computational models

New study reveals how thalamus orchestrates the maturation of sensory and cognitive processing

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Our brains seamlessly process streams of visual information from the world around us while simultaneously understanding the causal structure of events. These essential cognitive functions, known as external sensory processing and internal world modeling, are critical for navigating complex environments. The brain achieves this through large-scale functional systems responsible for these processes. Recently, an international … Read more

Systems Biology: Integrating Biological Processes into Complex Systems

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Systems biology is an interdisciplinary field that seeks to understand biological systems as integrated networks of components, processes, and interactions, rather than isolated parts. It combines principles from biology, mathematics, computer science, engineering, and other disciplines to analyze complex biological phenomena at multiple scales, from molecular and cellular levels to tissues, organs, organisms, populations, and … Read more

Neurochemistry: Chemical Processes in the Nervous System

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Neurochemistry is the branch of neuroscience that focuses on the chemical processes occurring within the nervous system, including the synthesis, release, reuptake, and metabolism of neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, and other signaling molecules. It encompasses the study of molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal communication, synaptic transmission, neuroplasticity, and brain function. Understanding neurochemistry is essential for unraveling the molecular … Read more

New magnet design paves the way for practical fusion power

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In the early hours of September 5, 2021, a groundbreaking achievement unfolded within the laboratories of MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center (PSFC), marking a significant milestone in the realm of fusion energy research. Engineers successfully developed a new type of magnet using high-temperature superconducting material, achieving a world-record magnetic field strength of 20 tesla … Read more

Brain activity suggests echo separation mechanism for robust speech comprehension

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Researchers from Zhejiang University, China, led by Jiaxin Gao, have shed light on the remarkable ability of the human brain to untangle speech from echoes, a feat that continues to baffle engineering solutions. In their study published in PLOS Biology, they investigated how our brains effortlessly decipher direct speech amidst echoing reverberations, a common occurrence … Read more

How do astronomers measure the age of the universe?

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Measuring the age of the universe, a question that has captivated astronomers and cosmologists for centuries, involves probing the depths of space and time to unravel the mysteries of cosmic evolution. Through a combination of theoretical models, observational data, and cutting-edge technologies, scientists have pieced together a remarkably detailed picture of the universe’s origins, composition, … Read more

Artificial neural network

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Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) represent a cornerstone in the field of artificial intelligence, drawing inspiration from the structure and function of the human brain. These computational models, composed of interconnected nodes and layers, have become instrumental in solving complex problems, learning patterns from data, and making predictions. Understanding the intricacies of artificial neural networks involves … Read more

Geomagnetic pole

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The geomagnetic poles are crucial elements in Earth’s magnetic field, representing the points where the axis of a hypothetical dipole, best approximating the Earth’s magnetic field, intersects the Earth’s surface. Distinguished from the geographic poles, which define the planet’s rotation axis, the geomagnetic poles play a significant role in understanding the structure and behavior of … Read more

Earth’s magnetic field

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Earth’s magnetic field is a dynamic and complex phenomenon that plays a crucial role in shaping the planet’s environment and protecting life from the harsh solar wind. Spanning thousands of kilometers into space, this invisible shield has intrigued scientists for centuries, and its understanding has evolved through various discoveries and theories. The Earth’s magnetic field … Read more

What is biophysics?

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Biophysics is an interdisciplinary field that merges principles from physics and biology to investigate the physical mechanisms underlying biological processes. This dynamic branch of science employs quantitative and analytical approaches to unravel the mysteries of life, exploring how physical forces, energy, and structure govern the behavior of biological systems. Biophysics spans a wide range of … Read more

Scientists create biological system that mimics an electronic bandpass filter

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EPFL scientists have crafted a biological system that mimics an electronic bandpass filter, a novel sensor that could revolutionize self-regulated biological mechanisms in synthetic biology. Synthetic biology holds the promise of enhancing and modifying biological systems into innumerable new technologies for the benefit of society. This engineering approach to biology has already reaped benefits in … Read more

Study finds brain activity for memory search resembles foraging behavior

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The theory that the way the mind searches for words and concepts in memory has its origins in ancient patterns of searching for food and resources in the physical environment received fresh support from a neuroimaging study. This study examined the brain activity of participants as they recalled words related to various concepts, shedding light … Read more

New tool could lead to cure for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

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A research team from the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science has developed an innovative tool using a new method to grow blood vessels from living lung tissue in the lab. This breakthrough holds promise for finding a cure for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a debilitating lung disease. Fibrosis, the chronic scarring … Read more

New experiment confirms that gravity pulls antimatter down

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In a recent experiment conducted by physicists at the European Center for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva, Switzerland, the hope that antimatter might defy gravity and levitate has been definitively dispelled. This experiment focused on antihydrogen, composed of an anti-proton and an antielectron (positron), and its response to gravity. The results, published in the September … Read more

How our preferences influence the speed and creativity of our ideas

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The speed at which we bring our ideas to life is often influenced by our level of enthusiasm for them. Yet, true creativity demands thinking outside the box. Recent research by Alizée Lopez-Persem and Emmanuelle Volle from the Paris Brain Institute sheds light on this concept. Through behavioral studies and computational models, they delve into … Read more