Neuroimaging – News and Features

People with pockets of fat hidden inside their muscles are at a higher risk of dying or being hospitalized from a heart attack or heart failure, regardless of their body mass index, according to new research.

Washington University researchers found that sickle cell disease causes brains to appear 14 years older than their actual age, even without stroke. Economic deprivation also accelerates brain aging by seven years in healthy individuals.

A study reveals how music with rapid modulations enhances focus and attentional brain networks. Using EEG and MRI scans, researchers found this music stimulates natural brain rhythms, improving attention, especially in individuals with ADHD.

A study reveals that a personalized approach, considering age, sex and size, improves the diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The new method identifies more women and reduces misdiagnoses, ensuring better treatment opportunities.

A blood test promises to improve endometriosis diagnosis. By identifying a panel of 10 protein biomarkers, the test achieves high accuracy for early and severe cases, potentially replacing invasive diagnostic procedures like laparoscopy.

UK Biobank's proteomics study will measure 5,400 proteins in 600,000 samples, tracking changes over mid-to-late life. By combining genetic, imaging and proteomic data, this initiative promises breakthroughs in disease diagnosis and drug discovery.

A study reveals that 58% of 23-year-olds exhibit disordered eating behaviors, categorized as restrictive or emotional/uncontrolled eating. Researchers linked these patterns to delayed brain maturation, genetic risk and mental health difficulties.

Researchers have identified the Ephesos skull, long speculated to belong to Cleopatra’s sister Arsinoë IV, as a Roman boy aged 11–14. Modern techniques confirmed the skull and femur belonged to a male with developmental anomalies.

UCL researchers link aircraft noise to structural heart changes, including thicker, stiffer heart muscles that impair blood flow. Night-time noise exposure is particularly harmful, linked to increased risks of heart attacks and strokes.

Researchers found that specific nutrients, such as antioxidants and polyunsaturated fats, may reduce brain iron accumulation, a factor linked to cognitive decline. The study revealed a protective role of diet in slowing age-related brain changes.