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Fluorescent indicators can provide quantitative insights into the spatiotemporal dynamics of signalling molecules released by brain circuits. However, a mismatch between the experimental context and the experimental imaging settings often introduces unexpected errors and biases in such measurements. Appreciating this mismatch should help to arrive at unbiased estimates.
Data sharing is an essential component of open science practice. The Brain Imaging Data Structure project has pioneered a way to organize neuroimaging and behavioural data that enables easy sharing and reuse. We present experiences from the BIDS project and highlight how standards can promote open science.
A growing body of epidemiological evidence linking air pollution to multiple brain disorders suggests that these adverse effects are produced by mechanisms that are shared across these disorders. More stringent, targeted regulatory policies may therefore be required to ensure public health protection.
Fluorescent sensors of molecular activity have revolutionized our knowledge of the brain. However, their signals report a reaction between the target and the sensor molecules rather than the activity of interest per se. Thus, understanding the location, sensitivity and imaging environment of a sensor should help to avoid misinterpretation of its readout.
What’s the point of public engagement? Why can’t we just be neuroscience researchers? In this Comment I will argue that communicating our science is a key aspect of being a neuroscientist and that our science can be enriched by this.
In this Comment, Linzie Taylor and Karen Rommelfanger argue that white Western individualist bias is impeding progress in neuroscience and present a relational rubric of principles to mitigate this bias.
When designing neurotechnologies to assist people with communication disabilities, neuroscientists and engineers must consider both the speaker’s perspective and the listeners’ ability to judge the voluntariness and accuracy of decoded communication. This is particularly important in personally significant communication contexts for which there are profound legal and societal implications.
In this Comment, Riquelme and Gjorgjieva describe why and how individual researchers and the broader neuroscientific community should aim to improve code readability in the field.
In this open letter, co-founders of the Black In Neuro initiative thank previous mentors and advise future mentors on how to effectively encourage the next generation of Black researchers.
Traditional scientific conferences and seminar events have been hugely disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, paving the way for virtual forms of scientific communication to take hold and be put to the test.
Considering the influence of stress on research participants during the pandemic and beyond may provide new insights and benefit the broader field of human neuroscience.
Scientific meetings are an opportunity to promote research and researchers. Anne-Marie M. Oswald and Srdjan Ostojic describe ways to promote diversity at the conference podium.
Gina Poe and Denise Cai reflect on the challenges to research team management presented by the widespread closure of laboratories during the COVID-19 pandemic and consider the unexpected opportunities that have arisen from the lockdown
Although neuroscientists focus on only very few animal species today, there are many important reasons to take advantage of model system diversity and embrace (anew) a comparative approach in modern brain research. Recent technological advances make this increasingly possible.
Neuroscience laboratories can take steps to ‘go green’ in a number of ways, including curbing unnecessary energy usage and reducing plastic waste. Such measures often rely on behavioural changes but need not affect scientific output.
Although chronic pain is one of the most important medical problems facing society, there has been very limited progress in the development of novel therapies for this condition. Here, we discuss high-impact research priorities to reduce the number of people transitioning from acute to chronic intractable pain.
Brain implants are being trialled for their potential to ameliorate treatment-resistant conditions or to restore function. However, there are no clear guidelines for continued access to brain implants for trial participants whose symptoms improve with these devices.
In recent years, several funding agencies have introduced requirements for researchers to consider sex as a biological variable in preclinical research. In this Comment article, McCarthy and colleagues discuss the potential impact of these policies for neuroscience research.
Lindenberger and colleagues suggest that research into the possible effects of 'brain training' should build on an understanding of the mechanisms of human brain plasticity.
