In the visual thalamus, neurons are in contact with both eyes but respond to only one

The visual thalamus is classically known to relay visual stimuli coming from the retina to the cerebral cortex. Researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology now show that although neurons in the mouse visual thalamus connect to both eyes, they establish strong functional connections only with one retina. These results settle partly contradictory results of earlier studies and demonstrate how important it can be to complement structural data with functional analyses.

Novel interactions between proteins that help in recovering from brain injury

Patients with brain injury (caused by stroke or trauma) primarily rely on rehabilitation therapy for recovery, as there are no other known effective treatment methods. The rate of recovery from brain injury observed in adults is significantly slower (or the recovery is impossible) than that observed in young children. The consensus among researchers is that the number of excess neural stem cells capable of restoring brain functions is lower in a mature brain than that in the brain of young children.

86,780 ambulance calls were identified as alcohol-related in 2019 using a new method

Researchers identified 86,780 ambulance callouts as alcohol-related in 2019, using a new method based on the notes taken by paramedics at the scene. This figure, an average of more than 230 call-outs every day, is more than three times higher than previously reported.

An at-risk species of fish has established itself in lochs across Scotland

An at-risk species of fish has established itself in lochs across Scotland with the help of conservation managers and by rapidly adapting to its new environment, resulting in changes to their DNA, their ecology, and body shape, according to a new study.

Ramanome database can help mining microalgal cell factories for reducing carbon emissions

Microalgae are "simple" organisms of single cells, yet they pack a mighty potential punch when it comes to helping humanity achieve carbon neutrality, according to researchers from the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). Their metabolic activities play fundamental roles in global carbon cycling and convert carbon dioxide into a wide variety of high-value macromolecules.

Climate change may lead to more landfalling tropical cyclones in China

Tropical cyclones (TCs) can bring strong wind, heavy rain and storm surge. Meteorologists are concerned that the effects of global warming may change how these storms impact humans.

Paying fortifies ransomware gangs but scant support for bans

If your business falls victim to ransomware and you want simple advice on whether to pay the criminals, don't expect much help from the U.S. government. The answer is apt to be: It depends.

Companies give vaccines to workers, boosting Japan's rollout

Thousands of Japanese companies began distributing COVID-19 vaccines to workers and their families Monday in an employer-led drive reaching more than 13 million people that aims to rev up the nation's slow vaccine rollout.

Vaccine hesitancy puts India's gains against virus at risk

In Jamsoti, a village tucked deep inside India's most populous state of Uttar Pradesh, the common refrain among the villagers is that the coronavirus spreads only in cities. The deadly infection, they believe, does not exist in villages.

Iran's sole nuclear power plant undergoes emergency shutdown

Iran's sole nuclear power plant has undergone an unexplained temporary emergency shutdown, state TV reported on Sunday.

Closed-door Games? Tokyo 2020 to decide on allowing fans

Tokyo Olympics organisers and Japanese officials meet Monday to decide whether fans will be allowed at the pandemic-postponed Games, just weeks before they open.

Free COVID vaccines for all Indian adults as Modi hails yoga 'shield'

India opened up free vaccinations to all adults in an attempt to bolster its inoculation drive on Monday, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off a muted International Yoga Day hailing the practice's "protective" properties against the virus.

Bitcoin dives as China widens crackdown on crypto mining

Bitcoin tumbled more than 10 percent Monday after China broadened a crackdown on its massive cryptocurrency mining industry with a ban on mines in a key southwestern province.

Some blood pressure-lowering meds linked to less memory decline in older adults

Older adults taking blood pressure-lowering medications known to cross the blood-brain barrier had better memory recall over time compared to those taking other types of medicines to treat high blood pressure, according to new research published today in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension.

Sleep apnea worsens heart disease, yet often untreated

Health care experts urge increased awareness of obstructive sleep apnea among people with cardiovascular disease or risk factors such as high blood pressure, according to a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association, published today in Circulation.

Researchers develop new software for designing sustainable cities

New technology could help cities around the world improve people's lives while saving billions of dollars. The free, open-source software developed by the Stanford Natural Capital Project creates maps to visualize the links between nature and human wellbeing. City planners and developers can use the software to visualize where investments in nature, such as parks and marshlands, can maximize benefits to people, like protection from flooding and improved health.

Risk of forced labour in clothing industry rises due to pandemic and industry response

Deteriorating living and working conditions for workers in garment supply chains during the COVID-19 pandemic have increased the risk of forced labour, according to a new report from the University of Sheffield.

Fathers' wellbeing highlighted; part of new interactive resources for new parents' mental health

On International Fathers' Mental Health Day, the Institute of Health Visiting (iHV), in partnership with Dr. Ranjana Das and Dr. Paul Hodkinson from the University of Surrey, is delighted to announce the launch of three new 'Factographics' interactive resources—designed to better support the mental health of new mothers and fathers.

Genetic cause of neurodevelopmental disorder discovered

University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) researchers identified a new gene that may be linked to certain neurodevelopmental disorders and intellectual disabilities. The researchers believe that finding genes involved in certain types of developmental disorders, provide an important first step in determining the cause of these disorders and ultimately in developing potential therapies for treating them. The paper was recently published in the American Journal of Human Genetics.

Indigenous people travel long distances to give birth compared with non-Indigenous people

Indigenous people living in rural Canada are 16 times more likely to have to travel 200 km or more to give birth than non-Indigenous people, underscoring the need for more access to birthing facilities and providers for Indigenous families in rural regions, found new research published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

COVID-19-related multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults: Rare but possible

In rare cases, adults who have recovered from COVID-19 may develop multisystem inflammatory syndrome, and clinicians should consider this possibility in adults with specific symptoms, as physicians describe in a case published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

Study reveals racial and ethnic disparities in childhood cancers by single year of age

New research uncovers substantial differences in rates of childhood cancers when considering single year of age rather than grouping several years together. The study published by Wiley early online in Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, also found that minority children have different risks than white children for many types of cancer.

Research suggests mask-wearing can increase struggles with social anxiety

People who struggle with social anxiety might experience increased distress related to mask-wearing during and even after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Smaller bodies, longer wings, earlier migrations: Untangling the multiple impacts of climate warming on birds

When a University of Michigan-led research team reported last year that North American migratory birds have been getting smaller over the past four decades and that their wings have gotten a bit longer, the scientists wondered if they were seeing the fingerprint of earlier spring migrations.