New investigation shows interface between intestinal microbiota and maternal behavior Kumar Jeetendra | January 30, 2021 As scientists learn more about the microorganisms that colonize the human anatomy –collectively referred to as the microbiota–one area of extreme interest is the effect that these microbes can have on the mind. A new study headed by Salk Institute scientists has identified a strain of E. coli bacteria that, when living in the guts …
Altered lipids focus on the body’s endocannabinoid framework to control pain and inflammation Kumar Jeetendra | February 10, 2021 When modified using a process known as epoxidation, two naturally occurring lipids are converted to potent agents that target multiple cannabinoid receptors in neurons, interrupting pathways which promote inflammation and pain, researchers report. These modified compounds, called epo-NA5HT and epo-NADA, have much stronger effects than the molecules from which they are derived, which also modulate …
New hereditarily encoded sensor recognizes drugs of abuse Kumar Jeetendra | April 29, 2021 A genetically encoded sensor to detect hallucinogenic compounds has been developed by researchers at the University of California, Davis. Named psychLight, the sensor could be used in discovering new treatments for mental illness, in neuroscience research and to detect drugs of abuse. The work is published April 28 in the journal Cell. Compounds associated with …
