Free fatty acids inhibit glutamate transport by dissipating the ion gradient across the membrane. Glutamate transporters pump glutamate from the synaptic cleft back into brain cells after its release during neurotransmission. A new study by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators has found that free fatty acids, including an omega-3 fatty acid called DHA, can reduce the amount of glutamate uptake by…
Zebrafish, photographed with confocal microscope. The brain region that controls eye movement is structurally similar in fish and mammals, but the zebrafish system contains only 500 neurons, making it a good model organism. Credit: Jessica Plavicki Working with week-old zebrafish larva, researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine and colleagues decoded how the connections formed by a network of neurons in the brainstem guide…
The full-length structure of the atrial natriuretic peptide receptor, pictured here, sheds light on how it functions in heart disease. Two copies of the receptor crossing the cell membrane (middle layer) are shown in red and blue. Credit: Huang Lab Weill Cornell Medicine researchers have determined the full-length structure of a blood pressure-regulating hormone receptor for the first time, uncovering…
AI-based tool can assist embryologists in determining both the embryo quality score and ploidy status, providing a comprehensive assessment of the embryo. Courtesy of Suraj Rajendran. A new artificial intelligence-based system can accurately assess the chromosomal status of in vitro-fertilized (IVF) embryos using only time-lapse video images of the embryos and maternal age, according to a study from investigators at Weill…
An unforgettable time at a restaurant is not just about the food. The odors, the decor, the sound of the band playing, the conversations, and many other features may combine to form a distinctive memory of the night. Later, reviving any one of these impressions alone may be sufficient to bring back the entire experience. A new study now reveals…
Ion channels, which allow potassium and sodium ions to flow in and out of cells, are crucial in neuronal ‘firing’ in the central nervous system and for brain and heart function. These channels use a “ball-and-chain” mechanism to help regulate their ion flow, according to a new study led by Weill Cornell Medicine scientists. The study, published March 18 in…
