A new study provides the first evidence for the existence of flexible neuron modules in the brain, particularly in the prefrontal cortex. These clusters of neurons can perform the same computations across varied tasks, allowing the brain to store different types of information, such as sensory input or action plans, with remarkable adaptability. This discovery suggests that reusable circuits enable the brain to generate a wide range of behaviours efficiently.
Professor Deepak Dhar of the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences (ICTS) has been awarded the prestigious 2026 Dirac Medal for his significant contributions to statistical mechanics and complex systems. He shares the honour with three other scientists for their pioneering work extending statistical mechanics into diverse fields like AI and theoretical neuroscience.
Researchers have analysed reports of medical procedures involving electrical stimulation of awake patients' brains, identifying distinct brain regions responsible for spontaneous and voluntary laughter. This study sheds light on the complex neural mechanisms underlying human laughter, distinguishing between uncontrollable, emotionally charged laughter and controlled, conversational laughter.
A new study reveals that a copper-containing compound, Cu(ATSM), can repair vital waste-clearing pumps in the brain, significantly reducing toxic amyloid-beta proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease and improving long-term spatial memory in mouse models. This discovery offers a promising new therapeutic avenue for neurovascular dysfunction in Alzheimer's.
A new study has identified two distinct subtypes of autism, one with increased communication associated with immune-related systems and another with reduced connectivity linked to synaptic pathways. The findings, published in Nature Neuroscience, pave the way for more precise and personalised autism care and support.
Researchers at IIT Kanpur are studying alpha waves in the brain to understand how stress affects cognitive functions. The study aims to build automated models of stress dimensions using EEG and correlating them with factors like loss of control, helplessness, and anxiety.
A new study suggests that physical activity can trigger the movement of cerebrospinal fluid, aiding in the removal of waste from the brain and potentially reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
A new study reveals that insects' lightning-fast reactions are due to a 'turbo boost' feature in their brains, which could inspire more energy-efficient robots and self-driving cars.
For decades, multinational pharmaceutical companies and Indian drugmakers worked in ways that supported each other: MNCs brought innovation and brands, while Indian companies built scale through generics and cost efficiency. There was an important overlap - generic drugs - but this is shrinking fast. And the consequences are reshaping India's gigantic pharmaceutical market.
Shukla and three other crew members of the Axiom-4 mission are set to return to Earth from the International Space Station on July 14.
OpenAI will provide 500,000 free ChatGPT licences for six months to students and teachers across government schools from classes 1 to 12, engineering and technical institutes, as well as K-12 educators.
Ever considered choosing a partner based on your psychological make-up?
Winters call for a heartening rasam made from this healthy legume.
Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and the Axiom-4 mission crew are scheduled to return to Earth from the International Space Station on July 14, according to NASA.
Alert: Post graduate courses in brain research
'For 40 years, India valued only technical skills. IITs, coding -- that became everything.' 'Soft skills were sidelined. But those are the skills that will keep you employable now, not technical skills.'
In January, Gopalakrishnan had donated Rs 225 crore (Rs 2.25 billion) to set up a brain research centre in a joint effort between IISc and a trust formed by him and his wife.
'By integrating data, research, and new insights, we are designing work environments that foster innovation, collaboration, and wellbeing.'
Around 7.4 per cent of Indians aged 60 and above are affected by dementia. This number is expected to rise from the current 8.8 million to 17 million by 2036, marking a 97 per cent increase.
rediffGURU Mayank Chandel offers advice to students interested in a careers in science or engineering after class 10 and 12.
As per Mashable, Zain, who had been born with cerebral palsy, died on Monday at the age of 26.
'Two years ago, had I been given even a tiny hint that my genes were tipping the scale for the development of a disease that would lock me into my body, unable to move or breath normally on my own, I would have been sad, and probably mad.' 'So now I'm running as fast as I can -- from my wheelchair.' P Rajendran on the amazing but brief life of Rahul Desikan, medical pioneer.
Letrozole, a drug taken during the treatment of breast cancer may have some side effects.
Codeine-based formulations are under the scanner for misuse as a narcotic product.
Rediff.com Senior Contributor P Rajendran reports from New York on how the Indian-American researcher's pioneering work may wipe out the visible effect of Alzheimer's disease.
Exercise is the best way to get more oxygen to the brain, a study has revealed.
Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awardee, Dr Shubha Tole tells us what it takes to be successful.
Karnataka health minister Dr K Sudhakar on Monday said his statement on modern women unwilling to marry and bear children at an event in NIMHANS was taken out of context and that he had no intention of singling out women and it was based on a survey, which cited statistics on what the younger generation felt about it.
It's not every day that an undergraduate from India wins a scholarship to study at one of the prestigious universities in the world.
Long-term stress impairs memory, it is often claimed. Now, a new research has revealed that even short-term stress can have the same effect. Researchers at the University of California have found that short periods of stress lasting as little as a few hours can affect brain cell communication and undermine learning as well as memory, the Journal of Neuroscience reported.
Inebriated honeybees could give better insight into alcohol's effects on human behaviour, according to a study by US researchers.
Imagine a world in which a human only thinks, and a robot cooks the whole meal.
Giving teenagers more time to sleep helps boost their concentration levels, and consequently grades in school, according to a leading head teacher.Dr Paul Kelley, head of the successful Monkseaton Community High in North Tyneside, has urged other schools to change their timing to 11 am.Studies have shown that young peoples' brains are wired differently to adults'.
A new study shows that the size of the brain is not directly linked to intelligence. For decades men boasted of bigger bodies than women, and hence bigger brains, assuming they must be more intelligent. But research on the evolutionary origins of the brain shows this may not be true.
The phase-three human clinical trial of indigenously developed anti-coronavirus vaccine candidate Covaxin began at the AIIMS in New Delhi on Thursday, with Dr M V Padma Srivastava, the chief of Neurosciences Centre at the premier institute, and three other volunteers receiving the first dose.
The government's endeavour, she said, is to protect women in this country in collaboration with state governments.
The brain's hunger centre has a way of communicating signals that cause you to overeat.
Overseas education consultant NNS Chandra offers advice on how to pick the right international career
Scientists associated with Indian SARS-CoV-2 Consortium on Genomics (INSACOG), the government panel that conducts research on different variants of the coronavirus, said they were surprised at noted virologist Shahid Jameel's decision to quit the group and wondered whether he was disillusioned with the government's handling of the pandemic.
