Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Neuro chip records brain cell activity

A new technology, developed by University of Calgary researchers, enables recording brain cell activity for weeks with higher resolution than conventional methods. This allows researchers to investigate neurological diseases and cognitive functions like learning and memory in animal models.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 26, 2016
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.

MRI shows brain disruption in children with PTSD

A study using MRI found significant structural differences in the brains of children with PTSD compared to those without. The findings suggest a shift towards a more localized network structure, which may be a target for future treatments. This research could help develop new interventions for pediatric PTSD.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·JournalRadiology·DateOct 25, 2016

Brain modulyzer provides interactive window into the brain

A new tool developed at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory enables researchers to interactively explore brain hierarchical processes and shed light on neurological diseases like Alzheimer's. Brain Modulyzer combines multiple views of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data to provide context for brain connectivity data.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalIEEE/ACM Transactions on Computational Biology and Bioinformatics·DateOct 10, 2016

Stimulating neurons could protect against brain damage, research shows

Researchers at the Universities of Dundee and Strathclyde have identified a mechanism that allows neurons to protect against spreading brain damage. The discovery, published in Scientific Reports, suggests that stimulating this network activity could limit major brain damage and shorten recovery periods.

SourceUniversity of Strathclyde·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 4, 2016

EEG recordings prove learning foreign languages can sharpen our minds

A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that language learning boosts brain activity and increases neuroplasticity, leading to improved information processing. The more languages a person knows, the faster their brain adapts to new information.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 2, 2016

Where can I buy a chair like that? This app will tell you

A new app developed by Cornell researchers uses artificial intelligence to identify furniture brands and retailers based on photos of products. The system was trained using crowdsourced images and can search a vast database of iconic images from manufacturers' catalogs or specialized websites.

SourceCornell University·JournalACM Transactions on Graphics·DateAug 23, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Bioimaging: A clear view of the nervous system

A novel imaging technique allows visualization and monitoring of structural alterations in neuronal networks after traumatic brain damage, stroke, or aging processes. This enables detection and characterization of diseases like dementia, epilepsy, and metabolic disorders.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature Methods·DateAug 22, 2016

When it comes to recognizing shapes, timing is everything

Researchers at Salk Institute discover that the timing of brain activity, not just the number of spikes, is crucial for recognizing shapes and perceiving the world. The study's findings have potential applications in developing more accurate visual prosthetics for people with blindness.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNeuron·DateAug 4, 2016
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.

How insights into human learning can foster smarter artificial intelligence

Recent breakthroughs in creating artificial systems that outplay humans in games are rooted in neural networks inspired by information processing in the brain. The complementary learning systems theory explains how humans and animals learn, highlighting its potential importance as a framework for AI development.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Cognitive Sciences·DateJun 14, 2016

Stop cells in the brain

Researchers identified 'stop cells' in the brainstem of mice and lampreys that quickly end movement by activating neural networks. The study provides new insights into the neuronal control of movement termination in vertebrates.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalCell Reports·DateJun 14, 2016
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.

The primate brain is 'pre-adapted' to face potentially any situation

Scientists have discovered a special neural network in the primate brain that anticipates all possible situations, allowing for novel behavior adaptation. This 'reservoir computing' property enables the brain to create a universal representation of combinations, preparing primates for unlimited situations.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJun 10, 2016

Machines can learn to respond to new situations like human beings would

Researchers from KU Leuven have developed machines that can learn to tell the difference between familiar and unfamiliar objects, such as a blurred shape on the road. This technology has the potential to improve self-driving car safety by allowing machines to make more reasonable decisions in new situations.

SourceKU Leuven·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateApr 28, 2016

Physicists build 'electronic synapses' for neural networks

Researchers at MIPT create electronic synapses based on HfO2 memristors, exhibiting properties similar to biological synapses. The devices can model complex learning mechanisms, including LTP and LTD, and demonstrate spike-timing-dependent plasticity.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalNanoscale Research Letters·DateApr 20, 2016
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

It's a small world

Researchers at UCSB have mapped the network of circadian neurons that communicate to re-establish synchronization, finding a 'small-world structure' with hubs and short paths for communication. This discovery sheds light on how the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) regulates essential functions like sleep and hormone release.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 11, 2016

3-D technology enriches human nerve cells for transplant to brain

Researchers developed a 3D micro-scaffold technology that promotes reprogramming of stem cells into neurons and supports growth of neuronal connections. The system improved cell-survival rates by nearly 40-fold compared to individual cell injections, enabling the potential treatment for human neurodegenerative disorders.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Biomedical Imaging & Bioengineering·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 17, 2016
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

New learning procedure for neural networks

A new learning procedure developed by Robert Gütig enables neural networks to filter out irrelevant sensory impressions and link them to events occurring after a delay. This breakthrough has significant implications for technological applications like automatic speech recognition.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateMar 10, 2016

New insights into the functional organization of the somatosensory cortex

Researchers at Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience used electrophysiological and optical approaches to visualize and manipulate neuronal activity in individual neurons of the somatosensory cortex. They found that the formation of functional microcircuits was determined by specific settings and the number of neurons stimulated...

SourceMax Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 8, 2016

Neural connectivity dictates altruistic behavior

A new study suggests that specific brain network alignment influences whether altruism stems from empathy or reciprocity. Researchers found distinct patterns in brain connectivity between individuals exhibiting different levels of altruism.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateMar 3, 2016
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.

Same switches program taste and smell in fruit flies

Fruit flies develop complex nervous systems through a set of genetic control switches that interact early in development to generate dozens of types of olfactory neurons. The same gene network also plays a role in programming taste neurons, suggesting the same basic mechanism could be at work in other animals.

SourceDuke University·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateFeb 3, 2016
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.

Chip could bring deep learning to mobile devices

Researchers at MIT have developed a new chip called Eyeriss that can enable mobile devices to run powerful artificial-intelligence algorithms locally. This could improve performance, reduce latency and allow for more efficient processing of data without relying on Wi-Fi connections.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateFeb 3, 2016

Neural networks adapt to the presence of a toxic HIV protein

Researchers found that HIV protein Tat alters networked neuron activity and leads to adaptations that improve survival but impair function. The study suggests that targeting these adaptations could facilitate therapeutic intervention for seizure disorders and other neurological symptoms in HIV-infected patients.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent HIV Research·DateJan 29, 2016

Scientists build a neural network using plastic memristors

Researchers from Russia and Italy develop neural network based on polymeric memristors, enabling machine vision and intelligent control systems. The networks can learn and perform logical operations, offering a promising alternative to traditional computing methods.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalOrganic Electronics·DateJan 27, 2016
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.

Penn-engineered neural networks show hope for axonal repair with minimal disruption to brain tissue

Lab-grown neural networks can replace damaged axon tracks in patients with severe head injuries, strokes, or neurodegenerative diseases. The micro-TENNS, made of mature cerebral cortical neurons and long axonal projections, integrate into existing brain structures and reconstitute missing pathways.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Neural Engineering·DateJan 20, 2016

Absence of serotonin alters development and function of brain circuits

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University created a complete model to describe serotonin's role in brain development and structure. The study supports the importance of serotonin for normal functioning of neurons, synapses, and networks in the cortex.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalJournal of Neurophysiology·DateDec 23, 2015
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.

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.

Watching a memory form

Researchers found joiner neurons that can be pre-positioned for rapid recruitment into memories, changing how brain networks adjust to build memories. This discovery has implications for understanding memory formation and developing new strategies for brain injury recovery.

SourceRosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science·JournalCurrent Biology·DateNov 5, 2015

US neuroscientists call for creation of 'brain observatories'

Leading US neuroscientists advocate for a coordinated national network of neurotechnology centers to accelerate the BRAIN Initiative. The proposed brain observatories would unite and synergize hundreds of individual laboratories, enabling rapid progress in key areas like connectomics and neural nanoprobe systems.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateOct 15, 2015

A national network of neurotechnology centers for the BRAIN Initiative

A national network of neurotechnology centers is proposed to accelerate the BRAIN Initiative, a decade-long scientific project with over $300 Million budget. The centers would tackle critical areas like Connectomics, Nanotechnology, and Optical Imaging, providing an alternative STEM career path for postdocs and graduate students.

SourceColumbia University·JournalNeuron·DateOct 15, 2015
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.

Penn Medicine researchers discover hidden brain pathways crucial to communication

Researchers discovered two major types of cortical neurons providing separate mechanisms for stimulus-specific adaptation in the brain. This phenomenon helps the brain distinguish between expected and unexpected sounds, enhancing sensitivity to rare sounds. The findings provide new insights into the neural basis of key hearing phenomena.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·DateOct 12, 2015

Project aims to help brain fix itself

Rice University researchers are combining experiments and computational analysis to learn how the brain organizes itself after injury. They aim to direct the growth of new neurons to treat stroke and neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceRice University·DateOct 6, 2015

Optogenetic research shows which neurons flip fertility master switch

Researchers have identified kisspeptin neurons as the key players in generating episodic hormone pulses crucial to normal reproductive functioning. These findings hold promise for developing new fertility treatments targeting brain circuitry disorders, which contribute to up to one-third of all infertility cases.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 5, 2015

Research grasps how the brain plans gripping motion

The study found that neurons in the ventral premotor cortex retain information about objects and generate unique grip patterns. This advances brain-computer interfaces, enabling people with severe paralysis to control robotic arms and hands using their thoughts.

SourceBrown University·DateJul 28, 2015
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.

Neuroscience-based algorithms make for better networks

Researchers developed an algorithm inspired by brain pruning, which eliminates unneeded connections in early childhood. The neuroscience-based approach created more efficient and robust networks than traditional engineering methods.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJul 16, 2015

Scientists 'watch' rats string memories together

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that the mammalian brain likely reconstructs memories in a way more like jumping across stepping stones than walking across a bridge. The study used electrode implants to track nerve cells firing in rats' brains as they planned their next move, revealing gaps between discrete memories.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalScience·DateJul 15, 2015

Fine tuning in the brain

Researchers developed a computer model to simulate the biological processes of neural network development in the visual cortex. The results show that newborns possess specialized nerve cells but lack systematic connections, which are refined through experience, leading to improved perception.

SourceBernstein Coordination Site (BCOS)·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJul 1, 2015

WSU Spokane researchers isolate smallest unit of sleep to date

Scientists have isolated the smallest unit of sleep, discovering that it originates from small neural networks. The research, published in European Journal of Neuroscience, allows for the independent isolation of sleep for research without physiological factors.

SourceWashington State University·JournalEuropean Journal of Neuroscience·DateJun 9, 2015

A patient's budding cortex -- in a dish?

Researchers have developed mini cultured 3-D structures that grow and function like the outer mantle of the brain, allowing for modeling and understanding of mental illnesses. The new 'human cortical spheroids' buzz with neuronal network activity, providing a potential breakthrough in personalized medicine.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·JournalNature Methods·DateMay 29, 2015
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.

Brain learning simulated via electronic replica memory

Scientists developed a novel adaptive-control approach to mimic synapses in the human brain. This method uses memristors, which display resistance dependent on past states, enabling anti-synchronisation phenomena and improving system stability.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateMay 18, 2015

Object recognition for free

Researchers at MIT have created a system that can label visual scenes according to type and also detect particular objects. The system uses deep learning and achieved an accuracy of 50% in labeling scenes, outperforming human performance in some cases.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateMay 8, 2015

3-D models of neuronal networks reveal organizational principles of sensory cortex

Researchers created detailed 3D models of rodent brain's sensory cortex, showing interconnected networks across cortical columns. The study found that neurons in different cell types project to multiple columns, with non-uniform axon projection patterns, and these pathways can encode complex sensory information.

SourceMax Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience·JournalCerebral Cortex·DateMay 5, 2015

Study reveals Internet-style 'local area networks' in cerebral cortex of rats

A massive data compilation of 40 years' worth of research on rat brains reveals local networks of neurons, similar to the Internet, governing various functions such as vision, learning, and bodily concerns. This discovery opens a new avenue for connecting human brain studies with animal models, potentially leading to breakthroughs in n...

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 6, 2015

A 'sponge' for culturing neurons

Researchers created the first 3D neuronal culture with functioning neurons and astrocytes, using a sponge-like elastomeric scaffold. The technique allowed for direct comparison between 2D and 3D cultures, showing that 3D cultures have improved functional complexity and organization.

SourceInternational School of Advanced Studies (SISSA)·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 27, 2015
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Sea slug provides new way of analyzing brain data

Researchers mapped how neurons fired in the brain of a sea slug while it moved, revealing large groups of co-active neurons that can be dramatically simplified and interpreted. This approach may help understand how brain networks change in disease states and how drugs act to restore normal brain function.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalNeuron·DateMar 26, 2015

The welding system of the future is self-learning

The new self-learning welding system is controlled by a neural network program that tracks multiple variables, such as bevel angle, thermal profile, and weld form to detect and correct errors in real-time. This technology has the potential to bring significant savings to the welding industry by eliminating post-welding checks and repairs.

SourceLappeenranta University of Technology·DateMar 20, 2015