2006-08-28

Nanowire arrays can detect signals along individual neurons

Nanowire arrays can detect signals along individual neurons: "Opening a whole new interface between nanotechnology and neuroscience, scientists at Harvard University have used slender silicon nanowires to detect, stimulate, and inhibit nerve signals along the axons and dendrites of live mammalian neurons.

Harvard chemist Charles M. Lieber and colleagues report on this marriage of nanowires and neurons this week in the journal Science.

'We describe the first artificial synapses between nanoelectronic devices and individual mammalian neurons, and also the first linking of a solid-state device -- a nanowire transistor -- to the neuronal projections that interconnect and carry information in the brain,' says Lieber, the Mark Hyman Jr. Professor of Chemistry in Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences. 'These extremely local devices can detect, stimulate, and inhibit propagation of neuronal signals with a spatial resolution unmatched by existing techniques.'

Scientists Find Memory Molecule

Scientists Find Memory Molecule: "Scientists at SUNY Downstate Medical Center have discovered a molecular mechanism that maintains memories in the brain. In an article in Science magazine, they demonstrate that by inhibiting the molecule they can erase long-term memories, much as you might erase a computer disc.

Furthermore, erasing the memory from the brain does not prevent the ability to re-learn the memory, much as a cleaned computer disc may be re-used. This finding may some day have applications in treating chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, and memory loss, among other conditions.

Michael Geist - 30 Days of DRM

Michael Geist - 30 Days of DRM: "Starting tomorrow, I plan to spend the thirty days before the House of Commons reconvenes to highlight some of the exceptions and limitations that should be included in the event that a Canadian DMCA is introduced. Each day, I will post a new provision, focusing broadly on marketplace concerns, public protection, and fair circumvention. The postings will be collected on a single page to form a compilation of DRM policy issues. Moreover, I'm launching a wiki that will start with the postings and will hopefully grow as interested readers add examples and additional perspectives."

Katrina, one year later

Katrina, One Year Later

10,000 Reasons Civilization is Doomed

10,000 Reasons Civilization is Doomed

2006-08-04

Meraki Mini WiFi router also does mesh

Meraki Mini WiFi router also does mesh: "Just because WiFi's like, so over doesn't mean you can't spice it up a bit, say, maybe with some mesh networking? Borne of MIT Roofnet project heritage and part time consultants on the OLPC (no doubt regarding its mesh networking system), startup Meraki's forthcoming Mini wireless router stands to make some waves (har) when it's out of beta. Intended to cost a mere fifty bucks when it's finished being developed, the Meraki Mini will provide not only the vanilla 802.11b/g access we're all so accustomed to but will also act as a node in a wireless mesh network capable of providing a viable wireless backbone, pushing out the reaches of muni WiFi networks, or even starting up a pirate pay-for-use Hotspot zone. Mesh-enabled WiFi rollouts are not a new concept, but at $50 apiece things start to change for the companies charging hundreds for their devices -- and change even more when you make the hackable, semi-open source WiFi mesh devices available to your everyday consumer.