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Researchers at the University of Chicago have developed light-activated nanowires that can stimulate neurons to fire when they are exposed to light. The researchers hope that the nanowires could help in understanding complex brain circuitry, and they may also be useful in treating brain disorders.

Optogenetics, which involves genetically modifying neurons so that they are sensitive to a light stimulus, has attracted a lot of attention as a research tool and potential therapeutic approach. However, some researchers have misgivings about optogenetics, as it involves inserting a gene into cells, potentially opening the door to unforeseen effects and possibly permanently altering treated cells.

In an effort to develop an alternative, a research team at the University of Chicago has devised a new modality that can enable light activation of neurons without the need for genetic modification. Their technique involves nanowires that are so small that if they were laid side-by-side, hundreds of them would fit on the edge of a sheet of paper. Although initially designed for use in solar cells, their small size also makes them well suited to interacting with cells.

Continue reading “Tiny Light-Activated Gold-Covered Nanowires Can Make Neurons Fire” »

The Germany-born scientist, who arrived in the U.S. in 1962 and never left, was an opera-loving bon vivant who would have stood out in any field. His discovery of how proteins navigate the body provided a foundation for today’s research into treatments for cancer and myriad other diseases.

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Of $15.2 billion invested in AI startups globally in 2017, 48 percent went to China and just 38 percent to America. So says a new report from CB Insights about the state of AI.

So long, America: It’s the first time China’s AI startups surpassed those in the US in terms of funding. While America still has more AI startups than China, they’re starting to lose out in striking equity deals: the US accounted for 77 percent of them in 2013, but that fell to 50 percent last year.

Fierce competition: AI startup investment rose 141 percent in 2017 compared with 2016—but with 1,100 new startups appearing last year, AI appearing in business models everywhere, and Big Tech’s enterprise AI offerings gaining traction, it’s harder than ever to snag funds.

Continue reading “China’s AI startups scored more funding than America’s last year” »

What are the principles behind Homeopathy and does it work?

Kurzgesagt Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/cRUQxz

Continue reading “Homeopathy Explained” »

A friendly robot is helping the elderly stay connected to family and friends.

Ian Pearson, a futurist at Futurizon, said there will need to be a link between AI and a human brain.

PAL-V could deliver what many have promised but few provided.