autism. The study also identified specific genes, known as transcription factors, that play a crucial role in early brain development and are associated with the neuronal imbalance observed in ASD patients. This research builds upon previous studies and may contribute to prenatal genetic testing and potential prevention of ASD.