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A new study shows that intelligence is best predicted by global brain connectivity, not just specific regions, indicating a more holistic neural basis for cognition. They examined fluid, crystallized, and general intelligence using fMRI data, finding that general intelligence had the strongest predictive power.

The human brain is the central organ that controls our body. It processes sensory information and enables us to think, make decisions, and store knowledge. Despite its remarkable capabilities, it is paradoxical how much remains unknown about this intricate organ.

Jonas Thiele and Dr. Kirsten Hilger, who leads the “Networks of Behavior and Cognition” research group at the Department of Psychology I at Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU), are dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of the brain. Their latest research has been published in the scientific journal PNAS Nexus.

Microgravity is known to affect muscles, bones, the immune system, and cognition, but its specific effects on the brain remain largely unexplored. To investigate this, scientists from Scripps Research partnered with the New York Stem Cell Foundation to send tiny clusters of brain cells, known as “organoids,” to the International Space Station (ISS). These organoids were derived from stem cells and designed to mimic certain aspects of brain development.

Remarkably, the organoids returned from their month-long stay in orbit still healthy. However, they exhibited accelerated maturation compared to identical organoids grown on Earth. The space-exposed cells progressed closer to becoming fully developed neurons and showed early signs of specialization. These findings, recently published in Stem Cells Translational Medicine, offer new insights into how space travel might influence neurological development and brain function.

“The fact that these cells survived in space was a big surprise,” says co-senior author Jeanne Loring, PhD, professor emeritus in the Department of Molecular Medicine and founding director of the Center for Regenerative Medicine at Scripps Research. “This lays the groundwork for future experiments in space, in which we can include other parts of the brain that are affected by neurodegenerative disease.”

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The human brain is the central control organ of our body. It processes information received through the senses and enables us, among other things, to form thoughts, make decisions and store knowledge. Given everything our brain is capable of, it seems almost paradoxical how little we actually still know about it.

Among those who are on the trail of the most complex and complicated organ are Jonas Thiele and Dr. Kirsten Hilger, head of the “Networks of Behavior and Cognition” working group at the Department of Psychology I at the Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg (JMU). Their latest study was recently published in the journal PNAS Nexus: “Choosing explanation over performance: Insights from machine learning-based prediction of human intelligence from brain connectivity.”

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In a groundbreaking study, researchers have developed optical spring tracking to enhance signal clarity in gravitational-wave detectors, such as aLIGO.

This innovation could dramatically increase our understanding of cosmic events like black hole mergers, potentially unlocking secrets of the universe’s formation.

Revolutionary advances in gravitational wave detection.

Researchers demonstrated that relativistic quantum fields can be ‘universal embezzlers,’ extracting quantum states with minimal disturbance.

Working on it — David Sinclair.

Wang, Z., Zhang, Z., Li, P. et al. Multi-omics analysis reveals the genetic aging landscape of Parkinson’s disease. Sci Rep 14, 31,167 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-82470-z.

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Summary: A new “molecular lantern” technique allows researchers to monitor molecular changes in the brain non-invasively using a thin light-emitting probe. This innovative tool utilizes Raman spectroscopy to detect chemical changes caused by tumors, injuries, or other pathologies without altering the brain beforehand.

Unlike prior methods requiring genetic modifications, this approach analyzes natural brain tissue with high precision, offering significant potential for diagnosing and studying brain diseases. Future developments aim to integrate artificial intelligence to enhance diagnostic accuracy and explore diverse biomedical applications.

Mobile 5G station for future robot wars.

China has introduced the world’s first mobile 5G base station, designed for battlefield deployment after completing rigorous testing. Developed collaboratively by China Mobile Communications Group and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the station delivers high-speed, low-latency, and secure data exchange services. It can support up to 10,000 users within a 3-kilometer (1.8-mile) radius, representing a significant technological advancement in military communication.

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