Data Stored in Live Neurons 100
Light Licker writes "Israeli researchers have created artificial memories for the first time — in a tangle of neurons growing in the lab. Using a specific chemical they could add to the pattern of impulses in a network of the nerve cells. 'Many believe that complex patterns of neuronal firing are templates for memory, which the brain uses when storing information. Imprinting such "memories" on artificial neural networks provides a potential way to develop cyborg chips, says Ben-Jacob. These would be useful for monitoring biological systems like the brain and blood since, being human, they would respond to the same chemicals.' The new pattern lasted two days — good enough for biological RAM?"
Obligatory (Score:3, Funny)
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That definition seems also include me (average mammal walking on hindlegs without slashdot account)?
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But officer (Score:2, Funny)
Minor problem (Score:5, Insightful)
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Brainwashing? (Score:1)
A data storage system based on live neurons doesn't necessarily mean you'll become the automaton of an evil 1984 society. Film-based sci-fi cyborg scenarios are way beyond reach for the time being. Using the term 'cyborg' sensu strictu at the moment implies a hybrid neuroelectronic system for health monitoring purposes.
Initial practical applications of the breakthrough are noted at the bottom of the article: These would be useful for monitoring biological systems l
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Thanks for the memories... (Score:3, Funny)
Yeah, I'd say so...I can't remember anything for more than a few minutes, let alone two whole days!
What day did you say it is again?
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Yes, but (Score:1)
Re:Yes, but (Score:5, Funny)
Sorry...
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Sorry...
Well, it's more uptime than a Windows system.
That would clash with the fact I forgot where my power switch is.
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System Up Time: 32 Days, 6 Hours, 29 Minutes, 24 Seconds
Not too bad, if I do say so myself.
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PHP
RSA (in use, right?)
USB flash storage devices (see M-Systems)
Water sprinklers
Cherry tomatoes
Epilady hair remover
Many, many new medicines (see Teva)
Various kinds of defense weapons
Should I go on?
A billion years too late (Score:2, Funny)
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Re:FYI (Score:5, Informative)
Pain (Score:5, Interesting)
LIke a read-only memory (Score:3, Informative)
You used a word with negative connotations, but that's how many electronic memory devices work. They start with a full set of connections and are programmed by deleting all the unwanted connections.
In old-style PROMs (programmable read-only memories) the connections were metallic fuses that were burned by a pulse of current. Then came EPROMs (eraseable programmable read-only memories) where the connections could be restored by bathing
RIAA (Score:5, Funny)
I tried this experiment... (Score:1, Funny)
The mold in the refrigerator hasn't shut up since. Stupid mold.
Storage? (Score:2, Funny)
i hope she doesnt... (Score:1)
or worse
have a seg fault
and if you overcome those difficulties and it actually works for you, i'd like some advise as i'd might consider thinking of setting up a RAID array, but i have concerns regarding the upkeep requirements with regards to the communication network that was available, your advice?
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Having one GF is bad enough, you're talking 2 GFs in close-proximity?? Are you CRAZY? Thats like blowing up a nuke with another nuke...attached to your head by a strap!
You... (Score:1)
First non-SF use for the word "cyborg"? (Score:5, Interesting)
On a very much related tangent, I hope this sort of research will lead to better interfaces between electronic "input devices" like digital cameras and microphones, and the brain itself. That would greatly improve the condition of blind and deaf people.
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Which one?
Re:First non-SF use for the word "cyborg"? (Score:5, Interesting)
Answer: Not very, if at all.
I invite you to sit in on a class discussing this topic (memory); we know so little it's almost entertaining.
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When the early 20th century man first discovered controlled flight, how much closer did it bring them to the Boeing 747's and the Apollo program?
When early 20th century man first discovered computational models, how much closer did it bring them to
Your argument is invalid
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Welcome to Slashdot!
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Also, how the hell can you connect the camera to the "wetware" inside the brain(Zonk's word, never heard the term wetware before)? Wireless power? Ouch.
On a sidenote:they say they used "picrotoxin". It has the "toxin" in it. Is that a nice thing?
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Kids today. Don't you read the classics [amazon.com] in school anymore?
Improved study method? (Score:1, Funny)
If thats so, give me black belt knowledge in lots of martials arts, skill in every weapon, and some of that ninja magic shit, cause them pirates have got a thing to answer for!
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- Wow, I know sendmail now!
Morpheus: - Show me.
And then the PFY calling the others:
Morpheus is spamming Neo...
QMail - on the other hand....
Ino!~
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Now I need a USB cable for my brain (Score:2)
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Well, I for one welcome our new data trafficking, USB-port toting overlords!
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Ahem. [slashdot.org] :)
Hardware? (Score:2)
Now, this story relates a neat hack. They were able to account for the background of spontaneous firing and find their signal amid the noise. Very clever. Can't say as I see it being good for much other than having shown it can be done and supporting the Hebbian neural network theory. But then, science is about finding stuff out. This they did. Even if nothing practical comes of it, it's a win for the science
Operational Requirements (Score:1)
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doesn't it already have one?
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I see this having severe repercussions; SuperGeeks(TM) across the entire Globe will start showing signs of social anxiety, possibly leading to further psychological trauma, as soon as the day comes when they're forced to say their goodbyes
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Don't you call those... babies?
The day I can hook a baby up to my router for extra on the fly storage... well, that will one great day. Babies have a much greater WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor) than electronics. It's a win/win!
Link to the paper (Score:1)
Whose Brains? (Score:2)
Go forth and hyperlink, (Score:1)
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Their Web editor certainly has been introduced to "the Way of the Internet". All the ads on the page are linked to their targets.
Lack of linking isn't lack of imagination, it's lack of competence, like leaving out the job/interest of a named source, or any failure to cite. Especially in a scientific (if pop) journal, there's no excuse.
And FWIW, I didn't scream. I
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Nemory Lab (Score:2)
The Schneidics [uncyclopedia.org] Institute needs one of these labs for nemory [uncyclopedia.org] experiments. Or maybe it needs not to have one, and never know the difference.
Controlling memory creation (Score:1)
Technically the chemical in question could be one of the many neurotoxins, just as lead (Pb) acts as one of the many human toxins [flyinggems.com]. Injection of picrotoxin might be stimulating neurons in some fashion that is abnormal or detrimental, not to mention that these results only had imprints lasting days and not years. And maybe it is an equivalent psychadelic? Maybe not.
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Oh, and most psychedelics (like LSD, mescaline, psilocybin, phenethylamines, etc) are nontoxic. Their action is theorized to result from signal interference (noise) and consequential effects. This "bench" is an excellent harness in which to researc
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Why wouldn't they be ethical? Unless it's such a complete functioning brain that it has the capability for self-awareness, I don't see a problem. It's the same as any experiment on a cadaver or amputated body part.
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Why does it have to be a complete, functioning brain to be self-aware? People with severe brain damage, much less than half a brain, are still self aware, and we don't think it ethical to zap them with false memories. Somewhere between the least functioning human brain we've got, and just one lone neuron without any interconnects, lies some critical mass (or range) that we wouldn't fool with. And now that we're facing it, we have to think it through, or we'll definitely
Woo hoo! Time to take that vacation to Mars! (Score:3, Funny)
Now, what sort of options are available for the memory implant's "ego trip"?
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Permissions (Score:1)
Future Computer Virus? (Score:1)
Another obligatory joke (Score:2)
cool.. (Score:1)
or hell I can just flash someone else's brain and be in there... nice