Nothing can be compared to the happiness of being with a family, being with loved ones, who care for you no matter what.
Here's hoping for better days ahead!
 |
| At Ooty, 2011 |
Bliss.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Monday, May 20, 2013
MIT discovers the location of memories: Individual neurons
This is an old (March 2012) I found here.
MIT researchers have shown, for the first time ever, that memories are stored in specific brain cells. By triggering a small cluster of neurons, the researchers were able to force the subject to recall a specific memory. By removing these neurons, the subject would lose that memory.
As you can imagine, the trick here is activating individual neurons, which are incredibly small and not really the kind of thing you can attach electrodes to. To do this, the researchers used optogenetics, a bleeding edge sphere of science that involves the genetic manipulation of cells so that they’re sensitive to light. These modified cells are then triggered using lasers; you drill a hole through the subject’s skull and point the laser at a small cluster of neurons.
Now, just to temper your excitement, we should note that MIT’s subjects in this case aremice — but it’s very, very likely that the human brain functions in the same way. To perform this experiment, though, MIT had to breed genetically engineered mice with optogenetic neurons — and we’re a long, long way off breeding humans with optogenetic brains.
In the experiment, MIT gave mice an electric shock to create a fear memory in the hippocampus region of the brain (pictured above) — and then later, using laser light, activated the neurons where the memory was stored. The mice “quickly entered a defensive, immobile crouch,” strongly suggesting the fear memory was being recalled.
The main significance here is that we finally have proof that memories (engrams, in neuropsychology speak) are physical rather than conceptual. We now know that, as inEternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, specific memories could be erased. It also gives us further insight into degenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders, which are mostly caused by the (faulty) interaction of neurons. “The more we know about the moving pieces that make up our brains,” says Steve Ramirez, co-author of the paper. “The better equipped we are to figure out what happens when brain pieces break down.”
Bear in mind, too, that this research follows on from MIT’s discovery last year of Npas4, the gene that controls the formation of memories; without Npas4, you cannot remember anything. MIT has successfully bred mice without the Npas4 gene.
The question now, though, is how memories are actually encoded — can we programmatically create new memories and thus learn entire subjects by inserting a laser into our brain? We know that a cluster of neurons firing can trigger the memory of your first kiss — but why? How can 100 (or 100,000) neurons, firing in a specific order, conjure up a beautifully detailed image of an elephant? We’ve already worked out how images are encoded by the optic nerve, so hopefully MIT isn’t too far away from finding out.
MIT researchers have shown, for the first time ever, that memories are stored in specific brain cells. By triggering a small cluster of neurons, the researchers were able to force the subject to recall a specific memory. By removing these neurons, the subject would lose that memory.
As you can imagine, the trick here is activating individual neurons, which are incredibly small and not really the kind of thing you can attach electrodes to. To do this, the researchers used optogenetics, a bleeding edge sphere of science that involves the genetic manipulation of cells so that they’re sensitive to light. These modified cells are then triggered using lasers; you drill a hole through the subject’s skull and point the laser at a small cluster of neurons.
Now, just to temper your excitement, we should note that MIT’s subjects in this case aremice — but it’s very, very likely that the human brain functions in the same way. To perform this experiment, though, MIT had to breed genetically engineered mice with optogenetic neurons — and we’re a long, long way off breeding humans with optogenetic brains.
In the experiment, MIT gave mice an electric shock to create a fear memory in the hippocampus region of the brain (pictured above) — and then later, using laser light, activated the neurons where the memory was stored. The mice “quickly entered a defensive, immobile crouch,” strongly suggesting the fear memory was being recalled.
The main significance here is that we finally have proof that memories (engrams, in neuropsychology speak) are physical rather than conceptual. We now know that, as inEternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, specific memories could be erased. It also gives us further insight into degenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders, which are mostly caused by the (faulty) interaction of neurons. “The more we know about the moving pieces that make up our brains,” says Steve Ramirez, co-author of the paper. “The better equipped we are to figure out what happens when brain pieces break down.”
Bear in mind, too, that this research follows on from MIT’s discovery last year of Npas4, the gene that controls the formation of memories; without Npas4, you cannot remember anything. MIT has successfully bred mice without the Npas4 gene.
The question now, though, is how memories are actually encoded — can we programmatically create new memories and thus learn entire subjects by inserting a laser into our brain? We know that a cluster of neurons firing can trigger the memory of your first kiss — but why? How can 100 (or 100,000) neurons, firing in a specific order, conjure up a beautifully detailed image of an elephant? We’ve already worked out how images are encoded by the optic nerve, so hopefully MIT isn’t too far away from finding out.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Love Thy Neighbour.
This is probably coming very late, but there couldn't be a better time to mention this.
Pakistan.
I'm bound to get a wide spectrum of reactions at the mention of this word. But I'll plough on.
I, for one, had no feeling whatsoever towards Pakistan. I'd harboured a curiosity regarding this nation that tends to bring out the passionate patriot in every Indian.
Last August at Harvard MUN, I found the unspoken answers to my questions.
There were two delegations from Pakistan, one of them was from Karachi Grammar School. I won't deny that I was avidly curious to know about these 'exotic people from across the border'.
During the course of the conference, I befriended Navaera Sulaiman, a veteran MUNer from Karachi. A warm and affectionate person, Navaera proved to be a wonderful ambassador to her country.
At our committee, she was initially treated with animosity by a few members but she was prepared deal with them. At the end of the day, when her school was recognized for its wonderful team, she had silenced the rabble-rousers.
What I learnt was that they're people just like us. They read what we read, watch the same movies and have similar ambitions such as pursuing medicine or engineering. Of course, this doesn't speak for entire Pakistan. Karachi being a cosmopolitan city cannot be compared to the interiors of Swat Valley or the tribal regions where insurgents rule the roost. But neither did I generalize India. We have our own skeletons in the cupboard. So there's no harm in embracing that it's only a 'border' that divides two very similar nations.
I will refrain from taking names but I was surprised that many people were disappointed that this delegation outshone the other competitors and were unabashedly vocal.(and were at the receiving end of my ire)
My point is simple, its not everyday that you get an opportunity to know somebody from another country. Why be prejudiced? Go with an open mind, you will most certainly have a pleasant experience.
Why should we indulge in mudslinging and petty politics which, you and I know is beyond our realm? What is within our scope is to forge a friendship and spread the message.
Now this doesn't make me any less of a patriot. A true citizen will isn't fanatic. It's about building bonds and encouraging unity.
Pakistan.
I'm bound to get a wide spectrum of reactions at the mention of this word. But I'll plough on.
I, for one, had no feeling whatsoever towards Pakistan. I'd harboured a curiosity regarding this nation that tends to bring out the passionate patriot in every Indian.
Last August at Harvard MUN, I found the unspoken answers to my questions.
There were two delegations from Pakistan, one of them was from Karachi Grammar School. I won't deny that I was avidly curious to know about these 'exotic people from across the border'.
During the course of the conference, I befriended Navaera Sulaiman, a veteran MUNer from Karachi. A warm and affectionate person, Navaera proved to be a wonderful ambassador to her country.
 |
| Navaera and Me. Of course I look ugly. But that's beside the point. |
At our committee, she was initially treated with animosity by a few members but she was prepared deal with them. At the end of the day, when her school was recognized for its wonderful team, she had silenced the rabble-rousers.
What I learnt was that they're people just like us. They read what we read, watch the same movies and have similar ambitions such as pursuing medicine or engineering. Of course, this doesn't speak for entire Pakistan. Karachi being a cosmopolitan city cannot be compared to the interiors of Swat Valley or the tribal regions where insurgents rule the roost. But neither did I generalize India. We have our own skeletons in the cupboard. So there's no harm in embracing that it's only a 'border' that divides two very similar nations.
I will refrain from taking names but I was surprised that many people were disappointed that this delegation outshone the other competitors and were unabashedly vocal.(and were at the receiving end of my ire)
My point is simple, its not everyday that you get an opportunity to know somebody from another country. Why be prejudiced? Go with an open mind, you will most certainly have a pleasant experience.
Why should we indulge in mudslinging and petty politics which, you and I know is beyond our realm? What is within our scope is to forge a friendship and spread the message.
Now this doesn't make me any less of a patriot. A true citizen will isn't fanatic. It's about building bonds and encouraging unity.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Brain Babbling.
I'd read about this in the newspaper a month or so ago. Now that doesn't look good.
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/talking-back/2013/04/10/new-study-neuroscience-research-gets-an-f-for-reliability/
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/talking-back/2013/04/10/new-study-neuroscience-research-gets-an-f-for-reliability/
It all starts at the cellular level:
http://www.healthcanal.com/brain-nerves/38569-out-of-sync-with-the-world-brain-study-shows-body-clocks-of-depressed-people-are-altered-at-cell-level.html
http://www.healthcanal.com/brain-nerves/38569-out-of-sync-with-the-world-brain-study-shows-body-clocks-of-depressed-people-are-altered-at-cell-level.html
:)
Monday, May 13, 2013
Well, well, well. Look who's here!
That seems like an appropriate title for SO many reasons!
So CET, COMEDK, JEE, Manipal over. NEET, St. Johns and JSS left.
I suppose I'm marginally improving with each exam but then I would've been happier if the exams were scheduled differently. I mean CET is OVER!
And I'm not even writing JIPMER, AIIMS and CMC. Yes, very disappointing for a medical aspirant. But atleast I should do better in the upcoming ones.
As it happens, the only 'non-academic' reading I'm doing these days is the newspaper. Endless perusal, no doubt.
Planning to do a lot of things in the upcoming holidays (including learning to ride a 2/4 wheeler [people half my age are zooming around] and not excluding a haircut, volunteering at an NGO and writing a good 'piece'!)
Actually there was a problem with my St. Johns App. We'd written the wrong pincode and we panicked about it and sent a letter as well. But luckily, there was no hassle and I got my Hall ticket. What was surprising was when a letter addressed to me, containing the hall ticket of another student arrived a few days ago. So it's an applicant from Hooghly and we sent it back to her and hopefully it will reach her shortly!
But it also meant something more. It was a moment when it hit me that lakhs of students write these entrance exams to gain admission to a few prestigious colleges. It's a race. I wouldn't call it a rat race, but that's just being courteous.
Another interesting point is that a week or so ago, I re-established contact with an old friend. It turns out, not much has really changed. It maybe possible for friendship to stand the test of time. (some of my friendships have, some haven't. But they most certainly haven't failed for the lack of trying :) ) Maybe, people don't change. It is one of those rare times when we can pretend like that day never happened.
In a stark contrast to the this, I met an old 'acquaintance' (That's being polite. We were sworn enemies.) yesterday after COMED-K. Turns out that he's not as vile and insane as I'd known him earlier. (Possibly because the aforementioned qualities do not befit someone aspiring to be doctor) But honestly, it was a surprise that we could have a conversation without expletives. [Not Me. I don't Swear]
So maybe, people change for the better sometimes?
It is hard to let go of a dream. A dream perhaps built more in the air than in the firm foundations of reality. But a dream, nevertheless. A dream, for which I worked so that it maybe become true. A dream, which I still have, will always have. Adversity cannot quell a passion. One day, my dream will come true.
So CET, COMEDK, JEE, Manipal over. NEET, St. Johns and JSS left.
I suppose I'm marginally improving with each exam but then I would've been happier if the exams were scheduled differently. I mean CET is OVER!
And I'm not even writing JIPMER, AIIMS and CMC. Yes, very disappointing for a medical aspirant. But atleast I should do better in the upcoming ones.
As it happens, the only 'non-academic' reading I'm doing these days is the newspaper. Endless perusal, no doubt.
Planning to do a lot of things in the upcoming holidays (including learning to ride a 2/4 wheeler [people half my age are zooming around] and not excluding a haircut, volunteering at an NGO and writing a good 'piece'!)
Actually there was a problem with my St. Johns App. We'd written the wrong pincode and we panicked about it and sent a letter as well. But luckily, there was no hassle and I got my Hall ticket. What was surprising was when a letter addressed to me, containing the hall ticket of another student arrived a few days ago. So it's an applicant from Hooghly and we sent it back to her and hopefully it will reach her shortly!
But it also meant something more. It was a moment when it hit me that lakhs of students write these entrance exams to gain admission to a few prestigious colleges. It's a race. I wouldn't call it a rat race, but that's just being courteous.
Another interesting point is that a week or so ago, I re-established contact with an old friend. It turns out, not much has really changed. It maybe possible for friendship to stand the test of time. (some of my friendships have, some haven't. But they most certainly haven't failed for the lack of trying :) ) Maybe, people don't change. It is one of those rare times when we can pretend like that day never happened.
In a stark contrast to the this, I met an old 'acquaintance' (That's being polite. We were sworn enemies.) yesterday after COMED-K. Turns out that he's not as vile and insane as I'd known him earlier. (Possibly because the aforementioned qualities do not befit someone aspiring to be doctor) But honestly, it was a surprise that we could have a conversation without expletives. [Not Me. I don't Swear]
So maybe, people change for the better sometimes?
It is hard to let go of a dream. A dream perhaps built more in the air than in the firm foundations of reality. But a dream, nevertheless. A dream, for which I worked so that it maybe become true. A dream, which I still have, will always have. Adversity cannot quell a passion. One day, my dream will come true.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
We found Dove in a Soapless Place.
Gosh.
Why do I always desire things that are beyond my reach?
In this case, I mean beneath me? But perhaps above me?
It's no laughing matter. Bah.
The hazard of having a public blog is that you live with the fear that your carefully cloaked mysteries may be unlocked by someone.
I love pretty houses. (Now, what's wrong in that? The only person who could vaguely understand this allusion thankfully doesn't read my blog)
Idle, wishful thinking aside, I'm here because I don't want to be there.
Took Papers today and died.
RIP.
(Atleast I'm not the only one who thinks Ed Westwick and Robert Pattinson look alike)
^A hopeless parody of We Found Love. Very apt right now.
Why do I always desire things that are beyond my reach?
In this case, I mean beneath me? But perhaps above me?
It's no laughing matter. Bah.
The hazard of having a public blog is that you live with the fear that your carefully cloaked mysteries may be unlocked by someone.
I love pretty houses. (Now, what's wrong in that? The only person who could vaguely understand this allusion thankfully doesn't read my blog)
Idle, wishful thinking aside, I'm here because I don't want to be there.
Took Papers today and died.
RIP.
(Atleast I'm not the only one who thinks Ed Westwick and Robert Pattinson look alike)
^A hopeless parody of We Found Love. Very apt right now.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Right To Blog Randomly (RTBR, 2013)
Haylo!
Feeling happy today, so I thought I'll blog a bit and spend the night productively.
What is the single most unfair advantage one can have?
Needing less sleep.
(Quora)
Needing less sleep.
(Quora)
Why did the other team even bother to play? The pointlessness of playing against the team with Gayle.
I've been watching cricket lately. I wonder if I've genuinely developed an interest or it serves as a convenient distraction O.o
I've been watching cricket lately. I wonder if I've genuinely developed an interest or it serves as a convenient distraction O.o
I've been watching TV otherwise too. But if I steer clear of the big bad box during the first half of the day, the day goes well. After all, it's no sin to watch Sheldon Cooper.
PS: Don't you think Leonard Hoffstader bears an uncanny resemblance to Saif Ali Khan?
I often wonder, why don't I blog the way I used to. It doesn't really make sense to expect that. These are just phases. Who knows, a year or two from now, I might resort to 120 character updates on my blog instead of being active on Twitter *shudders*
So what am I upto these days?
- Sleeping. (Just can't get enough)
- Hogging. (On all things remotely edible)
- Surreptitiously watching CNN (Don't even ask)
- Taking papers (CET, COMEDK), analyzing and panicking.
Here's what Biddi's upto these days:
 |
| Watering the plants! |
 |
| Beer-lingamma. Di's BFF?! :) |
 |
| If only Di could take a leaf out of her cool sister's book. -.- |
 |
| Being sane in random moments that occur for minute fractions of a second. |
Yayy! Look at what I found!! :P
Byeeee.
(The horrors of my forgotten posts continue to haunt me. Eep)
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Keys. Quidditch. Empire State of Mind. :)
Hello.
I spoke to Pri. (Based on the conversation, I assure you that she is still a Hodo. Aww) <3
One must often sit and wonder what they want from life.
It can leave you were you started, or more confused than ever or else there's that 'Eureka' moment (according to all famous people) when you find the road map to success in your life.
It can leave you were you started, or more confused than ever or else there's that 'Eureka' moment (according to all famous people) when you find the road map to success in your life.
I spoke to Pri. (Based on the conversation, I assure you that she is still a Hodo. Aww) <3
As usual Medha is loony. (Girl claims to be able to focus after gorging on Burgers. -.- )
I'm watching Cricket these days! Nobody seems more surprised than myself. But honestly, some games seem too exciting to be natural. How legit is IPL really?
^Title: Alicia Keys- Empire State of Mind. (The Song)
{Alicia Spinnet- Quidditch Player. Incidentally, Keys was born on 25th}
Bye.
(Kudlets is a funny word.)
Peeved about the Music Scholarship. But I guess it's because I know I don't deserve it.
In the state of 'Disturbia'. -.-
Peeved about the Music Scholarship. But I guess it's because I know I don't deserve it.
In the state of 'Disturbia'. -.-
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Lessons In Life.
#1 It's an uphill ride.
#2 Don't worry and crib. Doesn't change anything.
#3 Stay Hopeful. "When the going gets tough, the tough get going."
#4 Happiness is within. "It's the little things that make life great."
"One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it's worth watching."
#5 Don't forget to stop and smell the roses. Have memories to cherish.
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