SCI-THINK

 Mental illness affects not only the personalities of those afflicted but also other aspects of their lives. Sufferers of depression often lose friends and even family members who may not understand the nature of their disease. In a breakthrough study, scientists have found that the merging of artificial intelligence with targeted electric brain stimulation can help with cognitive functions and self-control. Summary is below. Researchers show it is possible to improve specific human brain functions related to self-control and mental flexibility by merging artificial intelligence with targeted electrical brain stimulation Alik Widge, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of psychiatry and member of the Medical Discovery Team on Addiction at the U of M Medical School said " An example might include a person with depression who just can't get out of a 'stuck' negative thought. Because it is so central to mental illness, finding a way to improve it could be a powerful new way t...

We slap them, hate them, and spray ourselves with chemicals to try and avoid them. But the mosquito is much more than just a disease carrying nuisance. Now, scientists have found a way to collect biopsy samples from potential cancer patients without the complications from the standard biopsy needle. And we have the mosquito to thank. Below is the summary. This study investigates mosquito proboscis-inspired (MPI) insertion applied to the clinically used biopsy needle to reduce tissue deformation and organ displacement. The proboscis of the mosquito is that needle like structure that pierces your skin allowing the female insect to get at your blood. But it's not really a singular entity. The proboscis is actually a total of six parts, all working together in order to find the most efficient way to ingest your life fluid. Scientists can now use a needle based from the mosquito proboscis in order to extract the tissue needed for a biopsy to determine if cancer is present or not. Ge...

For those people worried about robots taking over the world this is probably not going to calm their nerves. Scientists have developed a material that can make its own decisions without human intervention by using cues from nature. The summary is below. Researchers have developed an artificial material which can respond to its environment, independently make a decision, and perform an action not directed by a human being. For example, a drone making a delivery might evaluate its environment including wind direction, speed or wildlife, and automatically change course in order to complete the delivery safely. The material incorporates 3 main functions also displayed by materials found in nature, such as chameleons changing the color of their skin to blend into their surroundings. This A.I. material, called metamaterial, can sense environmental conditions and independently make decisions without the need for programming on every situation. Taking its cues from nature, this technology...

Chimpanzees are the closest relative to humans as far as the evolutionary tree goes. At some point, around 6 million years ago, we branched off in different directions becoming what each species is today.  While we share a great deal of traits with these primates, we don't share everything. For instance, the human brain has evolved and given us the necessary skills to create technology, educate, and make moral decisions. Not so for the chimpanzee.  Now, scientists may have the answer as to why this is and it involves 2% of our DNA. The basic summary is below. Our DNA is very similar to that of the chimpanzee, which in evolutionary terms is our closest living relative. Stem cell researchers have now found a previously overlooked part of our DNA, so-called non-coded DNA, that appears to contribute to a difference which, despite all our similarities, may explain why our brains work differently Around 2% of our DNA has been called "junk DNA" because it was believed to serve n...

Plastic is enemy number one when talking about the environment and saving our planet along with it's biodiversity. And with good reason. Most estimates put our plastic use at around 300 million tons each year with the majority winding up in landfills or in the oceans.   Now, science may have an answer to this particular problem in the form of turning our plastic waste into fuel. Here's the summary of this ground breaking research:    Researchers report using catalytic pyrolysis to turn plastic wastes into a valuable fuel source. They focused on recycling plastic and upgrading plastic into other products or converting it to a vapor with heat, which met a catalyst and turned into the desired fuel-like product. This pyrolytic process transforms primary organic waste into a sustainable fuel or other valuable chemical.    Pyrolysis is a process that involves breaking down carbon with a catalyst and using heat (800° F and higher) to convert that broken down car...