Scientists know little about how the brain assigns cells to participate in encoding and storing memories. Now a UCLA/University of Toronto team has discovered that a protein called CREB controls the odds of a neuron playing a role in memory formation. picked by AutumnLotus 1 year ago

A robot controlled by a blob of rat brain cells could provide insights into diseases such as Alzheimer's, University of Reading scientists say.
Video included. And another in comments. picked by cycostinkoman 1 day ago

Researchers at Hertfordshire University did not find a link between persistent ecstasy taking and continued memory deterioration, suggesting that one-off use can be enough to cause life-long damage. picked by DrNothing 1 year ago

There is a popular belief that goldfish only have a three-second memory span and every lap of their fishbowl is like seeing the world for the first time. But a 15-year-old schoolboy from Adelaide has just debunked that theory. He has conducted a simple experiment, which proves that the humble goldfish is smarter than we think. picked by AutumnLotus 7 months ago

A new study by researchers at UC Davis shows how our very short-term "working memory," which allows the brain to stitch together sensory information, operates. The system retains a limited number of high-resolution images for a few seconds, rather than a wider range of fuzzier impressions. picked by h2so4hurts 5 months ago

Two teams have independently succeeded in placing a cloud of chilled rubidium atoms within an optical cavity, which traps light between two opposed mirrors. The combination could one day form a quantum memory element. picked by drnothing 10 months ago

Flash memory, the workhorse of mobile phones and digital cameras, could be made more efficient by using buckyballs. These spherical fullerene molecules, comprised of 60 carbon atoms, would allow flash memory to operate at a lower voltage and save on power... picked by mutil8or 5 months ago

During an experimental brain surgery to reduce a patient's appetite, surgeons triggered a déjà vu event. The patient had vivid and precise memories of something that happened 30 years ago. The possibilities of this being used to help Alzheimer's patients are being investigated. picked by 2manyusernames 7 months ago

Mental stimulation and drug treatment could help people with degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer's recover their memories, a study says.
Scientists found mice with a similar condition to Alzheimer's were able to regain memories of tasks they had previously been taught. picked by rambler 1 year ago

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind may not be too far off from reality. Still no cure for cancer, but this is going to be a pretty useful trick (for good and bad), so we'll excuse the scientists on this one. picked by jaxomlotus 1 year ago

A person's optimism in the future seems to be controlled by a small front part of the mid-brain.

In a related story scientists give up on finding pessimism part of brain... what's the point... (sigh) picked by proverb 11 months ago

Increase memory speed? Get rid of the memory chip. picked by tomphoolry 2 years ago

A GENE mutation in the brains of mice could help scientists develop the world's first memory pill. picked by AutumnLotus 1 year ago

Scientists have long wondered whether memory could survive the dramatic reorganization of the moth brain during metamorphosis. A new finding says that it can. picked by MandolinOrange 6 months ago

Never mind that TV show that asks if you're smarter than a fifth-grader. Is your memory better than a young chimp's? picked by Bornbad 9 months ago

Scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology have discovered a new climate pattern called the North Pacific Gyre Oscillation. This new pattern explains, for the first time, changes in the water that are important in helping commercial fishermen understand fluctuations in the fish stock. picked by AutumnLotus 4 months ago

By using a specialized microscope that illuminates only a cell’s surface, scientists have become the first to see, in real time and in plain view, hundreds of thousands of molecules coming together in a living cell to form a single particle of the virus that has, in less than 25 years, claimed more than 25 million lives: HIV. Video on homepage. picked by AutumnLotus 3 months ago

New research suggests that pronouns may play a far greater role than simply replacing a proper name in a sentence. A University of South Carolina study suggests that pronouns help keep the brain’s complex circuitry and limited memory system from being overloaded. picked by neilharvey 1 year ago

Fun math, reaction time, and memory exercises for your brain. If you register with the site, it tracks your progress. picked by hypnotode 2 years ago

Scientists from Oregon State University and the Natural History Museum in London have announced the discovery of the oldest known fossil of a gecko, with body parts that are forever preserved in life-like form after 100 million years of being entombed in amber. picked by AutumnLotus 3 days ago