Comment

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on December 29, 2023 at 12:46pm

Other methods of translating brain signals into language require invasive surgeries to implant electrodes or bulky, expensive MRI machines, making them impractical for daily use – and they often need to use eye-tracking to convert brain signals into word-level chunks.

When a person's eyes dart from one word to another, it's reasonable to assume that their brain takes a short break between processing each word. Raw EEG wave translation into words – without eye tracking to indicate the corresponding word target – is harder.

Brain waves from different people don't all represent breaks between words quite the same way, making it a challenge to teach AI how to interpret individual thoughts.

After extensive training, DeWave's encoder turns EEG waves into a code that can then be matched to specific words based on how close they are to entries in DeWave's 'codebook'.

"It is the first to incorporate discrete encoding techniques in the brain-to-text translation process, introducing an innovative approach to neural decoding," explain the researchers.

The integration with large language models is also opening new frontiers in neuroscience and AI.

https://arxiv.org/abs/2309.14030

Part 2

**

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on December 29, 2023 at 12:45pm

AI Translates Thoughts Directly From Brainwaves – Without Implants

A world-first, non-invasive AI system can turn silent thoughts into text while only requiring users to wear a snug-fitting cap.

Researchers who developed the technology, called DeWave, tested the process using data from more than two dozen subjects.

Participants read silently while wearing a cap that recorded their brain waves via electroencephalogram (EEG) and decoded them into text.

With further refinement, DeWave could help stroke and paralysis patients communicate and make it easier for people to direct machines like bionic arms or robots.

This research represents a pioneering effort in translating raw EEG waves directly into language, marking a significant breakthrough in the field.

Although DeWave only achieved just over 40 percent accuracy based on one of two sets of metrics in experiments conducted , this is a 3 percent improvement on the prior standard for thought translation from EEG recordings.

The goal of the researchers is to improve accuracy to around 90 percent, which is on par with conventional methods of language translation or speech recognition software.

Part 1

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on December 29, 2023 at 12:41pm

Space Anemia: A Rocket Launch Might Cause Your Blood Cells to Burst
In the roughly eight minutes it takes to shoot a human being off the face of our planet and into orbit, their body encounters a crushing force of gravity like nothing felt on Earth.
Scientists working with the European Space Observatory's Large Diameter Centrifuge are now testing whether that massive launch can weaken the membranes of an astronaut's blood cells, putting them at risk of bursting.

If that turns out to be true, it could help explain why astronauts tend to suffer from 'space anemia'.

Studies show human bodies destroy about 54 percent more red blood cells traveling into space than they would normally on Earth, lowering the availability of iron transporters in the bloodstream.

Researchers think that is why astronauts often experience fatigue, weakness, or dizziness when they return back to normal gravity. Their blood cells are still readjusting from a life in microgravity.
Historically, space flight has exerted forces of gravity three to six times that of Earth's gravity.
Previous studies on mice have found that white blood cells may be destroyed under conditions of hypergravity, and hypergravity also shows signs of weakening the cells that form a barrier between the blood stream and the brain in mice.

The very inner surface of blood vessels, which help control cell survival, proliferation, death, and migration, show signs of stress from hypergravity.

Scientists still know surprisingly little about how changing gravity impacts the human body.

https://www.sciencealert.com/space-anemia-a-rocket-launch-might-cau...

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on December 29, 2023 at 12:32pm

Gut Bacteria Contribute to Anorexia

Microbiomes transplanted from women with anorexia nervosa into mice enhanced symptoms of the eating disorder, such as rapid weight loss and reduced appetite.

Trillions of bacteria living in the human gut regulate the health of the body, but a disrupted microbiome can lead to a slew of diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, and type 2 diabetes. Now, metagenomics researchers  have found that the gut microbiome could also contribute to the eating disorder anorexia nervosa, potentially by altering gene expression in the brain.

The researchers began by comparing stool samples from 70 healthy women and 77 women with anorexia. There were massive changes in the abundance of bacteria, including 27 bacteria that were elevated in anorexic participants and 43 that were depleted. They also found differences in the expression of bacterial genes and in the blood levels of bacterial metabolites, which can affect human physiology. For example, the anorexic group showed an increase in indole-3-propionic acid, which slows down the passage of food and reduces feelings of hunger.

Comparing bacteria, however, is not enough to pin down their effects. To test whether the microbiome directly affected symptoms, the team transplanted fecal samples from three anorexic and three healthy participants into mice lacking gut microbiomes. The mice were then put on restrictive diets to mimic anorexic eating patterns. Those with anorexic microbiomes experienced a quicker drop in weight and put weight back on more slowly, indicating that the anorexic microbiome was conducive to weight loss. 

This proves that there is a causal aspect to it. The team then analyzed gene expression in the mice. In mice with anorexic microbiomes, they found increased expression of the appetite suppressor genes Bdnf and Cartpt in the hypothalamus, the brain’s appetite control center. “Browning” genes that convert white fat that stores energy into brown fat that burns energy to heat the body were also upregulated in fat tissue. 

These changes may explain why the mice lost weight and struggled to regain it, providing a possible mechanism for how the microbiome seemingly intensifies anorexia symptoms. 

Y. Fan et al., “The gut microbiota contributes to the pathogenesis of anorexia nerv...,” Nat Microbiol, ISSN 2058-5276, 2023. 

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on December 29, 2023 at 11:34am

Researchers find risk of miscarriage increases with benzodiazepine use in pregnancy

After accounting for measurable confounders, the risk for miscarriage is increased in association with benzodiazepine use during pregnancy, according to a study published online Dec. 27 in JAMA Psychiatry.

Benzodiazepines (Benzos) Benzodiazepines are a class of medications that slow down activity in your brain and nervous system. They're most often used for treating anxiety and related mental health conditions, as well as brain-related conditions like seizures.

Researchers quantified the risk for miscarriage associated with benzodiazepine use during pregnancy in a nationwide, population-based case-time-control study.

The researchers found that the risk for miscarriage was increased in association with use of benzodiazepines during pregnancy (odds ratio, 1.69); across multiple sensitivity analyses considering different time windows and accounting for misclassification, the results were consistent. An increased risk for miscarriage was seen in association with commonly used benzodiazepines, ranging from case-time-control odds ratios of 1.39 to 2.52 for alprazolam and fludiazepam, respectively. "These findings suggest that caution is warranted when using benzodiazepines during early pregnancy," the researchers  say. "The findings of this study also provide evidence to guide clinicians in making informed decisions regarding the treatment of psychiatric and sleep disorders in pregnant women."

Lin-Chieh Meng et al, Benzodiazepine Use During Pregnancy and Risk of Miscarriage, JAMA Psychiatry (2023). DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2023.4912

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on December 28, 2023 at 12:34pm

In a 2019 literature review, another set of researchers concluded that "collectively, experimental findings indicate that the connection between oral health and cognition cannot be underestimated".

This growing body of research has huge implications both for our understanding of the body, and for preventative intervention strategies in public health.

Of course, the battle against conditions like Alzheimer's cannot be reduced solely to oral health. Many factors contribute to the onset of dementia, and it would be wrong to overstate the impact of the mouth on this process.

Nevertheless, the evidence is clear that oral health interventions can help in the fight against cognitive decline, and clinicians have a key role to play in spreading this message.

https://www.sciencealert.com/expert-reveals-a-surprising-link-betwe...

Part 2

**

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on December 28, 2023 at 12:34pm

A Surprising Link Between Oral Health And Your Brain

A new study  has once again raised questions about the relationship between oral health and brain health; which most experts agree are surprisingly interconnected.

It investigated whether problems in the mouth like periodontitis (gum disease) and tooth loss can increase the risk of neurodegenerative disorders like stroke,

 Alzheimer's, and other forms of dementia.

The results were clear: both issues are associated with a faster rate of atrophy in the hippocampus – the part of the brain that governs memory, learning, and emotion. This is a significant result, however it is not the first time such a link has been made.

a US study of more than 40,000 adults enrolled in the UK Biobank research project found that poor oral health appears to be a key risk factor for stroke and dementia.

Part 1

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on December 28, 2023 at 12:29pm

Scientists Destroy 99% of Cancer Cells in The Lab Using Vibrating Molecules

Scientists have discovered a new way to destroy cancer cells. Stimulating aminocyanine molecules with near-infrared light caused them to vibrate in sync, enough to break apart the membranes of cancer cells. Aminocyanine molecules are already used in bioimaging as synthetic dyes. Commonly used in low doses to detect cancer, they stay stable in water and are very good at attaching themselves to the outside of cells. The new approach is a marked improvement over another kind of cancer-killing molecular machine previously developed, called Feringa-type motors, which could also break the structures of problematic cells. It is a whole new generation of molecular machines that scientists call molecular jackhammers. They are more than one million times faster in their mechanical motion than the former Feringa-type motors, and they can be activated with near-infrared light rather than visible light. The use of near-infrared light is important because it enables scientists to get deeper into the body. Cancer in bones and organs could potentially be treated without needing surgery to get to the cancer growth. In tests on cultured, lab-grown cancer cells, the molecular jackhammer method scored a 99 percent hit rate at destroying the cells. The approach was also tested on mice with melanoma tumors, and half the animals became cancer-free. The structure and chemical properties of aminocyanine molecules mean they stay in sync with the right stimulus – such as near-infrared light. When in motion, the electrons inside the molecules form what's known as plasmons, collectively vibrating entities that drive movement across the whole of the molecule.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41557-023-01383-y

**

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on December 28, 2023 at 11:44am

The results of their study were made available online on 5 November 2023 in Environmental Pollution, following Prof. Ok's two critical reviews published under the collection "Plastics in the Environment" in Nature Reviews Earth and Environment.

The ML algorithms were programmed to predict the influence of MPs on soil properties and found that different MP factors, such as type, size, shape, and dosage, significantly altered soil properties. Specifically, MP size was identified as a major factor that affects soil properties. Besides this, the shape, type, and dosage of MP was also found to distinctly influence the soils' chemical properties.

This pioneering study contributes essential data to support informed decision-making on plastic waste management, aligning with the global focus on sustainability and ESG principles. It underscores the importance of innovative research in guiding corporate sustainability efforts, where plastic-related issues are a growing concern. The application of ML techniques to this problem demonstrates the potential for advanced technology to drive sustainable practices and create a greener, more eco-conscious future.

These quantitative insights into the influence of MPs on soil characteristics represents a breakthrough in comprehending and mitigating the plastic waste dilemma. The study's utilization of ML algorithms marks a groundbreaking shift from traditionally complex and resource-intensive methods for predicting and interpreting the impact of MPs on soil properties.

 Piumi Amasha Withana et al, Machine learning prediction and interpretation of the impact of microplastics on soil properties, Environmental Pollution (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122833

Part2

**

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on December 28, 2023 at 11:42am

AI predicts the influence of microplastics on soil properties

Plastic waste and its buildup in nature has become a major environmental concern in recent times. While plastic pollution in the oceans is undoubtedly a problem, the presence of plastics in soils around the world is also known to cause severe environmental and health issues.

As plastics fragment into smaller pieces known as microplastics (MPs) in the soil through natural and anthropogenic processes, they drastically alter soil properties. Moreover, they are also absorbed by plants, potentially entering human food chain and causing health complications.

Grasping the impact of MPs on soil properties bears significant relevance for corporate sustainability, notably within the "Environmental" aspect of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals. Global corporations are often confronted with mounting expectations to embrace eco-friendly strategies, with a particular emphasis on handling plastic-related concerns being the core of these initiatives.

However, the underlying mechanisms governing the environmental impact of soil MPs still remain unknown. Soil-MP interactions are complex due to soil heterogeneity and MP diversity, challenging prediction and mitigation of their effects on soil properties.

To address this paucity in research on soil MPs, a team of scientists 

used machine learning (ML) algorithms to assess and predict the influence of MPs on soil properties.

ML is a dynamic and transformative field of artificial intelligence (AI) that uses algorithms and models to learn and make predictions from vast datasets with great accuracy. Using ML to comprehensively understand the role of MPs in soil systems is time- and resource-efficient and provides a foundation for future research on this subject.

part1

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 216
• 217
• 218
• 219
• 220
• …
• 1004
• Next ›
• Page