News

A simple treatment using four small molecules converts human astrocytes – a common type of cells in the nervous system – into new neurons, which develop complex structures after 4 months, as pictured. Credit: Gong Chen Lab, Penn State

Simple drug combination creates new neurons from neighboring cells

A simple drug cocktail that converts cells neighboring damaged neurons into functional new neurons could potentially be used to treat stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and brain injuries. A team of researchers at Penn State identified a set of four, or even three, molecules that could convert glial cells—which normally provide support and insulation for neurons—into new neurons.

Nerve-cell signaling traced back to common ancestor of humans and sea anemone

New research led by by Tim Jegla shows that a burst of evolutionary innovation in the genes responsible for electrical communication among nerve cells in our brains occurred over 600 million years ago in a common ancestor of humans and the sea anemone.

Learning languages is a workout for brains, both young and old

Learning a new language changes your brain network both structurally and functionally, according to Penn State researchers.

Link seen between seizures and migraines in the brain

Seizures and migraines have always been considered separate physiological events in the brain, but now a team of engineers and neuroscientists looking at the brain from a physics viewpoint discovered a link between these and related phenomena.

Computer game could help adolescents with autism improve their social skills

Penn State researchers including Suzy Scherf are leveraging their collective expertise to design a computer game that could help adolescents with autism improve their social skills.

Research shows alcohol consumption influenced by genes

How people perceive and taste alcohol depends on genetic factors, and that influences whether they "like" and consume alcoholic beverages, according to researchers -- including John Hayes -- in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

Test - Can fish feel pain?

On BBC's Newsnight, Victoria Braithwaite discusses science, business, and ethics in commercial fish harvesting.

Can fish feel pain?

On BBC's Newsnight, Victoria Braithwaite discusses science, business, and ethics in commercial fish harvesting.

Male lizards prefer more-feminine lizards to "bearded ladies," new research finds

Which females do male lizards find to be the sexiest? Huck Institutes affiliate Tracy Langkilde and Lindsey Swierk, a graduate student in Langkilde's lab, tackle this question by examining the mating behavior and blue-color patterns of fence lizards in Arkansas, Alabama, and Mississippi.

Huck Institutes affiliate receives Early Career Award

From the Human Behavior and Evolution Society, David Puts has received the 2013 Early Career Award for Distinguished Scientific Contribution, which "recognizes excellent young scientists who have made distinguished theoretical and/or empirical contributions to the study of evolution and human behavior."