Czech scientist Jan Evangelista Purkinje’s drawings of the shapes made from pushing on his closed eye
Czech scientist Jan Evangelista Purknye‘s (1787-1869) made drawings of the shapes “seen” from pushing on his closed eye. He was a proponent of self-experimentation who tested over fifty dangerous drugs on himself, and took to his eye pushing research with abandon: “When I close my eyes, they begin to shine, just like the dots and […]
Mo Costandi on science writing: a good story conveys wonderment
From the Guardian UK: Our series to accompany the 2013 Wellcome Trust Science Writing Prize asks top science writers about their craft. Today, we talk to neuroscience writer and blogger Mo Costandi. What’s a good science story? Something that makes me think, “Wow, that’s amazing!”. That is, stories about exciting new research that reveals some […]
Tiny Injectable LEDs Manipulate the Brain With Light
Tiny, glowing probes packed with LEDs and sensors are scientists’ newest tool for measuring and manipulating the brain and other living tissues. They’re flexible, they can operate wirelessly, and yes, they’re small enough to fit through the eye of a needle. This kind of device could potentially improve researchers’ ability to influence neural activity in live animals […]