A Close Up Look Infographic – #10 – Modern Treatments
In this new installment of our infographic series, A Close Up Look, KN Illustrator Gil Torten takes us on a journey through 3 of the most exciting treatments in vision… Read more
Infographic
A Close Up Look Infographic – #9 – The Bionic Eye
The bionic eye is a well-known example of sci-fi technology– but could it soon be more than just science fiction? Check out this new infographic, in which KN Illustrator Gil… Read more
A Close Up Look Infographic – #8 – RGC Density
Did you know you have a special cell type in your retina whose density can give us an approximate sense of how good your vision is? Check out this… Read more
A Close Up Look Infographic – #7 – The Visual Pathway
How does information about what we see around us reach the brain? Check out this infographic from Gil Torten to learn about each step in the intricate visual pathway,… Read more
A Close Up Look Infographic – #6 – Eye Disease
How might people with cataracts see the world differently? What about someone with a refractive error like astigmatism? In this infographic, KN Illustrator Gil Torten explores how different eye conditions… Read more
A Close Up Look – #5 – Optical Illusions
How do optical illusions work? Check out this infographic to learn about how the features of our visual system lead to some of these odd and intriguing optical experiences.… Read more
A Close up Look Infographic – #4 – Neural Networks
Did you know that neural networks and some parts of the visual system work in a very similar way? Learn about the similarities between the two systems in Gil Torten’s… Read more
A Close up Look Infographic – #3 – Chameleon vision/Focusing
How do our eyes focus on moving objects and chameleon eyes zoom into their environment? Learn about the differences between the human eye and chameleon eyes in our latest infographic.… Read more
A Close Up Look Infographic – #1 – Retina
How does the octopus see the world? Learn about the differences between the human retina and the octopus retina in our latest infographic. An insightful infographic written and illustrated by… Read more
Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
~ Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by abnormal levels of impulsive and hyperactive behaviors which occurs in both children and adults. Symptoms appear around 3-… Read more
Autism Spectrum Disorder [Infographic]
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in language acquisition and social communication. The disorder is referred to as a “spectrum,” as individuals can exhibit a… Read more
Alternating Hemiplegia [Infographic]
Alternating Hemiplegia is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects children. A characteristic symptom of the disorder is repetitive episodes of paralysis on one side or both sides of the body. The… Read more
Canavan Disease [Infographic]
Canavan Disease is a rare and fatal neurological disorder, in which the ability of neurons to transmit information is impaired due to damaged white matter in the brain. The disorder… Read more
What is Klüver-Bucy Syndrome? [Infographic]
Klüver-Bucy syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that causes damage to the brain’s temporal lobe. However, it is not life-threatening; medications and supportive therapy can help alleviate the symptoms. Learn… Read more
What is Bell’s Palsy? [Infographic]
Bell’s Palsy is a neurological disorder that causes temporary weakness in the facial muscles and nerves. The disorder can be cured with medications and therapy. In this infographic, neuroscientist Rajamani… Read more
What is Alexander Disease?
Alexander disease is an extremely rare neurological disorder that severely impairs the functions of nervous system leading to intellectual disability and developmental delay. In this infographic, neuroscientist Rajamani Selvam explains… Read more
What is Angelman Syndrome?
Earlier this year, in a philosophical post, we considered whether children with a genetic disorder called Angelman syndrome are happy. Angelman syndrome is a rare disorder that many of our… Read more
Weird Animal Brain: Leaf Sheep Sea Slug
Remember photosynthesis: How plants capture energy from the sun. Chloroplasts (the green parts of leaves) are where the sun’s energy is captured.… Read more
Bite-size science: Cell replacement therapy for Parkinson’s Disease
In Parkinson’s Disease, specific cells in the brain die. Over time, this makes basic movements like walking and reaching for a cup impossible. Researchers are racing to find effective treatments.… Read more
What is the cerebellum?
Learn about the mini brain you have at the base of your skull!… Read more
Weird Animal Brain: Woodpecker
Brain damage is a major concern for us humans – car accidents, football, falling backwards. It’s pretty easy to cause a concussion. Woodpeckers, however, pound away daily using much more… Read more
Weird Animal Brain: Tuatara Lizard
The tuatara lizard is called a “living fossil” because it is the last surviving member of the Rhynchocephalia order. Learn more about the tuatara in the infographic below!… Read more
Weird Animal Brain: Strawberry Squid
Also known as the cock-eyed squid, this beautiful and weird creature is unique not only because of its similarities to a strawberry, but also because of its two very special… Read more
Bite-size science: The brain remembers without staying the same
A new paper published this month in the journal Cell describes an unexpected finding about memory. Researchers used to think that memory required specific activity from the same brain cells… Read more
Weird Animal Brain: Fly
Fly lips are called labellum and fly feet are called tarsi. Both the labellum and tarsi contain taste receptors which help the fly find food. Think about that the next… Read more
Weird Animal Brain: Brittle Star
Brittle stars are covered in protective outer plates, but they also have another structure of internal plates. A particular species of brittle star seems to be able to use these… Read more
Weird Animal Brain: Moth
These beautiful little creatures are incredibly skilled at sniffing out mates. The pheromone the females release is called bombykol. Scientists are on the hunt for exactly how this pheromone activates… Read more
Bite-size Science: Epigenetics help protect the aging brain
Epigenetics change which genes are active and which are inactive. Research over the past few years has shown that these changes are important for protecting the brain from neurodegeneration and… Read more
Weird Animal Brain: Sea Squirt
The brain is one of the most complex and amazing structures in the universe. It allows us to experience the world, feel, remember, and plan for the future. But for… Read more
Should you trust that article you’re reading?
It’s easy to find information on the internet — especially information that confirms what you already believe to be true. Through search engine bias, your Facebook newsfeed bubble, and confirmation… Read more
How does fundamental research help you?
Sometimes it’s hard to understand why scientists do what they do. Why spend a career studying cells, fungus, or flies? Other than being nerdy and wanting to learn about our… Read more
Weird Animal Brain: Octopus
The octopus almost reaches alien status when it comes to its brain and nervous system. And yet, the differences can help us understand more about the human brain as well… Read more
Weird Animal Brain: Manta Ray
Last month, on the big island of Hawaii, I swam with giant, beautiful aliens. Or at least that’s what it felt like. I went night snorkeling with manta rays and… Read more
Weird animal brain: Sharks
Everyone knows sharks are fierce predators. How exactly they hunt so well is in part due to their extra sixth sense: electroreception!… Read more
Weird animal brain: Jewel wasp
The jewel wasp’s venom is potent on two levels. … Read more
What is Peer Review?
~ This infographic was made in collaboration with Frontiers for Young Minds. Check out the infographic we made for them here. ~ Written by Jillian Shaw. Graphics by Jooyeun Lee.… Read more
CRISPR-Cas9: Targeted Genome Editing
~ Infographic by Jooyeun Lee and Kate Fehlhaber. ~ References: Hsu P. & Feng Zhang (2014). Development and Applications of CRISPR-Cas9 for Genome Engineering, Cell, 157 (6) 1262-1278. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2014.05.010… Read more
Get Ready for #SfN14 with #KnowingNeurons
This is an exciting time for neuroscience! The Nobel Prize for Physiology and Medicine was just awarded to three neuroscientists “for their discoveries of cells that constitute a positioning system… Read more
ALS: An Infographic and the Ice Bucket Challenge
The Knowing Neurons team accepted the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge!… Read more
EyeWire: A Game To Map The Brain
Solving the mysteries of the connectome may require something more powerful than a supercomputer. The makers of EyeWire think that it’s you who can help map the brain! This game… Read more
The Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting 2013
This is BIG week for neuroscience! Each year more than 30,000 neuroscientists from more than 80 countries come together in the largest scientific meeting in the world! At the Society… Read more
Zinc Finger Nucleases: Genomic Scissors
The potential to manipulate DNA sequences and insert genes with the use of zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) has huge implications for human genetic disease therapeutics. One exciting example is a… Read more
A World Without Pain
In Northern Pakistan, a ten-year old street performer awed and horrified crowds with his ability to place knives through his arms and walk across burning coals all seemingly without pain. … Read more
