Cellular Intelligence

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Biologists, chemical engineers collaborate to reveal complex cellular process inside petunias

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Once upon a time, prevailing scientific opinion might have pronounced recently published research in Nature Communications by a team of Purdue University scientists as unneeded. Now, climate change implications have heightened the need for this line of research.

https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2023/Q1/biologists,-chemical-engineers-collaborate-to-reveal-complex-cellular-process-inside-petunias.html?

Phenomenal Phytoplankton: Scientists Uncover Cellular Process Behind Oxygen Production

Take a deep breath. Now take nine more. According to new research, the amount of oxygen in one of those 10 breaths was made possible thanks to a newly identified cellular mechanism that promotes photosynthesis in marine phytoplankton.

https://today.ucsd.edu/story/phenomenal-phytoplankton-scientists-uncover-cellular-process-behind-oxygen-production?

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Human intelligence largely depends on the processing power of individual brain cells, according to a study out this week. The finding challenges the assumption that humans' superior cognitive abilities (compared with other mammals, like rats) stem primarily from having more brain cells and the vast connections between them. 

Researchers tasked an artificial intelligence model with learning and reproducing the functions of individual neurons from humans and rats. The experiment revealed that a single human neuron can independently perform tasks, such as distinguishing between images of dogs and cats—abilities previously thought to require the collective activity of several neurons. The researchers believe that a human neuron's unique electrical properties and dense, treelike branches—which collect incoming information—may enhance its computational capacity. Explore the anatomy of a neuron here.

Experts say this more granular understanding of human neurons could inspire the development of more complex AI models, which are already modeled after the human brain. (w/video)