New Atlas

Medical Audio available

Deep learning algorithm detects Alzheimer’s up to six years before doctors

Rich Haridy November 7, 2018

A new deep learning algorithm has been developed that can study PET scan images and detect the onset of Alzheimer’s six years earlier than current diagnostic methods. The research is part of a new wave of work using machine learning technology to identify subtle patterns in complex medical imaging.

A new algorithm significantly outperformed human clinicians in predicting which patients would go on to develop ...

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

Dark-roast coffee may prevent Alzheimer's and Parkinson's

Ben Coxworth November 6, 2018

For years, scientists have suspected that drinking coffee helps lessen the chances of getting Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. A new study indicates that this may indeed be the case, and that the darker the roast, the better it works.

The longer a coffee is roasted, the higher its level of phenylindanes

Computers

Million-core neuromorphic supercomputer could simulate an entire mouse brain

Dario Borghino November 6, 2018

After 12 years of work, researchers at the University of Manchester in England have completed construction of a "SpiNNaker" (Spiking Neural Network Architecture) supercomputer. It can simulate the internal workings of up to a billion neurons through a whopping one million processing units.

A newly built supercomputer is able to simulate up to a billion neurons in real time, ...

Games

Bend your brain with the best optical illusions of 2018

Rich Haridy October 31, 2018

The mysteries of human perception are endlessly fascinating. For over a decade the Neural Correlate Society has been running an annual competition celebrating the best new perceptual illusions, and the 2018 winners are sure to short-circuit your brain … in the best possible way.

The winning entry in this year's Best Illusion of the Year Contest presents a 2D picture ...

Biology

Biggest-ever bird may have been a real night-owl – and was possibly blind

Ben Coxworth October 31, 2018

As far as we know, the largest bird of all time was the now-extinct elephant bird. The flightless animal stood over 10 feet tall (3 m), and was native to Madagascar. Little is known about how it lived, although new research indicates that it was likely nocturnal, and had little if any eyesight.

An elephant bird skull, which apparently didn't have much room for an optic lobe

Science

Nanoparticles may be a silver bullet against brain-eating amoeba

Ben Coxworth October 25, 2018

Found in warm freshwater lakes, rivers and hot springs, Naegleria fowleri enters a person's body through their nose, then proceeds to kill them by eating their brain. Infections are rare, fortunately, and they may also soon be more treatable thanks to the use of silver nanoparticles.

The flagellate form of Naegleria fowleri

Science

Stress in middle age found to shrink your brain and impair memory

Rich Haridy October 24, 2018

A new study has found a strong association between increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol and impaired memory in middle-aged adults. The research suggests that extended periods of stress while a person is in their 40s and 50s can result in reduced cognitive skills, and even brain shrinkage.

High levels of stress-induced cortisol have been associated with reduced brain volume and impaired memory

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

Too much sleep is just as bad for your brain as too little, concludes world’s largest sleep study

Rich Haridy October 10, 2018

The first results from the world’s largest sleep study conclude that between seven and eight hours of sleep is the ideal range for optimal cognitive performance. The study also revealed that too much sleep correlated with similar cognitive deficits associated with too little sleep.

Between seven and eight hours of sleep is the ideal duration for optimal cognitive performance according ...

Science

Caltech time-traveling illusion tricks the brain into seeing things that aren't there

Rich Haridy October 9, 2018

Researchers at Caltech have revealed two illusions illustrating how our brain can be tricked into seeing something that isn’t really there. The phenomenon is known as postdiction, and highlights how our perception of reality is actually constructed by our brain retroactively.

Illusions developed by researchers at Caltech show how a sound can alter our visual perception of ...

Science

First direct brain-to-brain "social network" is a true meeting of minds

Michael Irving October 1, 2018

The internet has made it easy for groups to collaborate from pretty much anywhere, but this experimental brain-to-brain "social network" could be the beginning of a whole new ballgame.

The first steps towards brain-to-brain interfaces for collaborative problem solving are being made in the laboratory