Ravens use gestures to grab each other's attention
How do you capture a raven's heart? Arrest its attention by showing it a twig or stone. Ravens use referential gestures – one of the foundations of human language – to initiate relationships.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Researcher creates neurons that light up as they fire
Researcher creates neurons that light up as they fire
In a scientific first that potentially could shed new light on how signals travel in the brain, how learning alters neural pathways, and might lead to speedier drug development, scientists at Harvard have created genetically-altered neurons that light up as they fire.
In a scientific first that potentially could shed new light on how signals travel in the brain, how learning alters neural pathways, and might lead to speedier drug development, scientists at Harvard have created genetically-altered neurons that light up as they fire.
What Is the Future of Knowledge in the Internet Age?
What Is the Future of Knowledge in the Internet Age?
In the December issue of Scientific American, author David Weinbergerreports from the frontiers of knowledge. His story "The Machine That Would Predict the Future" explores the promise of theFuturICT project, an attempt to build a computer model of all the social, economic, ecological and scientific factors at play in the world. Weinberger is one of our most incisive thinkers about the digital age, a senior researcher at Harvard University's Berkman Center for Internet and Society, the author of books such as Small Pieces Loosely Joined (Basic Books, 2002), Everything Is Miscellaneous: The Power of the New Digital Disorder (Times Books, 2007), and the upcoming Too Big to Know (Basic Books). Technology editorMichael Moyer caught up with him at theForum d'Avignon (by phone, sadly) to talk about his upcoming book, his December article and the future of knowledge.
In the December issue of Scientific American, author David Weinbergerreports from the frontiers of knowledge. His story "The Machine That Would Predict the Future" explores the promise of theFuturICT project, an attempt to build a computer model of all the social, economic, ecological and scientific factors at play in the world. Weinberger is one of our most incisive thinkers about the digital age, a senior researcher at Harvard University's Berkman Center for Internet and Society, the author of books such as Small Pieces Loosely Joined (Basic Books, 2002), Everything Is Miscellaneous: The Power of the New Digital Disorder (Times Books, 2007), and the upcoming Too Big to Know (Basic Books). Technology editorMichael Moyer caught up with him at theForum d'Avignon (by phone, sadly) to talk about his upcoming book, his December article and the future of knowledge.
Study Looks at the Nature of Change in Our Aging, Changing Brains
Study Looks at the Nature of Change in Our Aging, Changing Brains
As we get older, our cognitive abilities change, improving when we're younger and declining as we age. Scientists posit a hierarchical structure within which these abilities are organized. There's the "lowest" level -- measured by specific tests, such as story memory or word memory; the second level, which groups various skills involved in a category of cognitive ability, such as memory, perceptual speed, or reasoning; and finally, the "general," or G, factor, a sort of statistical aggregate of all the thinking abilities.
As we get older, our cognitive abilities change, improving when we're younger and declining as we age. Scientists posit a hierarchical structure within which these abilities are organized. There's the "lowest" level -- measured by specific tests, such as story memory or word memory; the second level, which groups various skills involved in a category of cognitive ability, such as memory, perceptual speed, or reasoning; and finally, the "general," or G, factor, a sort of statistical aggregate of all the thinking abilities.
Babies embrace punishment earlier than previously thought
Babies embrace punishment earlier than previously thought
Babies as young as eight months old want people who commit or condone antisocial acts to be punished, according to a new study led by a University of British Columbia researcher.
Babies as young as eight months old want people who commit or condone antisocial acts to be punished, according to a new study led by a University of British Columbia researcher.
Creative Excuses: Original Thinkers More Likely to Cheat, Study Finds
Creative Excuses: Original Thinkers More Likely to Cheat, Study Finds
Creative people are more likely to cheat than less creative people, possibly because this talent increases their ability to rationalize their actions, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.
Creative people are more likely to cheat than less creative people, possibly because this talent increases their ability to rationalize their actions, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.
US 'Materials Genome Initiative' takes shape
US 'Materials Genome Initiative' takes shape
More details have emerged about the intriguingly named Materials Genome Initiative (MGI), a US$100-million materials-research programme under which a variety of US science-funding agencies are working to halve the time it takes for newly discovered materials to reach the market.
More details have emerged about the intriguingly named Materials Genome Initiative (MGI), a US$100-million materials-research programme under which a variety of US science-funding agencies are working to halve the time it takes for newly discovered materials to reach the market.
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