Tetris and your Brain

An orginization called the "Mind Research Network" took 26 adolesent girls. Every day they would play Tetris for 30 mins. The girls would be given structual and funcitonal MRI scans before and after each gaming session. After a while the girls started to show improvement in their brain activity.

(Red shows growth in cortex, while blue shows improvement of efficiency)


The reserchers began to notice that the cortex of the left frontol lobe was getting thicker in each test subject. This part of the brain is believed to be responsible for our visual, tactile, auditory, and internal physiological information.

They also noticed more efficiency in the right frontal lobe. This is where critical thinking, language, reasoning, and processing take place.

“We were excited to see cortical thickness differences between the girls that practiced Tetris and those that did not,” said Dr. Richard Haier (thanks to sciencedaily.com for the quote)

This doesnt really come as a surprise to many. Many studies have proven that people who play first person shooters are better drivers, and have far better hand eye coordination, timing, and processing when doing multiple activities.

(screenshot of a ten player Tetris round)


Dr. Emily Holmes led a study about the "Tetric Effect". She found that patients with anterograde amnesia (the loss of ability to create memories) would have dreams of falling shapes after playing Tetris that day. Even though they are unable to remember that they played the game at all. They also found that games like Tetris can prevent traumatic experiences. Certain subjects were given the game Tetris to play after a traumatic experience, they found that concentrating on the shapes prevented them from mentally recreating the traumatic images in their head. They found it decreased the accuracy, intensity and frequency of the traumatic memories.

"We suggest it specifically interferes with the way sensory memories are laid down in the period after trauma and thus reduces the number of flashbacks that are experienced afterwards.", summarizes Dr. Emily Holmes (thanks too Peer-reviewed science for the quote)

Japan vs. the US in - Robotics

Years ago, there was a race between Russia and the US to see who could get to the moon first. Thus putting Nasa on the map, making the US one of the dominant leaders in technology. Today its a little different. Japan is the leader, and the new race is "who can make the best Smart Phone". That topic is in no way impressive or interesting to me. Instead I decided to share how the United States and Japan, progress in Technology with Robotics (notice my header, and user icon). The videos below may make you laugh and give you nightmares.

Japan:
Honda, Toyata, and Sony, are the big names in Robotics in Japan. Sony has actually released a robotic dog named "AIBO" years back. It went on sale for few grand. As a result you had a K9 companion you didnt have to feed or pick up poop after. Sony has been successful in robotics because of its knowledge of weight, balance, and pressure engineering. "Qrio" (a bipedal humanoid robot) was Sony's attempt at showing off Robot movement and intelligence. In the video below you will see not only a demonstration of the movement of "Qrio" but also the amazing A.I. that syncs it to other robots, and.....the beat of the music playing in the background.

Sony robotics technology + Music = Dancing Midget Robots




America:
The Us does not take the same approach to technology as japan. While Japan focuses on the fun and economic aspect of robotics, the US concentrates on Power (in weapons). Most robotics are tested at NASA and the US Military. Below is a video by Boston Dynamics. They are the creators of "BIGDOG". As stupid as the name is, the robot is the opposite. Because of this video....I had nightmares about robots chasing me (kinda like Metal Gear). Why? Well you will have to view it for yourself. "BIGDOG" is a robotic....dog that can travel through almost ANY terrain. The video is VERY impressive and towered the end, you'll even see the thing jump! Boston Dynamics is currently developing "BIGDOG" for the US Military.

US military + Dogs = nightmares



There are tons of videos demonstrating how far technology has gotten with robotics. The race to creating to most realistic moving robot is almost over. But the race to create a perfect learning and growing A.I. is just starting (Ill post about that another time). Heres hoping that we dont end up like John Conner in the movie Terminator. Long live Skynet!...I mean Humans.

Intro....

Even though I have already made a post about a month ago (look below this one), I suppose its never too late for an intro. I am Brandon, a man of moderate words, many thoughts, and stupid conclusions. I join this "Blog Ring" (group associating through blogs) not to share information about myself or show pictures of my whereabouts. I will leave that to the rest of you (the blogs I follow). I am here for one simple reason, to share information about the strange, the interesting, the impossible, and the general "what the heck is that?!" story.

On my blog you will learn! Technology, Nature, Science (that might be the same category as technology), Psychology, Sociology, Quantum Physics.........you know what, screw it! Just drop out of school, AND READ THIS BLOG! Fill your minds with the most useless information until you BUST A LOBE IN YOUR BRAIN! AND YES....its possible! It gets kinda messy, your nose bleeds, and your brain goes into a state of sudden shock....ok im making that up....

I conclude this "INTRO" post (as you all like to call it). With a video that catches your attention and makes you say "Why Brandon....why would you post this", but some of you (if not all) will say "Yeah....this doesnt surprise me" So enjoy! Return to this page to fill your mind once again, with useless (but interesting) information. And good luck, because there is a 40% change I wont even remember I made this thing. (PS I have added a countdown at the top of the page. It counts down to my next post. And I can assure you...it will impress!)

Strange Amphibians

The Amphibian you see in the picture above is a recently discovered new speciess of frog. Nymphargus Chancas (crystal/clear frog) was discovered in Peru and most recently Ecuador. Also found was Genus Bolitoglossa (aka the ugly Salamadar). Its not as impressive as the "Clear Frog", but it does have a strong resmblance to E.T. You can see for yourself in the image posted below. The "Ugly Salamader" is a forest dwelling, Nocturnal creature.

(look at it.....its judging you with its EYES!)