Brain cells on chip play video games — neurotechnology makes progress

Scientists have achieved a breakthrough in neurotechnology: ScienceAlert reports that human brain cells grown on a chip have learned to play the computer game Doom. The cells formed a functioning neural network that processed inputs and made decisions – similar to a trained artificial network.

The experiment demonstrates that biological neurons are not merely passive objects of research, but can actively learn and adapt to new tasks. "We are only scratching the surface of what these neural cultures can achieve," ScienceAlert quotes the researchers involved. The system combines living brain cells with electronics – a hybrid architecture that holds potential for entirely new computer models.

Health consequences of modern lifestyles

Parallel to these advances, other studies warn of health consequences of modern lifestyles. ScienceAlert reports that thousands of brain scans show: shift work and night shifts leave measurable traces in the brain. The good news: these changes could be reversible if sleep patterns normalize.

Dementia risk in women is also coming into focus. A new study, which ScienceAlert documents, identifies specific factors that shape the risk – independent of women's longer life expectancy. At the same time, researchers are solving a decades-old puzzle: ScienceAlert explains why statins cause muscle pain in some patients, a "very real problem that needs a solution".

The advances in neurotechnology and brain research show how diverse current science works – from artificial brains on chips to the prevention of neurological diseases.