Neural Navigations #49

I returned home after a two-week intense road trip that left me fascinated by what I saw, learned, and experienced, along with gaining an extra two kilos. This journey provided a complete reset, and now I feel highly motivated to work again. I compiled this edition whenever I found a good internet connection and some time. Let’s delve into it.

Science, Technology & Space

CrowdStrike’s faulty update crashed 8.5 million Windows devices , says Microsoft. The global IT outage on Friday resulted from a sensor configuration update to CrowdStrike’s Falcon platform that caused a Windows logic error.

Scientists have long suspected the?moon ?may harbor dark labyrinths . They now have proof one exists.

As the International Space Station nears its retirement in 2030, NASA and its contractors are working full tilt on a new lab that will be whizzing through space much farther from Earth. Right now, at a facility in Turin, Italy, engineers are stress-testing the core module for Gateway, a lunar space station designed to provide astronauts with a place to live, conduct scientific research, and prepare for moonwalks.

NASA discovered sulfur crystals on Mars for the first time. Scientists realized they’d found a field of pure sulfur stones after the Curiosity rover accidentally crushed one of them, exposing the crystals.

Zombie galaxy came back to life after 20 million years. Galaxies that stop making stars don’t usually start up again, but now we’ve seen one wake from the dead for the first time – and it may explain what we’ve got wrong about galaxies in the early universe.

A study by Australian National University highlights a 42,000-year-old human settlement in Indonesia’s Tanimbar islands , offering insights into the advanced maritime technology and migration strategies of early humans in Southeast Asia.

Hydrogel can preserve medications for weeks outside of a fridge . Mixing protein-based drugs with hydrogels can keep the atomic bonds in the medication safe from high temperatures or shaking.

Brain, Body & Mind

Astrocytes, star-shaped glial cells in the brain , play a crucial role in learning and memory by regulating synaptic plasticity. Researchers developed a biophysical model showing how astrocytes interact with nerve cells to facilitate rapid adaptation to new information.

Individuals who experience vision loss before age 10 struggle more with judging sound distance compared to those who lose sight later in life.

Cuttlefish can form false memories, similar to humans . By exposing cuttlefish to overlapping features of different events, the researchers induced the creatures to falsely remember seeing shrimp where there were none. This finding suggests that cuttlefish reconstruct memories from separate details, optimizing memory storage. Individual cuttlefish showed varying susceptibility to forming false memories, indicating differences in memory processing.

Quick learners of motor skills have distinct brain activity patterns . Using brain-monitoring electrodes, the researchers found that visual processing plays a crucial role in learning new movements.

Researchers investigated the neural basis of blushing using MRI scans and cheek temperature measurements. The study found that blushing activates the cerebellum and early visual areas, but not regions linked to understanding mental states. This suggests blushing may be an automatic emotional response rather than a cognitive one. The findings could help address social anxiety related to blushing.

Researchers warn that mushroom gummies sold to boost brain function may contain illegal hallucinogens and other harmful ingredients , after five people, including a 3-year-old, fell ill. Testing revealed that three out of five brands contained psilocybin or psilocin, Schedule I drugs, which were not listed on the labels.

Researchers discovered that inhibiting the protein IL-11, known as inflammation protein, extends the lifespan of mice by up to 25% . The treatment also reduces cancer and diseases related to aging.

A new suggests that three-minute resistance exercise breaks every 30 minutes in the evening can extend sleep duration by an average of 27 minutes. This practice doesn't disrupt sleep quality and could reduce cardiometabolic disease risk. Participants engaged in simple exercises like chair squats and calf raises.

A new study reveals that psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, temporarily disrupts brain networks involved in introspective thinking , like daydreaming and memory. These changes persist for weeks, potentially making the brain more flexible and improving mental health. The findings could pave the way for psilocybin-based therapies for depression and PTSD.

Researchers found that daily antioxidant supplements slow the progression of late-stage dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The supplements help preserve central vision by slowing the expansion of geographic atrophy regions in the retina.

Nature & Environment

To help people clear cluttered fridges and reduce food waste, researchers in Tokyo are testing simple organisational techniques – and all you need to get started is some tape and a few stickers.

Scientists have documented the largest methane leak ever in Kazakhstan’s Karaturun East field, releasing 131,000 tonnes over 205 days. Their study used satellite data and advanced methods for detection and quantification.

Chinese nuclear reactor is completely meltdown-proof . The first ever full-scale demonstration of a nuclear reactor designed to passively cool itself in an emergency was a success, showing that it should be possible to build nuclear plants without the risk of dangerous meltdown.

Green belts around cities help keep them cool. Areas of rural countryside around cities are intended to prevent urban sprawl, but can also influence the climate within cities - and now researchers have quantified this cooling effect.