The possibility of retrieving memories from a deceased person’s brain is being explored by neuroscientists, though the process is considered highly complex and technically challenging. Efforts to understand memory storage in the brain have made significant progress, with scientists identifying engrams — physical traces of memories formed by groups of neurons. These discoveries have sparked curiosity about whether memories could be extracted post-mortem, but such advancements remain theoretical.

Memory Storage in the Brain

According to research published in Nature, engrams have been identified in the hippocampus, a region critical for memory formation. The process involves groups of neurons connected through synapses, with each engram storing fragments of a memory. Over time, these memories are consolidated and distributed across various brain regions. Don Arnold, a neuroscientist at the University of Southern California, noted that while engrams represent memory storage, they are not the memory itself, complicating potential retrieval.

Challenges in Retrieval

As per insights shared with Live Science, Charan Ranganath, director of the Memory and Plasticity Program at the University of California, Davis, explained that human memory is reconstructive. Unlike a static file, memory involves recalling fragments and filling gaps with interpretation. This dynamic nature adds to the challenge of recreating past events accurately. Memories tied to emotions or sensory details may be stored in different brain areas, further complicating the process.

Future Possibilities

While current technology is insufficient, advancements could theoretically allow the recreation of neural networks to simulate memories. However, this would require continuous brain scans over a person’s lifetime to map memory formation and retrieval patterns. For now, experts agree that the memories of a person die with them, as no reliable method exists to extract or recreate their experiences.

A significant biodiversity survey conducted in Peru’s Alto Mayo region has led to the discovery of at least 27 new species, including a striking ‘blob-headed’ bristlemouth armored catfish from the genus Chaetostoma. The research, carried out in 2022, highlighted the region’s ecological importance, spanning approximately 780,700 hectares in the San Martín department. The survey documented species from the Andes to the Amazon, emphasising the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect this vibrant ecosystem and its threatened wildlife.

Findings of the Survey

According to Conservation International, the survey team identified 2,046 species, including 68 types of fish, of which 18 were recorded for the first time in the Alto Mayo basin. Among these were eight fish species new to science, including the blob-headed Chaetostoma, noted for its enlarged head structure, the function of which remains unknown. The researchers also documented over 200 butterfly species, 10 of which are newly discovered, and 14 recorded in the region for the first time.

New Mammal and Amphibian Species

Dr. Trond Larsen, director of Conservation International’s Rapid Assessment Program, stated to sci.news that four mammal species, including the Andean saddle-back tamarin, were found exclusively in the Alto Mayo landscape. The survey also revealed three amphibians new to science, including a climbing salamander from the genus Bolitoglossa. Two snake species potentially unknown to science were also noted during the expedition.

Implications for Conservation

Over 950 vascular plant species were recorded, including three plants likely new to science. Findings also revealed that ecosystems near human settlements retained high biodiversity. The researchers emphasised the need for sustainable management of these habitats to ensure the survival of species and promote activities like ecotourism.

Dr. Larsen also highlighted the role of technologies such as environmental DNA sampling and camera traps in documenting biodiversity, demonstrating the potential of innovative methods in ecological research in his conversation with sci.news.

A new material with stretchable, flexible, and recyclable properties has been created by researchers using a 3D printing technique. It is said that the material, made from thermoplastic elastomers, allows objects to possess customisable stiffness and flexibility. The technique combines cost-effectiveness with scalability, making it suitable for industrial use. These advancements are expected to pave the way for practical applications in various sectors, including soft robotics, medical devices, prosthetics and wearable electronics, according to reports.

Nanoscale Structure Enables Customisation

According to a study published in Advanced Functional Materials, the research team developed the material using block copolymers, a type of polymer that forms stiff cylindrical nanostructures. These structures, measuring 5-7 nanometers in thickness, were aligned through controlled 3D printing techniques to create materials that are stiff in one direction but stretchy in others. The researchers claimed that this alignment enabled designers to customise the material’s properties in different sections of the same object, providing tailored solutions for advanced applications.

Role of Thermal Annealing

Emily Davidson, an assistant professor of chemical and biological engineering at Princeton University, explained to SciTech Daily that thermal annealing played a significant role in the material’s development. Thermal annealing, involving controlled heating and cooling, reportedly improved the nanostructure order within the material and allowed self-healing properties. Reports stated that damaged material could be repaired through annealing, restoring it to its original state without losing its characteristics.

Cost Efficiency and Additional Functionalities

It was highlighted that the thermoplastic elastomers used in the study cost approximately one cent per gram, contrasting with other similar materials priced at 2.50 dollars per gram. Researchers reportedly incorporated functional additives without affecting the material’s mechanical properties. For instance, an organic molecule capable of emitting a red glow under ultraviolet light was successfully added. This advancement underscores the material’s potential in manufacturing intricate and multi-functional objects.

Reportedly, the team, including lead author Alice Fergerson and contributors Shawn M. Maguire and Emily C. Ostermann, aims to explore new designs for applications in biomedical devices and wearable electronics.