Three Distinct Brain Circuits in the Thalamus contribute to Parkinson’s Symptoms

image of the parafascicular (PF) thalamus
Caption: In this image of the parafascicular (PF) thalamus, the blue cells participate in reward processing/depression, the red cells are critical for motor learning, and the green cells are important for general locomotion. The ‘fr’ stands for a fiber bundle.
Credits:Image: Ying Zhang and Dheeraj Roy

Targeting these circuits could offer a new way to reverse motor dysfunction and depression in Parkinson’s patients. In a study of a small region of the thalamus, MIT neuroscientists have now identified three distinct circuits that influence the development of both motor and nonmotor symptoms of Parkinson’s. Furthermore, they found that by manipulating these circuits, they could reverse Parkinson’s symptoms in mice.

The findings suggest that those circuits could be good targets for new d...

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Bluetooth Signals can be used to Identify and Track Smartphones

Bluetooth signals can be used to identify and track smartphones
Researchers tested their method to track Bluetooth fingerprints on campus. They use an off-the-shelf device to track and identify devices. Credit: University of California San Diego

A team of engineers at the University of California San Diego has demonstrated for the first time that the Bluetooth signals emitted constantly by our mobile phones have a unique fingerprint that can be used to track individuals’ movements.

Mobile devices, including phones, smartwatches and fitness trackers, constantly transmit signals, known as Bluetooth beacons, at the rate of roughly 500 beacons per minute.These beacons enable features like Apple’s “Find My” lost device tracking service; COVID-19 tracing apps; and connect smartphones to other devices such as wireless earphones.

Prior research has s...

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Yoyo Stars responsible for Off-Center Bubbles

Simulated star cluster partially embedded in a cloud of hydrogen gas. (Credit: Michiko Fujii, Takaaki Takeda, 4D2U Project, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan)

Astronomers have developed a new code to simulate the formation of a cluster of baby stars. Comparison with the well-known real case of the Orion Nebula shows that its off-center bubble of ionized gas was caused by a massive star that was pushed out of the newborn cluster but is now falling back in.

Groups of stars often form together in clouds of cold hydrogen gas. The brightest and most massive stars ionize the surrounding gas, making it too hot to form new stars. In this way massive stars act as a feedback, shutting off new star formation...

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Particle Accelerator Region revealed inside a Solar Flare

A new study offers the first direct evidence showing where near-light speed particle acceleration occurs inside the largest explosion known in the solar system, the solar flare. Image Credit: Sijie Yu of NJIT/CSTR; NOAA GOES-16/SUVI

A new study offers direct evidence showing where near-light speed particle acceleration occurs inside the largest explosion known in the solar system, the solar flare.

Solar flares are among the most violent explosions in our solar system, but despite their immense energy — equivalent to a hundred billion atomic bombs detonating at once — physicists still haven’t been able to answer exactly how these sudden eruptions on the Sun are able to launch particles to Earth, nearly 93 million miles away, in under an hour.

Now, in a study published June 8 in Na...

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