Recent Comments

    US Patient ‘Happy Again’ after Brain Implant Treats Epilepsy and OCD

    February 6, 2024, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    Dr. Ahmed Raslan, professor of neurological surgery, talks about the placement of a brain implant with patient Amber Pearson
    Dr. Ahmed Raslan, professor of neurological surgery, talks about the placement of a brain implant with patient Amber Pearson.

    American Amber Pearson used to wash her hands until they bled, terrified by the idea of contamination from everyday items, a debilitating result of her obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

    But the repetitive rituals of her condition are largely consigned to memory, thanks to a revolutionary brain implant that is being used to treat both her epilepsy and her OCD.

    “I’m actually present in my daily life and that’s incredible,” the 34-year-old told AFP.

    “Before, I was just constantly in my head worrying about my compulsions.”

    Brain implants have hit the headlines recently with Elon Musk’s announcement that his Neuralink company had placed a chip in a pat...

    Read More

    A Physical Qubit with built-in Error Correction

    February 6, 2024, Categories  Physics

    The creation of a photonic “Schrödinger cat state” – in other words the quantum superposition of states of the laser pulse amplitude that can be distinguished on a macroscopic scale (white or black cat) – can only be achieved using the most advanced quantum optical techniques and has already been demonstrated to be possible. In the present experiment that is subject of the research paper, it proved to be feasible to extend this to three states (white, gray, and black cats). This light state thus approaches a logical quantum state in which errors can be, in principle, universally corrected. (ill./ ©: Peter van Loock)

    There has been significant progress in the field of quantum computing.

    Big global players, such as Google and IBM, are already offering cloud-based quantum com...

    Read More

    Team of Astronomers discovers Galaxy that Shouldn’t Exist

    February 6, 2024, Categories  Astronomy/Space

    Image of outer space.
    A color-composite image of PEARLSDG made with JWST NIRCAM data. Individual stars are visible as small points of light in the image. Its somewhat dull color and lack of many bright stars is consistent with its old age and lack of ongoing star formation. Image Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, Jake Summers (ASU), Jordan C. J. D’Silva (UWA), Anton M. Koekemoer (STScI), Aaron Robotham (UWA) and Rogier Windhorst (ASU)

    A team of astronomers, led by Arizona State University Assistant Research Scientist Tim Carleton, has discovered a dwarf galaxy that appeared in James Webb Space Telescope imaging that wasn’t the primary observation target.

    Galaxies are bound together by gravity and made up of stars and planets, with vast clouds of dust and gas as well as dark matter...

    Read More

    Brain Boosters from Exercise and Diet

    February 5, 2024, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    walking
    Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

    Studies show that physical activity is actually a mental health exercise. One article that states just 15 minutes of walking, especially in the out-of-doors, can boost mood and reduce feelings of depression.

    People seem to think more clearly after a brisk walk as well. It makes sense. As the heart pumps oxygen and nutrients to working muscles, the brain gets the same benefits.

    Are there foods that might help our brains stay focused?
    In 2015, scientists reported on a diet that was found to help slow the gradual decline in cognitive function we may experience as we age...

    Read More