All posts tagged: Memory

Having sparse links in the hippocampus may maximize memory storage

Having sparse links in the hippocampus may maximize memory storage

Our brain’s memory center has a sleek design, new data show. The finding comes from looking at living human hippocampus tissue. This part of the brain plays a key role in learning and memory. The analyzed tissue revealed fairly few cell-to-cell links between the vast number of nerve cells in the hippocampus. But signals sent through those sparse links proved extremely reliable and precise. Cellular neuroscientist Peter Jonas led the new research. He works at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria in Klosterneuburg. His team shared its findings January 23 in Cell. Peeking into the memory center The brains of all mammals have two hippocampi. One’s in the brain’s left hemisphere. The other is in the right. The brain has two hippocampi (red), one in each hemisphere. Anatomography/Life Science Databases(LSDB)/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.1 JP) Each hippocampus contains a smaller region known as the CA3 area. In humans, some 1.7 million nerve cells — called pyramidal cells — reside there. But much of what we know about these cells has come from studies in mice. And …

Micron launches new memory chips to keep up with AI processing

Micron launches new memory chips to keep up with AI processing

Micron announced its first 1y (1-gamma) DDR5 memory chip samples this week, and it says this is part of its contribution to systems that keep up with AI processing. The company said being the first to market with 1y samples proves Micron’s continued technology and manufacturing leadership — and the Boise, Idaho-based company is extending the capabilities of this advanced node to its broader portfolio of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) chips. Those are coming In the second quarter. Smartphones at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona have AI-powered features such as visual search, translation, and intelligent tools to unblur or erase objects in photos. These innovations show how AI can transform smartphones into intuitive and context-aware toolsthat enhance our daily lives when supercharged with the right memory and storage. Micron will sample 1y LPDDR5X 16Gb products to select partners for use in 2026 flagship smartphones, enabling industry-leading performance and up to 15% power savings — critical as energy-intensive use cases such as video- and AI-based apps make smartphone battery life more important than ever. At …

Could the magic of memory manipulation ever become real?

Could the magic of memory manipulation ever become real?

Alzheimer’s disease: An incurable brain disease that can cause confusion, mood changes and problems with memory, language, behavior and problem solving. No cause or cure is known.  attention: The phenomenon of focusing mental resources on a specific object or event.  behavior: The way something, often a person or other organism, acts towards others, or conducts itself.  cell: (in biology) The smallest structural and functional unit of an organism. Typically too small to see with the unaided eye, it consists of a watery fluid surrounded by a membrane or wall. Depending on their size, animals are made of anywhere from thousands to trillions of cells. Most organisms, such as yeasts, molds, bacteria and some algae, are composed of only one cell.  circuit: A network that transmits electrical signals. In the body, nerve cells create circuits that relay electrical signals to the brain. In electronics, wires typically route those signals to activate some mechanical, computational or other function.  colleague: Someone who works with another; a co-worker or team member.  disorder: (in medicine) A condition where the body …

Energy-efficient memory technology for sustainable computing

Energy-efficient memory technology for sustainable computing

Researchers have discovered that SOT-MRAM memory technology could replace cache memory in computer architecture in the future. The team achieved a groundbreaking advancement in memory technology in close collaboration with Antaios, a magnetic random access memory company in France. Their innovation, based on Spin-Orbit Torque (SOT) Magnetic Random-Access Memory (MRAM), offers a highly efficient and powerful solution for data processing and storage – a transformative step forward for technologies ranging from smartphones to supercomputers. “This prototype is one of a kind and could revolutionise data storage and processing. It aligns with global goals to reduce energy consumption and paves the way for faster, more efficient memory solutions,” said Dr Rahul Gupta, a former postdoctoral researcher at the JGU Institute of Physics and lead author of the study. The benefits of SOT-MRAM memory technology SOT-MRAM stands out for its superior power efficiency, nonvolatility, and performance compared to static RAM, making it a strong candidate to replace cache memory in computer architecture, for example. This cutting-edge technology uses electrical currents to switch magnetic states, enabling reliable data …

Imec spins out Vertical Compute memory chip firm in .5M deal

Imec spins out Vertical Compute memory chip firm in $20.5M deal

Join our daily and weekly newsletters for the latest updates and exclusive content on industry-leading AI coverage. Learn More Europe’s Imec.xpand is spinning out memory chip firm Vertical Compute in a seed investment round worth $20.5 million. Founded by CEO Sylvain Dubois (ex-Google) and CTO Sebastien Couet (ex-imec), today announced that it successfully closed a seed investment $20.5 million, or 20 million euros. The round was led by Imec.xpand and supported by a strong investor base including Eurazeo, XAnge, Vector Gestion and imec. The funding will support Vertical Compute’s ambition to develop a novel vertical integrated memory and compute technology, unlocking a new generation of AI applications. Vertical Compute’s technology will have a transformative impact, enabling next-generation applications with unparalleled efficiency and privacy. By minimizing data movement and bringing large data closer to computation, the innovation ensures energy savings of up to 80%, unlocks hyper-personalized AI solutions, and eliminates the need for remote data transfers, protecting user privacy. “Memory technologies face limitations in both density and performance scaling, while processor performance continues to surge. The …

Kyu’s Tiny Camera Only Captures 9-Second Videos

Kyu’s Tiny Camera Only Captures 9-Second Videos

This is hardly the first time a company has pitched simplicity as a way to capture and relive memories. Google debuted an AI-powered camera called Clips in 2018 that could record short videos, and you didn’t even have to press a button. Just turn it on and the AI could figure out the right moments to capture, and these 7-second clips were then accessible in the phone app. Clips was discontinued nearly two years after its launch. The time may be ripe for Kyu to step in as a private, personal social network. BeReal, the social media app that championed authenticity, has been in sharp decline since its explosive growth in 2022. The mass migration from X to Bluesky has left some people wondering where to post. And TikTok may get banned in the US in 2025. Perhaps the intent of carrying around Kyu in your hand, the instant camera-like “limit” on how much you can capture, and the easily stitched-together edits in the app will help create memory bursts that are bite-sized but still …

Study examines link between psychopathic traits and emotional memory

Study examines link between psychopathic traits and emotional memory

Psychopathic traits were not significantly associated with recall or recognition of emotional or neutral stimuli, according to a recent study published in the journal Memory. Psychopathy is characterized by interpersonal, affective, and lifestyle traits, such as a lack of empathy and impulsivity. In this work Rheanna J. Remmel and colleagues clarified how psychopathic traits might influence memory for emotional events, a function typically heightened by emotional valence. Despite existing evidence linking psychopathy to impaired emotional processing, the relationship between psychopathy and emotional memory remains unclear, with previous studies offering conflicting results. The authors were motivated by findings that individuals with psychopathic traits might show diminished preferential recall for emotional stimuli, which could impact learning from negative experiences and social bonding. The researchers recruited 82 male inmates from a county jail, ranging in age from 18 to 59 (average age of ~ 29 years). Psychopathic traits were assessed using the Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version (PCL:SV), which evaluates interpersonal, affective, and behavioral components of psychopathy. Memory abilities were measured using the Wechsler Memory Scale-IV (WMS-IV), which included …

Six healthy lifestyle habits linked to slower memory decline and lower dementia risk

Six healthy lifestyle habits linked to slower memory decline and lower dementia risk

Memory naturally declines with age, affecting life quality and work productivity. However, not all memory loss signals dementia. Often, it’s a sign of senescent forgetfulness—a condition more common in older adults, which can stabilize or even improve. Understanding the factors behind memory decline and how to mitigate them is crucial in maintaining cognitive health. A groundbreaking study by researchers at Capital Medical University offers new insights. Published in the British Medical Journal, the study identifies six key lifestyle habits that significantly slow memory decline and reduce the risk of dementia, even for individuals with a genetic predisposition. Conducted over a decade from 2009 to 2019, the study involved more than 29,000 participants aged 60 and older across China. Visual abstract of the study. (CREDIT: The BMJ) Lifestyle Habits That Protect Memory Participants were grouped based on their adherence to six healthy habits: Regular Physical Activity: At least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise weekly. Balanced Diet: Daily consumption of at least seven out of 12 recommended food items, including fruits, vegetables, …

In Memory of CSI Fellow Mark Edward

In Memory of CSI Fellow Mark Edward

Mark Edward in 2023 at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, California. Credit: Susan Gerbic Mark Edward Wilson, who was known by the stage name Mark Edward, died Sunday, August 4, 2024, at home after a years-long battle with prostate cancer. Edward was born May 19, 1951, in Los Angeles County to William Edward Wilson and Betty Jean Schaeffer. He was raised in Rancho Palos Verdes and lived in San Pedro until he moved to Salinas in 2019. Edward graduated from Palos Verdes High School in 1970 then earned a bachelor’s degree of Fine Arts in 1974 from California Institute of the Arts. In his teenage years, Edward was in various Dada and punk bands, including Rat Salad, The Techno-Cats and ZaSu Pits, and the Enema Dog Review. His grandfather, George Schaeffer, interested Edward in magic, which led to a lifelong career. Eventually becoming bored with standard magic, he then gravitated toward mentalism and educated animal acts and became a performer at Hollywood’s Magic Castle in 1975. He worked the Houdini Séance room for fourteen years …

Memory Inflation Warps Bond Yields

Memory Inflation Warps Bond Yields

Authored by Michael Lebowitz via RealInvestmentAdvice.com, The Mayo Clinic defines Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, as “a mental health condition that’s caused by an extremely stressful or terrifying event — either being part of it or witnessing it.” Within the field of PTSD research is a concept called “memory inflation.” Memory inflation occurs when memories of traumatic events become more intense over time.    Memory inflation of past events amplifies one’s emotions and behaviors. As we will discuss, distress from recent price inflation is causing many investors to overly fear that a similar situation will reoccur. Given the tight relationship between inflation and bond yields, memory inflation negatively affects bond prices. Additionally, memory inflation may prevent some investors from seeing an opportunity to profit from the distorted market views. Apollo Management’s Chart Crime Amplifies Memory Inflation The following graph from Apollo Management has been circulating in social media for nearly a year. We believe it keeps yesterday’s high inflation fresh in people’s minds and stokes memory inflation, which warps investors’ current view of inflation. The graph …