Update

Hi folks, here's the latest on our move. It looks like we will be moving in the first week of June. Our visa appointment moved forward and so have our plans :) Will keep you posted on developments as they happen.

Google Gulp

Quench your thirst for knowledge with Google Gulp:

Think a DNA scanner embedded in the lip of your bottle reading all 3 gigabytes of your base pair genetic data in a fraction of a second, fine-tuning your individual hormonal cocktail in real time using our patented Auto-Drink™ technology, and slamming a truckload of electrolytic neurotransmitter smart-drug stimulants past the blood-brain barrier to achieve maximum optimization of your soon-to-be-grateful cerebral cortex. Plus, it's low in carbs! And with flavors ranging from Beta Carroty to Glutamate Grape, you'll never run out of ways to quench your thirst for knowledge.

Neural Thoughts

I have started a new blog along with some friends of mine (most of whom know a lot more neuroscience than I do). Do take a look if you are curious about what kind of research goes on.. and kind of what I work on.

Mind reading... Literally

New research on controlling devices using only using thought seems to be holding our real promise. The field of brain machine interface devices has been around for a few years now, but it seems to be getting more mainstream with some really exciting advances in recent years. Now, they have gotten to point where a quadraplegic patient can now control some functions on a computer and a robotic hand with only thought :)

It works by recording from 50 to 150 neurons in the brain and interpreting their activity into control of a device. The interpretation is usually done by an intermediate artificial neural network or algorithm. For all of this to work, some amount of training is required both for the person and the neural network. As the technology is still premature, there is a long way to go in terms of development.

Who knows, one day we will get to point where anything can be controlled by plugging it into your brain-gate... look ma, no hands ;)

Nikon D50 Entry-Level DSLR

Nikon seems to be thinking of releasing a new entry level D50 digital SLR, the details were apparently leaked on Nikon Japan site by mistake. The resolution is supposed to be 6MP and probably a sub $1000 price. In any case, there is reason to hope if you were looking to upgrade to a DSLR on a budget.