Neuronal cytotoxic edema is implicated in neuronal injury and death, yet mitigating brain edema with osmotic and surgical interventions yields poor clinical outcomes. Importantly, neuronal swelling and its downstream consequences during early brain development remain poorly investigated, and new treatment approaches are needed. We explored Ca²⁺-dependent downstream effects after neuronal cytotoxic edema caused by diverse injuries in mice of both sexes using multiphoton Ca²⁺ imaging in vivo [Postnatal Day (P)12–17] and in acute brain slices (P8–12). After different excitotoxic insults, cytosolic GCaMP6s translocated into the nucleus after a few minutes in a subpopulation of neurons, persisting for hours. We used an automated morphology-detection algorithm to detect neuronal soma and quantified the nuclear translocation of GCaMP6s as the nuclear to cytosolic intensity (N/C ratio). Elevated neuronal N/C ratios occurred concurrently with persistent elevation in Ca²⁺ loads and could also occur independently from neuronal swelling. Electron microscopy revealed that the nuclear translocation was associated with the increased nuclear pore size. The nuclear accumulation of GCaMP6s in neurons led to neocortical circuit dysfunction, mitochondrial pathology, and increased cell death. Inhibiting calpains, a family of Ca²⁺-activated proteases, prevented elevated N/C ratios and neuronal swelling. In summary, in the developing brain, we identified a calpain-dependent alteration of nuclear transport in a subpopulation of neurons after disease-relevant insults leading to long-term circuit dysfunction and cell death. The nuclear translocation of GCaMP6 and other cytosolic proteins after acute excitotoxicity can be an early biomarker of brain injury in the developing brain.

Rodent jaws evolved structurally to support dual functionality, for either biting or chewing food. Rodent hands also function dually during food handling, for actively manipulating or statically holding food. How are these oral and manual functions coordinated? We combined electrophysiological recording of muscle activity and kilohertz kinematic tracking to analyze masseter and hand actions as mice of both sexes handled food. Masseter activity was organized into two modes synchronized to hand movement modes. In holding/chewing mode, mastication occurred as rhythmic (~5 Hz) masseter activity while the hands held food below the mouth. In oromanual/ingestion mode, bites occurred as lower-amplitude aperiodic masseter events that were precisely timed to follow regrips (by ~200 ms). Thus, jaw and hand movements are flexibly coordinated during food handling: uncoupled in holding/chewing mode and tightly coordinated in oromanual/ingestion mode as regrip–bite sequences. Key features of this coordination were captured in a simple model of hierarchically orchestrated mode-switching and intramode action sequencing. We serendipitously detected an additional masseter-related action, tooth sharpening, identified as bouts of higher-frequency (~13 Hz) rhythmic masseter activity, which was accompanied by eye displacement, including rhythmic proptosis, attributable to masseter contractions. Collectively, the findings demonstrate how a natural, complex, and goal-oriented activity is organized as an assemblage of distinct modes and complex actions, adapted for the divisions of function arising from anatomical structure. These results reveal intricate, high-speed coordination of disparate effectors and show how natural forms of dexterity can serve as a model for understanding the behavioral neurobiology of multi-body-part coordination.

A new study from Smithsonian scientists analyzes ant and fungus species, and uncovers the origins of their close partnership

The FMM is a funding mechanism for partners willing to contribute unearmarked funds or slightly earmarked funds. Created in 2010, the FMM is currently supported by the Kingdoms of Belgium, [...]

On Friday, 7 December during the 160th session of the Council, a side event on the Africa Solidarity Trust [...]

Rome – The newly released Annual Report for 2020, 2021 and 2022 raises the visibility of the Organization's Resource Partners, including FAO Members, international financial institutions (IFIs), United Nations entities, [...]

Sometimes, in fact, nature is stranger than fiction

Building captive colonies for eventual re-introduction to the wild, scientists from Atlanta rescue endangered frogs and other amphibians threatened with extinction by a fatal fungus spreading through South American forests

In 1905, New York City hosted a grand procession for the last living soldier of a war that ended 90 years earlier

Around the Mall bloggers sit down and talk with a few old friends from Sesame Street (Narration and Video by Megan Gambino / Anika Gupta as Intrepid Reporter / Beth Py-Lieberman as the voice of Big Bird / Script by Jesse Rhodes / Jesse Rhodes as the voice of Cookie Monster and Oscar). Read more at http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/aroundthemall/2008/10/sesame-street-redux/

Discover the incredible ways in which living organisms illuminate the darkness of the deep sea, lush forests, and even our own backyards. --- For more videos from Smithsonian Magazine: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/videos/ Digital Editorial Director: Brian Wolly Director of Programming: Nicki Marko Supervising Producer & Scriptwriter: Michelle Mehrtens Video Editor: Sierra Theobald

Watch Steve Martin's groundbreaking 1974 appearance on "The Tonight Show" with host Johnny Carson and guest Sammy Davis Jr.

In the 19th century, there was a watermill almost every mile of the river, such was the huge demand for flour and bread. Today, Eastnor castle’s own mill is still operational–an important piece of local history.

Jellyfish, the wobbly wonders of the ocean, often astound with their unique shapes, sizes, and stings. Learn more about these marine marvels as we dive deeper into the underwater world. --- For more videos from Smithsonian Magazine: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/videos/ Digital Editorial Director: Brian Wolly Supervising Producer & Scriptwriter: Michelle Mehrtens Video Editor: Sierra Theobald Footage provided by Storyblocks and Shutterstock

The discovery has implications for human health, since the microbes included some that were still viable, some that could be infectious to humans and others that carried drug-resistant genes

Some Nova Scotia municipal leaders are defending a funding stream the federal Conservatives say they will cut if elected, calling it a "game changer."

Ten years after their formation, the members of The Brooks discuss how they’ve evolved and how they view their collaboration.

As a troubled local gym goes dark, some members and the landlord say they haven’t heard from the owner about the future of the business in Thunder Bay, Ont.

StandardAero says new funding from the provincial and federal governments will help expand its Winnipeg operations by training more specialized technicians, managers, support personnel and engineers.

New Licensing, Support Programs For Certification Accompany Software Upgrades

University

SolidWorks Helps Make Replacement Fingers a Reality

Researchers from the Departments of Nutritional Sciences and Food Science at Penn State have recently received $420,000 in funding from the McCormick Science Institute to study the use of herbs and spices in school lunch recipes over the next two years.

Transform your iPhone 16 into a digital art studio with iOS 18.2's Image Playground, the latest tool for creating custom visuals with a few taps.

With the release of iOS 18.2, Apple's Image Playground app offers users an accessible way to create custom digital images, sparking creative possibilities for iPhone owners. Part of Apple's expanding Apple Intelligence suite, Image Playground debuted in developer betas in late 2024.

With each update, Apple has strived to make Image Playground more responsive and intuitive, aiming to provide a smoother user experience as the feature matures. In the second developer beta of iOS 18.2, notable improvements are already evident, particularly in rendering speed and the alignment between user prompts and generated images.


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As the COP annual gathering rolls around again, only a quarter of the funding pledged for SA's just energy transition has found its way into the country

Over 300 women work in Yat Lau Yat Fung – one woman, one-room walk-ups. OM works to bring each woman “Yat Mong” – one hope in Christ.

Forest Hill is a town in the Lockyer Valley infamous for being one of three towns in Queensland completely evacuated during last January's floods. About 300 people were airlifted by helicopters to higher ground leaving behind homes, all belongings and even pets. They had no idea what would come of those things left behind. OM Australia suggested the idea as a good way to utilise some funds donated to flood recovery. The Forest Hill Development Association Inc. in conjunction with the Laidley Baptist Church used this money to put on a community fair. It was an opportunity for the town to say thank you to those who had helped with the flood clean up and also to build the morale of the community. At the same time the involvement of the Church would raise the profile of Christ in the community.

A Fin24 reader facing financial hardship wants to know if it would be possible to get a loan from his provident fund.

A News24 Business reader who resigned from her job with R300 000 accumulated in her retirement savings wants to know if she should access some of her funds.

The change to the Title II program will benefit Southern states, while Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania, among others, will see their allocations shrink.

A report suggests that the $2.5 billion program should focus more on continuous improvement than on scattershot activities.

Investing in early learning makes the biggest impact on a student's achievement, says Marion County, S.C., Superintendent Kandace Bethea. When a teacher is not available, we have to find other ways to get the job done, such as community partnerships.

Retired Penn State Shenango Campus Director Jo Anne Carrick, along with her husband, John, have pledged a $50,000 gift to the campus to establish the Carrick Family Endowment for Penn State Shenango Athletics.

At present we reward quantity, not quality. The door could be opening for that to change, argues Johan Fourie.

A coalition of education organizations wants Congress to waive a provision in federal law requiring districts to keep special education funding level from year to year regardless of budget pressures.

Gold remains at record highs, but there are various ways to get exposure to the metal that are less cumbersome and more investor-friendly than holding physical gold.

Managers are taking different views on their exposure to offshore equity, to credit and to private equity.

Dan and Robyn Ives recently made a $100,000 commitment to create the Dan and Robyn Ives AI Innovation Initiatives Fund in the Penn State Smeal College of Business. Their annually funded gift will give Smeal’s eLearning Design and Innovation Group $20,000 a year over the next five years to explore the challenges and opportunities that AI presents for Smeal students, faculty and staff and to expand educational and experiential learning opportunities around AI.

A gift from a Vietnam War veteran will create an emergency fund to help Penn State World Campus’s military learners when they have an unexpected financial setback.

OM team blesses kids and parents with an evening outreach, games and fun at the football stadium in Durrës, Albania.

A coalition of education organizations wants Congress to waive a provision in federal law requiring districts to keep special education funding level from year to year regardless of budget pressures.

Penn State will celebrate its 10th GivingTuesday on Dec. 3, and Penn State Abington invites alumni and friends to mark this milestone by making a gift to support the Abington General Scholarship and Student Emergency Assistance funds.

A grant from Barnes & Noble College will fund Penn State Beaver Thrives, an initiative designed to help the campus and local community become more inclusive. The resources and programming of Penn State Beaver Thrives will focus on mental health and neurodiversity. The first program will be a dyslexia simulation program.

An international team of researchers led by Ida Djenontin, assistant professor of geography at Penn State, was recently awarded a $1.3 million grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Dynamics of Integrated Socio-Environmental Systems program to investigate the socioecological outcomes of restoration in degraded woodlands ecosystems.

Penn State has named David Rosenberg, a 1974 graduate of the College of Health and Human Development and longtime supporter of Penn State Brandywine, and the Moyer family, whose transgenerational giving has benefited multiple units across the University, as the 2024 Fundraising Volunteers of the Year.

A Penn State faculty member who previously served as a senior editor and newsroom manager during a four-decade career at several major daily news organizations was named as the recipient of the 2024 Richard J. Levine Journalism Champion Award, presented by the Dow Jones News Fund.

A church youth group sees God provide finances for the teens to attend TeenStreet Europe 2013 in Germany.

Patrick Walsh, an economist at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, will give the talk, “Distributional Impacts of Flood Adaptation and Infrastructure Funding in New Zealand,” at noon on Wednesday, Dec. 4, in 157 Hosler Building on Penn State's University Park campus.