Untitled

[ultranerdyd]

Hashtag ballet - Infogram, charts & infographics

Infographic: Hashtag ballet

[ultranerdyd]

May 10, 2017  Quinnipiac University National Poll 1050± Telephone respondents : “ What is the first word that comes to mind when you think of Donald Trump?”  (Numbers are not percentages. Figures show the number of times each response was given. This table reports only words that were mentioned at least five times.)

[neurosciencestuff]

How visual attention selects important information

Researchers at Tohoku University have revealed multiple functions of visual attention, the process of selecting important information from retinal images.

Studies of visual attention discovered an interesting inconsistency in spatial property. Specifically, some studies reported broad spatial spreads around attended locations, while others reported a selection of information at the attention focus.

For example - according to one study, when a person looks for a friend in a crowd, visual attention makes not only the friend, but also the people standing around the friend more visible. Another study claims that attention tends to focus on the friend’s face, ignoring everyone else.

According to the research group led by Professor Satoshi Shioiri of the Research Institute of Electrical Communication, these discrepancies can be attributed to the different stages of the attention process. Their brain wave measurements revealed that a wide area around the attention focus is facilitated by attention at early visual processing, and that information at the attended location is extracted selectively at later processing. Information adjacent to the attention focus seems to be facilitated and suppressed simultaneously. So the inconsistency among previous studies can be explained by considering the effects of different attentional processes.

The research group thus proposes a model of spatial attention that has two stages with different functions. The attention model proposed could predict different attention effects for different visual processes.

This would be useful particularly for complex tasks such as driving, where it is important to notice not just pedestrians but also other elements on the road. Precise estimation of attention helps people to understand potential dangers in attention-demanding conditions.

[ultranerdyd]

#visual attention #cognition 

[neurosciencestuff]

Endocrine cells in the brain influence the optimization of behavior

A person exposed to stress can usually rapidly adapt the own behavior to the specific situation. Biochemical messenger substances in the brain or so-called neurotransmitters play a central role in this rapid transformation process. We know that hormones also have a stress-regulating function, but that their effects are more slowly apparent. However, recent findings reported by the team under Professor Soojin Ryu, leading researcher at the German Resilience Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) in Germany, indicate that this may not actually be the case. Using a combination of genetic and optical techniques, the research team has been able to demonstrate that corticotrophs, the cell populations that stimulate the adrenal cortex and produce the stress hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, can rapidly influence avoidance behavior immediately after the onset of a stress situation. This insight may contribute to the development of effective treatments that can facilitate the management of acute stress-induced reactions or might even be able to alleviate acute stress-related conditions. The findings have recently been published in the eminent journal Nature Communications.

The human body is controlled by two well-orchestrated systems, i.e., the hormonal system and the nervous system. The hypothalamus located in the middle of the basis of the brain has a key role here providing the link between the body and the other regions of the brain as well as directly and indirectly controlling a series of essential physiological vegetative functions. In addition, it is the most important control organ of the human endocrine system (hormonal system), because it regulates when and how much of a hormone is produced. Both the hypothalamus and its production of hormone are also subject to the influences of emotional stress. The pituitary gland or hypophysis is connected to the hypothalamus and together they form a single functional unit called the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.

Hormones secreted by the hypothalamus include the so-called releasing hormones, such as the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). This stimulates the production of the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTCH) in the pituitary gland. ACTH is a hormone secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary and it regulates the production of other hormones, such as the stress hormone cortisol (hydrocortisone).

It can be basically assumed that the neurotransmitters of the central nervous system rapidly determine whether fight or flight behavior is to develop in a given situation. To date, medical science has conjectured that the stress-regulating effects of the hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis come into play far more slowly. Stress researchers found it very problematic to establish the concrete role of the HPA axis in the rapid adaptation of behavior in a stress situation in more detail in standard animal models. This is because the location of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in mammals makes them difficult to access. To overcome these obstacles, Professor Soojin Ryu’s work group at the German Resilience Center at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz decided to create an innovative optogenetic research technique. They managed to develop a genetically modified zebrafish larva in which they were able to manipulate the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis using light and thus observe the resultant changes to the reactions of the modified cells.

Two original concepts have been brought together in the new technique of Professor Soojin Ryu’s group: On the one hand, it employs optogenetic methods, i.e., a combination of optical and genetic techniques. This makes it possible to precisely control, in a targeted and extremely rapid manner, the functional reactions of genetically modified cells. The process first involves the modification of light-sensitive proteins using genetic techniques. These are then introduced into specific target cells or tissues. The functioning of these proteins can then be regulated using light and the reaction of the modified cells can be controlled. In addition, Ryu’s approach also pioneers the use of a new animal model in stress research, here the zebrafish. The advantage of the zebrafish, especially the transparent larvae of these small tropical fish of the group of teleosts, is that their development in the embryonic phase is similar to that in humans. They also mature very rapidly and are thus ideal for the purposes of genetic research. Moreover, the transparency of the larvae makes it easy to observe the tissue sections of their bodies.

The researchers at the German Resilience Center in Mainz introduced a synthetic enzyme into their animal model that elevates the levels of the intracellular messenger substance cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) only in the corticotropic cells of the HPA axis. Their elevation is important for the release of hormones in the corticotropic cells of the anterior pituitary. The levels of the resulting so-called transgenetic animal stress hormones can be increased by means of exposure to light. This means the researchers can thus observe the accompanying changes to behavior.

The newly published research results of Professor Soojin Ryu and her team at the German Resilience Center show that the corticotropic cells in the pituitary become directly active on the onset of a stress situation that is perceived as distressing. These then influence both locomotion and avoidance behavior as well as the sensitivity to the stimulus. The researchers interpret this as evidence that the corticotropic cells in the pituitary play a significant role in the rapid adaptation of behavior to local environments perceived as antagonistic.

[ultranerdyd]

The new words that expose our smartphone obsessions

Are you a phubber or a smombie? You're almost certainly a member of the bowed head tribe. New phrases skewer the ways gadgets can change our behaviour, says Tom Chatfield

Which one are you ?

[hashtagproblematic-blog]

Is kat blaque trans? I cant…seem to find info online?

[katblaque]

Yes I’m trans. 

[mitchfynde2]

I’m going to admit straight away that this is a super rude question. Feel free not to answer, I’m purely curious and can’t find any info online. @katblaque, you say you’re trans. Does that mean you were assigned male at birth? 

Again, I apologize for the rude question and feel free not to answer. I realize that it comes off as transphobic.

[katblaque]

are you trying to find a fancy way of asking me if I’m a man. because the answer is no. 

[mitchfynde2]

Not at all. You do identify as a trans woman, correct? I’m just a little confused about your identity. Something I find interesting is that you seemed to equate being assigned male at birth with being a man. A lot of trans women would find that offensive… which is odd, seeing as I was under the impression that you are a trans woman. 

As you can see… I’m just very confused. Any clarification would be great.

[katblaque]

Look, I’m flattered and all, but I got a man. 

I identify as an artist, a content creator, a fake nerd girl and a 90s kid. Sometimes a mermaid when I’m feeling the aesthetic. 

I -am- a woman. This is not my identity, it is the reality of my being. It’s also how I’ve factored into society my entire adult life socially and legally. This is an old ass post, not sure why you’re digging it up. 

[mitchfynde2]

I saw a lot of stuff saying that you were trans and it just really confused me. Even you said you identified as trans. Is that no longer the case?

Also, please don’t pull the embarassing “I’m flattered, but I got a man” bullshit. Doesn’t even fucking make sense with what I was asking you.

[katblaque]

I keep asking you the same question and you keep not really answering me. What is the relevance here? Why do you care? It says that I’m trans on my wikipedia page. The only people I have ever felt I neeed to explain my gender to are men I’m sleeping with, and well- that’s covered. 

i’m trying to understand the relevance. I don’t understand why this is hard for you to figure out. I have so many videos talking about this. Watch them. 

[mitchfynde2]

I believe in the truscum model of transgenderism. There are cis men, cis women, trans men, trans women, and intersex as the wild card. To me, you seem like a cis woman. I don’t see any indication that you’ve ever been anything but a female. It’s just confusing to see someone who seems to be cis claiming to be trans.

Now, don’t get me wrong here, you very well may have been assigned male at birth. I don’t know you. Anything could be the case. I’m just really leaning towards you being some kind of transtrender. That’s why I was hoping for some clarification. That way I’m not assuming or guessing.

Also, just pointing out that I said you don’t have to answer. It would have saved a lot of time to just be clear that you didn’t want to answer.

[katblaque]

Well I’d ask you why you’re even examining my features that closely and why it matters? That’s my general question to truscum, but i’ve interacted with enough truscum to know that the answer is something along the lines of “these transtrenders are ruining it for us”. As someone who’s transition has been done for years now, i just find that to be a very foolish, silly, young perspective. One I had once, but let go of once I realized that the girl with the beard doesn’t invalidate me. it all strikes me as terribly insecure, but its an insecurity I understand. A lot of people assume I’m truscum because I am a feminine woman who fits the standard trans feminine model. But ultimately I struggle to frame what someone else does with their lives as something that I should be involved in. 

I’d go as far as to say if a gay man got breast implants- just cuz- that it wouldn’t particularly bother me. I don’t get it, but why do i need to?

[mitchfynde2]

Thanks for muddying the waters further with this very confusing response. I am just going to assume you are a transtrender until you state otherwise. I see nothing to suggest you are trans in any meaningful sense. The fact you dodge answering the question directly leaves me no choice.

[katblaque]

Are you cis? Because you have the entitlement and the laziness of a cis person. I’m going to assume you are until you say otherwise. I mean, you look cis. 

[mitchfynde2]

So you were assigned male at birth. Cool. I genuinely respect that. The human brain is a strange thing.

I have no problem with you assuming I’m cis. I am. The majority of people on earth are. It is the norm. The fact you assume the majority of people on earth to be entitled and lazy says more about you than me.

[katblaque]

I dunno, it just sorta seems like you keep proving my point though- and also missing it. 

When it comes to trans people, I do believe cis people are entitled and lazy. I am one of literally thousands of trans people who have generated content to educate cis people on trans issues. Yet instead of googling said information like you do almost everything else, you feel the need to bother us and ask us invasive questions you do not deserve the answer to. I am very easy to google. You could have had your answer and THEN some. but you demanded that I answer you personally and that’s unnecessary-especially online. Your original question is not respectful. I wasn’t offended, but I can tell you that it’s disrespectful. You have no reason to have answers to these question. 

I wouldn’t call cis people “normal”. i would call them common. Average. Pedestrian. 

 I 100% think that when it comes to trans people, they’re ignorant and it’s not because we refuse to educate them. We do. I do. I do it for a living. The problem is, you’re not -actually- interested. The answers are all there. I transitioned entirely because of resources found online. If I can transition online, you can read up on trans issue. But you don’t want to do that. I’d call that laziness. In the age of information, ignorance is a choice. You seem marginally intelligent, I don’t understand why this was complicated for you. 

[katblaque]

And I’m not going to describe myself as “assigned male at birth” because that’s 100 % irrelevant to me in 2016. Super irrelevant.

[theactualpatriarchy]

Wow look at this asshole just dance around a simple fucking question. You sure are smart and intelligent @katblaque we are all super duper fully aware of how much more evolved you are now that you spent and entire afternoon avoiding a question and calling this guy stupid. What an asshole.

[katblaque]

How big is your dick? Are you cut or uncut?

[bree-3po-deactivated20190814]

“Dance around the question” really? Because the user who kept asking her seemed like they were just beating themselves over the head with some sort of beam over and over and squeaking out some weird pseudo-intelligent nonsense transphobia disguised as “questions.”

[holdontillmay19-blog]

I see both perspectives. However I think he came to you directly so he could educate himself. He might have been confused if you were physically transitioning to male and/or female. He might of thought it better to go to the direct source, so he’d know to use he or she. You probably get that question a lot, which can be tiring. I just think he wanted to be informed so he could understand. Trangenderism isn’t new, its been around since cis people been around, but people are just starting to come forth about it, so a lot of people want to understand it, so they’re not ignorant. I look at it as a student who may go online for math help, but would better understand if he directly asked the teacher. 

[katblaque]

How dense are you honestly?

If you google me, it’s the first thing that comes up. I can open my google app and say “who is kat blaque” and she’ll dictate to me that I am a transgender online personality. 

Let’s make this very very clear and I know this will some a certain way: I am an online content creator. I have a smigeon of fame. I have thousands of vidoes explaining my gender. “I can’t find any information online” is a LIE. It’s dishonest. this person wanted me to say that I was designated male. That’s all. Stop trying to act like this was ever actually a productive conversation. It wasn’t. 

What do your genitals look like. i want a full description. now. 

[aquafeminism]

“In middle school, Blaque began to question her gender identity and started to identify as gender queer. In college, she began to explore her gender identity even more and began identifying as transgender.”

Literally in her Wikipedia page it gives you all the information you need. There should be no further questions after that.

[katblaque]

Weird, it didn’t say that on there last time I checked my page. ahah. I need to find out who even made that page. It baffles me that I’m on wikipedia. ahha

[themanwholovedflowers]

“Black Jesus” - March 2016

Modeled by Josh Sanders

Photographed by Brandon Stanciell

[nationalsciencefoundation]

Scientific careers provide personal, professional rewards

As Black History Month 2016 draws to a close, some of our NSF Graduate Research Fellows shared insights about what they find rewarding about their careers in science.

“What makes me proudest in my scientific career is participating in initiatives that support women and underrepresented minorities to pursue interests in science. My involvement in eco-evolutionary research allows me to be the positive change I want to see in the world because seeing other underrepresented groups in graduate studies helps create a diverse student body and future faculty that is more inclusive and representative of our community.”

– Lekeah A Durden, Ph.D. student, Department of Biology, Indiana University 

“My research looks at connectivity of reef fish across various spatial scales with the use of genetic methods. This information will be used to inform local communities regarding the dispersal patterns for species considered subsistence fisheries. I receive great satisfaction knowing that my research has a direct impact on the strategies of both state and community-based management efforts. I intend to continue to engage younger generations and act as an example for individuals from low socioeconomic backgrounds that one is able to pursue fulfilling careers in fields that are disparate from what is traditionally represented in our communities.”

– Richard Coleman, Ph.D. candidate, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii at Manoa

“I work on sickle cell disease—specifically the role that nano-sized particles may play in the onset of blood flow blockage, one of the primary manifestations of the disease in the body’s circulation system.  The opportunity to pursue my ideas and the relative freedom in the creative process drew me to science.  Outside of fellowships and merit-based awards, I’m proudest of my perseverance so far in my scientific career—sticking with it when experiments fail or honestly don’t make a lot of sense.  That’s definitely the nature of doing science and going through the motions has allowed me to learn more deeply about my work and hone my attention to detail, things that I believe lead to good science first (and most importantly) and maybe the accolades after.”

– Shereka Banton, Ph.D. student, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Tech

“My research focuses on investigating links between brain and human behavior, primarily in aging and memory. Personally, I am most proud of my continued strength and endurance as a first generation PhD student. Being the first in my family to undergo this intensive training, my faith has been a constant source of support. I also focus on what initially drew me to science: the struggle of Alzheimer’s with my grandmother and other unanswered questions regarding the human brain.”

– Indira Turney, Ph.D. candidate, Department of Physchology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park

“I currently design strategies to improve crop photosynthesis using the CRISPR/Cas9 system with aims to improve crop yield. My research focuses on photosynthetic genes in rice using liverwort as a plant model. As a Ph.D. student, I find that mentoring undergraduates makes me proudest in my scientific career. Inspiring people to learn and find their passion in science is rewarding. Past lab members helped me find my passion, and now I am glad to give back. The creativity of synthetic biology really appealed to me. I enjoy hands-on research that can be molded to address unanswered questions in science.”

– Lynnicia Massenburg,  Ph.D. student, Department of Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

“My primary research aims to evaluate trees’ physiological response to climate change in northeast temperate forests in order to understand the mechanisms driving shifts in plant community composition. My proudest moments in science is when I witness friends’ and family’s aha moments after I share how my work contributes to the understanding of how the world works.  My participation in science research provides a pathway to inquisition, passion, and discovery that produces knowledge and influences decisions made to sustain our natural resources so that everyone can enjoy and benefit from the natural world, today and in our future,“ 

– Angie Patterson, Ph.D. student, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Columbia University

[sciencefriday]

Over the weekend, Ira got to hang out with the cast and crew of the Big Bang Theory to celebrate their 100th episode!

[culturenlifestyle]

When Words Literally Pop Out Of The Paper - A Look At Tolga Girgin’s 3D Calligraphy Exercises

Tolga Girgin is an Istanbul based artist who specializes in calligraphy, lettering and graphic design. She also works as a Electrical and Electronics engineer for a company in the same city. In her latest project, the artist explores 3D calligraphy, a series of handwritten letters intelligently etched on paper to seem as though they are standing upright on the surface of the sketchbook because of the artist’s adept skill with shading and perspective.

Keep reading

[ultranerdyd]

Marvin Minsky, Pioneer in Artificial Intelligence, Dies at 88

Professor Minsky laid the foundation for the field by demonstrating the possibilities of imparting common-sense reasoning to computers.

RIP Prof Minsky

[ultranerdyd]

The Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU) and John Wiley and Sons, Inc., today announced an agreement of unlimited open access publication of Dutch academic articles combined with expanded subscription access to high-quality research.

[nationalsciencefoundation]

Celebrating Black History Month with Our Graduate Fellows

Every February, Black History Month provides the scientific community an opportunity to commemorate the countless contributions made by generations of African American scientists and engineers – and to celebrate the work of Black researchers making the discoveries today that will help shape our future. 

Since 1952, the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowships Program has recognized and supported outstanding early career graduate students. Current NSF fellows include many Black and African American researchers pushing the boundaries of current scientific knowledge and blazing career paths that others can follow. We’re honored to bring you some of their stories this month.

Over the next two weeks, we’ll be hearing from fellows on the work they’re doing, and later this month we’ll feature posts about why these talented young people chose the sciences, and what makes them proudest. Be sure to check back here for more stories from the field!

“Presently, I am studying Harpagophytum procumbens, a plant widely used to relieve pain and inflammation. Market demand has led to its endangerment due to lack of cultivation. I have identified that the genera Scrophularia and Verbascum produce some of the same active compounds found in H. procumbens, thereby protecting this species from extinction. My interest in researching medicinal plants and the conservation of their ecosystems began with my mom. She highlighted my interest in medicinal plants through readings, experimentation, and gardening. I am proud to be among underrepresented minorities pursuing a higher degree in science.”

– Korey Brownstein, Ph.D. student, Molecular Plant Sciences Program

Washington State University

Keep reading

[boredpanda]

The Magical World Of Australian Mushrooms By Steve Axford

[fyp-psychology]

limerence

(noun) Psychology | Coined by psychologist Dorothy Tennov, limerence is loosely defined as a compulsive level of infatuation. In this state, the mind emotionally and physically projects romantic thoughts and desires to form or maintain a relationship with a particular person. It’s a sense of lovesickness, portrayed by the latter symptoms: the idealization of another person, extreme shyness or nervousness around the beloved, a fear or rejection, which can drive one to despair, intensely analyzing every word said by the one they crave, experiencing physical symptoms when around this person, such as sweaty palms, heart palpitations and other senses of euphoria when their presence is recognized by the one they desire. (via fyp-psychology)

[sunshineandfeelingfine]

witch hunter

[mensfashiontrend]

Number 1 Mens Fashion & Mens Style Guide. Updated daily by Men’s Fashion Experts featuring the latest Men’s Style and Men’s Fashion Tips.

[sunshineandfeelingfine]

gieves and hawkes fall 2016

[mensfashiontrend]

Number 1 Mens Fashion & Mens Style Guide. Updated daily by Men’s Fashion Experts featuring the latest Men’s Style and Men’s Fashion Tips.