The brain rewires itself when learning a second language
The brain of an adult undergoes changes to adapt to the process of learning a second language. Continue reading The brain rewires itself when learning a second language
The brain of an adult undergoes changes to adapt to the process of learning a second language. Continue reading The brain rewires itself when learning a second language
New research shows that the perception of taste, in addition to signals from the stomach, may influence how much and how fast we eat. Continue reading Taste signals help pace food consumption
Knowing the type of brain tumor can help determine how aggressive the surgeon should be in removing it. A new study has created a procedure using machine learning and DNA sequencing to quickly classify tumors and guide the surgery while it is happening. Continue reading Machine learning can rapidly identify brain tumor type to guide surgery
by Muhammet M. Ozturkfigures by Wei Wu For decades, scientists have been intrigued by how the brain controls the body. This curiosity led them to discover neurons, the brain’s messenger cells. Neurons, which receive, transmit, and process information, are arguably the most famous cells in our brain. The attention they get might suggest that the brain is only made up of neurons. However, about half … Continue reading Microglia: The protectors of the brain
Researchers at the Pasteur Institute in Paris identified a molecular pathway that links the gut microbiome to mood disorders. Continue reading Bacteria in the Gut can Influence Brain Function and Mood Disorders
Why is it that some people seem to have better memories than others? A team of scientist from Stanford reported that frequent attention lapses may be a cause, and people who are heavy media multitaskers are more likely to suffer from this. Continue reading Stop Multitasking on Your Phone: Media Multitasking May Lead to Attention Lapses and Poor Memory
How do you introduce yourself, scientifically? My name is Dana Boebinger, and I’m an auditory cognitive neuroscientist. I study how the brain understands sound; I specifically study humans, and how the brain understands the kinds of sounds that are particularly relevant for humans, like speech and music. What are the implications or broader impacts of your work? I do basic science, which aims to advance fundamental … Continue reading What Does a Cognitive Neuroscientist Do?
Scientists from North Carolina State University have applied deep learning algorithms to track neurodegeneration in worms, allowing for much faster image processing and extraction of cellular features that can distinguish between neurodegeneration arising from different sources. Continue reading Can an Artificial Brain Help Study a Real One?
Results from a phase 2 clinical trial reveal that a new two-drug therapy for ALS can slow disease progression by six weeks over a six-month period. This therapy could possibly improve lifespan and quality of life, and may be effective in other neurodegenerative disorders as well. Continue reading Slowing ALS with a Two-Drug Therapy
Materials engineers at MIT have developed a new, more reliable design for a “memristor,” a component of computer circuits that could revolutionize artificial intelligence, improve efficiency of learning, lower energy costs, and fundamentally change the design of computers. Continue reading Thinking with Memristors