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The brain gets the big picture

Researchers used fMRI to study how the brain processes visual patterns. They found that a higher area of the brain recognizes patterns and sends a message back down to lower areas to stop responding, allowing for better detection of new or different items. This improved ability can enhance the brain's overall processing efficiency.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 31, 2002

Paper discusses circuitry for quantum computing

The paper proposes an experimentally realizable circuit and an efficient scheme to implement scalable quantum computing. Researchers aim to overcome two major stumbling blocks: preparing, manipulating, and measuring fragile quantum states and controlling connectivity between many qubits.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 23, 2002

Attention acts as visual glue

A recent brain mapping experiment provides significant new support for the theory that attention is the glue that cements visual information together, helping to solve the 'binding problem' in neuroscience. The study found increased activity in the parietal region when individuals were presented with multiple objects at once.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 1, 2002

Aging brain

Research by University of Michigan cognitive neuroscientist Patricia Reuter-Lorenz found that older adults activate both hemispheres of the brain to perform memory and information processing tasks. This bi-hemispheric processing may help compensate for age-related short-term memory and mental speed declines.