Neuroscience 2009

Benefits of exercise on the brain, gender specific attributes of cognition, and mechanisms of facial feature processing in social situations: finally, research in neuroscience can be understood by all. Or can it? In the early nineteenth century when Phineas Gage shed a frontal lobe, people started to notice the brain had much to do with our every day selves. Centuries later, a field has evolved that strives to understand every last detail of the human mind. Some may recall the Star Trek: Next Generation episode in which Captain Picard has a headache and the doctor is surprised: by that time man had mapped the brain and headaches were shelved next to polio on the old-disease list. Such a thought is a dream for every mind here at Neuroscience 2009, the world’s largest annual meeting for all things brain. Something like 30,000 neuroscientists gather here to share their newest discoveries. But while banners boast the big ideas of how thinking in men differs from that of their better counterpart, the minutiae make up the guts of the conference. Insert Latin phrase for “Lay people stay clear”. As an engineer in a field where Molecular Biology is King, I often struggle to translate findings into terms I understand (binary, preferably). But while I’m normally able to understand basic ideas of such topics, the vast majority of the research presented here goes under the radar of the public eye. Not because there isn’t press to gobble them up, and not because their research isn’t hot enough: most scientists struggle to show how the single molecule they study in species no one has heard of actually applies to humans. So I'll just stand up for everyone here: it all matters. Their research may be decades from translation into a vaccine or cure, but these are the building blocks that are required to reach any goal, no matter how lofty. I am reminded of a wonderful quote from Jill Tarter, director of SETI, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, saying “ ‘Are we alone? Humans have been asking [this question] forever. The probability of success is difficult to estimate, but if we never search, the chance of success is zero." Such a mindset resonates in the sciences. We don’t know if we can map the human mind. We certainly don’t know what to expect in the instance we do. But let’s keep the comb fine and make some space on that shelf.

The Tale of Phineas Gage

Every decade or so, a new piece of information surfaces about our seminal beloved guinea pig of neuropsychology, Phineas Gage, whose frontal lobe was pitted by a rail tie stopping through on its way into orbit. Gage, whose biosketch is constantly debated among neuro-historians (all three of them), can attribute his fame to two things: one, that he survived the blow; two, it was so poorly recorded in history that wild speculation is the norm. Oh, Gage!

In the spirit of Neuroscience 2009 in Chicago, I present to you "Phineas Gage" by cult favorite buscemi.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiI7tJM9KTM

Blogging at Neuroscience 2009

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Stay tuned for updates this extended weekend from Neuroscience 2009, the world's largest conference about all things brain. There are some exciting topics that I can't wait to discuss.

As such, frequent contributor Kristopher Klein will be filling in for me on Only Science this Sunday, so make sure you tune in to hear him talk about the latest news in Nobel-ville.

For Science,
Erik

Stream Audio of "Motion 451"

Check out an audio recording of today's show, "Motion 451" below.

Many thanks to improv masters Dave and Greg!



Any thoughts, comments, or concerns should be forwarded to erikleenylen@gmail.com

Tune in next week at 5 PM!

Motion 451

Special thanks to David Philips and Gregory Gallagher for joining me in Rimbar, Motion 451 today!

Check out their website here:

paperbackrhino.com

Martian Zombies Broadcast Video!

Check out today's broadcast here:



Thanks to Alex Versackas for joining me on the show today.

Tune in next week at the same time!

Tune in at 5:00 PM on Sunday, October 4th

Stream Live Here for "Newton I: The Life of Martian Zombies" on Only Science, on Sunday, October the Fourth, at Five O'Clock Post Meridiem, Central Standard Time.

Check out a video of today's story:

"The Pandemic of the Aviamurinecapraswineprimatus Influenza"

Music credit: DJ Shadow, from "Do androids dream of electronic beats."

Stay tuned for more!

Erik

A brief excerpt on scientific literacy from scientist/educator Neil deGrasse Tyson:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gK2EEwzjPQ

Podcast

Download today's show with contributor Kris Klein here:

http://www.sendspace.com/file/tlpxk4



Hope you all enjoyed!

Erik