Neuroscience's Theoretical Bottleneck: Can Spatial Dynamics Unlock the Brain's Secrets?

2025-03-12

While the cellular biology of brains is relatively well-understood, neuroscientists haven't yet generated a theory explaining how brains work. This article explores major obstacles in neuroscience, identifying them as largely conceptual. Neuroscience lacks models rooted in experimental results explaining how neurons interact at all scales. Brains aren't solely driven by external and internal stimuli; their autonomy is significant. Furthermore, the traditional assumption of time as an independent variable clashes with experimental findings; spatial dynamics may offer a more suitable framework. The paper proposes several conceptual frontiers needing breakthroughs, emphasizing the importance of single-trial designs and analyses, and the need for improved experimental methods to reveal the brain's spatial dynamics.

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Lisp's Advantages in Bioinformatics: Faster Programs, Faster Development

2025-01-21

This article argues for expanding the use of Lisp-family languages (Common Lisp, Scheme, and Clojure) in bioinformatics and computational biology. Lisp's strengths—speed, flexibility, and ease of creating domain-specific languages (DSLs)—enable faster program development and execution. Case studies of Pathway Tools and BioBike showcase Lisp's power in building complex, flexible bioinformatics applications. The authors discuss opportunities and challenges for Lisp's future in the field.

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Simple Exercise Eliminates Gastroesophageal Reflux: A Case Report

2024-12-28

This case report describes a novel exercise to strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and eliminate gastroesophageal reflux. The exercise involves eating while kneeling with the head lower than the stomach, using gravity as resistance. After several months of daily practice, the author's reflux symptoms ceased and haven't returned. This simple, low-risk exercise offers a potential solution for some individuals suffering from GERD.

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Mass Psychogenic Illness and Social Networks: A Changing Outbreak Pattern?

2024-12-21

A 2012 outbreak of conversion disorder at a New York high school saw numerous adolescent girls develop facial tics, muscle spasms, and speech problems. The diagnosis sparked controversy, with parents challenging the psychogenic explanation and suggesting environmental causes. This article analyzes the two types of mass psychogenic illness (MPI), its economic impact, and the shift in its spread in the social media age. The authors posit that social media may accelerate MPI transmission and amplify challenges to diagnoses, creating new public health hurdles. The Leroy case highlights the complexity of managing MPI in the digital age, suggesting traditional isolation strategies may be insufficient.

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