 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| . |  |
. |
3-D Brain Centers Pinpointed
Leuven, Netherlands (SPX) Aug 08, 2007 In studies with monkeys, researchers have identified in detail the brain regions responsible for the unique ability of primates, including humans, to process visual 3D shapes to guide their sophisticated manipulation of objects. Specifically, the researchers delineated regions of the parietal cortex responsible for extracting 3D information by integrating disparities in information from the two eyes. Such integration is critical to perceiving three dimensions, because each eye receives only a two-dimensional projection of an image on the retina. Led by Guy Orban of Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, the researchers published their findings in the August 2, 2007, issue of the journal Neuron, published by Cell Press. The researchers performed experiments in which they required monkeys to fixate on computer images of objects projected on a screen. As the animals watched the objects, the researchers scanned their brains using magnetic resonance imaging. This widely used technique involves using harmless magnetic fields and radio waves to measure blood flow in brain regions, which reveals brain activity in those regions. In one set of experiments, the researchers presented images of connected lines, like partially unfolded paper clips, that could be perceived as three-dimensional structures. The researchers studied the influence of motion on 3D perception by presenting the connected-line images only to one eye and "moving" the objects. The researchers' analysis of activity in regions of the parietal cortex during these experiment revealed that two areas-called the anterior intraparietal cortex and the lateral intraparietal cortex-were specifically sensitive only to depth structure. In a second experiment, the researchers presented to the monkeys computer images that simulated small, complex objects. Perception of the three-dimensionality of small objects is central to primates' ability to grasp and manipulate with their hands. The researchers' analysis of the animals' brain activity revealed that the same intraparietal regions are also uniquely sensitive to the depth structure and two-dimensional shape of such objects. "This study goes beyond previous imaging studies by demonstrating not only that different parietal areas process distinct aspects of visual 3D space in line with their involvement in distinct sensorimotor functions, but also that 3D shape features are specifically represented in anterior intraparietal regions, where such information is required for the efficient control of hand manipulation tasks," concluded the researchers. The researchers include John-Baptiste Durand, Koen Nelissen, Olivier Joly, Claire Wardak, Peter Janssen, and Guy A. Orban of K.U. Leuven, Medical School in Leuven, Belgium; James T. Todd of Ohio State University in Columbus, OH; J. Farley Norman of Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY; Wim Vanduffel of K.U. Leuven, Medical School in Leuven, Belgium and Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging in Charlestown, MA. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Katholieke Universiteit Leuven All About Human Beings and How We Got To Be Here
Beyond Mesopotamia: A Radical New View Of Human Civilization
Washington DC (SPX) Aug 03, 2007A radically expanded view of the origin of civilization, extending far beyond Mesopotamia, is reported by journalist Andrew Lawler in the 3 August issue of Science. Mesopotamia is widely believed to be the cradle of civilization, but a growing body of evidence suggests that in addition to Mesopotamia, many civilized urban areas existed at the same time - about 5,000 years ago - in an arc that extended from Mesopotamia east for thousands of kilometers across to the areas of modern India and Pakistan, according to Lawler. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2007 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
