New discovery challenges our understanding of nervous systems and their evolution
Apr 2023, phys.org
Ctenophores, also called comb jellyfish, are ancient animals and represent an early evolution of neurons and nervous systems that are different from ours. Using a 3D scanning electron microscope, scientists discovered a continuous neural network like ours, yet fundamentally different from ours.
via University of Bergen: Pawel Burkhardt et al, Syncytial nerve net in a ctenophore adds insights on the evolution of nervous systems, Science (2023). DOI: 10.1126/science.ade5645.
Spiral brain-computer interface slips into ear canal with no loss of hearing
Jul 2023, phys.org
There's another way to do it. Non-invasive: new type of corkscrew-shaped brain-computer interface is engaged by gently screwing it into the ear canal.
via Laboratory of Flexible Electronics Technology at Tsinghua University in Beijing, Institute of Semiconductors at Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing: Zhouheng Wang et al, Conformal in-ear bioelectronics for visual and auditory brain-computer interfaces, Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39814-6
Scrambler therapy may offer lasting relief for chronic pain, review paper suggests
Jul 2023, phys.org
Pretty cool, information theory coming in:
Scrambler therapy, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2009, administers electrical stimulation through the skin via electrodes placed in areas of the body above and below where chronic pain is felt. The goal is to capture the nerve endings and replace signals from the area experiencing pain with signals coming from adjacent areas experiencing no pain, thereby "scrambling" the pain signals sent to the brain.They describe how pain is a combination of both the activiation of damaged nerve cells and failed inhibitory cells whose job it is to stop the active signals."If you can block the ascending pain impulses and enhance the inhibitory system, you can potentially reset the brain so it doesn't feel chronic pain nearly as badly," Smith says. "It's like pressing Control-Alt-Delete about a billion times." -Thomas Smith, M.D., the Harry J. Duffey Family Professor of Palliative Medicine at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center
via Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center at their University School of Medicine: Thomas J. Smith et al, Cutaneous Electroanalgesia for Relief of Chronic and Neuropathic Pain, New England Journal of Medicine (2023). DOI: 10.1056/NEJMra2110098
Prototype 'Brain-like' chip promises greener AI, says tech giant
Aug 2023, BBC News
Neuromimetics is another word for brain-like.
No comments:
Post a Comment