This article explores the connection between strategic thinking in games like chess, the behaviors of manipulators (like drug dealers), and the neurological basis of 'theory of mind' – our ability to understand others' perspectives. A recent study suggests a link between forward-thinking and manipulation, with brain activity during negotiation mirroring that seen in chess players.
A new brain imaging study found links between authoritarian attitudes (both left- and right-wing) and structural differences in the brain, specifically reduced gray matter volume in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (right-wing) and reduced cortical thickness in the right anterior insula (left-wing).
A new study suggests the thalamus plays a key role in regulating conscious perception, acting as a gateway between sensory signals and the cerebral cortex. Researchers used data from patients with pre-existing electrodes to observe brain activity during visual perception tasks.
A study published in Nature Human Behavior reveals that general anesthesia suppresses unique functional connectivity patterns in the brain, making it difficult to distinguish individuals based on their neural activity. This effect is strongest in uniquely human brain regions and has implications for understanding and potentially aiding consciousness recovery.
A new study reveals that people with lower self-awareness about their own decision accuracy show stronger brain responses to morally charged political issues, potentially explaining why some political beliefs are so rigid.
Rejuvenating the brain’s lymphatic vessels can enhance memory in aging mice by improving the removal of waste products from the brain.
This study demonstrates that neural activity in the human brain aligns linearly with the internal contextual embeddings of speech and language within large language models (LLMs) as they process everyday conversations.
The article explores the concept of consciousness, arguing for a reductionist approach by Alan J. McComas. It discusses how consciousness is a function of the brain, with neural activities often preceding awareness. The piece also examines the role of large language models in chatbots, highlighting potential manipulative techniques and the need for vigilance in interactions. Additionally, it addresses the integration of AI in research and evolving journal standards.
Researchers at the University of Chicago have discovered that the fine control octopuses have over their arms is due to the segmentation of their nervous system circuitry, which is distributed with a significant number of neurons in the arms. This unique system allows for independent decision-making in each arm and precise control, potentially informing future soft robot designs.
This study explores a more general notion of novelty, including novel combinations of existing elements, by introducing higher-order Heaps' laws and a new model (ERRWT) to reproduce the empirical properties of higher-order novelties.
