Ruairi J Mackenzie
Technology Networks
RJ is a freelance science writer based in Glasgow. He covers biological and biomedical science, with a focus on the complexities and curiosities of the brain and emerging AI technologies. RJ was a science writer at Technology Networks for six years, where he also worked on the site’s SEO and editorial AI strategies. He created the site’s podcast, Opinionated Science, in 2020. RJ has a Master’s degree in Clinical Neurosciences from the University of Cambridge.
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Published Content
Total: 609
News
Nine Paralysis Patients Walk Again Thanks to Newly Identified Neurons
A new study has identified nerve cells that are altered in response to a spinal cord stimulation technique proven to restore walking ability in people once thought to be permanently paralyzed.
Article
Five Events You Don’t Want To Miss at Neuroscience 2022
After a three-year absence, the Society for Neuroscience’s (SfN) annual meeting returns to San Diego from November 12–16. With 10 conference tracks to choose from, getting your calendar in order beforehand is essential. To help you out, we’ve picked five events that should be near the top of your schedule.
News
“Time-Stamps” Help the Brain Decode Speech
We take our ability to understand human speech for granted. But our innate skill at decoding the complex and varied sounds we use to communicate remains something of a mystery to scientists studying the brain. A new research paper has provided some answers, showing that the brain “time-stamps” sounds arriving at the ear.
News
Psilocybin and Psychotherapy Relieve Treatment-Resistant Depression in Largest Clinical Trial to Date
The largest study to date testing the ability of the psychedelic compound psilocybin to treat a psychiatric disorder has shown that the mushroom-derived drug, delivered in combination with integrative psychotherapy sessions, significantly reduced participants’ depression as compared to a placebo after three weeks.
News
Mental Illness Not Behind Majority of School Shootings, Study Finds
Researchers analyzing the motivations behind mass school shootings have concluded that in the majority of cases severe mental illness wasn’t a contributing factor.
News
Researchers Reduce Nightmare Frequency by Altering Dreamers’ Emotions
An innovative study has shown that modulating dreamers’ emotions using therapy and audio cues could reduce the frequency of terrifying nightmares.
News
Electroconvulsive Therapy Compared to Ketamine for Depression
A new review paper has weighed up the efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and ketamine for the rapid relief of depressive symptoms. The meta-analysis, which took in the relatively limited body of evidence comparing these two treatment approaches, suggested that ECT consistently outperformed the atypical psychedelic compound.
News
Human Cerebral Organoids Transplanted Into Newborn Rats Integrate With Their Brain
A new study has advanced our ability to model the developing brain by implanting balls of cells – called brain organoids – grown from human stem cells into the brains of young rats. The organoids formed connections with other areas of the rat brain and were even capable of stimulating changes in the animals’ behavior.
Article
LSD for Anxiety: A Deep Dive Into a New Clinical Trial
A Phase II clinical trial investigating the efficacy of LSD-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of anxiety has reported positive results. However, mixed data from a second group in the trial somewhat complicates the picture, highlighting the complex challenges of psychedelic clinical trial design.
News
Ex-Rugby Players Face 15 Times Higher Risk of Motor Neuron Disease
A new study by researchers at the University of Glasgow has found that former Scottish international rugby union players have a higher risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases, including dementia, Parkinson’s disease and motor neuron disease.
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