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cognition

Animation of a neuron that periodically alters its responses to stimuli when it is reset into a new state by another input.
neural networks

Artificial Neural Nets Finally Yield Clues to How Brains Learn

By Anil Ananthaswamy
February 18, 2021
Read Later

The learning algorithm that enables the runaway success of deep neural networks doesn’t work in biological brains, but researchers are finding alternatives that could.

Looping video of illustrated clocks stretching in different directions.
Abstractions blog

Reasons Revealed for the Brain’s Elastic Sense of Time

By Jordana Cepelewicz
September 24, 2020
Read Later

New research finds that the subjective experience of time is linked to learning, thwarted expectations and neural fatigue.

Simple line drawing of a beating human heart.
Abstractions blog

How Your Heart Influences What You Perceive and Fear

By Jordana Cepelewicz
July 6, 2020
Read Later

The heartbeat and other bodily processes play a surprising role in shaping perception and cognition.

Photo of Scarlett Howard, a researcher at the University of Toulouse, working with honeybees
Q&A

Secrets of Math From the Bee Whisperer

By Susan D'Agostino
January 22, 2020
Read Later

As Scarlett Howard taught honeybees to do arithmetic, they showed her how fundamental numbers might be to all brains.

An osprey flying low over a river holds a trout in its claws.
Abstractions blog

Your Brain Chooses What to Let You See

By Jordana Cepelewicz
September 30, 2019
Read Later

Beneath our awareness, the brain lets certain kinds of stimuli automatically capture our attention by lowering the priority of the rest.

The illustration shows ghostly hands partially obstructing a person’s sight and hearing.
neuroscience

To Pay Attention, the Brain Uses Filters, Not a Spotlight

By Jordana Cepelewicz
September 24, 2019
Read Later

A brain circuit that suppresses distracting sensory information holds important clues about attention and other cognitive processes.

Art for "A ‘Self-Aware’ Fish Raises Doubts About a Cognitive Test"
neuroscience

A ‘Self-Aware’ Fish Raises Doubts About a Cognitive Test

By Elizabeth Preston
December 12, 2018
Read Later

A report that a fish can pass the “mirror test” for self-awareness reignites debates about how to define and measure that elusive quality.


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