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Swallowing triggers a feeling of elation

A study at the University of Bonn has revealed that fly larvae have special sensors triggered by swallowing, releasing serotonin to continue eating. This control circuit may also exist in humans and could help understand eating disorders such as anorexia or binge eating.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 13, 2024

Novel ultrafast electron microscopy technique advances understanding of processes applicable to brain-like computing

Researchers developed a new technique to study charge density waves in materials, revealing two previously unobserved ways electricity can manipulate their state. The method allows for the observation of nanoscale lengths and nanosecond speeds, with potential applications in energy-efficient microelectronics.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 5, 2024

Developed a 21-language, fast and high-fidelity neural text-to-speech technology that works on smartphones

A novel, fast and high-quality neural text-to-speech model was successfully developed using a Transformer encoder + ConvNeXt decoder and MS-FC-HiFi-GAN. The model can synthesize one second of speech at high speed in just 0.1 seconds using a single CPU core, achieving eight times faster synthesis than conventional methods.

New technology to control the brain using magnetic fields developed

Researchers have developed Nano-MIND technology, which uses magnetism to selectively activate specific deep brain neural circuits, modulating complex brain functions such as cognition and emotion. The technology has been successfully tested in animals, demonstrating its potential to regulate feeding behaviors and maternal instincts.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 17, 2024

Metamaterials for the data highway

Scientists from HZDR, TU Chemnitz, TU Dresden, and Forschungszentrum Jülich have demonstrated the storage of entire bit sequences in cylindrical domains. The team's findings could lead to novel types of data storage and sensors, including magnetic variants of neural networks.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalAdvanced Electronic Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 16, 2024

Off-the-shelf wearable trackers provide clinically-useful information for patients with heart disease

A study published in Nature Medicine found that off-the-shelf wearable trackers can monitor the response to two treatments for atrial fibrillation and heart failure. The devices provided clinically useful information similar to in-person hospital assessments, with a neural network helping to analyze missing data.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 15, 2024

Neural networks made of light

Researchers at Max Planck Institute propose a new method for implementing neural networks with optical systems, which could lead to faster and more energy-efficient alternatives. The approach allows for parallel computations in high speeds limited by the speed of light, and can be applied to various physically different systems.

SourceMax Planck Institute for the Science of Light·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 12, 2024

Groundbreaking approach to sleep study expands potential of sleep medicine

Researchers at the University of Houston have introduced a new method for sleep stage classification that can be performed at home and uses only two leads. This approach achieves expert-level agreement with the gold-standard polysomnography without expensive equipment, paving the way for more accessible and cost-effective sleep studies.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalComputers in Biology and Medicine·DateJul 2, 2024

Take-off! Researchers map fly’s neural networks that control wing and leg movement

Scientists at the University of Washington and Harvard Medical School have discovered the neural circuits that coordinate leg and wing movements in fruit flies. The study uses X-ray holographic nanotomography to map motor neurons controlling legs and wings, revealing pre-motor neurons coordinating motor neuron function.

SourceEuropean Synchrotron Radiation Facility·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 26, 2024

Innovative system enhances biological-artificial interactions in neurological research

A new tool, BioemuS, enables real-time emulation and hybridization of biological systems using biomimetic Spiking Neural Networks, addressing limitations of current pharmacological treatments. The system, developed through international collaboration, prioritizes cost efficiency and accessibility for closed-loop applications.

Controlling the precise timing of electrical pulses may offer promise for treating mild traumatic brain injury

Scientists at Virginia Tech have discovered that controlling the precise timing of electrical pulses can rebalance synaptic connections between nerve cells, selectively up- or down-regulating those connections. This finding suggests potential avenues for more effective treatment strategies for mild traumatic brain injuries.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalJournal of Neurotrauma·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2024

Light-activated drugs targeting adenosine A2A receptors in the brain that induce sleep

Researchers developed a novel light-sensitive drug that enhances extracellular adenosine activity, inducing sleep artificially without genetic modification. The drug overcomes issues with conventional photosensitive drugs, showcasing optochemistry's potential in targeting A2A receptors and regulating brain function.

Researchers find key differences in brain development between autistic boys and girls

A new study found significant differences in brain development between autistic boys and girls, with autistic females showing a thicker cortex at age 3 and faster cortical thinning into middle childhood. The findings highlight the need for longitudinal studies that include both sexes to better understand sex-specific changes in autism.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateMay 22, 2024

U of M research team demonstrates cortex's self-organizing abilities in neural development

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have found that the cortex can transform unorganized inputs into highly organized patterns of activity, demonstrating self-organization. This process occurs entirely within the cortex itself, indicating that the brain is able to organize its own function during development.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 21, 2024

Unique brain circuit is linked to Body Mass Index

A newly discovered connection between two brain regions may help regulate how much we eat, according to a Northwestern University study. The weaker the connection between these regions, the higher a person's BMI, suggesting that individuals with weak brain circuits may overeat even when full.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJNeurosci·TypeObservational study·DateMay 16, 2024

Taking electroretinography to the next level with a soft multi-electrode system

A new soft multi-electrode system for electroretinography has been developed to overcome the limitations of traditional devices. The system uses a commercially available soft disposable contact lens with gold mesh electrodes, allowing for simultaneous measurement of electrical potentials from different regions of the retina. This innov...

SourceWaseda University·JournalAdvanced Materials Technologies·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 13, 2024

Learning the imperfections: a new approach to using neural networks for low-power digital pre-distortion (DPD) in mmWave systems

A new approach uses neural networks to automatically determine polynomial coefficients for digital pre-distortion (DPD) in RF-PAs, reducing hardware complexity and power efficiency. This method can correct non-linearities and support emerging standards without extensive real-time processing.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 10, 2024

‘Mathematical microscope’ reveals novel, energy-efficient mechanism of working memory that works even during sleep

Researchers at UCLA Health discovered a novel, energy-efficient mechanism of working memory that reduces metabolic cost even during sleep. The discovery is published in Nature Communications and may provide an early diagnostic for Alzheimer's disease and related dementia.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 8, 2024

Generative AI that imitates human motion

The new approach combines central pattern generators (CPGs) with deep reinforcement learning (DRL), generating human-like movements for walking, running, and adapting to frequencies where motion data is absent. This breakthrough sets a new benchmark in robotics, offering unprecedented environmental adaptation capability.

SourceTohoku University·JournalIEEE Robotics and Automation Letters·DateMay 8, 2024

Unlocking consciousness: a new frontier in neuroscientific fusion

The study suggests that memory plays a pivotal role in shaping consciousness, contrasting the idea that computer-based Information Theory provides a sufficient framework for understanding neural memory. The researchers propose a novel perspective that memory underpins consciousness, introducing the concept of a "brain cloud" to illustr...

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalInternational Journal of Psychiatry Research·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 8, 2024

ChatGPT fails at heart risk assessment

A study by Washington State University found ChatGPT's generative AI system provided inconsistent heart risk assessments for patients with chest pain. The AI failed to match traditional methods used by physicians and returned different results for the same patient data, highlighting its limitations in high-stakes clinical situations.

SourceWashington State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 1, 2024

Magnetic microcoils unlock targeted single-neuron therapies for neurodegenerative disorders

Researchers have developed a magnetic coil array called MagPatch that can stimulate individual neurons with precision. The device uses soft magnetic materials to boost the magnetic field, reducing the need for high current levels.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Vacuum Science & Technology B Microelectronics and Nanometer Structures Processing Measurement and Phenomena·DateApr 23, 2024