Brain Scientists Finally Discover the Glue that Makes Memories Stick for a Lifetime:  A long-running research endeavor reveals key chemical players that cement memories in place — and still more have yet to be discovered

Studies with rodents advance our understanding of how memories form: A new study in Science Advances builds on previous research with rats by demonstrating that the interaction between protein kinase Mzeta and the targeting molecule KIBRA is essential for memory formation, with tests showing that disrupting this interaction disrupts memory in mice. Senior Author Todd Sacktor recognizes the therapeutic potential of this research and envisions the possibility of memory rejuvenation through gene therapy.

The importance of reducing the financial burden of participating in clinical trials:  The uncertainty of the legal landscape creates potential liabilities for trial Sponsors to provide support and for participants to receive it

: Legislation aims to increase clinical trial participation: Participation in clinical trials is essential for advancing medical treatments but is hindered by financial barriers, and legislative proposals like the Clinical Trial Modernization Act aim to increase clinical trial participation by allowing Sponsors to pay participants up to $2,000 tax-free while ensuring these costs do not affect Medicaid eligibility. A 2023 Greenphire analysis found that clinical trial participants received an average of $487.80, and most of those earning over $600 had to pay taxes on the payments.

A new smart mask analyzes your breath to monitor your health:  Researchers out of Caltech have created masks that are able to analyze biomarkers in your breath to monitor health conditions like asthma and COPD.

Smart mask monitors health via breath biomarkers: Researchers have developed a smart mask that continuously monitors health by analyzing biomarkers in a user’s breath, by transforming exhaled breath into a condensate that is easier to analyze, according to a study in Science. The smart mask successfully identified nitrites in patients with conditions like asthma that cause inflamed airways, and it could be used to measure ketones in the breath of diabetic patients to help monitor glucose levels.

PET imaging and proteomics reveal distinct protein signatures in Alzheimer’s Disease progression

PET scan shows proteins linked to Alzheimer’s pathology: A study in Nature Neuroscience that used PET imaging and proteomic analysis identified 127 proteins differentially abundant across Alzheimer’s Disease stages, showing distinct pathways involved in amyloid and tau pathology. “These findings highlight some of the protein signatures of the different pathologies of Alzheimer’s Disease and provide potential targets for novel therapeutic strategies,” researchers said.

Venture capital firms making bets on maternal health

Venture capital interest in maternity care grows: Investments in the early maternal health care sector last year totaled $306.5 million, compared with $38.1 million in 2018, according to research by Pitchbook. “There have been some great exits in clinical care recently,” said Alice Zheng, a Partner at venture capital firm RH Capital, which invested in the Millie Clinic.

There’s a knowledge gap about miscarriages in the U.S., and researchers hope to close it

Foundation’s focus on pregnancy loss is personal for founders: A culture of silence and shame around miscarriage in the United States is due in part to a lack of research into the causes and effects, both emotional and financial. Megan Hanson, who experienced six (6) consecutive miscarriages, is setting out to change the paradigm and, with her husband, founded the Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Association to fund research with the goal of preventing recurrent pregnancy loss.

Building Living Bridges with Anthrobots:  Researchers used adult human cells to craft biological robots capable of movement and more.

Scientist develops biologic architect bots: Synthetic biologist Gizem Gumuskaya is also an architecture aficionado who sees the parallels between designed environments and biology, and she has combined her interests to create living robots derived from adult human tracheal cells. Gumuskaya found that her anthrobots formed structures akin to ant bridges between damaged human neurons and collectively aided in healing. “Anthrobots are just one example of what we can accomplish by thinking about nature as a design medium,” Gumuskaya said.

How a Midwife became a neuroscientist to seek a cure for her son:  Terry Jo Bichell felt the need to work on a scientific solution to her son’s rare disorder, even though it meant being a PhD student in her fifties.

Son’s rare disease inspires Midwife to pursue neuroscience: When her youngest child was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome, Terry Jo Bichell, a Nurse-Midwife, set out to find a cure, got involved with clinical studies and started teaching pre-literacy skills to children with the condition. At 49, Bichell enrolled in a neuroscience PhD program. She started working in a lab studying Huntington’s disease, convinced an expert in circadian rhythms to help with her research, set up “mini-labs” of undergraduate students, and published research demonstrating and association between circadian rhythms and Angelman syndrome.