The human brain is one crazy computer, and while it’s been around for ages, there’s still a lot to learn about how it works. To that end, the Obama Administration is revving up to announce at ten-year plan to create a comprehensive map of the human brain, just like the one we have of the human genome. To know thyself, right? More »
Ever wonder what’s going through a fish’s mind? While we won’t develop underwater telepathy anytime soon, Saitama University can now show us the raw activity. Researchers have learned that injecting zebrafish larvae with green fluorescent protein puts on a light show whenever their neurons fire, illustrating very clearly just which brain regions are active in a given situation, such as chasing down a paramecium for food. The method is more effective and longer-lasting than using dye, and also provides further insight: scientists can clearly spot the neural path when the zebrafish spots and reacts to its prey. As the protein is relevant to humans as well, its longevity could lead to better, longer-term drug testing that shows the cause-and-effect link. Just don’t expect as much in the way of mental fireworks.
Via: Wired
Source: Current Biology
A team of Japanese researchers has achieved something incredible: they’ve captured, for the first time ever, a movie which shows how thoughts form in the brain. More »
Some days, after a good night’s rest and a protein rich breakfast, my brain works wonderfully. It’s well wrinkled, filled to the brim with answers and snapping synapses. Other days, after an epic night and a regurgitated breakfast, my brain just doesn’t want to be bothered. It’s smooth and thoughtless. How does that damn brain work? ASAP Science analyzes the brain by detailing the difference between fast thinking and slow thinking. You’re going to think in a whole new way after this. [YouTube] More »
The brain is a weird and wonderful part of the body, and one we don’t completely understand. You might already know that thinking actually changes the structure of your brain—but it can also improve your physical abilities, too. More »
If you’ve ever wondered what thinking about nothing looks like, here it is. It’s the result of an experiment by artist Gustav Metzger, who hooked himself up to a robotic carving machine—while thinking long and hard about absolutely nothing. More »
University of Waterloo neuroscientist Chris Eliasmith has spent the better part of his working years in figuring out just how one is able to build a brain. Well, he has compiled his thoughts into a book that comes complete with instructions, describing the grey matter’s architecture as well as the manner where all of the different components interact. In fact, Eliasmith’s team has come up with Spaun, touted to be “the world’s largest simulation of a functioning brain.”
Spaun is capable of recognizing numbers, taking note of lists and remembering them while writing them down. Heck, it is also capable of passing some basic aspects of an IQ test, although you won’t find it being the evil supercomputer that engineers the downfall of mankind by getting the rest of the machines to unite and work against everyone here on earth. At least not yet.
This simplified model of the brain is a true labor of love, taking more than a year to build, and yet is capable of capturing many aspects of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and psychological behavior.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Scanadu SCOUT Reads Your Vital Signs, Google Search Now Displays Key Facts To Medications,
Cancer survivors have long reported that chemotherapy changes their brains for the worse, leaving them with memory loss and an inability to concentrate. And now there’s firm evidence from West Virginia University School of Medicine that proves the existence of what has long been known as Chemo Brain. More »
Doctors have managed to communicate with a patient who’s been in a vegetative state for more than a decade by using brain scans—and he even told them he wasn’t in pain. More »
If it’s not one thing, it’s another: a new hypothesis floating around the scientific community suggests that evolving bigger brains and superior intellect may have led to a dramatically elevated risk of cancer in humans. Thanks, brain. More »
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