At a fundamental level, only a few particles and forces govern all of reality. How do their combinations create human consciousness?
A study shows that metacognition and mentalizing, complex cognitive abilities crucial for social interaction, are more influenced by environmental factors than genetics, challenging traditional views on the heritability of intelligence.
Researchers have discovered the process by which dietary choline crosses the blood-brain barrier. This breakthrough has potential applications in enhancing drug delivery to the brain for treating neurological disorders.
A researcher from the University of Queensland has identified molecular doorways that could facilitate the delivery of drugs to the brain for treating neurological disorders.
Dr. Rosemary Cater from UQ’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience led a team that discovered that an essential nutrient called choline is transported into the brain by a protein called FLVCR2.
To celebrate the launch of our new event series in the US, kicking off with a masterclass on the brain and consciousness, we have made five incredible stories on that subject free to read.
Experts say the food on your plate can affect everything from your bones, heart, and gut to your mental health.
For the first time, research shows that a certain kind of visual illusion, neon color spreading, works on mice. The study is also the first to combine the use of two investigative techniques called electrophysiology and optogenetics to study this illusion. Results from experiments on mice settle a long-standing debate in neuroscience about which levels of neurons within the brain are responsible for the perception of brightness.
Everyday Optical Illusions
We’re all familiar with optical illusions; some are novelties, while some are all around us. Even as you look at the screen in front you, you are being fooled into thinking that you’re seeing the color white. What you’re really seeing is lots of red, green, and blue elements packed so tightly together it gives the impression of being white. Another example is a fast rotating wheel or propeller, which can briefly look like it’s reversing direction while it’s accelerating to full speed.
New research suggests that higher light exposure can enhance alertness and cognitive performance, likely by affecting the activity in areas of the brain region known as the hypothalamus.
The study, published in the journal eLife, is described by the editors as of fundamental importance, and represents a key advancement to our understanding of how different levels of light affect human behavior. The strength of evidence is praised as compelling, supporting the authors’ analyses of the complex interplay between light exposure, hypothalamic activity, and cognitive function.
With further research, the findings could be used to inform various light therapy treatments to increase an individual’s quality of sleep and affective state, and help them feel more awake and perform tasks better throughout the day.
In Limitless, the film’s protagonist is a struggling writer desperate for success. As luck would have it, he is introduced to an experimental drug that unlocks his full potential.
The film was a box office success, and it is easy to see why.
Nootropics, drugs, and various supplements for memory, focus, and mental agility have been used for millennia. The desire to elevate ourselves is universal, much like the quest for longevity–and, unsurprisingly, the two are intertwined.
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If consciousness is 100% physical, we would have to conclude that the same kind of consciousness that we experience as humans can be generated by non-biological entities (eventually). Conversely, if non-biological consciousness would somehow, someday, prove impossible, then consciousness would have to embed some nonphysical aspect. But how would we ever know?
Continue reading “Andy Clark — Can Consciousness be Non-Biological?” »
Sepsis is a condition in which the body responds improperly. More specifically, the infection causes the organs in the body to shut down. This is a serious illness which could lead to extremely low blood pressure or septic shock. In this case, permanent damage to the lungs, kidneys, liver, and other organs can occur. Unfortunately, if the damage is extensive enough, it could be fatal. Common symptoms associated with sepsis includes alteration of mental status, shallow breathing, sweating out of context, lightheadedness, chills, and other symptoms associated with infection or fever. Sepsis can lead to septic shock and raises the risk of death. Symptoms of septic shock include inability to stand, sleepiness, and extreme confusion. Interestingly, symptoms can vary between people, and it is important to monitor bodily changes to detect sepsis as early as possible. Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections can lead to sepsis including common infections such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and burns, among others. It is critical to see a doctor if you suspect you are not getting better or if your symptoms worsen. Early detection of sepsis can help improve survival rate and prevent permanent organ damage. Treatments include antibiotics, increased fluids, vasopressors to increase blood pressure, and steroids. Although scientists and physicians have worked to understand sepsis and how to treat it, other discoveries are yet to be made.
A recent study in Nature Immunology by Dr. Antoine Roquilly from Nantes University in France, demonstrated that patients that experienced sepsis build strong immune cells that aid in the prevention of tumor development. It was previously unknown how the immune landscape was shaped after a patient recovered from sepsis. Roquilly and his team wanted to understand the relationship between these exposed immune cells and the risk of developing cancer in the future.
Roquilly’s research team first analyzed big datasets that consisted of information from patients who survived sepsis. Researchers were able to determine the risk of cancer prevalence up to 10 years following the discharge from the hospital for sepsis patients. Interestingly, sepsis survivors had lower risk of developing cancer compared to those that did not have sepsis.
