The hottest Neuroscience Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Science Topics

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Axis of Ordinary • 19 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🔬 Science AI Neuroscience Physics
  1. AI advancements are progressing rapidly, with more agents leading to better performance in Language Models.
  2. Neuroscience is evolving with innovations like sensors enhancing sensation in prosthetic limbs and brain control enabled by neural networks.
  3. Physics research reveals insights such as gravity showcasing the strong force in the proton and implications of linearity in quantum mechanics.

What Happens in the Brain While Daydreaming?

Psych • 19 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🔬 Science Neuroscience Memory
  1. Daydreaming may contribute to brain plasticity: Daydreams, especially after viewing images, might assist the brain in learning and adapting by guiding neural patterns.
  2. Neural activity during daydreams: Neurons in the visual cortex of mice fired similarly during daydreaming and when actively looking at images, suggesting a link between daydreams and visual memories.
  3. Predictive nature of early daydreams: Daydreams at the start of the day predicted changes in the brain's response to images, indicating that daydreams could influence the brain's future reactions to visual stimuli.

How can you increase your odds of experiencing epiphany?

The Recovering Academic • 257 implied HN points • 13 Dec 22
📚 Literature Neuroscience Creativity Fiction Nature
  1. Epiphanies can be triggered by sudden insight, which is distinct from gradual problem-solving.
  2. Creating the right environment, like changing scenery or engaging in diversion, can aid in experiencing epiphanies.
  3. Epiphany is a complex concept, often arising from a combination of external stimuli and internal mental processes.

Neuroscience/AI - Can rats ‘think’? A paper by Chongxi Lai and colleagues on cognitive teleportation in rats [8 min read]

James W. Phillips' Newsletter • 157 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
🔬 Science Neuroscience AI Cognition Experiment
  1. There is a paper on cognitive teleportation in rats, pushing the boundaries of what we understand about rodent cognition.
  2. The research involves tasks where rats navigate in virtual reality based on their brain signals, not physical movements.
  3. The study successfully shows rats 'thinking' by rewarding them for imagining being in a particular location, showcasing impressive advancements in neuroscience and AI.

Brains, Mammals, and the Brains of Mammals

Natural Selections • 6 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🔬 Science Evolution Anatomy Biology Neuroscience Genetics
  1. Our ancestors were successful in evolution, leading to our existence today. Every single one of us is part of a long line of evolutionary success.
  2. Mammals have evolved unique traits such as mammary glands, four-chambered hearts, and specialized teeth, making them distinct from other species.
  3. The mammalian brain has evolved to be large, well-connected, and specialized, with a balance between autonomy and integration, as shown in the structures like the forebrain and the corpus callosum.
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Paper Summary: The Koha Code - A Biological Theory of Memory

Sigil • 19 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
🔬 Science Neuroscience Biology Memory Learning Cognition
  1. The Koha model proposes that dendritic spines are computational units that scan for specific temporal codes in the brain.
  2. Excitatory and inhibitory neurons can form neural circuits that use lateral inhibition to suppress other neurons.
  3. Dendritic spines change shape to amplify or dampen signals, encoding temporal patterns and competing to become the 'winning neuron'.

Dyslexia

Confidence Interval • 39 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Neuroscience Genetics
  1. Dyslexia can be seen as a disability that requires support and accommodations, regardless of whether it is formally diagnosed.
  2. The concept of dyslexia as a medical condition with specific diagnosis criteria can impact the type of support individuals receive, potentially leading to advantages for some over others.
  3. The understanding of dyslexia involves studying brain structures and genetic influences, but it's important to acknowledge that the term 'dyslexia' can encompass a range of factors affecting reading ability.

Thoughts From Inside the Intensity Machine

•ꪜꫀᥴꪻꪮ᥅ꫝꫀꪖ᥅ꪻ• • 2 HN points • 24 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Innovation Tech industry AI Product Management Neuroscience
  1. The tech industry has shifted towards perpetuating its generative model over genuine innovation, leading to a mechanization of value generation.
  2. Revolutionary technological change requires higher flexibility, interdisciplinary collaboration, and reflexivity in research and product development, contrasting with the current 'move fast and break things' culture.
  3. Human agency involves deliberately changing conditions to create new problems, embracing novelty and deliberate decision-making to shape collective imaginary and make a positive impact.

On medium-sized questions in neuroscience

NeuroLogos • 58 implied HN points • 11 Apr 23
🔬 Science Neuroscience
  1. Neuroscientists explore a wide variety of interesting questions about brains and behavior beyond just imitating human intelligence or achieving cognitive enhancement.
  2. There is value in focusing on medium-sized scientific questions that are scientifically well-posed, of general interest, and can lead to more specific experimental questions and philosophical speculations.
  3. Topics like sensory substitution, fading percepts, and hyperacuity offer concrete questions for researchers to investigate, such as understanding how signals in the brain enable new senses, how eye movements affect visual experience, and how human vision surpasses the limits of individual retinal cells.

In Hyperbolic Geometry, Two Parallel Lines Are Taken to Converge in One Direction and Diverge in the Other

Zero HP Lovecraft • 24 implied HN points • 22 Aug 23
🔬 Science Quantum physics Neuroscience Technology Cybernetics Philosophy
  1. In Hyperbolic Geometry, parallel lines converge in one direction and diverge in the other
  2. Birthright is a place with strict rules and restrictions, where modern technology like projecting is forbidden
  3. The story reveals a unique and dangerous portal gun rivalry that transcends time and reality

Transhumanists vs. Mysterians on The Posthuman Condition

Extropic Thoughts • 39 implied HN points • 17 May 23
🔬 Science Technology Biology Philosophy Psychology Neuroscience
  1. The piece discusses the contrast between Transhumanists and Mysterians in their views on the Posthuman Condition.
  2. It highlights the error in labeling Extropians as 'posthumans' when they actually describe themselves as transhumanists.
  3. The essay stresses the importance of considering cultural and psychological consequences of changing human nature when discussing transhumanist ideas.

EEGs: What Can They Do?

Rough Diamonds • 3 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🔬 Science Neuroscience Psychiatry Neurotech
  1. EEGs measure brain activity by recording fluctuations in electrical signals.
  2. Different brain wave frequencies on EEGs correspond to different mental states like sleep, relaxation, alertness, and conscious perception.
  3. Consumer-grade EEG devices are noisier than clinical ones but can still provide useful insights into brain activity, especially for applications like monitoring drowsiness or stress.

Noninvasive Brain Activity Imaging

Rough Diamonds • 2 HN points • 05 Jan 24
🔬 Science Medical Devices Neuroscience
  1. Noninvasive brain activity imaging allows for measuring and mapping brain activity without surgery or bulky machines.
  2. Different imaging modalities like fNIRS, functional ultrasound, and portable MEG offer varying levels of convenience, spatial resolution, and depth of brain activity detection.
  3. Innovations like functional ultrasound and OPM-MEG show promise in providing noninvasive and portable options for measuring brain activity.

AI to Interpret Your Mind

Reasons to Be Optimistic • 3 implied HN points • 21 Jul 23
🔬 Science Neuroscience Imaging Machine Learning Research Brain Activity
  1. Machine learning models can interpret human thoughts from brain scans, reconstructing images seen by individuals.
  2. Historical developments in noninvasive brain imaging, like MRI and fMRI, have paved the way for advancements in understanding the human brain.
  3. Recent progress in brain image reconstruction using technologies like transformers and diffusion models show promising potential for capturing and reconstructing multi-frame thoughts and experiences from brain scans.

Two Brains, One Team: System 1 and System 2

FutureIQ • 1 implied HN point • 20 Mar 23
🔬 Science Neuroscience Psychology Behavior Cognition Learning
  1. We have two brains: a lizard brain that controls instincts and emotions, and a rational human brain for logical thinking.
  2. System 1 (fast, automatic, emotional) and System 2 (slow, logical) take turns solving tasks based on complexity and time constraints.
  3. System 1 and System 2 work best when they collaborate like a driver and a navigator, each having their roles.

Coming soon

resonantbrain • 0 implied HN points • 25 Aug 22
🔬 Science Neuroscience AI Books
  1. The post is a teaser for a newsletter called Resonant Brain that focuses on neuroscience and AI.
  2. The newsletter will also cover related books on neuroscience and AI.
  3. The author of the newsletter is Sai Gaddam.

The Neuroscience of Meditation

About to Learn • 0 implied HN points • 02 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Meditation Neuroscience Self-awareness
  1. Meditation can lead to better attention and emotion regulation by changing the brain's structure.
  2. There is potential for increased self-awareness through mindfulness meditation, though more research is needed to confirm this.
  3. Studies show that mindfulness meditation can significantly help with anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, and sleep disorders.

Neuro-Nonsense

NonTrivial • 0 implied HN points • 14 Jul 23
🔬 Science Neuroscience Complexity Brain function Networks Behavior
  1. Neuroscience aims to understand the nervous system, coordinating physical and behavioral attributes.
  2. Understanding what makes individuals unique is complex; differences are not always easy to pinpoint.
  3. Behavior cannot be localized in the brain; complex systems function across networks, not specific regions.

Exclusive: Dr. Karl Friston Unveils Cutting-Edge Active Inference AI Research at IWAI

Spatial Web AI by Denise Holt • 0 implied HN points • 17 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Neuroscience Machine Learning Information Theory
  1. Active Inference AI research by Dr. Karl Friston is being recognized for its potential in Artificial General Intelligence, showcasing breakthroughs like mimicking biological intelligence and developing 'smart' data models.
  2. The focus on state spaces within generative models and understanding their dynamics is crucial in comprehending how intelligent systems predict and react to stimuli.
  3. Research around emergent communication systems among intelligent agents demonstrates how active learning can lead to the development of common communication methods and predictive structures.

Revolutionary AI Whitepaper Validated by New Neuroscience Breakthrough

Spatial Web AI by Denise Holt • 0 implied HN points • 23 Aug 23
🕹 Technology AI Neuroscience Energy Efficiency Artificial General Intelligence
  1. The future of AI is moving towards shared, distributed intelligence where diverse nodes contribute to a collective system.
  2. Active Inference AI, based on the Free Energy Principle, mimics biological intelligence by updating internal models to minimize surprise and uncertainty, enabling more efficient learning.
  3. The VERSES AI whitepaper proposes a revolutionary approach to AI focusing on explainable, energy-efficient, and scalable intelligence, validated by recent neuroscience breakthroughs.

Friston’s AI Law is Proven: FEP Explains How Neurons Learn

Spatial Web AI by Denise Holt • 0 implied HN points • 15 Aug 23
🔬 Science AI Neuroscience
  1. Friston's AI Law, based on the Free Energy Principle, is changing the world of AI by explaining how neurons learn in a new way called Active Inference AI.
  2. Traditional machine learning models face challenges like data loading, lack of interpretability, and pattern matching without 'thinking,' while this new approach offers self-optimizing, scalable, and programmable AI.
  3. The Free Energy Principle theory by Dr. Karl Friston explains how brains handle the complex task of perceiving the world, and recent research validated this theory by showing how neuronal networks self-organize and update beliefs to make predictions.

From the Impossible to the Inevitable: AGI is Coming Faster Than You Think

Spatial Web AI by Denise Holt • 0 implied HN points • 16 Jan 23
🕹 Technology AI Neuroscience Spatial Web Artificial General Intelligence Machine Learning
  1. Active Inference and the Free Energy Principle are key concepts developed by Dr. Karl Friston for explaining how agents can maintain their internal states and behavior based on minimizing the difference between their beliefs and reality, paving the way for Artificial General Intelligence.
  2. The proposed stages of development suggest a timeline for achieving different levels of artificial intelligence, from Systemic Intelligence to Artificial Super Intelligence, showing a path towards creating more advanced AI.
  3. Active Inference AI within the Spatial Web has the potential to transform artificial intelligence into a self-evolving system that learns from real-time data, considers context, and optimizes behavior, which could lead to the realization of Artificial General Intelligence.

Sunday Curiosity Links

Grist Potentia • 0 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🔬 Science History Neuroscience Architecture
  1. Thomas Edison, born in 1847, was an American inventor known for significant contributions in electric power, communication, sound recording, and motion pictures.
  2. The way the brain responds to reward is connected to a person's socioeconomic background.
  3. Emilio Ambasz's architecture combines poetry and greenery, showing a unique intertwining of art and nature.

Neuromyths in design: Learning styles

UX Psychology • 0 implied HN points • 08 Nov 21
🚌 Education Learning Styles Neuroscience
  1. Learning Styles theory lacks evidence to support its effectiveness and can sometimes be detrimental in educational settings.
  2. It is important to provide multiple sensory representations of information for all users rather than catering to specific learning styles.
  3. Instead of focusing on Learning Styles, designers can utilize learners' prior knowledge to help them connect and learn new information effectively.

Consciousness is simple. Simple is hard. AI can have it

resonantbrain • 0 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🔬 Science Consciousness Neuroscience AI Systems
  1. Consciousness may seem complex, but it can actually be explained in simple terms. What is hard is arriving at this simplicity.
  2. Minds, including human minds, operate as non-linear, dynamic systems. Complex problems arise when dealing with interconnected systems.
  3. Consciousness is about transforming past experiences into present reality. AI could potentially achieve consciousness by having its own experiences and building a self.

Understanding consciousness is more pressing than ever at the dawn of this AI age

resonantbrain • 0 implied HN points • 23 Feb 23
🔬 Science Consciousness AI Neuroscience Artificial Intelligence Philosophy
  1. Understanding consciousness is a critical challenge in the era of Artificial Intelligence.
  2. Questions about consciousness often arise due to incomplete perspectives on the 'hard problem' of experience and self.
  3. The emergence of consciousness in artificial entities is not only possible but inevitable as they gain the ability to process experiences and exhibit real-time feedback.

Understanding consciousness is more pressing than ever at the dawn of this AI age

resonantbrain • 0 implied HN points • 12 Sep 22
🔬 Science Consciousness Neuroscience Artificial Intelligence Philosophy Machine Learning
  1. Understanding consciousness is crucial, especially with the advancement of AI technology.
  2. Explanations of consciousness have been challenging due to the complexity of asking 'why' we experience instead of 'who' is experiencing.
  3. Consciousness relies on creating and connecting past experiences to interpret the present and prepare for the future, emphasizing the importance of feedback loops in achieving true consciousness.