Iqbal Pittalwala Journalist Profile

Articles

How a common brain parasite disrupts neural communication

1 week ago | medicalxpress.com | Iqbal Pittalwala |Stephanie Baum |Robert Egan

A team of scientists at the University of California, Riverside, explains in a paper published in PLOS Pathogens how a microscopic parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, can significantly disrupt brain function, even when it infects only a small number of neurons. The team found that the parasite interferes with essential communication between brain cells—research that can offer new ways to detect and treat chronic brain infections.
Genetic mutation linked to higher SARS-CoV-2 risk

Jan 14, 2025 | medicalxpress.com | Iqbal Pittalwala

Researchers have identified a novel genetic risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection, providing new insights into the virus's ability to invade human cells. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that spreads COVID-19.
Mystery of the Milky Way’s Stellar Streams Solved by Dark Matter

Jan 13, 2025 | xpresschronicle.com | Iqbal Pittalwala

Spur and gap features seen in Milky Way’s GD-1 stellar stream could be caused by a self-interacting dark matter subhalo. New research points to a dark matter subhalo as the architect behind the unique formations in the GD-1 stellar stream, potentially shifting paradigms about dark matter’s behavior and interaction within galaxies. Unraveling the GD-1 Mystery […]Source link Tags: dark Matter Milky Mystery solved stellar streams Ways
Mystery of the Milky Way’s Stellar Streams Solved by Dark Matter

Jan 12, 2025 | scitechdaily.com | Iqbal Pittalwala

A recent study suggests that a dense, self-interacting dark matter subhalo could be responsible for the intriguing spur and gap features in the GD-1 stellar stream, challenging existing dark matter theories. (Artist’s concept.) Credit: SciTechDaily.com Spur and gap features seen in Milky Way’s GD-1 stellar stream could be caused by a self-interacting dark matter subhalo.
Will you keep your New Year’s resolutions?

Jan 9, 2025 | universityofcalifornia.edu | Iqbal Pittalwala

Ian Ballard, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of California, Riverside, shares his thoughts on New Year’s resolutions in the Q&A below. Ballard is affiliated with the cognitive and cognitive neuroscience areas of the Department of Psychology and the UCR Neuroscience Graduate Program. His lab studies the mechanisms of goal-directed behavior using tools from cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and computer science. Q: Why do we make resolutions around New Year’s?
Study links gene-regulating brain circuit formation to autism and seizures

Jan 8, 2025 | medicalxpress.com | Iqbal Pittalwala

The gene neuropilin2 encodes a receptor involved in cell-cell interactions in the brain and plays a key role in regulating the development of neural circuits. Neuropilin2 controls migration of inhibitory neurons as well as the formation and maintenance of synaptic connections in excitatory neurons—two crucial components of brain activity.
Physicists explain a stellar stream's distinctive features

Jan 7, 2025 | phys.org | Iqbal Pittalwala

Physicists have proposed a solution to a long-standing puzzle surrounding the GD-1 stellar stream, one of the most well-studied streams within the galactic halo of the Milky Way, known for its long, thin structure, and unusual spur and gap features.
Why are New Year's resolutions so hard to keep?

Jan 6, 2025 | futurity.org | Iqbal Pittalwala

A psychologist has answers for you about how to make your New Year’s resolutions last. It can be fun to make New Year’s resolutions, but hard for most of us to keep them. Gyms, for example, get crowded in early January, but come February the determination of many begins to peter out. Will those who have taken on a new diet succeed in sticking to it through the end of this year? The chances of success can be small.
Why Are New Year’s Resolutions So Hard To Keep? - Futurity

Jan 5, 2025 | everand.com | Iqbal Pittalwala

A psychologist has answers for you about how to make your New Year’s resolutions last. It can be fun to make New Year’s resolutions, but hard for most of us to keep them. Gyms, for example, get crowded in early January, but come February the determination of many begins to peter out. Will those who have taken on a new diet succeed in sticking to it through the end of this year? The chances of success can be small.
Physicists explain a stellar stream’s distinctive features

Jan 5, 2025 | news.ucr.edu | Iqbal Pittalwala

Physicists have proposed a solution to a long-standing puzzle surrounding the GD-1 stellar stream, one of the most well-studied streams within the galactic halo of the Milky Way, known for its long, thin structure, and unusual spur and gap features.