Being a "weekend warrior" -- engaging in exercise once or twice per week -- may be as beneficial as regular sessions in decreasing the risk of cognitive decline that often leads to dementia, a new study concludes.

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio turns 50 and actor Calista Flockhart turns 60, among the famous birthdays for Nov. 11.

President Donald Trumps list of priorities for his second term includes just two bullet points related to K-12 education.

In this seventh installment on the growth in dual-language learning, two experts from Delaware explore how state education leaders can build capacity to support both students and educators.

St. Louis led 2-0 after two periods, was outscored 3-0, allowed game-winner to Pastrnak with 1:47 remaining

From time to time, but not very often, former special-teams coordinators become NFL head coaches.

Alexis Markowski scored 22 points, Natalie Potts had a double-double and No. 21 Nebraska cruised to an 84-58 win over Southern on Tuesday night. Potts had 17 points and 12 rebounds, eight on the offensive end, for the Cornhuskers (3-0). Alberte Rimdal added 12 points.

Michele Deodato
Oct 2, 2024; 44:e2308232024-e2308232024
BehavioralSystemsCognitive

Thalamocortical pathways from the rodent ventral posterior (VP) thalamic complex to the somatosensory cerebral cortex areas are a key model in modern neuroscience. However, beyond the intensively studied projection from medial VP (VPM) to the primary somatosensory area (S1), the wiring of these pathways remains poorly characterized. We combined micropopulation tract-tracing and single-cell transfection experiments to map the pathways arising from different portions of the VP complex in male mice. We found that pathways originating from different VP regions show differences in area/lamina arborization pattern and axonal varicosity size. Neurons from the rostral VPM subnucleus innervate trigeminal S1 in point-to-point fashion. In contrast, a caudal VPM subnucleus innervates heavily and topographically second somatosensory area (S2), but not S1. Neurons in a third, intermediate VPM subnucleus innervate through branched axons both S1 and S2, with markedly different laminar patterns in each area. A small anterodorsal subnucleus selectively innervates dysgranular S1. The parvicellular VPM subnucleus selectively targets the insular cortex and adjacent portions of S1 and S2. Neurons in the rostral part of the lateral VP nucleus (VPL) innervate spinal S1, while caudal VPL neurons simultaneously target S1 and S2. Rostral and caudal VP nuclei show complementary patterns of calcium-binding protein expression. In addition to the cortex, neurons in caudal VP subnuclei target the sensorimotor striatum. Our finding of a massive projection from VP to S2 separate from the VP projections to S1 adds critical anatomical evidence to the notion that different somatosensory submodalities are processed in parallel in S1 and S2.

The superior colliculus receives a direct projection from retinal ganglion cells. In primates, it remains unknown if the same ganglion cells also supply the lateral geniculate nucleus. To address this issue, a double-label experiment was performed in two male macaques. The animals fixated a target while injection sites were scouted in the superior colliculus by recording and stimulating with a tetrode. Once suitable sites were identified, cholera toxin subunit B-Alexa Fluor 488 was injected via an adjacent micropipette. In a subsequent acute experiment, cholera toxin subunit B-Alexa Fluor 555 was injected into the lateral geniculate nucleus at matching retinotopic locations. After a brief survival period, ganglion cells were examined in retinal flatmounts. The percentage of double-labeled cells varied locally, depending on the relative efficiency of retrograde transport by each tracer and the precision of retinotopic overlap of injection sites in each target nucleus. In counting boxes with extensive overlap, 76–98% of ganglion cells projecting to the superior colliculus were double labeled. Cells projecting to the superior colliculus constituted 4.0–6.7% of the labeled ganglion cell population. In one particularly large zone, there were 5,746 cells labeled only by CTB-AF555, 561cells double labeled by CTB-AF555 and CTB-AF488, but no cell labeled only by CTB-AF488. These data indicate that retinal input to the macaque superior colliculus arises from a collateral axonal branch supplied by ~5% of the ganglion cells that project to the lateral geniculate nucleus. Surprisingly, there exist no ganglion cells that project exclusively to the SC.

Odor information arrives first in the main olfactory bulb and is then broadcasted to the olfactory cortices and striatum. Downstream regions have unique cellular and connectivity architectures that may generate different coding patterns to the same odors. To reveal region-specific response features, tuning and decoding of single-unit populations, we recorded responses to the same odors under the same conditions across regions, namely, the main olfactory bulb (MOB), the anterior olfactory nucleus (AON), the anterior piriform cortex (aPC), and the olfactory tubercle of the ventral striatum (OT), of awake male mice. We focused on chemically closely related aldehydes that still create distinct percepts. The MOB had the highest decoding accuracy for aldehydes and was the only region encoding chemical similarity. The MOB had the highest fraction of inhibited responses and narrowly tuned odor-excited responses in terms of timing and odor selectivity. Downstream, the interconnected AON and aPC differed in their response patterns to the same stimuli. While odor-excited responses dominated the AON, the aPC had a comparably high fraction of odor-inhibited responses. Both cortices share a main output target that is the MOB. This prompted us to test if the two regions convey also different net outputs. Aldehydes activated AON terminals in the MOB as a bulk signal but inhibited those from the aPC. The differential cortical projection responses generalized to complex odors. In summary, olfactory regions reveal specialized features in their encoding with AON and aPC differing in their local computations, thereby generating inverse net centrifugal and intercortical outputs.

FAO and the World Health Organization (WHO) will continue to work closely on nutrition, food safety and antimicrobial resistance issues, FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva and WHO Director Margaret [...]

by Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Uncover the dark and curious truth behind the death of one of America's most beloved authors, Edgar Allan Poe. For centuries, the circumstances surrounding his death have remained shrouded in mystery, sparking endless speculation and debate. Was it murder, disease, or something even more sinister? ___ A little more information: In 1849, Edgar Allan Poe was found delirious on the streets of Baltimore. He was taken to a hospital but died four days later, with no clear explanation for his condition. Theories about his demise range from alcoholism to rabies to a neurological disorder. Some suggest a more sinister plot, involving foul play or a conspiracy. Despite extensive speculation, Poe's death ultimately remains an enigma, adding to the haunting allure of his literary legacy. #unsolvedmysteries #gothicliterature #theraven #edgarallanpoe #truecrime #Smithsonianmagazine Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@SmithsonianMagazine Read more about the mystery of Edgar Allan Poe’s death here: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/still-mysterious-death-edgar-allan-poe-180952936/ How did Edgar Allan Poe become such a prolific and popular storyteller, even after his death? Learn more about his history here: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/edgar-allan-poe-became-era-premier-storyteller-180971001/ For more videos from Smithsonian Magazine: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/videos/ Get More Smithsonian Magazine: Official Site: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smithsonianmagazine/ X: https://x.com/smithsonianmag Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SmithsonianMagazine/ Digital Editorial Director: Brian Wolly Director of Programming: Nicki Marko Manager of Programming: Michelle Mehrtens Scriptwriter: Dan Wolf Video Editor and Narrator: Adam Benavides

Rather than pouncing on its prey, the larger Pacific striped octopus extends a tentacle and taps its victim, startling it into the octopus's deadly embrace. (Video courtesy Roy Caldwell, UC Berkeley)

The Ouija board might seem like a simple game that sparks spooky childhood memories, but have you ever pondered its mysterious history? Even more importantly, does it actually…work? Uncover the fascinating truth behind the game and its unusual origins. ___ A little more information: In the late 19th century, Americans were captivated by Spiritualism, the belief that the dead could communicate with the living. Charles Kennard saw the commercial potential in this trend, leading to the creation of the Ouija board. Yet, the backstory behind its invention, its rules, and even its name are all wrapped up in uncertainty. One thing is certain: the more turbulent the times, the more popular the game became – particularly during World War II and the social upheaval of the late 1960s. Ultimately, the allure of the Ouija board lies in its ability to tap into human imagination and curiosity. Whether regarded as a nostalgic artifact or a mystical tool, the Ouija board is here to stay. #OuijaBoard #Ouija #history #Smithsonianmagazine Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@SmithsonianMagazine Read more about the history of the Ouija Board here: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-strange-and-mysterious-history-of-the-ouija-board-5860627/ Did you know that US Navy Officers rely on a system called the “ouija board” to track the movement of airplanes on a carrier? Learn more here: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/how-things-work-the-ouija-board-10048217/ For more videos from Smithsonian Magazine: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/videos/ Get More Smithsonian Magazine: Official Site: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smithsonianmagazine/ X: https://x.com/smithsonianmag Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SmithsonianMagazine/ Digital Editorial Director: Brian Wolly Director of Programming: Nicki Marko Manager of Programming: Michelle Mehrtens Scriptwriter: Dan Wolf Video Editor: Adam Benavides

The Orkneys, an archipelago of islands off the northern coast of Scotland, are home to some of the greatest neolithic treasures in western Europe: from the settlement of Skara Brae to the Ness of Brodgar.

Clues into the disappearance of the ancient Picts lie in the tiny Scottish village of Aberlemno: 1,700-year-old Pictish stones, marked with some very unusual carvings.

A melting glacier caused a mountain in Greenland to collapse into a narrow fjord, setting off an oscillating wave that rattled seismic detectors around the world

Experts have confirmed that the image of "Knight, Death and the Devil" is a real master engraving by the renowned German artist Albrecht Dürer

An acoustic survey in 2018 and new analysis with A.I. suggest the sounds are vocalizations from the elusive Bryde’s whale

The recent excavation beneath the Treasury has revealed 12 complete human skeletons and a trove of grave goods dating back 2,000 years

Scientists aren't sure how the circular indentations some 450 feet below the surface formed, but they hope to investigate further

While the Orionids, peaking early Sunday and Monday, might be hard to see because of the waning gibbous moon, these zippy meteors can produce long "trains" that last up to several minutes

Identified as an Arctic fox, the animal is believed to have been kept in captivity far from its native habitat in the tundra. Now, it's receiving care from wildlife officials

Hundreds of artifacts have been unearthed at a burial mound in the city of Chifeng, but researchers are particularly intrigued by the six-inch-long object

Authorities have not yet identified the cause of death for the 12.5-foot-long shark, which was named Koala

The giant salmon carp was formally identified in 1991, and since then, fewer than 30 individuals had been documented

A "staggering array" of markings have been hiding in plain sight carved into the walls of Gainsborough Old Hall, a 500-year-old home in Lincolnshire, England

The union for wildland firefighters says a recently passed Ontario bill that makes them eligible for presumptive cancer care under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board doesn't go far enough.

Ginoogaming First Nation has declared a state of emergency after an engineering inspection showed the bridge leading to the community should be closed to traffic.

Since 1970, Lakehead Public Schools has operated Kingfisher Lake Outdoor Education Centre just outside of Thunder Bay, Ont. The CBC's Matt Fratpietro spent a morning with students from École Elsie MacGill Public School to learn more about the forests that surround the city.

CBC's Superior Morning has been gathering wartime stories from listeners leading up to Remembrance Day based on mementos they have kept for generations. Here's some of the stories residents in northwestern Ontario have shared.

Sault Ste. Marie has the highest rate of opioid deaths in Ontario so far this year, according to new numbers from the province's coroner's office.

There is a sign of progress in the effort toward four-laning the final section of Highway 69 that links northern Ontario to the southern part of the province, and improving the safety of the heavily-travelled route.

This will be the first Remembrance Day celebrated at the new Royal Canadian Legion in Sault Ste. Marie. Branch 25 recently opened a new complex in the northern Ontario city, complete with a 108-unit apartment tower.

The large urban mayors of Northern Ontario are advocating for increased provincial and federal support, prioritizing the establishment of Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Hubs and the expansion of the Rural Community Immigration Pilot.

In the new year, Ontario is supposed to be fully accessible for disabled people, but advocates say the province is ‘nowhere near’ meeting standards it created 20 years ago.

Workers in Ontario are owed tens of millions of dollars in unpaid wages that the provincial government has yet to collect from employers, according to internal government records obtained by CBC Toronto.

Three weeks after the death of another beluga whale at Marineland, the Ontario government is speaking publicly about its ongoing investigation of the park, saying water troubles are under control after a recent investment.

Ontario's Minister of Education has announced she will audit discretionary spending of all school boards in the province after reports of expensive trips by board officials in recent months.

We've heard what the candidates want to do about community safety in Saskatoon. Here's what the people already doing the work say the new mayor and council should do after the civic election.

A Penticton city councillor who was arrested and charged with historical sexual offences this summer is facing new charges after more victims were identified, say police in Sarnia, Ont.

A heartfelt initiative is taking root in some small towns across eastern Ontario where light and hydro poles are being adorned with banners that pay tribute to local veterans.

An Ontario court has declined to review a decision to deny Peter Nygard bail while the former fashion mogul appeals his sexual assault convictions and sentence.

The Ontario Liberal Party is pledging to reduce the income tax rate for middle class families and eliminate provincial sales tax on hydro bills, if they win in the 2026 election.

Statistics Canada data reviewed by CBC Toronto shows a dramatic shift in criminal outcomes in Ontario over the last decade. The majority of criminal cases in the province have ended with charges being withdrawn, stayed, dismissed or discharged before a decision at trial since 2020.

It's not a complete surprise that curling and other sports have been cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it doesn't make it any easier on teams that had their hopes of representing Northern Ontario at a national curling level dashed.

The OCA's decision Friday to announce that Rachel Homan's team would only represent the province at the national championship if the skip wasn't picked for the Olympic mixed doubles team generated criticism from some corners and confusion from others.

Rachel Homan and John Morris weren't the only ones celebrating after their selection to wear the Maple Leaf in mixed doubles curling competition at the Beijing Olympics. The nomination also cleared the path for Team Hollie Duncan to represent Ontario at the national championship.