Lifeboat Foundation

Neurons in the brain are like vast networks, receiving thousands of signals from other neurons through tiny structures called synapses.

Researchers from Bonn and Japan have clarified how neighboring synapses coordinate their response to plasticity signals: Nerve cells in the brain receive thousands of synaptic signals via their “antenna,” the so-called dendritic branch. Permanent changes in synaptic strength correlate with changes in the size of dendritic spines. However, it was previously unclear how the neurons implement these changes in strength across several synapses that are close to each other and active at the same time.

The researchers—from the University Hospital Bonn (UKB), the University of Bonn, the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) and the RIKEN Center for Brain Science (CBS)—assume that the competition between spines for molecular resources and the spatial distance between simultaneously stimulated spines affect their resulting dynamics. The results of the study have now been published in the journal Nature Communications.

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Understanding cellular architectures and their connectivity is essential for interrogating system function and dysfunction. However, we lack technologies for mapping the multiscale details of individual cells and their connectivity in the human organ–scale system. We developed a platform that simultaneously extracts spatial, molecular, morphological, and connectivity information of individual cells from the same human brain. The platform includes three core elements: a vibrating microtome for ultraprecision slicing of large-scale tissues without losing cellular connectivity (MEGAtome), a polymer hydrogel–based tissue processing technology for multiplexed multiscale imaging of human organ–scale tissues (mELAST), and a computational pipeline for reconstructing three-dimensional connectivity across multiple brain slabs (UNSLICE).

A writer with no technical background recounts his incredible journey into the realm of coding and the invaluable lesson it taught him about the modern world.

There is a legend that many hundreds of years ago—long before printing presses, computers, or telephones existed—a special method was used to remember significant events, such as land transfers, crucial agreements, or weddings. According to the legend, a child was chosen to witness the event and immediately thrown into a river. This extreme combination of events was believed to ensure that the child would never forget that specific event.

But why might such a method have worked? Although this historical method may seem extreme, our ancestors may have been onto something crucial: When an event is combined with a strong emotional reaction, it becomes easier to remember.

For a long time, researchers have been able to offer a specific explanation for why some events are stored in our long-term memory while others are not. However, learning and memory may not be as straightforward as once thought. New research from DANDRITE shows that experiences that are not directly relevant to a memory can still impact the strength of that memory, paving the way for the development of entirely new memory-focused learning tools.

Scientists at the University of Texas used a breakthrough laser recycling technique to turn plastic into computer components.

For centuries, we thought that the Universe was completely deterministic. But even if you know all the rules, you can’t get rid of chaos.

Metamaterials have recently garnered substantial research interest as they can be engineered to achieve materials properties not found in nature, thus presenting unique opportunities across various fields. In order to facilitate the rational design of metamaterials, computational methods have been widely employed, but not without numerous challenges yet to be addressed. This Focus highlights recent advancements, challenges, and opportunities in computational models for metamaterials design and manufacturing, as well as explores their potential promises in emerging information processors and computing technologies.

Prof Lee said, “Existing breakthrough studies in quantum advantage are limited to highly-specific tailored problems. Finding new applications for which quantum computers provide unique advantages is the central motivation of our work.”

“Our approach allows us to explore the intricate signatures of topological materials on quantum computers with a level of precision that was previously unattainable, even for hypothetical materials existing in four dimensions,” added Prof Lee.

Despite the limitations of current noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) devices, the team is able to measure topological state dynamics and protected mid-gap spectra of higher-order topological lattices with unprecedented accuracy, thanks to advanced in-house developed error mitigation techniques. This advance demonstrates the potential of current quantum technology to explore new frontiers in material engineering.

It’s not easy making green.

For years, scientists have fabricated small, high-quality lasers that generate red and blue light. However, the method they typically employ — injecting electric current into semiconductors — hasn’t worked as well in building tiny lasers that emit light at yellow and green wavelengths. Researchers refer to the dearth of stable, miniature lasers in this region of the visible-light spectrum as the “green gap.” Filling this gap opens new opportunities in underwater communications, medical treatments and more.

Compact laser diodes can emit infrared, red and blue wavelengths, but are highly inefficient at producing green and yellow wavelengths, a region known as the ‘green gap’. (Image: S. Kelley, NIST)