Birdsong Studies Lead To a Revolution In Biology

Smithsonian.com covers research that began with the study of birdsong and ended by overturning the common belief that adult animals can't produce new brain cells. "Deconstructing birdsong may seem an unlikely way to shake up biology. But [Fernando] Nottebohm's research has shattered the belief that a brain gets its quota of nerve cells shortly after birth and stands by helplessly as one by one they die — a 'fact' drummed into every schoolkid's skull. [Nottebohm] demonstrated two decades ago that the brain of a male songbird grows fresh nerve cells in the fall to replace those that die off in summer. The findings were shocking, and scientists voiced skepticism that the adult human brain had the same knack for regeneration. ... Yet, inspired by Nottebohm's work, researchers went on to find that other adult animals — including human beings — are indeed capable of producing new brain cells. And in February, scientists reported for the first time that brand-new nerves in adult mouse brains appeared to conduct impulses — a finding that addressed lingering concerns that newly formed adult neurons might not function."

Comments

Re:fat cells and muscle cells, too?

[LeadLine]

I don't know where you studied, but as far as I know, you create tiny rips in your muscles when you work out and new cells are grown to bridge the tear.

Re:fat cells and muscle cells, too?

[Hurricane78]

No. That it outdated knowledge and is actually an overworking of your muscles. I know that it's stated again, and again, and again, by people who seem to be experts by all standards. Yet there is proper proof that it's not the right way to get stronger, and actually creates scar tissue. So you might get bigger muscles, but not really stronger ones! The strength comes from the tissue that did *not* rupture,and was allowed to grow.

So it's better to lift a lighter weight more often, than a heavier one just a couple of times.