These Lemurs Have Got Rhythm. Scientists Have Got Questions
Studying how and why rhythm evolved in these primates could help unravel the mysteries of human musicality.
A Gene-Tweaked Jellyfish Offers a Glimpse of Other Minds
Researchers have created jellyfish whose nerve cells light up when they fire, offering a tantalizing view of neurology before the rise of the brain.
Your Brain Is an Energy-Efficient ‘Prediction Machine’
Results from neural networks support the idea that brains use predictions to create perceptions—and that they work that way to conserve power.
Can a Digital Reality Be Jacked Directly Into Your Brain?
The idea of a synthetic experience uploaded to the mind has been a sci-fi fantasy forever. New brain-computer interfaces are making it nonfiction—very slowly.
Researchers Want to Restore ‘Good Noise’ in Older Brains
Aging people lose variation in brain oxygen levels—a sign of declining cognitive flexibility. A new drug study probes whether that loss can be reversed.
Sponge Genes Hint at the Origins of Neurons and Other Cells
A new gene expression study reveals broad cellular diversity as well as possibly ancient connections between the nervous, immune, and digestive systems.
The Long Search for a Brain Computer Interface That Speaks Your Mind
The trick is to use data from the brain to synthesize speech in real time so users can practice and the machine can learn. New BCI systems are getting there.
To Learn More Quickly, Brain Cells Break Their DNA
DNA double-strand breaks are associated with cancer and aging. A new study shows neurons can use them to quickly express genes related to learning and memory.
They Watched a YouTuber With Tourette’s—Then Adopted His Tics
Hundreds of people are displaying similar behaviors to that of YouTube star Jan Zimmermann. Do they have a disorder or something more mysterious?