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Using virtual reality to investigate autism’s neural network dynamics

Researchers developed a VR imaging system to measure neural activity in mouse brains during behavior, revealing abnormalities in cortical functional network dynamics associated with autism. The system successfully distinguished between autism model mice and wild-type mice based on their brain network patterns.

SourceKobe University·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 28, 2023
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Machine learning combines with multispectral infrared imaging to guide cancer surgery

A new technique combines machine learning with short-wave infrared fluorescence imaging to detect precise tumor boundaries with higher accuracy than traditional methods. The approach achieved a remarkable per-pixel classification accuracy of 97.5 percent and demonstrated robustness against changes in imaging conditions.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 27, 2023

Progress in unlocking the brain's "code" for depression

Researchers collected electrophysiological recordings from prefrontal cortical regions in three human subjects with severe treatment-resistant depression. They found lower depression severity correlated with decreased low-frequency neural activity and increased high-frequency activity.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2023

How neuroimaging can be better utilized to yield diagnostic information about individuals

Researchers from Dartmouth and University Medicine Essen found that strong links between brain measures and traits can be obtained when machine learning algorithms are utilized. This approach allows for high-powered results from moderate sample sizes, opening up studies of many traits and clinical conditions previously inaccessible.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalNature·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 14, 2023

AI can help optimize CT scan X-ray radiation dose

Researchers developed AI models based on UNet and MobileNet architectures to analyze standardized abnormalities in CT images, accurately identifying object presence and confidence. These models achieved an absolute percentage error of less than 5 percent, comparable to human professionals.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Medical Imaging·DateMar 8, 2023
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

AI chatbot ChatGPT mirrors its users to appear intelligent

Researchers explore how AI language models like ChatGPT understand and respond to user input, mirroring their users' intelligence. The Reverse Turing Test reveals that chatbots reflect the intelligence level of their interviewers, incorporating their biases into responses.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNeural Computation·DateMar 6, 2023

AI predicts cancer patient survival by reading doctor's notes

A new AI model developed at the University of British Columbia accurately predicts cancer patient survival using natural language processing to analyze oncologist notes. The model shows over 80% accuracy in predicting six-month, 36-month and 60-month survival rates.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 2, 2023

New UCF project seeks to advance human understanding of AI reasoning

Researchers seek to develop algorithms providing meaningful explanations for AI decision-making, enabling higher human trust and adoption in fields like science. The project focuses on symbolic reasoning and estimating explanation accuracy, addressing the need for transparent AI systems.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·DateMar 1, 2023

Tiny worm plays a big role in learning whether Parkinson’s really starts in the gut

A tiny worm called C. elegans is enabling scientists to explore the emerging theory that Parkinson’s disease starts in the gut, where a sticky protein causes neurons to die. The worms have a digestive tract and neurotransmitters similar to humans, making them a great model for studying cognitive problems associated with Parkinson's.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·DateFeb 28, 2023
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Let's get wasted and apply some deep thinking to rubbish

Researchers are developing a deep learning model to predict where waste is accumulating in cities and how often public bins should be cleared. This can help councils optimise their waste management services, schedule bin clearances and relocate rarely used bins.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 26, 2023

Infants outperform AI in “commonsense psychology”

A new study by NYU researchers found that infants excel at spotting motivations driving human actions, while state-of-the-art AI models struggle. By comparing infant and machine intelligence on a series of tasks, the researchers shed light on the limitations of current AI systems.

SourceNew York University·JournalCognition·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 21, 2023
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

How the Mongolian gerbil may help speed recovery of a rare inner ear problem

Researchers developed a testing model to understand cognitive challenges of superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD), a rare condition causing sound-induced dizziness and hearing abnormalities. The Mongolian gerbil model shows promise for accelerating recovery with reversible diagnostic findings characteristic of patients with SSCD.

SourceRutgers University·JournalFrontiers in Neurology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2023

New release of Blue Brain Project Atlas sheds light on neuron types

The new Cell Atlas updates reveal that 20% of all neurons in the mouse brain are inhibitory, with detailed information on morphological and electrophysiological properties. The atlas combines various datasets to create a coherent framework for simulating neural circuits.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 16, 2023

Multiple sclerosis discovery could end disease’s chronic inflammation

Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have identified a vital contributor to hyperactive immune responses and neuroinflammation in multiple sclerosis. Blocking this regulator alleviated harmful inflammation in lab mice, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for new treatments.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·DateFeb 16, 2023

New technique maps large-scale impacts of fire-induced permafrost thaw in Alaska

A new technique maps the effects of fire-induced permafrost thaw in Alaska, revealing widespread topographic change and vegetation shifts. The study used a machine learning-based approach to quantify thaw settlement across 3 million acres of land, with results showing a significant loss of evergreen forest and shrubland encroachment.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 14, 2023
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Efficient technique improves machine-learning models’ reliability

Researchers at MIT developed a technique to improve machine-learning models' reliability without requiring additional data or extensive computing resources. The method uses a simpler companion model to estimate uncertainty, enabling more effective uncertainty quantification.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateFeb 13, 2023

How brains synchronize during cooperative tasks

Researchers employed computer vision to extract social behaviors and linked them to brain synchronization patterns in a novel approach. During cooperative play, brain synchronization was strongest when participants shared gaze, while individual play showed increased within-brain synchronization.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalNeurophotonics·DateFeb 13, 2023

Deep learning for quantum sensing

A team of researchers developed a model-free approach using deep reinforcement learning to optimize estimation of multiple parameters in quantum sensors. The protocol achieved significantly better estimations compared to nonadaptive strategies, demonstrating enhanced performance in resource-limited regimes.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateFeb 7, 2023

UCF researcher examines link between a protein and Alzheimer’s

A UCF cancer researcher is studying the molecular causes of Alzheimer's disease by examining a protein deficiency in the brain. His research may lead to new targets for therapy and earlier diagnosis. The study focuses on KLF8, a protein important for brain function that has been recorded as deficient in patients with Alzheimer's.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·DateFeb 6, 2023

Researchers demonstrate non-invasive method for assessing burn injuries

Researchers developed a neural network model that uses terahertz time-domain spectroscopy data to predict burn healing outcomes with high accuracy. The new approach improves upon existing methods by reducing training data requirements, making it more practical for processing large clinical trials.

SourceOptica·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateJan 30, 2023
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Neural prosthesis uses brain activity to decode speech

Researchers have developed a machine learning model that can predict the word about to be uttered by a subject based on their neural activity. The model achieved 55% accuracy using six channels of data and 70% accuracy using eight channels, comparable to other studies requiring electrodes over the entire cortical surface.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalJournal of Neural Engineering·DateJan 19, 2023

All in the mind – decoding brainwaves to identify the music we are listening to

Researchers at the University of Essex have developed a new technique that uses non-invasive brain wave monitoring to accurately identify the music someone is listening to. The method has been successfully tested on a dataset of simple piano music and shows promise for decoding language signals from the brain in the future.

SourceUniversity of Essex·JournalScientific Reports·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 19, 2023

Inner ear has a need for speed

Researchers have discovered a unique, fast synapse in the inner ear that processes signals faster than any other in the human body. This breakthrough could lead to improved treatments for vertigo and balance disorders affecting millions of Americans over 40.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 18, 2023
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Fruit flies grow brainy on a poor diet

Researchers at Kyoto University found that a poor, low-yeast diet causes fruit flies' larvae to grow dendrites in an unexpected way. The hyperarborization phenotype is triggered by a simultaneous deficiency in vitamins, metal ions, and cholesterol, which increases the production of Wingless signaling molecules from body wall muscle.

SourceKyoto University·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2023

How old is your brain, really? Artificial intelligence knows

A new AI model developed at USC accurately captures cognitive decline linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's much earlier than previous methods. The model analyzes MRI brain scans and detects subtle brain anatomy markers that correlate with cognitive decline, offering an unprecedented glimpse into human cognition.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeImaging analysis·DateJan 6, 2023
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

UCI-led study shows cognitively impaired degu is a natural animal model well suited for Alzheimer’s research

A UCI-led study reveals that outbred Chilean degu rodents exhibit robust neurodegenerative features, including hippocampal neuronal loss and altered parvalbumin staining, resembling human Alzheimer's Disease. This provides a practical model for studying sporadic AD.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalActa Neuropathologica Communications·TypeObservational study·DateDec 19, 2022

Effects of antidepressants taken during pregnancy are poorly understood, scientists note

A review of over 100 scientific articles suggests that the safety of antidepressants during pregnancy is endorsed by science, but their effects on fetal neurodevelopment are poorly understood. Brazilian researchers propose using lab-grown mini-brains to investigate this impact and identify potential alterations.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalSeminars in Cell and Developmental Biology·TypeSystematic review·DateDec 13, 2022

Report calls for improved oversight on chimeric human-animal research

A new report by The Hastings Center recommends clearer ethics guidelines and enhanced oversight for human-animal chimera research, which raises questions about animal welfare and moral status. The report also highlights the potential benefits of this research, including better disease models and organ transplantation.

SourceThe Hastings Center·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 12, 2022

Using light to manipulate neuron excitability

Researchers at MIT and Harvard University have developed a new optogenetics-based tool to manipulate neuron excitability using light. By altering the electrical capacitance of cell membranes, they can change how strongly neurons respond to electrical input, with potential applications in learning, aging, and brain disorders.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 7, 2022
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Aging | Krill oil protects dopaminergic neurons from age-related degeneration

Researchers discovered that krill oil protects dopaminergic neurons from age-related degeneration through temporal transcriptome rewiring and suppression of several hallmarks of aging. Krill oil increases neuronal resilience, promoting anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammation, and abrogating multiple aging hallmarks.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 23, 2022

Gene mutation leading to autism found to overstimulate brain cells

A Rutgers-led study found that a gene mutation associated with autism causes an overstimulation of brain cells, disrupting the normal information flow. The researchers used human stem cells and transplanting them into mouse brains to understand how the mutation affects brain development.

SourceRutgers University·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 21, 2022
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

A novel multi-modal image retrieval system by researchers from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology

A novel multi-modal image retrieval system, DenseBert4Ret, has been developed by researchers from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) using deep learning algorithms. The system outperforms state-of-the-art models in retrieving images based on both image and text features.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalInformation Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 8, 2022

New view on the brain: It’s all in the connections

Researchers propose a new network approach to understand brain function, suggesting that connections between brain regions are key to cognitive tasks. This new view also sheds light on individual variability and can be applied to predict symptoms in patients with brain lesions.

SourceRadboud University Nijmegen·JournalScience·DateNov 3, 2022
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Using sound to model the world

Researchers at MIT have developed a machine-learning model that captures how sounds propagate through spaces, allowing for accurate visual renderings of rooms. This technique has potential applications in virtual and augmented reality, as well as improving AI agents' understanding of their environment.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateNov 1, 2022

Even fruit flies count

A new computational model based on fruit fly brain data may help explain how humans process memories and experiences. The model suggests that living organisms, including humans, use a similar '1-2-3-many' count sketch to track encounters with familiar sights and smells.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 31, 2022

Deep learning with light

Researchers at MIT have developed a new method that uses optics to accelerate machine-learning computations on low-power devices. By encoding model components onto light waves, data can be transmitted rapidly and computations performed quickly, leading to over a hundredfold improvement in energy efficiency.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateOct 20, 2022
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Illinois Tech researchers extract personal information from anonymous cell phone data using machine learning, raising data security and privacy concerns

A team of Illinois Tech researchers used machine learning to estimate the age and gender of individual users with high accuracy, raising questions about data security and privacy. The study highlights the need for better regulations and best practices to protect personal information from being misused.

SourceIllinois Institute of Technology·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 12, 2022

Not so dumb: goldfish show a keen ability to estimate distances

Researchers at the University of Oxford discovered that goldfish can accurately estimate distances by processing visual cues. The study found that goldfish use 'optic flow' to estimate distance, unlike terrestrial animals which rely on changes in angle between their eye and surrounding objects.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 12, 2022

Learning on the edge

Researchers developed a new technique that enables on-device training using less than a quarter of a megabyte of memory, reducing the need for powerful computers and central servers. This approach preserves privacy by keeping data on the device, making deep learning more accessible for low-power edge devices.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateOct 4, 2022
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Nanoparticles can improve stroke recovery by enhancing brain stimulation, study shows

Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University found that brain stimulation combined with a nose spray containing nanoparticles can improve recovery after ischemic stroke. The treatment increased cognitive and motor functions, and weighed more quickly than those treated with TMS alone.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalMaterials Today Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2022

New therapeutic target could check the progress of Alzheimer’s disease

A new study proposes reducing toxic proteins in the blood as a potential therapy for Alzheimer's disease. By doing so, it aims to improve memory and learning capacity, as well as correct cognitive impairments. The next step is to test this treatment at a clinical level.

SourceUniversity of Malaga·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 23, 2022

How the brain develops: a new way to shed light on cognition

A new neurocomputational model introduces a three-level information processing framework to understand brain development and cognition. The model focuses on Hebbian learning and reinforcement learning, highlighting two fundamental mechanisms for multilevel cognitive ability development in biological neural networks.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 20, 2022
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Reverse-engineering the brain to decode input signals from output neuron firing

A team of researchers from Japan successfully reconstructed common brain input signals from the firing rates of neurons using a method called superposed recurrence plot. This breakthrough has significant implications for artificial intelligence, neuroscience, and potential treatments for mental health disorders.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalPhysical Review E·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 15, 2022

Machine learning gives glimpse of how a dog's brain represents what it sees

Researchers at Emory University used machine learning and fMRI to analyze a dog's brain activity while watching videos. The results show that dogs are more attuned to actions in their environment than to who or what is performing the action. This study offers proof of concept for decoding canine visual perception.

SourceEmory University·JournalJournal of Visualized Experiments·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 15, 2022

SUTD researchers develop new strategies to teach computers to learn like humans do

Researchers from Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) have developed a new Brain-Inspired Replay model that enables continual learning in edge computing systems without storing data. This approach achieves state-of-the-art accuracy and high energy efficiency, overcoming the stability-plasticity issue in traditional models.

SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalAdvanced Theory and Simulations·DateAug 30, 2022
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

These neurons have food on the brain

A study from MIT neuroscientists has identified a population of neurons in the visual cortex that respond to images of food. The researchers found four previously known populations and a fifth, more surprising population that appears to be selective for food images. This finding may reflect the special importance of food in human culture.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 25, 2022

Cedars-Sinai creates most realistic computer models of brain cells

Researchers at Cedars-Sinai created complex computer models of individual brain cells using artificial intelligence. These models capture the electrical signals that neurons fire to communicate with each other, allowing researchers to replicate brain activity at the single-cell level.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalCell Reports·DateAug 9, 2022

Sprint then stop? Brain is wired for the math to make it happen

Researchers found that the brain's cortex uses principles of calculus to implement a 'stop' signal, allowing for quick and precise decision-making in goal-directed behaviors. The study reveals how the brain integrates learned rules with sensory information to guide actions.

SourcePicower Institute at MIT·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2022
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Neurobiological model to better understand creative processes

A new neurobiological model provides a unified framework for understanding various forms of creativity, including abstract thinking, improvisation, and divergent problem-solving. The model suggests that different brain areas are activated depending on the type of creativity, with dopamine playing a crucial role in controlling and optim...

SourceJacobs University Bremen gGmbH·JournalNeuroscience·DateJun 2, 2022

Creating artificial intelligence that acts more human by ’knowing that it knows’

A team from Nagoya University created an artificial neural network model that performed the delayed matching-to-sample task and analyzed its behavior. The model was able to evolve to exhibit human-like metamemory, adapting to its environment by learning and evolving. This breakthrough aims to create machines with memories like humans.

SourceNagoya University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 1, 2022