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How adults understand what kids are saying

Researchers used computational models to analyze thousands of hours of transcribed audio recordings of children and adults interacting. The findings suggest that adults' ability to make context-based interpretations provides crucial feedback for babies acquiring language. These interpretations are critical for understanding what small ...

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateOct 26, 2023

Study: Deep neural networks don’t see the world the way we do

Researchers found that deep neural networks often respond the same way to images with no resemblance to the target, generating unnatural signals. The models develop unique invariances that are different from human perceptual systems, causing them to perceive pairs of stimuli as similar despite their differences.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateOct 16, 2023
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.

Unleashing the power of AI to track animal behavior

GlowTrack, a non-invasive movement tracking method using fluorescent dye markers, improves the capture of diverse movements in laboratories. This technique enables easier comparison of movement data between studies, increasing scientific discovery and advancing fields like biology, robotics, and medicine.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 26, 2023

Computational model helps with diabetes drug design

Researchers developed a computational model to analyze glucose-responsive insulin (GRI) performance in human patients. The model predicted that differences in sugar receptor behavior between humans and lab animals led to the drug's poor effect in clinical trials. This breakthrough helps researchers design better GRIs, potentially reduc...

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalACS Pharmacology & Translational Science·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 20, 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.

Brain modelling used to identify necessary circuits of consciousness

The study identified two relevant circuits in patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC), including the thalamo-frontotemporal region and the posterior cortical region. These findings bring a new understanding of brain networks and could improve diagnosis and treatment for people suffering from DoC.

SourceHuman Brain Project·JournalHuman Brain Mapping·DateJun 16, 2023

Illusions are in the eye, not the mind

A new study suggests that simple limitations in neural responses explain visual illusions, rather than deeper psychological processes. Researchers developed a model that combines information on neural firing speeds, pattern perception, and natural scene assumptions to predict how animals see colour and understand visual illusions.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJun 15, 2023

Computational model mimics humans’ ability to predict emotions

Researchers at MIT have designed a computational model that can predict other people's emotions, including joy, gratitude, and regret. The model uses insights into human intuition, incorporating factors such as desires, expectations, and observation of actions to make predictions.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 6, 2023

Think harder, not faster: how network structure shapes decision-making

Researchers built personalized brain network models to simulate brain dynamics and found that people with higher fluid intelligence took more time to solve difficult tasks compared to those with lower FI. This suggests that a synchronized brain is better at solving problems but not necessarily faster.

SourceHuman Brain Project·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 5, 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.

Intelligent brains take longer to solve difficult problems

Researchers found that higher intelligence scores are only associated with quicker performance on simple tasks, while more difficult problems require more time and lead to better results. The brain models also showed that slower brains make fewer errors due to reduced synchrony between brain areas.

SourceBIH at Charité·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 2, 2023

New way to model human brain immune cells

Researchers create a human-brain-like environment to study microglia development and function for the first time in living human-derived tissue. The findings suggest that brain environment influences microglia development and function, particularly in diseases such as autism spectrum disorder and Alzheimer's disease.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell·DateMay 11, 2023
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

New in The Lancet Neurology: Advances in brain modelling open a path to digital twin approaches for brain medicine

Researchers at the Human Brain Project present novel clinical uses of advanced brain modelling methods, enabling clinicians to simulate epileptic seizures and identify target areas. The approach has broad applicability in neuroscience, medicine, and neurotechnology, with potential improvements in data resolution and patient specificity.

SourceHuman Brain Project·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·DateMar 27, 2023

Human Brain Project researchers develop new full-scale 3D structural model of the human hippocampus

Researchers have created a high-resolution, single-cell model of the human hippocampus CA1 area using data from the BigBrain Atlas. The model replicates the structure and architecture of the neurons, as well as their connectivity. This advancement in neuroscience has potential applications for modeling other brain regions.

SourceHuman Brain Project·JournalNature Computational Science·DateMar 24, 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
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.

Personalized brain modeling technique may lead to breakthroughs in clinical epilepsy trial

A personalized brain modeling approach is being tested in a large-scale clinical trial for drug-resistant epilepsy, aiming to improve surgery preparation and patient specificity. The technique uses virtual models of patients' brains to simulate abnormal activity during seizures, helping clinicians identify target areas more effectively.

SourceHuman Brain Project·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 26, 2023

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 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.

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

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

UCLA researchers provide new framework for studying brain organization

Researchers at UCLA have developed a new framework for studying the organization of the human brain by combining data simulation and experimental observation. The study reveals that a small number of spatiotemporal patterns can unify various observations, providing a description of global functional brain organization.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJul 28, 2022

HBP scientists have simulated how the Parkinson’s brain responds to deep stimulation at multiple scales

Researchers used microcircuit models of basal ganglia and thalamus areas to create multiscale models of Parkinson's patient and healthy control brain. They found that in-silico deep brain stimulation could normalize decreased firing rates in subcortical regions, but also caused differential activity in the motor cortex.

SourceHuman Brain Project·JournalExperimental Neurology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 22, 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.

Researchers discovered a mechanism shared by mutations in different genes associated with autism, schizophrenia, and other conditions

A study led by Tel Aviv University researchers reveals a common mechanism underlying genetic mutations associated with autism, schizophrenia, and other neurological disorders. The discovery points to an experimental drug developed by the team as a potential treatment for these conditions.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalMolecular Psychology Brain Behavior and Society·DateMay 24, 2022

Quantifying cognitive decline in dogs could help humans with Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers have developed a multi-dimensional approach to quantify cognitive decline in aging dogs, which may also inform human Alzheimer's disease treatment. The method combines physical exams, lab tests, and cognitive assessments to provide a more complete picture of canine cognitive function.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Alzheimer’s Disease·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 9, 2022

Brain metastasis looking back in the mirror

Researchers created patient-derived models of brain metastases that recapitulate human disseminated disease, reflecting clinical manifestations and biological characteristics. These models can be used to test therapeutic value of different treatments and explore new approaches tailored to each patient.

SourceInstituto de Medicina Molecular·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 3, 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.

Miniature brain models help understand autism

Scientists at ISTA used brain organoids to study the effects of CHD8 mutations on brain development. The study found that mutant organoids produced larger amounts of neurons, leading to brain overgrowth and macrocephaly similar to patient symptoms.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 5, 2022

Can machine-learning models overcome biased datasets?

Researchers studied how diverse neural network training datasets impact generalization. They found that data diversity is key to overcoming bias, but also degrade performance when neural networks are trained for multiple tasks simultaneously. The study highlights the importance of designing diverse and controlled datasets in machine le...

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·DateFeb 21, 2022
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.

Human miniature brain models may boost drug screening for neurological diseases

Neuroscientists have designed neural organoids with both mature neurons and astrocytic glial cells to study interactions between brain cells. The new technology enables the emulation of brain activity during healthy and disease states, opening doors to rapid drug screening for neurological diseases.

SourceHouston Methodist·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 9, 2022

Growth charts for the brain help to understand mental illness

Researchers at Radboud University Medical Center have created reference models for brain development and aging, providing personalized predictions for various brain conditions. These 'brain charts' enable early detection of mental disorders and help stratify subtypes, ultimately improving treatment outcomes.

SourceRadboud University Medical Center·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 1, 2022

Not all brains are equal: Why the human brain is more vulnerable to disease

Breakthrough research reveals Tuberous Sclerosis Complex arises from human-specific progenitor cells, explaining its pathology. Human-derived cerebral organoid models shed light on complex brain development and potential mechanisms for other diseases.

SourceIMBA- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 27, 2022

Where did that sound come from?

The MIT team developed a computer model that can perform sound localization tasks as well as humans, and adapts to real-world environments. The model uses convolutional neural networks and was trained on over 400 sounds, including human voices and animal sounds.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateJan 27, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Form follows function

Professor Alexander Ecker is awarded a Starting Grant to develop machine-learning methods to describe neurons' shape and function, leveraging a large dataset from the US Brain Initiative. The research aims to uncover how a neuron's shape relates to its role in sensory information processing.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·DateJan 14, 2022

When algorithms get creative

Researchers at the University of Bern have developed an approach called 'evolving-to-learn' (E2L) that enables computers to discover mechanisms of synaptic plasticity, leading to improved learning capabilities. The algorithm was tested in three scenarios and successfully solved new tasks by mimicking biological evolution.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournaleLife·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 10, 2021

Artificial intelligence sheds light on how the brain processes language

A new study reveals that high-performing AI next-word prediction models resemble the function of language-processing centers in the human brain. The models' activity patterns closely match those seen in the brain during language tasks, suggesting a potential connection between AI and human language processing.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 25, 2021
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.

New hope for the treatment of Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy

Researchers have created a human disease model of FCMD using stem cells from a patient, which successfully mimicked the disorder's brain defects. The study found that a small compound called Mannan-007 can restore αDG glycosylation and reduce FCMD-related defects.

SourceFujita Health University·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 1, 2021

Machine learning analysis identifies 50 conserved genes in both Drosophila fruit flies and humans strongly associated with neurological aging, suggesting potential for further aging-related studies using fruit flies as a model organism

A machine learning analysis has identified 50 genes strongly associated with neurological aging in both Drosophila fruit flies and humans. The study suggests that fruit flies could be used as a model organism to further investigate aging-related processes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2021
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.

Human stem cells enable model to test drug impact on brain's blood barrier

A new experimental model using human stem cells successfully tested the impact of a next-generation anti-inflammatory drug on the brain's blood-brain barrier. The results showed that the breakdown of the barrier is more complex than previously thought and can be prevented with antioxidants.

SourceKTH, Royal Institute of Technology·JournalSmall·DateJun 30, 2021

eNeuro publishes commentaries on upcoming documentary "In Silico"

The eNeuro special collection explores the documentary In Silico, featuring reactions from leading neuroscientists on brain modelling and massive research collaborations. The commentaries discuss next steps for large-scale initiatives, charismatic leadership's impact, and the history of building brain models.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournaleNeuro·DateApr 30, 2021

How the brain distinguishes fact from possibility

Research reveals that processing factual information elicits stronger brain activity compared to uncertain information in narratives. The brain adds new information to a model of the developing situation, with stronger activity in frontal medial areas for updating one's own beliefs.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournaleNeuro·DateDec 7, 2020

'Brain in a dish' models advance studies of neural development and disease

Recent advances using lab-grown brain organoids have improved understanding of human brain development and diseases. However, questions remain about how well these brain models mirror the complexity of the cortex. Studies show that organoids can reproduce a rich diversity of cell types found in the cerebral cortex, but fail to capture ...

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·DateOct 22, 2019
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.

Pigs help scientists understand human brain

Researchers have used a new imaging method to analyze brain activity in live pigs, discovering that pig brains are better platforms for studying human neurological conditions. The study suggests a promising approach to determining biomarkers or brain signatures that lead to CTE diagnosis while patients are still alive.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalBrain Connectivity·DateJun 20, 2019

How does brain structure influence performance on language tasks?

A new study using computational models shows promise in understanding how brain structure impacts performance on language-related tasks. The research found relationships between brain characteristics and task speed, potentially leading to advancements in treating diseases and enhancing human performance.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateOct 17, 2018

Machine-learning system processes sounds like humans do

Researchers trained a deep neural network to perform two auditory tasks, including speech and music identification. The model accurately replicated human performance and provided evidence for the hierarchical organization of the auditory cortex.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNeuron·DateApr 19, 2018
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.