Latest news stories - January 2024 - Click the links to read more
Scientists unveil complete cell map of a whole mammalian brain
Researchers have created a complete cell atlas of a whole mammalian brain. This atlas serves as a map for the mouse brain, describing the type, location, and molecular information of more than 32 million cells and providing information on connectivity between these cells.
A matter of taste: food preferences may be influenced by our unique ‘tongue prints’
An analysis of 3D images of human tongues suggests that each of us may have a unique “tongue print” just as we have individual fingerprints. The research could help to shed new light on why people’s food preferences can be so varied, and assist in the design of healthier, yet delicious, alternatives to fatty or sugary foods.
Neanderthal DNA may explain why some of us are morning people
DNA inherited from our thick-browed cousins may contribute to the tendency of some people to be larks, researchers found, making them more comfortable at getting up and going to bed earlier than others. While most genes that modern humans gained through ancient interbreeding have been weeded out by evolution, a small fraction remain.
Gut bacteria, pathogens and nutrient blocking
A new study demonstrates that diverse communities of resident bacteria can protect the human gut from disease-causing microorganisms. However, this protective effect is lost when only single species of gut bacteria are present. The researchers found that protective communities block the growth of harmful pathogens by consuming nutrients that the pathogen needs.