Articles tagged with Sensory Systems
Researchers at Aarhus University have developed a tiny sensor that responds to touch in a similar way to our sensory cells. The sensor, made from a soft, silicone-like material, can convert touch into an electric potential and potentially stimulate nerves directly, allowing for prosthetic limbs with a sense of touch.
A new study reveals that psychedelics and anesthetics create 'mirror image' patterns in brain organization, with opposite network features. Researchers found that psychedelics increase functional connectivity, while sleep and anesthesia reduce it.
Researchers propose an AI framework, called interoceptive AI, that uses internal states to inform learning and decision-making in dynamic environments. This approach treats internal conditions as a continuous source of context, influencing what an agent learns, prioritizes, and does.
A new brain-inspired algorithm, Spi-Fly, demonstrates promise for achieving practical applications in scent classification, particularly in scenarios with limited training data. The algorithm shows accurate classification of scents and can learn with few-shot and continual learning methods, making it suitable for real-world applications.
Scientists discovered a 100-million-year-old beetle fossil that reveals early evolution of firefly sensory and signaling systems. The fossil preserves elaborate antennae and light-emitting organs, suggesting that lampyroid beetles relied heavily on pheromonal cues for mate searching.
A new review article synthesizes information on neural traveling waves, concluding they are a computational engine in the visual cortex. These waves allow the brain to build internal representations of the external world, enabling prediction and perception.
Scientists have discovered a new type of brain wave that rotates over space and time, relying on a circular anatomical circuit in the sensory cortex. This rotation is coordinated between different brain regions, including sensory and motor parts, and may play a role in sharing information across these areas.
A new study reveals that smell loss can have a devastating impact on quality of life, comparable to conditions like Parkinson’s, stroke, and diabetes. Patients with smell disorders experience significant emotional, social, and psychological suffering, often rivaling those with chronic illnesses.
Indiana University Professor Tom James proposes a new explanation for decision-making, suggesting that the brain's sensory, sensorimotor, and motor processes work together to select actions, rather than a central 'decision-making' process. This approach offers a more parsimonious alternative to traditional theories.
A team of researchers has developed a flexible neural sheet device that can record and stimulate neural activity across multiple sensory cortices in mice. The device, which is thinner than a human hair, is inserted into the epidural space to avoid brain penetration, allowing for wide-area coverage of the temporal and deep cortical areas.
A new study reveals how octopuses use their arms to recognize and mate with each other. The researchers found that the male hectocotylus contains special sensors that detect female sex hormones, allowing the males to locate females without visual cues.
Researchers have found that zebra finches' brains respond more strongly to familiar calls, with inhibitory interneurons firing more intensely and for longer when the caller is known. This neural activity influences the bird's reply, suggesting that social context plays a crucial role in vocal communication. The study sheds light on why...
A study published in Cornea reveals that aniridia not only alters corneal structure but also affects sensory nerve function, leading to a progressive decline in corneal sensitivity. In adulthood, patients experience difficulty distinguishing stimulus intensity and reduced tear production, compromising eye defense mechanisms.
Researchers discovered functional gradients in elephant and cat whiskers, allowing for precise touch sensing. The stiff-to-soft transition enables elephants to navigate their environment with ease, including picking up delicate objects.
A new theory of proprioception challenges traditional understanding by incorporating frontier bionic evidence. The proposed framework reconceptualizes proprioception as a dynamic augmentable interface, enabling functional movement and potentially improving rehabilitation outcomes in sports injuries and neurological diseases. Researcher...
Ants have evolved a unique transcriptional mechanism to ensure one scent receptor is active per neuron, preventing societal collapse. This 'bulldozer' system silences all neighboring genes when one gene is chosen by chance, promoting precise control of olfactory receptors.
Scientists at RIKEN Center for Brain Science found that fruit flies use separate circuits to compute pleasant and unpleasant odors, challenging the idea that 'good' is the opposite of 'bad'. The discovery may contribute to a better understanding of human brain's flavor appreciation mechanisms.
Researchers at Korea University College of Medicine found that the c-Kit protein helps protect sweet-sensing taste cells from nerve damage, allowing them to survive and regenerate. This discovery may lead to new approaches for improving nutrition, supporting patients with taste disorders, and advancing flavor science.
Salk scientists pinpoint gracile nucleus as brain area responsible for differentiating between painful and non-painful touch, with dysfunction leading to chronic pain. Altered neuronal activity in the dorsal column nuclei drives mechanical allodynia, causing the brain to misinterpret innocuous light touch as painful.
Researchers discovered that proprioceptive nerve cells for sensing leg motion are deactivated during active movement in fruit flies. This selective suppression may enable the insect to quickly respond to sudden external events. The study advances basic scientific knowledge of sensory feedback and its application to clinical treatments
Researchers used AlphaFold3 to predict the structure of human bitter taste receptors, achieving higher accuracy than previous models. The study found similarities and differences in the structures of T2Rs, shedding light on their function and potential role in health and pharmaceutical research.
A study published in Science Advances found that individuals with 'subjective cognitive decline' (SCD), a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, performed worse on navigation tasks compared to those without SCD. The researchers hope this could lead to more sensitive testing methods for early diagnosis and drug studies.
Researchers created a new approach that integrates visual and tactile information to manipulate robotic arms, outperforming conventional vision-based methods. This breakthrough represents a significant advancement in multimodal physical AI.
Despite long-held assumptions, a new study reveals that the brain's somatosensory cortex holds a stable 'body map' even after limb loss. The findings have significant implications for treating phantom limb pain and restoring sensation in prosthetic limbs via brain-computer interfaces.
A team of researchers from Okayama University has identified SNAP25 as a key component in the transmission of sour taste signals and the long-term survival of type III taste cells. The study found that mice deficient in SNAP25 had impaired responses to sour-tasting substances, highlighting the importance of this protein in maintaining ...
Researchers developed a non-invasive method to enhance smell using radio waves, which improves sense of smell for over a week after just one treatment. The study could benefit professionals like perfumers and chefs who need to distinguish aromatic subtleties.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have identified a complete sensory pathway for sensing cool temperatures, which is separate from the pathway for hot temperatures. This discovery provides insight into how the skin detects its surroundings and responds to environmental changes.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo found that certain scent compounds in female body odor increase during ovulation and can subtly influence how men feel, making them perceive the scent as more pleasant and reducing stress. The study suggests that smell may play a role in shaping human interactions.
Researchers have discovered that blow flies can detect forces with high sensitivity, not only magnitude but also rate of change, which is crucial for balance and locomotion. The study's findings have promising implications for the design of next-generation walking robots.
Researchers developed MuSICCA, a music therapy tool that uses musical stimulation to assess levels of consciousness in children with brain injuries. The study found high agreement among participants that the tool is suitable for use with children, providing guidance for caregivers and supporting clinical teams.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara found that fruit fly larvae can detect electric fields and move towards the negative potential. The team localized the sensory neurons responsible for this ability, which could lead to new techniques in bioengineering and research into animal senses.
The Greater Mouse-Tailed Bat uses its long tail as a dynamic sensing tool to avoid obstacles and orient itself in complex environments, especially when vision and echolocation are limited. The study found that the bats' ability to navigate decreased significantly when their tail was numbed.
Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi have developed an innovative sensing system that restores tactile feedback in minimally invasive surgery. The 'off-the-jaw' system integrates force and angle sensors into laparoscopic tools, providing real-time measurements of grasping forces and tissue stiffness.
A new AR navigation system for EVD placement shows improved accuracy and reduced complications compared to the freehand technique. The system enables precise 3D guidance and real-time feedback during drilling, reducing errors and improving outcomes.
Researchers at WVU have discovered a way to fine-tune zinc activity to improve messaging in the brain, with potential applications for treating conditions such as autism, schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. The study identified new compounds that can selectively change synaptic connections by modulating zinc levels.
Research from the University of Florida found that mutations in the Syngap1 gene can lead to disrupted perceptual learning in mice, affecting their ability to interpret touch-based information. This study provides possible answers for understanding autism, intellectual disability, and other conditions with sensory processing issues.
Researchers at Saarland University have developed smart implants that can monitor and promote healing in fractured bones. The miniaturized technology, part of the EU-funded SmILE project, enables the use of thin intramedullary nails to support bone stability during healing.
Johns Hopkins engineers developed a pioneering prosthetic hand that can grip and grasp everyday objects like a human, using a hybrid design that combines rigid and soft robotics. The system achieves 99.69% accuracy in handling objects of varying textures and materials.
Researchers from the University of Göttingen have discovered a molecular 'spring' that triggers the opening of ion channels in sensory hair cells of the ear. The findings provide new insights into how hearing begins at the molecular level and shed light on the function of ion channels.
Researchers created a fiber computer that can be integrated into clothing to track health conditions and physical activity. The technology achieved an average accuracy of 70% when individually operated, but increased to nearly 95% when connected collectively.
Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have discovered that histone deacetylase 8 (HDCA8) inhibits the conversion of Schwann cells into their repair phenotype, slowing down peripheral nervous system recovery. Removing HDAC8 accelerates regeneration and restores sensory function.
Researchers at Sainsbury Wellcome Centre develop novel experimental setup called Translocator, isolating fundamental elements of locomotion and motion-source separation. The team finds that individual cells in primary visual cortex use motor and vestibular signals to determine visual flow origin.
Researchers developed a novel bio-hybrid drone by integrating robotic technology with biological odor sensors from insects, overcoming visual sensor limitations. The drone's enhanced performance enables accurate odor detection and tracking, broadening applications in gas sensing, disaster response, and rescue operations.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that repeated stress in mice reduces their ability to perceive loud sounds, as measured in the auditory cortex. This altered brain processing is reflected in a behavioral task where stressed mice were more likely to report louder sounds as soft.
Researchers examine how stroke patients develop post-stroke sensory reweighting (PSR) to improve walking and balance. PSR is a critical factor in determining patient outcomes, with those who develop it experiencing better balance and reduced risk of falls.
Researchers at ISTA identify a brain region in mice that predicts and minimizes visual distortion during movement, allowing for sharper mental images. The 'ventral lateral geniculate nucleus' (vLGN) integrates motor and sensory signals to compute a comprehensive corrective signal, enabling more efficient visual processing.
A study on fruit fly larvae revealed the presence of neurons with mechanoreceptors in their peripheral taste organs, allowing them to sense food texture. This discovery sheds light on the complex process of tasting texture and highlights the importance of multisensory contributions in food perception.
A new study by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory researchers explains how the brain updates associations between smells and sounds based on context. The findings suggest that a feedback loop between the olfactory cortex and olfactory bulb enables fast adaptation, allowing animals to fine-tune their motor responses accordingly.
Research identifies IL-1R1-expressing neurons in key brain regions, including the somatosensory cortex and hippocampus, which regulate sensory processing, mood regulation, and memory. The study provides new insights into how inflammation contributes to sensory, mood, and memory disorders.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a unique method for encoding natural touch sensations via specific microstimulation patterns in implantable electrodes. This allows individuals with spinal cord injuries to feel tactile edges, shapes, curvatures and movements, enabling them to control a bionic arm with the...
A team led by University of Rochester professor Edmund Lalor aims to understand how the brain processes audiovisual information to improve speech comprehension for individuals with cochlear implants. They will use noninvasive electroencephalography (EEG) brainwave measurements to study how people respond to multisensory speech.
Researchers at Monell Chemical Senses Center have extracted oleocanthal and oleacein from privet leaves, which could pave the way for human studies in inflammation-related diseases. The discovery may lead to new treatments for cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and other conditions.
A recent study demonstrates how DNNs can predict fragrance profiles from essential oil chemical compositions, validating sensory evaluations. The model achieved high accuracy in predicting floral scents and showed promise for generating new and unique combinations.
A new study from Oregon Health & Science University found that people who receive physical therapy earlier after a concussion tend to have better balance control and reduced reaction times. This can lead to improved outcomes and reduced risk of re-injury. Early intervention may enable the brain to return to a more normal state, compens...
Researchers at Waseda University found that somatosensory electrical stimulation on the wrist can bias subsequent motor decisions, increasing the likelihood of using the stimulated hand. This phenomenon highlights a connection between sensory input and motor choices, with potential implications for individuals with motor impairments.
A new study by Reichman University reveals a digital treatment protocol improving spatial memory tasks and brain connectivity in aging adults. The innovative mobile app harnesses neuroplasticity to enhance navigational knowledge and potentially mitigate age-related cognitive decline.
Researchers found that desert ants rely on the polarity of the geomagnetic field to navigate during learning walks, contradicting previous findings in other insects. The team manipulated magnetic fields and observed the ants' behavior, concluding that a compass-like navigation system is useful for short-distance navigation.
Researchers found that increasing levels of the naturally occurring endocannabinoid 2-AG can counteract the rewarding properties of opioids, reducing addiction-like behaviors in mice. The study suggests a potential new therapeutic strategy to alleviate pain while minimizing opioid addiction risk.
Fiber-rich food manufacturers can now create palatable products by encapsulating insoluble fibers in a soft, velvety gel coating. The treatment reduces the sensation of grittiness and dryness in the mouth by up to 52% and 36%, respectively.
Researchers at Linköping University pinpointed the exact location of a specific calcium channel fine-tuning pain signals. This knowledge can be used to develop drugs for chronic pain that are more effective and have fewer side effects.