Brain-like computing on an organic molecular layer

Brain-like computing on an organic molecular layer: "One big advantage a brain's circuitry has always had over a computer's is its ability to evolve as it tackles complex problems. Now, scientists have created a tiny computing device with a brain-like 'evolutionary circuit.'"

This is really really cool technology.

Reasoning about social conflicts improves into old age [Psychological_And_Cognitive_Sciences-BS]

Reasoning about social conflicts improves into old age [Psychological_And_Cognitive_Sciences-BS]: "It is well documented that aging is associated with cognitive declines in many domains. Yet it is a common lay..."

Aging and wisdom PNAS article just out.

No gain from brain training

"The largest trial to date of "brain-training" computer games suggests that people who use the software to boost their mental skills are likely to be disappointed.

The study, a collaboration between British researchers and the BBC Lab UK web site, recruited viewers of the BBC science program "Bang Goes the Theory" to practice a series of online tasks for a minimum of ten minutes a day, three times a week, for six weeks. [More]"

No one would debate that the transfer of training on a specific task to another is meager. What is a better framework to understand this work, however, may be to ask what kinds of training affect what kinds of cognitive ability. One key may be how abstract a level of processing is involved...

Neural mechanisms of ageing and cognitive decline

Key review article just out in Nature.

Neural mechanisms of ageing and cognitive decline

Nature 464, 529 (2010). doi:10.1038/nature08983

Authors: Nicholas A. Bishop, Tao Lu & Bruce A. Yankner

During the past century, treatments for the diseases of youth and middle age have helped raise life expectancy significantly. However, cognitive decline has emerged as one of the greatest health threats of old age, with nearly 50% of adults over the age of 85 afflicted ...