The human brain is unique among animals for its size and for the cognitive power that it produces; it is the most remarkable trait that humans possess. The brain is not just the most complex organ in the human body – in fact, it is the most complex structure in the known universe. It has been a subject of study for thousands of years, but we have barely begun to glimpse how it works. Continue reading “What is the BRAIN Initiative?”
By Paul Caine Producer, WTTW’s Chicago Tonight
Originally published at: https://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2015/09/30/new-brain-initiative-aims-fully-map-human-brain
An ambitious new government-led research initiative aims to fully map the human brain.It’s called The Brain Initiative, and the goal is to advance understanding of how the brain works and develop treatments for crippling neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.But for brain researchers, the Holy Grail is to understand the origins of human consciousness. The research challenges are staggering, the consequences of success could be world-changing, from understanding consciousness to behavioral control.Two leading neuroscientists, John Maunsell and Bobby Kasthuri, join us to talk about this potentially groundbreaking project.On Thursday, Maunsell and Kasthuri will be part of a discussion on the BRAIN Initiative at Northwestern University.
Continue reading “New Brain Initiative Aims to Fully Map the Human Brain”
By Chris Eppig
*Before we begin, be sure to read my post on the naturalistic fallacy. Science cannot condemn or justify any behavior — it can only identify the behavior and explain why it exists. In this post I will attempt to explain greed as I understand it, without mixing in any of my own ideology or the ideology of anyone else.
The BRAIN Initiative (Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies) is a major research program recently announced by the National Institute of Health. Why is it important? What neurological problems does it hope to solve? Through a series of short talks and Q&A, three experts will give you their take and discuss their pioneering work in tackling some of the biggest mysteries of the brain.
C2ST Artist in Residence Aaron Freeman talks with comics artist, pediatrician and allergist Dr. Alex Thomas about the importance of metaphor to his work as an asthma specialist and medical science communicator. The interview is a intro to the topic of graphic medicine leading up to Comic Nurse MK Czerwiec’s workshop, “A Picture is Worth 1000 Words – Teaching Science with Comics”. The workshop will be hosted on Tuesday 12 November at Northwestern University’s Hughes Auditorium 303 East Superior St. in Chicago.
Aaron Freeman is a renaissance man: a comedian, science enthusiast, and neuroscience instructor. For years he has combined his skills as a comedian with his passion for teaching the world about science. At C2ST Speakeasy he will talk about comedy as a tool for teaching, and how educators can learn a thing or two from comics. C2ST’s own “Comedian-In-Residence” will wax comic about his sci-curious observations on his three favorite subjects. Continue reading “C2ST Speakeasy: “Sex, Science and Jokes” with Aaron Freeman”