RIKEN

Researchers visualize memory formation for the first time in zebrafish

In our interaction with our environment we constantly refer to past experiences stored as memories to guide behavioral decisions. But how memories are formed, stored and then retrieved to assist decision-making ...

Neuroscience created May 16, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Getting a grip on sleep

All mammals sleep, as do birds and some insects. However, how this basic function is regulated by the brain remains unclear. According to a new study by researchers from the RIKEN Brain Science Institute, ...

Neuroscience created May 14, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 2

Gene associated with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis identified

Researchers from the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences in Japan have identified the first gene to be associated with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (also called AIS) across Asian and Caucasian ...

Genetics created May 12, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Gene identified, responsible for a spectrum of disorders affecting the bones and connective tissue

Researchers from the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences have identified a gene that when mutated is responsible for a spectrum of disorders affecting the bones and connective tissue. This finding ...

Genetics created May 09, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

New experimental method allows spontaneous synchronization of arm motions by pairs of Japanese macaques

Humans often synchronize their movements when, for example, we cooperate to move a piece of furniture. We also synchronize gestures and facial expressions when we interact. Coordinated actions are in fact ...

Neuroscience created May 02, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Structure that edits messenger RNA transcripts defective in two different forms of motor neuron diseases

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) are degenerative motor neuron diseases in which the key mutated genes are involved in RNA metabolism. This similarity suggests that a ...

Medical research created Apr 26, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Reassigning cells to fight infection

Just as a uniform helps distinguish a soldier from a police officer, scientists use proteins that immune cells wear on their surfaces to determine their job in the body. T cells, for example, that display ...

Immunology created Apr 26, 2013 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Two-pronged approach to immune activation could lead to vaccines that effectively shut down tumor expansion

Tumor cells often express proteins that set them apart from their healthy neighbors. These very same proteins can also help the immune system to recognize and destroy the cancer. Several research groups and ...

Cancer created Apr 26, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Cancer drugs taking shape

In the era of molecular medicine, potentially active compounds for use in cancer therapies can be identified faster than ever before. Yet pinpointing the molecular target of an anticancer compound and deducing ...

Cancer created Apr 22, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Dopamine-producing neurons derived from bone marrow stem cells yield improvements in monkeys with Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the death of dopamine-producing neurons in the midbrain, resulting in motor symptoms such as tremors and stiffness. The cause of cell death ...

Parkinson's & Movement disorders created Apr 22, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Increased stability of a misfolded protein linked to age of onset of common form of motor neuron disease

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the aggregation of misfolded proteins, which accumulate to form insoluble clumps within or around nerve cells. In the adult motor neuron disease amyotrophic ...

Medical research created Apr 22, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Compound that could prevent acute blood cancer relapse identified

Researchers from the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences in Japan report today that they have identified a compound that could be used as a new treatment to prevent relapse in acute myeloid leukemia patients.

Cancer created Apr 17, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Retinoic acid gradient visualized for the first time in an embryo

In a ground-breaking study, researchers from the RIKEN Brain Science Institute in Japan report a new technique that allows them to visualize the distribution of retinoic acid in a live zebrafish embryo, in ...

Medical research created Apr 07, 2013 | popularity 4.3 / 5 (3) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Innovative method to treat Alzheimer's in mice

Researchers from the RIKEN Brain Science Institute report that they successfully used a virus vector to restore the expression of a brain protein and improve cognitive functions, in a mouse model of Alzheimer's ...

Alzheimer's disease & dementia created Apr 01, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Game of Japanese chess reveals how experts develop their capacity for rapid problem-solving

(Medical Xpress)—The superior capability of experts to rapidly solve problems depends largely on their intuition, and it has long been known that this is related to experience and training. Although many ...

Neuroscience created Mar 22, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (5) | comments 0 | with audio podcast