The human brain contains approximately 87 billion neurons[1]. On average, each of these cells make thousands of different connections to facilitate communication across the brain. Neural communication is thought to underlie all brain functions – from
As artificial intelligence creeps further into people’s daily lives, so do worries about it. At the most alarmist are concerns about AI going rogue[1] and terminating its human masters.
But behind the calls for a pause on the development of AI[2] is a
Hansen’s disease, also called leprosy[1], is treatable today – and that’s partly thanks to a curious tree and the work of a pioneering young scientist in the 1920s. Centuries prior to her discovery, sufferers had no remedy for leprosy’s debilitating
Despite many efforts to find better, more effective ways to treat cancer, it remains a leading cause of death by disease[1] among children in the U.S.
Cancer patients are also getting younger. Cancer diagnoses among those under 50 has risen by about 80%
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative movement disorder that progresses relentlessly[1]. It gradually impairs a person’s ability to function until they ultimately become immobile and often develop dementia. In the U.S. alone, over a million people are
Often, when scientists do research around a specific societal challenge, they hope their work will help solve that larger problem. Yet translating findings into long-lasting, community-driven solutions is much harder than most expect.
It seems intuitive that