Technology

Flashes of Hope: MIT’s Light and Sound Therapy Reverses Memory Loss in Down Syndrome Mice

Images from an MIT study show increased neurogenesis in mice exposed to 40Hz stimulation, as indicated by elevated levels of the markers Ki67 and EdU. Yellow arrows highlight cells expressing these markers, compared to mice exposed only to ambient light and sound.

MIT researchers have discovered that exposing mice with Down syndrome to specific light and sound patterns can significantly improve memory, enhance brain connectivity, and boost the formation of new neurons. This promising approach, which uses 40Hz sensory stimulation known as GENUS (gamma entrainment using sensory stimulation), could potentially open new avenues for treating cognitive challenges … Read more

Brain Mapping Tech Reveals Neural Connections in Unprecedented Detail

This image displays a small sample of the 120,000 neurons mapped by the MICRONS project. Each neuron is shown in a different random color. Some neurons appear to glow, symbolizing that functional activity was recorded from those specific cells.

Scientists have developed a powerful new technique that could transform our understanding of the brain’s intricate wiring system. The breakthrough method, called Light-microscopy-based Connectomics (LICONN), enables researchers to map the brain’s complex neural networks at the nanoscale while simultaneously identifying specific molecules within those connections. This innovative approach, detailed in a new study published in … Read more

Physics Breakthrough Reveals Why AI Systems Can Suddenly Turn On You

HAL from 2001

Researchers at George Washington University have developed a groundbreaking mathematical formula that predicts exactly when artificial intelligence systems like ChatGPT will suddenly shift from helpful to harmful responses – a phenomenon they’ve dubbed the “Jekyll-and-Hyde tipping point.” The new research may finally answer why AI sometimes abruptly goes off the rails. Trust in AI has … Read more

AI Companion Chatbots Implicated in Sexual Harassment of Users

woman holding an iphone texting

New research reveals disturbing patterns of boundary violations and inappropriate behavior by AI companions designed to provide emotional support, raising urgent questions about regulation and ethical design in the rapidly expanding industry. As AI companion chatbots surge in popularity—reaching over a billion users worldwide in the past five years—Drexel University researchers have uncovered troubling evidence … Read more

Video Deepfakes Now Pulse With Lifelike Heartbeats

Redheaded young woman

The arms race between deepfake creators and detectors has reached a critical turning point. Researchers have discovered that modern deepfakes can now replicate something previously thought impossible: a realistic human heartbeat. Scientists at Germany’s Fraunhofer Heinrich-Hertz-Institute and Humboldt University of Berlin found that current deepfake videos inadvertently mimic the subtle skin color fluctuations caused by … Read more

AI Blood Test Sniffs Out Hidden Brain Tumors

Release of cell-free DNA and altered blood cells in patients with cancer.

A simple blood test may soon catch brain cancers months before symptoms appear, thanks to artificial intelligence that detects previously invisible tumor signals. Johns Hopkins researchers have developed a liquid biopsy technique that identifies brain cancers with unprecedented accuracy, potentially transforming how these deadly tumors are diagnosed. Brain cancer detection has long frustrated physicians. Most … Read more

Quantum-Neural Hybrid Solves Impossible Math

NeuroSA is a neuromorphic architecture with quantum capabilities that allow it to solve optimization problems more reliably than state-of-the-art methods. (Image created by Shantanu Chakrabartty using Google Gemini)

The worlds of quantum mechanics and neural networks have collided in a new system that’s setting benchmarks for solving previously intractable optimization problems. A multi-university team led by Shantanu Chakrabartty at Washington University in St. Louis has introduced NeuroSA, a neuromorphic architecture that leverages quantum tunneling mechanisms to reliably discover optimal solutions to complex mathematical … Read more

Brain decoder controls spinal cord stimulation

EEG Cap and walking man

In a significant development for spinal cord injury treatment, researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have created a neural decoder that bridges the communication gap between brain and spine, potentially opening new avenues for rehabilitation. The research team, led by Ismael Seáñez, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at WashU, demonstrated that brain activity can … Read more

Generative AI learns to make perfume

ai aroma process

System Creates Custom Scents Solely From Text Commands Scientists have developed an artificial intelligence system capable of creating custom fragrances based solely on text descriptions, potentially revolutionizing the traditionally labor-intensive perfume industry. Researchers at the Institute of Science Tokyo unveiled a breakthrough AI model called Odor Generative Diffusion (OGDiffusion) that can formulate essential oil recipes … Read more