Brain imaging
New ‘decoder’ tool translates functional neuroimaging terms across labs
The compendium of brain-parcellation atlases makes it possible to compare large-scale network data, which often involves different and overlapping network names.
![Research image of a variety of brain atlases.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Fig2B-1200-1024x692.webp)
New ‘decoder’ tool translates functional neuroimaging terms across labs
The compendium of brain-parcellation atlases makes it possible to compare large-scale network data, which often involves different and overlapping network names.
Data access changes to UK Biobank stir unease in neuroscientists
“I feel a little bit in limbo,” says neuroscientist Stephanie Noble, who has paused a study using Biobank data after the repository shifted from a data download to a cloud-only access model.
![A digitally distorted image of a file folder against a blue gradient background.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/funkydata-1200-1024x692.webp)
Data access changes to UK Biobank stir unease in neuroscientists
“I feel a little bit in limbo,” says neuroscientist Stephanie Noble, who has paused a study using Biobank data after the repository shifted from a data download to a cloud-only access model.
Climbing to new heights: Q&A with Kaspar Podgorski
The optical physiologist tracks neural computations inside the lab and scales sheer rock faces outside—even after a life-changing fall.
![Portrait of Kaspar Podgorski standing in his lab wearing a helmet with a climbing rope over his shoulder.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/KasparPodgorski-lede-1200-landscape-1024x683.webp)
Climbing to new heights: Q&A with Kaspar Podgorski
The optical physiologist tracks neural computations inside the lab and scales sheer rock faces outside—even after a life-changing fall.
Connectivity takes U-turn in people with rare autism-linked mutations
Patterns of brain connectivity shift during puberty in people with deletion of the 22q11.2 chromosomal region.
![Research image of brain activity](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1200_connectivity-1024x683.png)
Connectivity takes U-turn in people with rare autism-linked mutations
Patterns of brain connectivity shift during puberty in people with deletion of the 22q11.2 chromosomal region.
New method reignites controversy over brain clearance during sleep
Tracers injected directly into mouse brain tissue instead of the cerebrospinal fluid show that brain clearance slows during sleep and under anesthesia, according to a study published last week—but proponents of the glymphatic system theory take issue with the technique.
![New method reignites controversy over brain clearance during sleep.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Glymphatics-1200-1024x692.webp)
New method reignites controversy over brain clearance during sleep
Tracers injected directly into mouse brain tissue instead of the cerebrospinal fluid show that brain clearance slows during sleep and under anesthesia, according to a study published last week—but proponents of the glymphatic system theory take issue with the technique.
Should we use the computational or the network approach to analyze functional brain-imaging data—why not both?
Emerging methods make it possible to combine the two tactics from opposite ends of the analytic spectrum, enabling scientists to have their cake and eat it too.
![A hand holds multi-colored cubes.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/NeckerCubeArt-1200-1024x692.webp)
Should we use the computational or the network approach to analyze functional brain-imaging data—why not both?
Emerging methods make it possible to combine the two tactics from opposite ends of the analytic spectrum, enabling scientists to have their cake and eat it too.
Brain connectivity and letting the data speak with Emily Finn
The Dartmouth College researcher talks about her quest to understand behavior and doing neuroscience “in the woods.”
![Illustrated portrait of Emily Finn.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1200-emily-finn-synaptic-neuroscience-transmitter-1024x692.webp)
Brain connectivity and letting the data speak with Emily Finn
The Dartmouth College researcher talks about her quest to understand behavior and doing neuroscience “in the woods.”
To improve big data, we need small-scale human imaging studies
By insisting that every brain-behavior association study include hundreds or even thousands of participants, we risk stifling innovation. Smaller studies are essential to test new scanning paradigms.
![Illustration of a hand reaching out to adjust a dial that sits in the middle of several images depicting brain activity and various behaviors.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200-transmitter-neuroscience-small-scale-imaging-studies-1024x683.webp)
To improve big data, we need small-scale human imaging studies
By insisting that every brain-behavior association study include hundreds or even thousands of participants, we risk stifling innovation. Smaller studies are essential to test new scanning paradigms.
Two studies fail to replicate ‘holy grail’ DIANA fMRI method for detecting neural activity
The signal it flags is more likely the result of cherry-picking data, according to the researchers who conducted one of the new studies, but the lead investigator on the original work disputes that conclusion.
![Research image visualizing fMRI test results.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/1200-embargo-news-fmri-1024x683.webp)
Two studies fail to replicate ‘holy grail’ DIANA fMRI method for detecting neural activity
The signal it flags is more likely the result of cherry-picking data, according to the researchers who conducted one of the new studies, but the lead investigator on the original work disputes that conclusion.
Expanding ‘little brain’ may have powered dinosaur flight
The cerebellum swelled in size before flight evolved among modern birds’ dinosaur ancestors, according to a new comparison of fossilized skulls and living birds.
![An image of a fossil](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1200-evolution-of-flight-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Expanding ‘little brain’ may have powered dinosaur flight
The cerebellum swelled in size before flight evolved among modern birds’ dinosaur ancestors, according to a new comparison of fossilized skulls and living birds.
Explore more from The Transmitter
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
![Research image of neurons in the fly’s ventral nerve cord.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/lede-motormodules-1200-1024x692.webp)
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
![Illustration of researchers talking to laypeople amidst strands of DNA.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1200_Charman-1024x687.webp)
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/paincircuit-1200-1024x692.webp)
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.