How we’re teaching computers to understand pictures
When a very young child looks at a picture, she can identify simple elements: "cat," "book," "chair." Now, computers are getting smart enough to do...
NEWS INDEX
The ‘intraterrestrials’: New viruses discovered in ocean depths
Strange creatures live in the deep sea, but few are odder than the viruses that inhabit deep ocean methane seeps and prey on single-celled microorganisms...
Scientists call for caution in using DNA-editing technology
A group of 18 scientists and ethicists today warned that a revolutionary new tool to cut and splice DNA should be used cautiously when attempting...
Shape-shifting frog discovered
A frog in Ecuador's western Andean cloud forest changes skin texture in minutes, appearing to mimic the texture it sits on. Skin texture variation in...
Early Diagnosis Opportunities for Alzheimer’s Through Simple Blood Test
By the time most people receive a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease — based on clinical signs of mental decline — their brains have already suffered...
Can we create new senses for humans?
As humans, we can perceive less than a ten-trillionth of all light waves. “Our experience of reality,” says neuroscientist David Eagleman, “is constrained by our...
Heart on a Chip
UC Berkeley researchers, led by bioengineering professor Kevin Healy, have been able to test heart drugs on human cardiac muscle cells housed in an inch-long...
How our DNA may prevent bowel cancer
A new study published in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) suggests the link between aspirin and colon cancer prevention may depend...
Cyborg beetle research allows free-flight study of insects
Hard-wiring beetles for radio-controlled flight turns out to be a fitting way to learn more about their biology. Cyborg insect research led by engineers at...
Wireless brain stimulation
New technique could lead to long-lasting localized stimulation of brain tissue without external connections. Images show calcium ion influx into neurons as a result of...
Researchers Find Key to Making Neurons From Stem Cells
A research team at UC San Francisco has discovered an RNA molecule called Pnky that can be manipulated to increase the production of neurons from...
Autistic and non-autistic brain differences isolated for first time
The functional differences between autistic and non-autistic brains have been isolated for the first time, following the development of a new methodology for analysing MRI...
First stem cell-based approach to treat type 2 diabetes
A combination of human stem cell transplantation and antidiabetic drugs proved to be highly effective at improving body weight and glucose metabolism in a mouse...
Spinal cord neurons that control pain and itch
The spinal cord transmits pain signals to the brain, where they are consciously perceived. But not all the impulses arrive at their destination: Certain neurons...
Building “self-aware” robots
Can robots and humans interact the way that human beings interact with each other? Guy Hoffman researches embodied cognition and intelligence in robots. My job...
