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Speed-accuracy tradeoff turns up gain in the brain

A recent study published in eNeuro resolves a long-standing issue in decision-making by showing how the brain optimizes speed and accuracy. Researchers found that the brain adjusts signal-to-noise ratio to balance speed and accuracy, shedding light on the neural mechanisms underlying this crucial aspect of human behavior.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournaleNeuro·DateJun 4, 2018
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.

Study reveals how the brain decides to make an effort

A new study published in PNAS found that the brain's ventromedial prefrontal cortex plays a key role in forming expectations underlying effort-based choices. The study used fMRI to model neural computations for effort and reward, revealing a clear role for three brain regions: the vmPFC, dACC, and aI.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 14, 2018

Combining GANs and reinforcement learning for drug discovery

The Adversarial Threshold Neural Computer (ATNC) model, a proof-of-concept, combines Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) with Reinforcement Learning (RL) to generate novel small organic molecules. The GAN-RL architecture demonstrated the ability to produce valid and unique molecular structures, paving the way for future drug discovery.

SourceInSilico Medicine·JournalMolecular Pharmaceutics·DateMay 10, 2018

Four NYU faculty win Sloan Foundation research fellowships

Four NYU faculty members have been awarded Sloan Research Fellowships for their outstanding contributions to science and engineering. Miranda Holmes-Cerfon develops mathematical tools to study mesoscale materials, while Tianning Diao works on sustainable synthetic methods for pharmaceutical products.

SourceNew York University·DateFeb 15, 2018

Machines just revealed the evolution of language

Machine learning scientists at Disney Research developed a dynamic word embeddings model that uncovers how the meanings of words change over time. The model, which integrates neural networks and statistics used in rocket control systems, detects semantic change throughout history by analyzing semantic vector spaces.

SourceDisney Research·DateAug 7, 2017
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.

The future of search engines

A team of researchers from the University of Texas at Austin has developed novel approaches to information retrieval that leverage artificial intelligence, crowdsourcing, and supercomputing. Their method combines input from multiple annotators to determine the best overall annotation for a given text, improving accuracy in extracting d...

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·DateAug 3, 2017

Cognitive hearing aid filters out the noise

Researchers at Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science have made a breakthrough in auditory attention decoding (AAD) methods, bringing cognitively controlled hearing aids closer to reality. The new system can automatically separate individual speakers from a mixture, determine which speaker the user is listening t...

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalJournal of Neural Engineering·DateAug 3, 2017

Analytic technique could allow neural networks to run on cellphones

Researchers have developed a method for designing energy-efficient neural networks, reducing power consumption by up to 73% compared to standard implementations. The new approach uses an analytic tool to evaluate and prune low-weight connections, resulting in more efficient networks with fewer connections.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateJul 18, 2017
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.

Model sheds light on inhibitory neurons' computational role

A new computational model reveals a winner-take-all operation is enabled by a configuration of inhibitory neurons. The model, developed by MIT researchers, uses theoretical computer science to prove that a specific arrangement of inhibitory neurons is necessary for the operation.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateJan 9, 2017

Neural circuits underlying fly larval locomotion

This review article discusses the neural control mechanisms behind fly larval locomotion, a complex motor behavior shared by both vertebrate and invertebrate species. Key findings from Drosophila models reveal the crucial role of genes in regulating locomotor rhythm and pattern generation.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Pharmaceutical Design·DateDec 15, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Stem cell-derived 'organoids' help predict neural toxicity

A team of scientists developed a new system using stem cells to model features of the developing human brain that could be targeted by toxic chemicals or drugs. The approach, described in PNAS, uses machine learning to build a predictive model from RNA sequencing data collected from neural tissue constructs exposed to different chemicals.

SourceMorgridge Institute for Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 21, 2015

Computer network rivals primate brain in object recognition

A study published in PLOS Computational Biology found that an artificial deep neural network performs as well as the primate brain at object recognition. This achievement could pave the way for significant advancements in artificial intelligence and our understanding of primate visual processing.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateDec 18, 2014

Prolonged electrical stimulation causes no damage to sacral nerve roots in rabbits

A recent study found that prolonged electrical stimulation does not cause damage to the sacral nerve roots of rabbits. The research suggests that neurons in the rabbit sacral nerve roots can tolerate long-term electrical stimulation, which could have implications for the treatment of spinal cord injuries.

SourceNeural Regeneration Research·JournalNeural Regeneration Research·DateJul 28, 2014
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Human brain evolution, new insight through X-rays

A new X-ray scan has provided the highest resolution and most accurate image of an early human ancestor's brain case. The study challenges previous models of brain evolution by revealing a surprisingly small brain volume and a mix of characteristics that resemble both humans and chimpanzees.

SourceEuropean Synchrotron Radiation Facility·JournalScience·DateSep 8, 2011

Interaction with neighbors: Neuronal field simulates brain activity

A computational model developed by RUB scientists simulates brain activity through neighbor interactions, facilitating faster processing of moving objects. The model, published in PLoS Computational Biology, uses a neural field approach to describe the complex dynamics of cortical neurons.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateSep 27, 2010
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.

Learning strategies are associated with distinct neural signatures

Researchers at Caltech identified two learning strategies associated with unique neural signatures, model-free and model-based learning. Model-free learning relies on trial-and-error comparisons, while model-based learning generates cognitive maps of environments, enabling adaptability in novel situations.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNeuron·DateMay 26, 2010

Mollusks taste memories to build shells

Researchers developed a computer program that replicates complex seashell patterns using simple principles from brain function. The 'neural net' model shows how mollusks sense and build their shells based on previous layers, much like the human brain projects memories.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 1, 2009

New insights into the dynamics of the brain's cortex

A study published in PLOS ONE demonstrates that the spontaneous activity of small neuronal networks in the cortex consists of highly structured patterns rather than random noise. These patterns are shaped by network connectivity and can be used to inform researchers about the underlying anatomy.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 13, 2008

Mental processing is continuous, not like a computer

Researchers found that language comprehension involves continuous processing and competition between representations, contradicting traditional discrete models. The study used mouse movements to track students' processing of words, revealing curved trajectories indicating gradual ambiguity resolution.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 27, 2005

Rat whisking may provide insight into debilitating eye disorder

Scientists have identified a positive feedback loop in rat whiskers that helps gather sensory information, potentially leading to new treatments for blepharospasm. The discovery could also deepen understanding of the human eyeblink circuit and its connection to neural circuits.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNeuron·DateFeb 2, 2005
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.

Are you slow in coordinating your thoughts?

Researchers found a speed limit to neural network synchronization, set by network connectivity. The analysis revealed that even strong interactions cannot achieve faster synchronization than an upper limit. This could severely limit the speed of information processing in the brain.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 8, 2004

Do you compute?

Scientists create detailed computer simulations of brain neurons and their assemblies to understand how the brain computes. They're building VLSI chips that accurately model retinas and can produce output spikes matching real retinae, with potential applications in retinal implants.

SourceOffice of Naval Research·DateDec 17, 2001

Computer model to predict toxic algal outbreaks

A new computer model has shown early success in predicting toxic blue-green algae blooms up to four weeks before they occur. The model uses artificial neural networks to learn key factors contributing to algal outbreaks, enabling accurate forecasts and better understanding of the factors involved.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·DateJun 8, 2000

Blocking growth factor halts tumor advance, spread in mice

Researchers found that blocking the interaction between two naturally occurring molecules restricts tumor growth and spread in mice. Inhibition of RAGE-amphoterin interaction decreased tumor cell growth, migration, and invasion without affecting angiogenesis.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalNature·DateMay 16, 2000
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.

Why, in Superbowl of statistical mechanics, famous players could never cross goal line: 3-D proof for Ising model impossible, researcher proves

Computational biologist Sorin Istrail shows that the solution of Ising's model cannot be extended into three dimensions for any lattice, making exact solutions unattainable. The model, developed by Ernst Ising in 1926, has been extensively studied in one and two dimensions but remains unsolvable in three dimensions.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·DateApr 16, 2000

Over-The-Horizon Radar: From The Cold War To The Drug War

Recent progress in Over-The-Horizon (OTH) radar technology is reviewed, including advancements in detection and tracking systems. Key findings include improved capabilities in clutter-dominated environments and the development of advanced algorithms to mitigate distortion mechanisms.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalRadio Science·DateJul 27, 1998
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

"Noisy" Ventilators Are Better Ventilators

Scientists at Boston University report a new model of ventilator assisted lung function that incorporates 'noise' to improve gas exchange in patients with lung injury. The approach may also minimize additional trauma by enhancing the avalanche-like opening of airways and alveoli during inhalation.

SourceBoston University·JournalNature·DateMay 14, 1998

Computer Models Of The Heart Can Help Cure Cardiac Ills

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University use computer models to study serious cardiac disorders and test potential treatments. By mimicking the heart's physiological functions in a highly detailed model, they aim to find medicines that can prolong the lives of millions suffering from congestive heart failure.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·DateJul 29, 1997
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.

One-Time Carotid Artery Screening Is Cost-Effective, Model Suggests

A computer model developed by researchers at WashU Medicine suggests that one-time carotid artery screening is beneficial for asymptomatic men with high-risk factors, preventing strokes at a relatively low cost. However, annual screening would be prohibitively expensive and may even increase stroke risk in low-risk individuals.

SourceWashU Medicine·DateFeb 3, 1997