Singing in the brain
MIT neuroscientists have identified a population of neurons in the human brain that respond to singing but not other types of music.
Protein structure offers clues to drug-resistance mechanism
A new study sheds light on how a protein pumps toxic molecules out of bacterial cells.
Dendrites may help neurons perform complicated calculations
Different types of these branch-like projections process incoming information in different ways before sending it to the body of the neuron.
A new atlas of cells that carry blood to the brain
Single-cell gene expression analyses of human cerebrovascular cells can help reveal new drug targets for Huntington’s disease.
How Omicron escapes from antibodies
A computational study shows that dozens of mutations help the virus’ spike protein evade antibodies that target SARS-CoV-2.
Making RNA vaccines easier to swallow
A pill that releases RNA in the stomach could offer a new way to administer vaccines, or to deliver therapies for gastrointestinal disease.
Where did that sound come from?
MIT neuroscientists have developed a computer model that can answer that question as well as the human brain.
Babies can tell who has close relationships based on one clue: saliva
Sharing food and kissing are among the signals babies use to interpret their social world, according to a new study.
In Down syndrome cells, genome-wide disruptions mimic a senescence-like state
Extra chromosome alters chromosomal conformation and DNA accessibility in neural progenitor cells; study establishes senescence as a potentially targetable mechanism for future treatment.
A step toward “living biotherapeutics”
Chemical engineers created a coating for microbes that could make it easier to deploy the organisms to treat gastrointestinal disease.
Measuring cancer cell state can reveal drug susceptibility
Study results also show that pancreatic tumor cells can be forced into a more susceptible state by changing their environment.
Feast or forage? Study finds circuit that helps a brain decide
By integrating multiple sensory inputs, a loop of mutual inhibition among a small set of neurons allows worms to switch between long-lasting behavioral states.
How molecular clusters in the nucleus interact with chromosomes
A new study finds the clusters form small, stable droplets and may give the genome a gel-like structure.
A stealthy way to combat tumors
MIT biologists show that helper immune cells disguised as cancer cells can help rejuvenate T cells that attack tumors.
A key brain region responds to faces similarly in infants and adults
Study suggests this area of the visual cortex emerges much earlier in development than previously thought.