ScienceScienceAlertTextbook Rewrite: The Human Brain Has Two Distinct Origins, Scientists Discover
Scientists have discovered the human brain develops from two distinct and separate embryonic cell systems, a finding that could reshape how brain diseases are researched.
The brain is an immeasurably complex organ, and we're only just scratching the surface of how it even comes into existence.
A Stanford-led team published research in Nature Neuroscience showing the human brain originates from two separate embryonic cell systems developing in parallel.
The study found one progenitor cell type forms the forebrain and midbrain while a completely different type forms the hindbrain, with distinct DNA packaging in each.
The discovery could explain why lab attempts to grow hindbrain cells have often failed, and may speed up research into brainstem diseases, the scientists say.
The researchers say this discovery could accelerate research into diseases affecting the brainstem, which controls the body's most basic functions.
More from Cuppa
Russians begin voting in parliamentary election set to cement Kremlin's powerRussians have begun three days of voting in a wartime parliamentary election with virtually no opposition, widely expected to cement the Kremlin's grip on power.
Yemen’s anti-Houthi forces launch inquest into sudden military collapseYemen's anti-Houthi forces are investigating how their entire west coast military campaign collapsed, with claims that billions of dollars were paid to persuade fighters to abandon their positions.
Tectonic & Haze Crisis 2026Indonesia is battling a dangerous combination of major earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and El Nino-driven wildfires in 2026, with economic losses estimated up to Rp123 trillion and haze affecting…
How one plume of hot rock built two volcano chains off Australia's coastScientists have worked out why two nearly identical volcano chains sit side by side off Australia's east coast: one deep plume split in two around a stalled slab of ocean floor.
Flight chaos for hundreds of thousands was caused in ‘millisecond’ by software errorA software bug in the UK's air traffic control system caused a six-hour outage in a millisecond, disrupting hundreds of thousands of passengers and prompting calls for the CEO to be sacked.
Human brain is two separate organs, new Stanford research findsStanford researchers found the human brain is actually two ancient nervous systems joined together, which could help treat diseases like ALS and SMA.
Flight chaos caused by software defect, says air traffic control bodyThe UK's air traffic control meltdown that cancelled 2,000+ flights was caused by a software defect that corrupted data in a millisecond, not a cyber attack.
Russian hybrid attacks against Europe intensifying, says MacronFrench President Macron says Russia's hybrid attacks on Europe have intensified and France will not be intimidated, ordering protection of critical infrastructure.