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Lunatic Labs is a startup company by a mechanical engineer. While working on our own little projects Loony Labs keeps everyone current with science-related news, or just random science thoughts.
Dr. Jekyll
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- January 6, 2016
- 03:49 PM
- 481 views
Schizophrenia linked to loss of cells in the brain’s memory center
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Scientists at Columbia University’s Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC), and the Université Paris Descartes have found that deficits in social memory–a crucial yet poorly understood feature of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia–may be due to a decrease in the number of a particular class of brain cells, called inhibitory neurons, in a little-explored region within the brain’s memory center.... Read more »
Piskorowski, R., Nasrallah, K., Diamantopoulou, A., Mukai, J., Hassan, S., Siegelbaum, S., Gogos, J., & Chevaleyre, V. (2016) Age-Dependent Specific Changes in Area CA2 of the Hippocampus and Social Memory Deficit in a Mouse Model of the 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome. Neuron, 89(1), 163-176. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2015.11.036
- January 5, 2016
- 02:11 PM
- 434 views
Why daring to compare online prices pays off offline
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
The constant barrage of post-holiday sales touted by web-based retailers may make it seem like online shopping is killing real-world stores. But shoppers are actually engaging in “web-to-store” shopping — buying offline after comparing prices online.... Read more »
Bodur, H., Klein, N., & Arora, N. (2015) Online Price Search: Impact of Price Comparison Sites on Offline Price Evaluations. Journal of Retailing, 91(1), 125-139. DOI: 10.1016/j.jretai.2014.09.003
- January 4, 2016
- 01:36 PM
- 616 views
If our brain is a computer, do we really have free will?
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
The background to this new set of experiments lies in the debate regarding conscious will and determinism in human decision-making, which has attracted researchers, psychologists, philosophers and the general public, and which has been ongoing since at least the 1980s. Back then, the American researcher Benjamin Libet studied the nature of cerebral processes of study participants during conscious decision-making.... Read more »
Schultze-Kraft, M., Birman, D., Rusconi, M., Allefeld, C., Görgen, K., Dähne, S., Blankertz, B., & Haynes, J. (2015) The point of no return in vetoing self-initiated movements. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 201513569. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1513569112
- January 3, 2016
- 03:09 PM
- 356 views
New genes born by accident lead to evolutionary innovation
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Novel genes are continuously emerging during evolution, but what drives this process? A new study has found that the fortuitous appearance of certain combinations of elements in the genome can lead to the generation of new genes.... Read more »
Ruiz-Orera, J., Hernandez-Rodriguez, J., Chiva, C., Sabidó, E., Kondova, I., Bontrop, R., Marqués-Bonet, T., & Albà, M. (2015) Origins of De Novo Genes in Human and Chimpanzee. PLOS Genetics, 11(12). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005721
- January 2, 2016
- 02:47 PM
- 414 views
Gene-editing technique stops progression of Duchenne muscular dystrophy
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Using a new gene-editing technique, a team of scientists from UT Southwestern Medical Center stopped progression of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in young mice. If efficiently and safely scaled up in DMD patients, this technique could lead to one of the first successful genome editing-based treatments for this fatal disease, researchers said.... Read more »
Long, C., Amoasii, L., Mireault, A., McAnally, J., Li, H., Sanchez-Ortiz, E., Bhattacharyya, S., Shelton, J., Bassel-Duby, R., & Olson, E. (2015) Postnatal genome editing partially restores dystrophin expression in a mouse model of muscular dystrophy. Science. DOI: 10.1126/science.aad5725
- December 31, 2015
- 02:29 PM
- 402 views
A faster way to evaluate synthetic metabolic pathways
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
A central challenge in the field of metabolic engineering is the efficient identification of a metabolic pathway genotype that maximizes specific productivity over a robust range of process conditions. A review from researchers at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI covers the challenges of optimizing specific productivity of metabolic pathways in cells and new advances in pathway creation and screening.... Read more »
Klesmith, J., & Whitehead, T. (2015) High-throughput evaluation of synthetic metabolic pathways. TECHNOLOGY, 1640001. DOI: 10.1142/S233954781640001X
- December 30, 2015
- 02:17 PM
- 570 views
3-D footage of nematode brains links neurons with motion and behavior
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Princeton University researchers have captured among the first recordings of neural activity in nearly the entire brain of a free-moving animal. The three-dimensional recordings could provide scientists with a better understanding of how neurons coordinate action and perception in animals. The researchers reported a technique that allowed them to record 3-D footage of neural activity in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, a worm species 1 millimeter long with a nervous system containing a mere ........ Read more »
Nguyen JP, Shipley FB, Linder AN, Plummer GS, Liu M, Setru SU, Shaevitz JW, & Leifer AM. (2015) Whole-brain calcium imaging with cellular resolution in freely behaving Caenorhabditis elegans. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. PMID: 26712014
- December 29, 2015
- 02:46 PM
- 594 views
Being anxious could be good for you! If you’re in a crisis…
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
New findings by French researchers show that the brain devotes more processing resources to social situations that signal threat than those that are benign. The results may help explain the apparent “sixth sense” we have for danger. This is the first time that specific regions of the brain have been identified to be involved in the phenomenon. The human brain is able to detect social threats in these regions in a fast, automatic fashion, within just 200 milliseconds.... Read more »
El Zein, M., Wyart, V., & Grèzes, J. (2015) Anxiety dissociates the adaptive functions of sensory and motor response enhancements to social threats. eLife. DOI: 10.7554/eLife.10274
- December 28, 2015
- 02:48 PM
- 476 views
Want to keep your new year’s resolution? Ask, don’t tell.
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
“Will you exercise this year?” That simple question can be a game-changing technique for people who want to influence their own or others’ behavior, according to a recent study spanning 40 years of research. The research is the first comprehensive look at more than 100 studies examining the ‘question-behavior effect,’ a phenomenon in which asking people about performing a certain behavior influences whether they do it in the future. The effect has been shown to last more than six month........ Read more »
Spangenberg, E., Kareklas, I., Devezer, B., & Sprott, D. (2015) A meta-analytic synthesis of the question-behavior effect. Journal of Consumer Psychology. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcps.2015.12.004
- December 27, 2015
- 02:17 PM
- 505 views
The development of the cerebellar circuitry is driven by epigenetic “music”
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
From before birth through childhood, connections form between neurons in the brain, ultimately making us who we are. So far, scientists have gained a relatively good understanding of how neural circuits become established, but they know less about the genetic control at play during this crucial developmental process. Now, a team of researchers has described for the first time the so-called epigenetic mechanisms underlying the development of the cerebellum, the portion of the brain that allows us........ Read more »
Zhu, X., Girardo, D., Govek, E., John, K., Mellén, M., Tamayo, P., Mesirov, J., & Hatten, M. (2015) Role of Tet1/3 Genes and Chromatin Remodeling Genes in Cerebellar Circuit Formation. Neuron. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2015.11.030
- December 26, 2015
- 02:26 PM
- 476 views
Have a sweet tooth? It may be your livers fault
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
We all love our sugar, especially during the holidays. Cookies, cake, and candy are simply irresistible. While sugar cravings are common, the physiological mechanisms that trigger our “sweet tooth” are not well defined.... Read more »
von Holstein-Rathlou, S., BonDurant, L., Peltekian, L., Naber, M., Yin, T., Claflin, K., Urizar, A., Madsen, A., Ratner, C., Holst, B.... (2015) FGF21 Mediates Endocrine Control of Simple Sugar Intake and Sweet Taste Preference by the Liver. Cell Metabolism. DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2015.12.003
- December 24, 2015
- 03:54 PM
- 771 views
It came from planet X: ‘Forbidden’ substances on super-Earths
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Using mathematical models, scientists have ‘looked’ into the interior of super-Earths and discovered that they may contain compounds that are forbidden by the classical rules of chemistry — these substances may increase the heat transfer rate and strengthen the magnetic field on these planets.... Read more »
Niu, H., Oganov, A., Chen, X., & Li, D. (2015) Prediction of novel stable compounds in the Mg-Si-O system under exoplanet pressures. Scientific Reports, 18347. DOI: 10.1038/srep18347
- December 23, 2015
- 02:03 PM
- 571 views
Lack of serotonin alters development and function in the brain
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have created the first complete model to describe the role that serotonin plays in brain development and structure. Serotonin, also called 5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT], is an important neuromodulator of brain development and the structure and function of neuronal (nerve cell) circuits.... Read more »
Puzerey, P., Kodama, N., & Galan, R. (2015) Abnormal cell-intrinsic and network excitability in the neocortex of serotonin-deficient Pet-1 knock-out mice. Journal of Neurophysiology. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00996.2014
- December 22, 2015
- 02:50 PM
- 461 views
Are you a ‘harbinger of failure’?
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Diet Crystal Pepsi. Frito Lay Lemonade. Watermelon-flavored Oreos. Through the years, the shelves of stores have been filled with products that turned out to be flops, failures, duds, and losers. But only briefly filled with them, of course, because products like these tend to get yanked from stores quickly, leaving most consumers to wonder: Who exactly buys these things, anyway?... Read more »
Anderson, E., Lin, S., Simester, D., & Tucker, C. (2015) Harbingers of Failure. Journal of Marketing Research: . DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.2420600
- December 21, 2015
- 02:58 PM
- 485 views
Intelligence, it’s in your genes… and we can change that.
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Ever feel like everyone around you has their brain running much faster than your own? Well, the good news is that it may not be you, it may be your genes. The other good news, we might be able to change that. Scientists from Imperial College London have identified for the first time two clusters of genes linked to human intelligence. Called M1 and M3, these so-called gene networks appear to influence cognitive function - which includes memory, attention, processing speed and reasoning.... Read more »
Johnson, M., Shkura, K., Langley, S., Delahaye-Duriez, A., Srivastava, P., Hill, W., Rackham, O., Davies, G., Harris, S., Moreno-Moral, A.... (2015) Systems genetics identifies a convergent gene network for cognition and neurodevelopmental disease. Nature Neuroscience. DOI: 10.1038/nn.4205
- December 20, 2015
- 02:35 PM
- 484 views
Women, do you want to be a leader at a teaching hospital? Grow a mustache!
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Thirteen percent of department leader positions at top academic medical institutions in the United States are held by women, while nearly 20 percent are held by men with mustaches. The findings of the tongue-in-cheek study, an analysis of more than 1,000 headshots of department leaders at top National Institutes of Health-funded academic medical institutions, provide a new context for examining gender disparities in the field.... Read more »
Wehner, M., Nead, K., Linos, K., & Linos, E. (2015) Plenty of moustaches but not enough women: cross sectional study of medical leaders. BMJ. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.h6311
- December 19, 2015
- 02:20 PM
- 455 views
You too can increase your risk for dementia by up to 48% with, anxiety!
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
People who experienced high anxiety any time in their lives had a 48 percent higher risk of developing dementia compared to those who had not, according to a new study led by USC researchers. The findings were based on an examination of 28 years of data from the Swedish Adoption Twin Study of Aging, overseen by the Karolinska Institutet of Sweden.... Read more »
Petkus, A., Reynolds, C., Wetherell, J., Kremen, W., Pedersen, N., & Gatz, M. (2015) Anxiety is associated with increased risk of dementia in older Swedish twins. Alzheimer's . DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2015.09.008
- December 18, 2015
- 03:39 PM
- 550 views
Depression is more than a “mental health” problem and we can now measure its risk
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
A network of interacting brain regions known as the default mode network (DMN) was found to have stronger connections in adults and children with a high risk of depression compared to those with a low risk. These findings suggest that increased DMN connectivity is a potential precursor, or biomarker, indicating a risk of developing major depressive disorder (MDD).... Read more »
Posner, J., Cha, J., Wang, Z., Talati, A., Warner, V., Gerber, A., Peterson, B., & Weissman, M. (2015) Increased Default Mode Network Connectivity in Individuals at High Familial Risk for Depression. Neuropsychopharmacology. DOI: 10.1038/npp.2015.342
- December 17, 2015
- 04:33 PM
- 453 views
Scientists manipulate consciousness in rats
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Scientists showed that they could alter brain activity of rats and either wake them up or put them in an unconscious state by changing the firing rates of neurons in the central thalamus, a region known to regulate arousal. The study was partially funded by the National Institutes of Health.... Read more »
Jia Liu, Hyun Joo Lee, Andrew J Weitz, Zhongnan Fang, Peter Lin, ManKin Choy, Robert Fisher, Vadim Pinskiy, Alexander Tolpygo, Partha Mitra, Nicholas Schiff, Jin Hyung Lee. (2015) Frequency-selective control of cortical and subcortical networks by central thalamus. eLife. DOI: http://dx.org/10.7554/eLife.09215#sthash.uNb2m4j3.dpuf
- December 15, 2015
- 03:56 PM
- 599 views
‘Hydricity’ concept uses solar energy to produce power round-the-clock… really?
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Researchers are proposing a new "hydricity" concept aimed at creating a sustainable economy by not only generating electricity with solar energy but also producing and storing hydrogen from superheated water for round-the-clock power production.... Read more »
Emre Gencer, Dharik S. Mallapragada, Francois Marechal, Mohit Tawarmalani. (2015) Round-the-clock power supply and a sustainable economy via synergistic integration of solar thermal power and hydrogen processes. Proceedings of the natural sciences academy of the United States of America. info:/http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2015/12/09/1513488112.abstract
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