By Amanda Koehn, Medill Reports

A comprehensive map of the human brain is in the works with the promise of eventually creating new neurological treatments and diagnoses for mental illnesses, Alzheimer’s disease and other disorders.

The BRAIN Initiative researchers at the University of Chicago, Argonne National Laboratory and in labs around the country are in the beginning stages of mapping, starting with mice and moving up the scale to humans.

Continue reading “Mapping the Brain: Chicago Researchers Connect the Network”

By Paul Caine Producer, WTTW’s Chicago Tonight

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.

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By Paul Caine Producer, WTTW’s Chicago Tonight

As awareness increases about the risk of traumatic brain injury while playing contact sports and the possible long-term health impacts, we talk to Dorothy Kozlowski, a professor of biological sciences at DePaul University whose research focuses on understanding and treating the injured brain.

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By Paul Caine Producer, WTTW’s Chicago Tonight

The World Health Organization warns that the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria or “superbugs” means that we could be on the brink of a “post-antibiotic era” in which common infections and minor injuries can once again kill. They say the situation is “so serious that it threatens the achievements of modern medicine.” We talk with The University of Chicago’s Dr. Robert Daum and University of Illinois at Chicago’s Dr. Scott Franzblau about the scale of the threat and what we can all do to try and contain it.

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By Haley BeMiller, Special to Blue Sky

Advances in technology have made it possible for just about anyone, even those who quit after one piano lesson, to explore music making.

That was the message of a panel of three music and music-technology experts who spoke during a Chicago Council on Science and Technology (C2ST) event Tuesday night. The event was moderated by Aaron Freeman, C2ST’s artist in residence and former host of NPR’s Metropolis and WTTW’s Chicago Tomorrow.

Music producer Doug McBride, owner of Gravity Studios in Wicker Park, cited Apple’s GarageBand program as an example of production at a user’s fingertips.

Continue reading “GarageBand, gTar and how technology can help turn you into a musician”

By Jennifer Fisher, Pioneer Press via the Chicago Tribune

For the first time in his long career as a comedian, Aaron Freeman’s jokes are being fact-checked.

“I’ve never had anyone fact-check my jokes,” says the Highland Park resident. “It adds an extra degree of difficulty.”

An extra degree of difficulty, however, comes with the territory in Freeman’s new role as artist-in-residence for the Chicago Council on Science & Technology, a regional consortium on science and technology education and policy.

Continue reading “Highland Park comedian tackles the humor in science”