All posts tagged: region

Brain region identified as key controller of aggression

Brain region identified as key controller of aggression

Scientists have discovered that a specific area within the brain, known as the cortical amygdala, plays a pivotal role in determining whether male mice behave aggressively or in a friendly manner. This region becomes active when male mice detect scents from other males and when they engage in aggressive actions. Researchers found that reducing the activity of this brain area lessened aggressive behaviors and encouraged more sociable interactions. This work, published in Nature, is the first to pinpoint a single brain area capable of halting aggressive social behavior and encouraging pro-social actions. Researchers at Mount Sinai were interested in this topic because aggression is a fundamental behavior across species, and studying it in detail could reveal general principles about how the brain controls behavior. “Aggression is a highly conserved behavior of great importance throughout the animal kingdom, explained study author Antonio Aubry, an instructor at the Icahn School of Medicine. “Thus, by studying the neurobiology of aggression, it has the potential to uncover general principles regarding the relationship between the brain and behavior across a …

The tiny autonomous region in the Alps with loads of castles and 3 languages | World | News

The tiny autonomous region in the Alps with loads of castles and 3 languages | World | News

Europe is home to numerous enclaves and autonomous regions, many of which remain largely unknown beyond their borders. These unique areas, often tucked away in remote landscapes, have preserved their distinct identities, cultures, and traditions, making them fascinating remnants of Europe’s rich history. Italy, in particular, is home to five autonomous regions, each granted special statutes that allow them self-governance with benefits in areas such as taxation and trade. One of the most intriguing of these is the Aosta Valley (Valle d’Aosta), a breathtakingly scenic region in the northwesternmost corner of Italy. It is bordered by France to the west, Switzerland to the north, and the Piedmont region of Italy to the south and east, making it a crossroads of cultures and influences. With a population of around 128,000, the Aosta Valley is the smallest, least populous, and least densely populated region of Italy. Despite its size, it boasts a rich and complex history. The area was first inhabited by the Salassi, a Celtic-Ligurian people who settled there in the 4th century BC. Their dominance …

Scientists discover that brain region acts like an “anxiety meter,” scaling activity to match threat level

Scientists discover that brain region acts like an “anxiety meter,” scaling activity to match threat level

Scientists have discovered that a specific area of the brain, called the ventral hippocampus, functions like an “anxiety meter.” This brain region increases its activity in proportion to the level of anxiety experienced. Using a specially designed maze for mice, the scientists showed in new research published in The Journal of Neuroscience that as the animals encountered increasingly anxiety-provoking situations, the activity of neurons in their ventral hippocampus rose accordingly. Anxiety is a fundamental emotion that helps animals and humans survive by preparing them to face danger. It’s a natural response to threats, prompting vigilance and action. However, when anxiety becomes excessive or persistent, it can lead to significant problems, such as chronic anxiety disorders. These conditions affect millions worldwide and can severely impact quality of life. While some treatments for anxiety exist, they are not always effective for everyone, highlighting the urgent need to better understand the brain mechanisms behind anxiety. “Anxiety is a deeply personal yet broadly experienced state. While some level of anxiety is normal and even beneficial, excessive or persistent anxiety …

Top business leaders from across the region recognised in 2025 New Years Honours List

Top business leaders from across the region recognised in 2025 New Years Honours List

Entrepreneurs in sustainable energy, deep science, medical simulation training and architecture are just some of the businesspeople across the South West who have been recognised in the 2025 New Year’s Honours. Pioneering energy entrepreneur James Hygate has had his work recognised with an OBE. James set up Green Fuels in 2003 and has been pioneering the technology and chemistry of sustainable fuels ever since. Waste-derived biodiesel is one of the most carbon-efficient fuels available, and Green Fuels equipment has displaced many million tonnes of carbon emissions (CO2 equivalents) to date. More recently, James has been widening his work and his most recent venture – Firefly Green Fuels – is fast becoming a leader in the low-carbon fuel space through its development of a new sewage-derived SAF (sustainable aviation fuel) pathway. Firefly’s SAF boasts a greater than 90 per cent reduction in lifecycle CO₂ compared to fossil jet and is produced from sewage waste – an undesirable material that we produce in great volumes every day. James has always been interested in the natural world. Growing …

As Assad falls, the power dynamics of this troubled, volatile region will utterly change

As Assad falls, the power dynamics of this troubled, volatile region will utterly change

Seismic is an overused word. Not when it comes to events currently under way in Syria, a country straddling the fault lines of the Middle East. The collapse of the Assad regime will be the most significant event yet in the upheaval that’s followed the 7 October attacks by Hamas in Israel last year. Syria latest: President Assad reported to have fled It will be the end of a brutal reign of terror that has lasted since the Assad family, under patriarch Hafez Assad, seized power in the early 1970s. And the end of a devastating civil war that has raged since 2011. The Assads maintained their grip on Syria with diabolical cynicism. They used massacre and torture, chemical weapons and barrel bombs to secure their rule for more than half a century. But they also cleverly leveraged their country’s pivotal position to secure support from willing allies. Iran backed the regime in return for help propping up Tehran’s axis of terror across the Middle East. Syria has been used as a base for Iranian …

Apple Intelligence Not Device Region Locked to US in Latest Betas

Apple Intelligence Not Device Region Locked to US in Latest Betas

Apple in the latest iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 betas no longer requires users to set their device region to the United States, so now it’s just the US English language requirement that remains. In previous betas, users not only had to change Siri’s language to the US to access Apple Intelligence, but they also had to change both their device region and language to the US as well. However, as per the latest release notes and spotted by 9to5Mac, the requirement to change device region to US appears to have been dropped, which means things like measurement system, temperature, and calendar formatting can remain unchanged with Apple Intelligence enabled. In other words, users running the third betas of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 only have to ensure that English is their preferred language in Settings ➝ General ➝ Language & Region, and that English (United States) is the set Siri language in Settings ➝ Apple Intelligence & Siri. With those two settings in place, users outside of the …

Citizen activists take on ‘destructive’ solar power plants in France’s Provence region

Citizen activists take on ‘destructive’ solar power plants in France’s Provence region

Citizen activists in southeastern France’s Alpes-de-Hautes-Provence region have been campaigning for two years against the growing number of solar power parks in a protected natural area around the Lure mountain. The local authorities, and the parks’ investors, claim the plants are “essential” projects in the fight against climate change, and in line with the ambitions of the European Green Deal. But the activists claim these projects are “destructive” for biodiversity and the landscape.  A few hundred metres above the commune of Cruis, in the Alpes-de-Hautes-Provence region, Sylvie Bitterlin, a 62-year-old actress, stands in front of the security fence of a brand-new solar farm. “Look, they’ve destroyed everything,” she says. On the 17-hectare site, the garrigue or scrubland of Provence has been replaced by several thousand solar panels. In Cruis, the photovoltaic power plant, operated by Boralex, was scheduled to begin operating this summer. © Cyrielle Cabot, FRANCE 24 The project has been under construction for several months and is nearly finished. According to the operator, Boralex, a Canadian renewable energy company, the site will generate …

Russian military attacks Ukraine’s Kharkiv region – POLITICO

Russian military attacks Ukraine’s Kharkiv region – POLITICO

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine was prepared for the attack, meeting the enemy with troops, brigades and artillery. Yet he cautioned that Russia might send more troops to support the ongoing assault. “Russia has begun a new wave of counteroffensive actions in this direction,” Zelenskyy said at a news conference in Kyiv. “Now there is a fierce battle in this direction.” The possible aim of the offensive is creation of a “buffer zone” along the border, Reuters reported a senior Ukrainian military source as saying. Over the last month, Russia has been increasing its military activities around Kharkiv, exploiting limited Ukrainian air defenses to conduct bombing operations in and around the city. Located approximately 30 kilometers south of the Russian border, Kharkiv strongly resisted the initial invasion in the spring of 2022. A swift Ukrainian counteroffensive in September of the same year pushed back Moscow’s forces back far enough to allow many civilians to return. Source link

Magnificent 7: Science and Tech Companies in the South Coast region

Magnificent 7: Science and Tech Companies in the South Coast region

The South Coast Tech & Innovation Awards are back for another year, and nominations are open for a limited time. We can’t wait to see entries coming in from all the most exciting tech companies from across the South Coast region.  As always, this year’s event will feature the presentation of awards from an enormous array of categories – with such a diverse and all-encompassing range of accolades up for grabs, we’ll be seeing nominations from companies operating in every area of the tech sector.  From defense and health to sustainability and maritime tech, we’re looking to cover every aspect of such a crucial, complex and ever-evolving industry.  One area we’re interested in is the world of science within the South Coast region. Sponsored by Evelyn Partners, the title of Science & Tech Company of the Year will be presented to the company that has demonstrated the most exceptional excellence at the intersection of science and technology during the qualifying period.  But with the region being home to so many incredible companies, who will come …

Ukrainian drone attack in Russia border region kills at least six, governor says

Ukrainian drone attack in Russia border region kills at least six, governor says

A Ukrainian drone attack hit vehicles carrying workers in Russia’s frontier Belgorod region, killing six people and injuring 35, the governor said Monday. Issued on: 06/05/2024 – 09:39 Belgorod has come under an increasing number of fatal Ukrainian drone and missile attacks in recent months and Monday’s bombardment is the deadliest in weeks. “Unfortunately, as a result of an explosion, six people died at the scene from their wounds,” Vyacheslav Gladkov said. He added that “35 people were wounded” in the attack near the village of Berezyovka. Gladkov said the attack hit two vans transporting employees of a nearby factory as well as a passenger vehicle.  The Belgorod government said the vehicles belonged to a meat production facility.   Gladkov said two children were among the wounded and that one man was in “serious condition” and undergoing surgery. The official published a photograph of that back of a bus that had blown out windows and a damaged roof.  (AFP) Source link