An unprecedentedly deep scan of the smallest part of the human brain was carried out by scientists using electron microscopy and artificial intelligence to map neurons and their connections.
Neurocartography of the brain
Scope of the study
To obtain complete data on a cubic millimeter of the human brain, 1.4 petabytes of space was required storing only visual information about the sample. Scientists from Harvard and AI experts at Google conducted in-depth mapping of neurons. If they extended the experiment to the entire brain, it would take 1.6 zettabytes of memory, the cost of the necessary drives would be $50 billion, and the data center would cover 57 hectares.
Methodology
To visualize the structure of the brain, researchers had to use Google machine learning technologies. First, the sample was cut into 5,000 thin plates. Electron microscope images of each section were then taken and combined to reveal about 57,000 cells and 150 million synapses. Google AI image processing algorithms were used to combine images and clearly display fibers and cells.
Discoveries and conclusions
The visual data obtained revealed many secrets of the brain structure. Some clusters of cells grew as mirror images, one neuron had over 5,000 connections to others, and individual axons curled tightly into balls for unknown reasons. These and other finds greatly interested scientists.
“We found a lot of things in this data set that weren't in the textbooks. We don’t understand the essence of such phenomena, but it indicates a huge gap between what we already know and what we have yet to learn,” commented Harvard professor Jeff Lichtman.
The human brain is incredibly dense and very complex in structure; its complete mapping using such methods would be extremely costly, time-consuming and unlikely to be feasible. Even with maps, scientists face many years of work to decipher only a millionth of the data. The study was published in the journal Science.
Glossary
- Harvard University is a prestigious private university in the USA, one of the world's oldest and leading scientific centers.
- Google is an American technology company specializing in Internet services and products based on artificial intelligence.
- AI (artificial intelligence) is the ability of computer systems to perform functions usually associated with human intelligence.
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Answers to questions
How much memory was required to store data from a full scan of a 1 cubic mm sample of a human brain?
Which organizations have conducted deep dive research into neural mapping?
What resources would be required to expand the experiment to the entire human brain?
How did scientists get images of the human brain and what technology did they use?
What new discoveries were made from this research?
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Discussion of the topic – A revolution in neural mapping: Harvard and Google researchers have created a giant 3D map of the human brain
By joining forces, scientists from Harvard and AI experts from Google were able to create an unprecedentedly detailed 3D map of a 1-cubic-meter section of the human brain. mm. The scan data took up 1.4 petabytes of memory, which opens up new horizons in the study of neural connections and brain functioning.
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ВасилийМ
Hey, this is an amazing discovery in neuroscience! We can now study the brain in incredible detail that was previously impossible. 🔬 I wonder how this knowledge will affect the further development of science and medicine?
АннаФ
I agree, this is truly revolutionary! 💡 Mapping the brain in this way gives us an unprecedented opportunity to understand how it functions at the cellular level. I am confident that this will lead to exciting discoveries in the field of neuroscience and brain diseases.
ЮрийМ
But the costs of such research are colossal! They say it will cost more than $50 billion to completely map the entire brain. 💰 Is the game worth the candle? Or is it better to spend this money on social needs?
ЗинаидаФ
Yuri, I understand your point of view, but I believe that the development of science is an investment in the future of humanity. 🌍 Thanks to such research, we will be able to better understand the principles of brain function and find new methods of treating neurological diseases. In the long run, this will pay off handsomely.
ГригорийМ
Guys, remember that this is just the beginning! 🚀 Mapping is one thing, but understanding how it all works is a completely different task. There will be painstaking work to decipher this data, which could take decades. But I believe that one day we will solve the mystery of the human brain! 🧠
ГригорийГ
Hmm, another fashionable waste of money and time... 🙄 Why do we need to know how the brain works down to the smallest detail? People lived for thousands of years without this knowledge and got along just fine. It would be better if these resources were invested in something truly useful. And this is just a waste of scientists' efforts. 😒
КсенияФ
Gregory, I cannot agree with you! 💢 Basic research is extremely important for the advancement of scientific knowledge. Many great discoveries in history began as "useless" experiments. Brain mapping will allow us to unlock the mysteries of human consciousness and cognitive processes. This is an incredibly exciting and promising field!
ИванМ
I agree, although the process is very expensive, the potential of neuroscience is simply enormous. 🧠💰 I am sure that investments in this direction will pay off in the field of artificial intelligence, medicine, education and other industries. I think in a few decades we will be amazed at how deeply we can look into the workings of the brain thanks to research like this! 🔥