The latest technological advancements helping us learn more about the nervous system and brain or just make life easier. From Brain Computer Interfaces to Vestibular Prosthetics, researchers are coming up with something new everyday!
Abstract Originally an idea from science fiction, Brain Computer Interfaces (BCIs) are now devices of serious scientific inquiry. These devices have much potential in the medical field and in industry. However, if BCI technology is used recklessly, consequences can be extremely dangerous. Thus, society must understand BCI&rsq...
Introduction Opium and its derivatives including morphine and oxycodone have been subject to scrutiny in the past few years as a result of their drastic effects upon society. It has ingrained itself in the lives of millions of people since its introduction in the Neolithic Era, and using it became a common practice in countries such as India and...
Introduction While it is difficult to obtain solid statistics regarding the prevalence of eating disorders (EDs), it is estimated that about 5 percent of women and about 2.5 percent of men in the United States suffer from one of these disorders [1]. One of the primary traits observed in those with EDs is difficulty in regulating emotions. These ...
Salamanders and newts have the extraordinary ability to regenerate lost limbs. If a newt’s tail is cut off, epidermal cells will cover the opening, and pattern formation genes (or Hox genes) will allow the proliferating cells at the edge of the wound to reform into the necessary muscle cells, nerve cells, skin cells, etc. (Endo ...
Waking up to a jolting headache, stiff jaw muscles, and excruciating face pain seems quite an unfortunate fate to endure each morning. This is the reality of the condition that currently affects nearly ten million Americans (NIDCR, 2013). Temporomandibular joint syndrome can be a painful condition for many people, yet new research to halt its progr...
Introduction Rather than extrasensory perception, maintaining posture and balance is what scientists at Johns Hopkins University call the “sixth sense [1].” Not unlike the famous five senses, the absence of this sixth sense can have drastic effects on one’s daily life, as shown by those with impaired vestibular systems. With th...
The number of alcoholics is increasing steadily: according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 17.6 million people “suffer from alcohol abuse or dependence” (Wilcox, 2015). Despite this, teenagers or adults rarely seek counseling or therapy for their addictions, alcohol or otherwise. The creation sma...
Introduction Ever since 1956, when the American Medical Association was the first internationally to recognize alcoholism as a disease, advances in neuroscience and chemistry have allowed for a fairly general understanding of the approximate biochemistry and anatomy involved in a human’s capitulation to addiction. However, recent strides i...
Abstract: Two of the most powerful processing tools in today’s society are the human brain and the computer. Though they have some differences in information processing, memory and recognition, and basic functional units (neurons and transistors), scientists are working to bridge the gap between them. Both are practical and powerful tools ...
Introduction According to Peggy Orenstein of the New York Times, the slogan of the modern American adult has become “I tweet, therefore I am,” [1] reflecting the far reaching effect of social media on adult lives. Through its wide platform, social media allows for extensive communication and the expression of diverse ideas, thoughts ...
Introduction Whether to ward off neurodegenerative disease or to earn an A on a test, many people wish to improve their cognitive abilities. With this rise in consumer interest, many websites have been established that promise to “improve cognition”. Lumosity, for example, with 70 million active users in 182 countries [V], is t...
Abstract Depression and anxiety are two of the most common mental illnesses [3], yet they are also two of the most difficult to diagnose. Advances in diffusion tensor imaging and support vector machine learning algorithms are enabling researchers to diagnose and predict an individual’s risk of developing depression, anxiety, and suicidal t...
Introduction A prominent difference between physiology of mammals and other species is the presence of a cerebral vascular wall. The barrier, known as the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB), is part of the brain’s natural defense. Although the BBB prevents harmful chemicals and viruses from entering the brain, it also prohibits many drugs from acce...
Introduction Why is it that it takes about 12 years for a drug to go from lab to bedside, especially with the present-day funding for research and clear urgency for cures? What makes research take so long? And how can it be sped up? This article walks you through just that, in an effort to understand the challenges that drug development companie...
For many of us, the time before we fall asleep is filled with thoughts about the future, reflections upon the day before, or even wild fantasies. For those with Obstructive Sleep Apnea, the time before Morpheus’s embrace may be consumed by worries about failing to breathe during the night. Obstructive Sleep Apne...