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Oct 11, 2024

MIT Scientists Shed New Light on the Critical Brain Connections That Define Consciousness

Posted by in categories: media & arts, neuroscience

This study explores how the brain processes predictions and what happens to these processes during unconsciousness induced by the anesthetic propofol.


Our brains are constantly making predictions about our surroundings, enabling us to focus on and respond to unexpected events. A recent study explores how this predictive process functions during consciousness and how it changes under general anesthesia. The findings support the idea that conscious thought relies on synchronized communication between basic sensory areas and higher-order cognitive regions of the brain, facilitated by brain rhythms in specific frequency bands.

Previously, members of the research team at The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory at MIT and at Vanderbilt University had described how brain rhythms enable the brain to remain prepared to attend to surprises. Cognition-oriented brain regions (generally at the front of the brain), use relatively low-frequency alpha and beta rhythms to suppress processing by sensory regions (generally toward the back of the brain) of stimuli that have become familiar and mundane in the environment (e.g. your co-worker’s music). When sensory regions detect a surprise (e.g. the office fire alarm), they use faster frequency gamma rhythms to tell the higher regions about it and the higher regions process that at gamma frequencies to decide what to do (e.g. exit the building).

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Oct 11, 2024

New Gmail Security Alert For Billions As 7-Day AI Hack Confirmed

Posted by in categories: cybercrime/malcode, robotics/AI

Google has implemented increasingly sophisticated protections against those who would compromise your Gmail account —but hackers using AI-driven attacks are also evolving. Here’s what you need to know.

Sam Mitrovic, a Microsoft solutions consultant, has issued a warning after almost falling victim to what is described as a “super realistic AI scam call” capable of tricking even the most experienced of users.

It all started a week before Mitrovic realized the sophistication of the attack that was targeting him. “I received a notification to approve a Gmail account recovery attempt,” Mitrovic recounts in a blog post warning other Gmail users of the threat in question. The need to confirm an account recovery, or a password reset, is a notorious phishing attack methodology intended to drive the user to a fake login portal where they need to enter their credentials to report the request as not initiated by them.

Oct 11, 2024

Hunter’s Moon, biggest supermoon of 2024, is coming in October. Details inside

Posted by in categories: asteroid/comet impacts, existential risks

The year’s biggest supermoon, the Hunter’s Moon, will rise in the sky next week. Astronomers have been thrilled to see three back-to-back supermoons this year, but October’s supermoon is going to be extra special.

It will be the only moon to come this close to Earth in 2024, making it appear extremely large. The supermoon will occur on October 17, reaching its fullest point merely hours after coming to its closest point. It will be 220,055 miles from Earth on this day.

The sky this month is filled with cosmic wonders. You can see two comets this month, with one of them already taking people’s breath away. The second comet will visit towards the end of October.

Oct 11, 2024

Internet Archive data breach exposes more than 31 million user accounts: reports

Posted by in categories: cybercrime/malcode, encryption, internet

(NEXSTAR) — The Internet Archive, a popular digital library known for its Wayback Machine, was hacked and suffered a data breach that reportedly exposed 31 million user accounts.

Founder Brewster Kahle confirmed in a post on the social media platform X that a cyberattack on Tuesday knocked the website offline. He also said that usernames, emails, and encrypted passwords had been compromised.

“Services are currently stopped to upgrade internal systems,” Kahle wrote in a Thursday update. “We are working to restore services as quickly and safely as possible. Sorry for this disruption.”

Oct 11, 2024

Watching electrons in motion at 1 quintillionth of a second

Posted by in categories: materials, particle physics

Imagine being able to see electrons — the tiny particles that buzz around atoms — in action, darting and swirling in their frenetic dance. This isn’t science fiction anymore.

Scientists have recently developed a state-of-the-art microscope that allows us to observe these elusive particles moving at unimaginable speeds, revealing the intricate behaviors and interactions that occur at the atomic level.

This innovative technology opens up new frontiers for research in physics and materials science, providing unprecedented insights into the fundamental building blocks of matter.

Oct 11, 2024

Follow The Data: Why AI Demands A Data-Driven Culture

Posted by in category: robotics/AI

Companies that embrace a data-driven culture will be better able to thrive in not just life sciences, but every industry. By leveraging AI and strengthening the collaboration between humans and machines, organizations can achieve better quality, ensure data-driven decision-making and democratize data across their enterprise.

It’s incredible to think of where we’ll be in just a few short years. Those who can adapt to a data-first culture and not only implement AI technologies, but also understand its application and address the challenges, will be better positioned for success.

I’ll close with this—follow the data. Make decisions based on that data. That’s it. It’s that simple. In the search for truth, data-driven decisions are the way forward.

Oct 11, 2024

Life expectancy rise in rich countries slows down: why discovery took 30 years to prove

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, life extension

Improvements in public health and medicine have lengthened human survival, but science has yet to overcome ageing.

Oct 11, 2024

This is a Monumental Breakthrough… [Part 2]

Posted by in categories: mathematics, physics, robotics/AI

Edward Frenkel is a renowned mathematician, professor of University of California, Berkeley, member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and winner of the Hermann Weyl Prize in Mathematical Physics. In this episode, Edward Frenkel discusses the recent monumental proof in the Langlands program, explaining its significance and how it advances understanding in modern mathematics.

SPONSOR (THE ECONOMIST): As a listener of TOE you can get a special 20% off discount to The Economist and all it has to offer! Visit https://www.economist.com/toe.

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Oct 11, 2024

Presentation by Kallum Robinson on Theories of consciousness, Seth & Bayne 2022 Nat Rev Neuroscience

Posted by in categories: media & arts, neuroscience

Oct 11, 2024

The Tesla Robovan Is Elon Musk’s Vision of Group Transport for the Future

Posted by in categories: Elon Musk, sustainability, transportation

Well it does kinda look like a stapler.


This wild-looking people mover can transport up to 20, Musk said.

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