Here First - Science and Technology Blog

A team of neuroscientists researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory , New York, USA, led by Professor Pavel Osten, has developed a new technique to create images of the entire brain, after having conducted experiments on the brains of mice. The new technique takes successive images of brain sections precisely, using a laser microscope with two photons. The resulting images are then computer processed, resulting in a three-dimensional image of the entire brain. Developed in conjunction with the TissueVision company, new brain scanning technique was called Serial Two-Photon Tomography - STP . Study leader, Professor Pavel Osten argues that this new technology is extremely accurate and is sufficiently developed to be already used in specific procedures. The researchers tested the process at different resolutions, from 1-2 microns to less than one micron and obtained a complete set of data regarding the studied brain from 6.5-8.5 hours and a standby time considerably reduced c...

An American pathologist from Indiana University along with an international team of researchers extracted DNA samples from the brains of deceased patients belonging to the period 1896-1938 in order to observe if they contain genes related to schizophrenia or other mental illness. It is believed that schizophrenia is caused by certain genetic variations, but researchers were unable to identify the precise mutation or series of mutations that are directly related to the disease. Scientists took advantage of the fact that brain samples dating from the late 19th and early 20th century are kept perfectly preserved museum in a special substance (a form flammable gelatin and cellulose). The brains were not affected in any way by modern medicaments and have with clinical notes. However, extracting DNA and RNA samples was not easy, because the brains must be treated with liquid nitrogen at -180 degrees Celsius temperature. Although researchers have not published their findings, if DN...

Folks who consume baked or baked fish every week could be ameliorating their brain wellness and cutting down their risk of getting mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease. The study establishes a direct connection between fish eating habbits, brain structure and Alzheimer's risk. "The results showed that people who consumed baked or broiled fish at least one time per week had better preservation of gray matter volume on MRI in brain areas at risk for Alzheimer's disease." Alzheimer's disease is an incurable, graduated brain disorder that slowly ruins memory and cognitive skills. National Institute on Aging reports that 5.1 million US citizens may have Alzheimer's disease. In MCI, blackout is present but it's not that aggressive. Folks with MCI usually go on to germinate Alzheimer's disease. "Consuming baked or broiled fish promotes stronger neurons in the brain's gray matter by making them larger and healthier,...

Fetching the real life into the brain digital scanner, men of science at The University of Western Ontario from The Centre for Brain and Mind can at present ascertain the action an individual was planning, bare moments ahead that action is actually accomplished. You can find this discovery in the Journal of Neuroscience. "This is a considerable step forward in our understanding of how the human brain plans actions," alleged Jason Gallivan, a Western Neuroscience PhD student, who was the first author on the paper. This was a study that lasted over an year. Human subjects let their brainpower activity scanned applying functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) when they executed hand motions: apprehending the top of an object, seizing the bottom of the object, or simply extending and touching the object. The group discovered that by utilising the signals from numerous brain areas, they could anticipate, better than chance, which of the activities the volunteer was ...

In a recent study, it was ascertain that not just heart attacks are troubling teens this days, but cerebrovascular accident also, allege neurologists, who are seeing rise in the incidence of brain strokes in youngs working too hard, partying to extensive, alcohol-enjoying, or smoking above normal. Believed to be the second contributing killer by the WHO, cerebrovascular accident in young people happen due to the equivalent causes as they do in aged ones—high blood pressure, diabetes and heart conditions. The medium incidence of CVA is higher in citizenry aged above 60 years, but this does not mean it won't happen if you are young. The most effective ways of precluding a "brain stroke" is to work out — it's the only path to better the circulation in your brain. The inherited factor could also be important. Consequently, neurologists need to assemble and advise the family of a CVA patient, and counsel his minors to get their blood pressure and blood sugar tested...

Researchers are applying the latest neuroscience tools to break open the black box of the mind to expose the mysteries of our decision-making process. From CEOs to firefighters, how does each individual brain make decisions? And how can we make those decisions better?

Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have determined that by using chemicals to control genes in a developing fertilized egg, they have been capable to convert the brain of one type of cichlid fish to resemble that of different. The investigators also ascertained divergences in the general modeling of the brain very early in evolution before working neurons form in a procedure known as neurogenesis. This discovering is at odds with a well-held hypothesis called "late equals large." Read full article here

Researcher Kwabena Boahen is looking for ways to mimic the brain's supercomputing powers in silicon -- because the messy, redundant processes inside our heads actually make for a small, light, superfast computer. via ted.com

In spite of the long belief that the individual brain does not develop new neurons as we get old, recent analyses in the last years have determined that it does (our brains are shriking over the generations, however.) Just men of science were not certain what the new neurons do. A fresh study indicates they clear off the leftovers of old memories to create some space for new ones. The brain's hippocampus works like an inbox for memories, which then must be shuttled elsewhere for lasting storage. One function of new neurons is to clean out the inbox once memories are filed. A lot explore in this field is needed to verify the results. Read full story at ScienceNOW

Honda has recently developed new interface technology that allows humans to control the Asimo humanoid robot simply by thoughts. The interface is called BMI (brain-machine int.) and was developed along with Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR) and Shimadzu Corporation. It consists of a sensor-laden helmet that measures the user’s brain activity and a computer that analyzes the thought patterns and relays them as wireless commands to the robot. When the user thinks about moving his or her right hand, the pre-programmed Asimo responds several seconds later by raising its right arm. Likewise, Asimo lifts its left arm when the person thinks about moving their left hand, it begins to walk when the person thinks about moving their legs, and it holds its hand up in front of its mouth when the person thinks about moving their tongue. The high-precision BMI technology relies on three different types of brain activity measurements: - EEG (electroencephalography) ...

The Quantum Apocalypse: lifting of the veil, to uncover the true nature of one's self, to penetrate the surface of reality, the disclosure of hidden information, the evolution of consciousness, awakening of perception to the mysteries which lie beyond the ordinary range of human knowledge.