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December 27, 2024 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlightedthe following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked peer-reviewed publication trusted source proofread by Kyushu University Researchers from Kyushu University have developed an innovative technique to non-invasively measure two key signals, membrane voltage and intracellular calcium levels, at the same time, in neurons of awake animals. This new method offers a more complete understanding of how neurons function, revealing that these two signals encode different information for sensory stimuli. The research was published in Communications Biology on September 16, 2024. Neurons are cells that act as the brain's fundamental building blocks, transmitting information through electrical signals . When a neuron receives a stimulus, changes in membrane voltage (the electrical charge across the neuron cell membrane) trigger the neuron to activate, causing rapid changes in membrane voltage to propagate along the neuron as an electrical signal. These changes in membrane voltage then lead to changes in intracellular calcium (calcium levels inside neurons). Historically, measuring membrane voltage has involved invasive techniques using electrodes. As a non-invasive alternative, scientists have developed techniques to measure calcium activity using fluorescent proteins that are sensitive to calcium ions as sensors, providing an indirect proxy for neuron activity. However, these different methods mean that the two signals have almost always been studied separately, making it challenging to understand how they interact in real-time and to identify their distinct functions in living animals. Now, new advancements in the development of fluorescent proteins that respond to changes in membrane voltage mean that both calcium-ion sensors and membrane voltage sensors can be used simultaneously. "Simultaneous measurement of intracellular calcium ions and membrane voltage can help us to understand how neurons encode information for sensory processing in neuronal circuits," says senior author Professor Takeshi Ishihara from Kyushu University's Faculty of Science. In collaboration with the Faculty of Computer Science and Systems Engineering at Kyushu Institute of Technology, Ishihara and his colleagues developed a method to simultaneously measure intracellular calcium and membrane voltage in neurons of living animals. By capturing images under the microscope at a high speed of 250 frames per second and using cutting-edge image processing, the researchers were able to detect small and rapid fluctuations in the fluorescent intensity of the calcium ion sensors and membrane voltage sensors. Using this newly developed technique, the scientists focused on how olfactory neurons in Caenorhabditis elegans—tiny nematodes commonly used as a model organism in neuroscience research—respond to odorants. The researchers found that when exposed to odors, these neurons altered their membrane voltage and intracellular calcium levels. Importantly, the research team revealed for the first time that these signals encode separate information. While the membrane voltage indicated the presence of an odor, intracellular calcium levels reflected the odor's concentration. By simultaneously measuring both signals, the researchers were able to better understand how the brain processes and distinguishes sensory inputs. Additionally, the authors identified two ion channels that are essential for the change of membrane voltages triggered by sensory stimulation. The team also found that a protein called ODR-3, which is involved in signal transmission in neurons, plays an important role in stabilizing membrane voltage. This prevents neurons from improperly firing in response to irrelevant stimuli, and regulates the timing and magnitude of responses to odors. In the future, simultaneous measurements of membrane voltage and intracellular calcium could also be obtained in the neurons of more complex animals, or in other types of neurons, potentially revealing insights about information coding in neuron circuits. Sharing his concluding thoughts, Ishihara says, "These high-speed simultaneous measurements reveal the different functions of the membrane voltage and intracellular calcium ion signals induced by the sensory stimuli . These findings could lead to a better understanding of sensory processing in the central nervous system, not only in simple model systems like nematodes, but in higher organisms too." More information: Terumasa Tokunaga et al, Mechanism of sensory perception unveiled by simultaneous measurement of membrane voltage and intracellular calcium, Communications Biology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06778-2 Journal information: Communications Biology Provided by Kyushu University

A pub in Co Fermanagh has released its Christmas advert with an important message highlighting the impact of grief during the festive season. Charlie’s Bar made headlines around the world with its 2023 ad which featured an elderly man being ignored in the street before joining a young couple, and their dog Missy, for a friendly chat as they shared a drink with the message: “There are no strangers here, only friends you haven’t met yet.” The Enniskillen pub's video was viewed more than six million times, with an appeal launched alongside it raising £23,000 for local charities Age NI and SWAP (South West Age Partnership). Read more: Northern Irish bar wins top prize at Community Pub Hero Awards Read more: Star of NI pub's viral tearjerker Christmas advert on true message of the ad Now, the pub has returned with another tear-jerker, as its Christmas video for 2024 debuted on social media on Friday evening with a similarly important message. Speaking to Belfast Live , bar owner Una Burns said they have been blown away by the response so far, with over 5,000 likes and 232,000 views on Facebook alone so far. "The reaction has been amazing. Even just reading some of the comments; we've had comments from people who have lost loved ones, who work in nursing homes, messages from people who support bereaved parents. It's a really incredible position to be in, to be able to share something that can impact so many different people in different ways, in different parts of the world," Una said. This year's video shows an older woman, Mary, who reads a letter just before Christmas from her husband John who died a few months earlier. She sits alone reading the letter, where he reminds her he's looking down on her and the family, with his stocking still hanging over the nearby fireplace. Alongside the letter in the envelope is a photograph taken in Charlie's Bar the previous year, showing Mary and John smiling with their family. Mary's son then comes in to make sure she's okay, before the family head to the pub to be together. Arriving at Charlie's Bar, they recreate the photo from the previous year, with Mary smiling as she enjoys being surrounded by her loving family. As for the inspiration for this year's video, Una explained: "I was very aware that although for many Christmas is a very joyous occasion, for others it's tainted with sadness. I wanted to draw inspiration from our own community, and what I've seen over the years in the bar, and the stories I've heard. "In the bar you're in a privileged position where people share what they're going through, and I wanted the advert to have an actual message, and I wanted it to bring a bit of warmth and reflection to people's homes this Christmas. "I think it shows pubs are more than just a drinking place, they can be a real source of comfort and hope for people. They can be a real beating heart for communities, particularly in rural Ireland, for those who maybe do find Christmas more difficult. We're very aware of that and we do open on Christmas Day, as some people may be at home on their own." Similar to last year's advert, the video was filmed on an iPhone however this time, one of the stars of the 2023 ad, Meagan Daley, was behind the camera. Meagan was one half of the young couple who befriended the elderly man in the previous advert. But Meagan isn't the only actor from last year featuring this time around. Martin McManus, who starred as the elderly man last year, provided the voiceover for John reading the letter this time around. Una said: "None of those people are actors, they're all local people, and it was not an easy task especially for the lady who played that part, it's a very difficult ask of somebody to portray that in a sincere way. It was quite raw and people have said that it is very poignant. It's a credit to the people who were willing to do that and be involved this year. "We had all the cast of last year involved again - we had the dog, the male from last year was in the booth behind the scene in the bar this year, and the voice over you hear is the old man, Martin, who was in the video last year." This year, Una said they're not competing with what they did in last year's viral video, but said they're open to keeping the tradition going in future years. She said: "I would love to put one out next year, but we'll have to see if the idea comes! It's important to me we stay true to our values and what we put out is authentic. "But I think reading the messages people have commented, and even people calling the bar asking if we were going to do a video this year, it would encourage you to put another one out because it obviously does touch people in ways we didn't think it could." Reflecting on the impact of this year's video, Una added: "It makes people reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. "Someone messaged me last night saying it's reminded her to get her grandfather to write his grandkids some letters before he passes, as he'll not be there to see them getting married, but that he has all his faculties at the minute, and his funny humour, and she wants them to remember him for that. We're in an incredible position as a family run bar in Enniskillen to even have that impact." Join our Belfast Live breaking news service on WhatsApp Click this link or scan the QR code to receive breaking news and top stories from Belfast Live. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.NEW YORK (AP) — Technology stocks are dragging down the market as Friday as Wall Street closes out a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 fell 1.6%, with more than 80% of stocks in the benchmark index losing ground. The benchmark index was managing to hold onto a modest gain for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 475 points, or 1.1%, to 42,850 as of 11:35 a.m. Eastern time. The Nasdaq composite fell 2%. Technology stocks were the biggest drag on the market Friday. Semiconductor giant Nvidia slumped 2.4%. Its enormous valuation gives it an outsize influence on indexes. Other Big Tech stocks losing ground included Microsoft, with a 1.9% decline. A wide range of retailers also fell. Amazon fell 2% and Best Buy slipped 1%. The sector is being closely watched for clues on how it performed during the holiday shopping season. Energy was the only sector within the S&P 500 rising. It gained 0.4% as crude oil prices rose 1.2%. Investors don't have much in the way of corporate or economic updates to review as the market moves closer to another standout annual finish. The S&P 500 is on track for a gain of just under 25% in 2024. That would mark a second consecutive yearly gain of more than 20%, the first time that has happened since 1997-1998. The gains have been driven partly by upbeat economic data showing that consumers continued spending and the labor market remained strong. Inflation, while still high, has also been steadily easing. A report on Friday showed that sales and inventory estimates for the wholesales trade industry fell 0.2% in November, following a slight gain in October. That weaker-than-expected report follows an update on the labor market Thursday that showed unemployment benefits held steady last week. The stream of upbeat economic data and easing inflation helped prompt a reversal in the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy this year. Expectations for interest rate cuts also helped drive market gains. The central bank recently delivered its third cut to interest rates in 2024. Even though Inflation has come closer to the central bank's target of 2%, it remains stubbornly above that mark and worries about it heating up again have tempered the forecast for more interest rate cuts. Inflation concerns have added to uncertainties heading into 2025, which include the labor market’s path ahead and shifting economic policies under incoming President Donald Trump. Worries have risen that Trump’s preference for tariffs and other policies could lead to higher inflation , a bigger U.S. government debt and difficulties for global trade. Amedisys rose 4.5% after the home health care and hospice services provider agreed to extend the deadline for its sale to UnitedHealth Group. The Justice Department had sued to block the $3.3 billion deal, citing concerns he combination would hinder access to home health and hospice services in the U.S. The move to extend the deadline comes ahead of an expected shift in regulatory policy under Trump. The incoming administration is expected to have a more permissive approach to dealmaking and is less likely to raise antitrust concerns. In Asia, Japan’s benchmark index surged as the yen remained weak against the dollar. Stocks in South Korea fell after the main opposition party voted to impeach the country’s acting leader. Markets in Europe gained ground. Bond yields held relatively steady. The yield on the 10-year Treasury remained at 4.59% from late Thursday. The yield on the two-year Treasury slipped to 4.31% from 4.33% late Thursday. Wall Street will have more economic updates to look forward to next week, including reports on pending home sales and home prices. There will also be reports on U.S. construction spending and snapshots of manufacturing activity.

For the second time this season, DeVonta Smith will miss a game for the Philadelphia Eagles due to an injury. Back in Week 4, Smith missed the team's blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a concussion. Heading into their Week 12 contest against the Los Angeles Rams, Smith will miss the NFC showdown with a hamstring injury. USA Today Sports Smith has been banged up for most of the season with lower body injuries. Sunday will be a chance for him to "get right" ahead of the team's key games down the stretch. But with the former Heisman Trophy no longer available, the Eagles will need additional players to step up for them. Yes, stars like A.J. Brown, Saquon Barkley, and Dallas Goedert are all still on the roster, but even one member of the Eagles missing time is usually a bad sign for the organization. To Philadelphia, Sunday will be a golden opportunity for additional players across the receiver position to step up. Related: Eagles Defense Preparing For Main Part Of Sean McVay's Offense Whether it's former first-round pick Jahan Dotson, the return of special teams ace Britain Covey, or rookies such as Johnny Wilson and Ainias Smith, the Eagles have plenty of weapons to remain competitive against the high-flying Rams. In that regard, anything less than their usual average of points scored will not do with quarterback Jalen Hurts leading the way. Smith's loss is a big issue for the Eagles moving forward, but for Sunday, it's a chance that the team can show they are more than just their star players. Related: Eagles' Star Currently in Top 10 In StatisticLarson Financial Group LLC Sells 156 Shares of PACCAR Inc (NASDAQ:PCAR)

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