Tag Archives: touch

Scientists Discover Humans Possess a Type of ‘Remote Touch’

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Recent studies indicate that humans possess the capability to detect objects without physical contact, a skill seen in certain animals.

Chen and colleagues. The first study examined human fingertip sensitivity to tactile signals from buried objects, while the second utilized a robotic arm with a long short-term memory model to detect objects. Image credit: Gemini AI.

Typically, human touch is viewed as a sense limited to direct physical interaction with objects.

However, recent insights into animal sensory mechanisms challenge this perception.

Some species of sandpipers and plovers, for instance, utilize a form of remote touch to locate prey concealed beneath the sand.

Remote touch allows for the detection of objects hidden beneath particles by subtle mechanical signals transmitted through the medium when nearby pressure is applied.

In a groundbreaking study, Dr. Elisabetta Versace from Queen Mary University of London and her team explored whether humans share similar capabilities.

Participants delicately glided their fingers over the sand to locate a hidden cube before making physical contact.

Remarkably, the study outcomes revealed a sensitivity analogous to that found in shorebirds, despite humans lacking the specialized beak structure that facilitates this ability in avians.

Modeling the physical attributes of this phenomenon, researchers concluded that human hands are so sensitive they can perceive buried objects through minute sand displacements.

This sensitivity approaches the theoretical threshold for detecting mechanical “reflections” of granules when the movement of sand is reflected by a stable surface (the concealed object).

When evaluating the performance of humans against robotic tactile sensors trained using long short-term memory (LSTM) algorithms, humans achieved a remarkable accuracy of 70.7% within the anticipated detection range.

Interestingly, the robot could sense objects from slightly greater distances on average but encountered frequent false positives, resulting in an overall accuracy of only 40%.

These findings affirm that humans can genuinely detect objects prior to physical contact, showcasing an extraordinary aspect of our senses typically linked to direct interactions.

Both humans and robots demonstrated performance nearing the maximum sensitivity predicted by physical models of displacement.

This research uncovers that humans can identify objects buried in sand without direct contact, broadening our understanding of the extent of tactile perception.

Additionally, it provides quantitative evidence of tactile abilities previously undocumented in humans.

The study also presents a valuable benchmark for enhancing tactile sensing in assistive technologies and robotic systems.

Emulating human sensory perception, engineers can design robots that incorporate near-human touch sensitivity for practical uses in tasks such as surveying, excavation, and exploration where visual cues are limited.

“This is the first instance of remote contact being examined in humans, reshaping our concept of the perceptual fields of living beings, including humans,” stated Dr. Versace.

“This discovery opens avenues for creating tools and assistive technologies that amplify the human sense of touch,” remarked Dr. Student Chen Zhenchi.

“These insights could lead to the development of advanced robots capable of performing delicate tasks, such as locating untouched archaeological artifacts or navigating sandy or granular terrains like Martian soil or ocean floors.”

“More generally, this research facilitates the development of touch-based systems that enhance safety and effectiveness in exploring hidden and hazardous locations.”

“What makes this study particularly intriguing is the mutual influence between human research and robotic research,” noted Dr. Lorenzo Hamone, a researcher at University College London.

“Human experiments informed the robot’s learning strategy, while the robot’s efficacy offered new interpretations of human data.”

“This serves as a prime example of how psychology, robotics, and artificial intelligence can collaborate, illustrating how interdisciplinary teamwork can ignite both fundamental discoveries and technological advancements.”

Details of the findings were presented in September at the 2025 IEEE International Conference on Development and Learning (ICDL) in Prague, Czech Republic.

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Z. Chen and colleagues. Exploring haptics for object localization in granular media: A human-robot study. 2025 IEEE International Conference on Development and Learning; doi: 10.1109/ICDL63968.2025.11204359

Source: www.sci.news

Paralyzed Man Experiences Sensations Through Others’ Touch

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Keith Thomas (right) was able to control other people’s hands.

Matthew Ribasi/Feinstein Institute for Medical Research

A paralyzed individual can now move and sense the hands of others as if they were his own due to an innovative ‘telepathic’ brain implant. “We’ve established a mind-body connection between two distinct individuals,” explains Chad Bouton from the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research in New York.

Bouton theorizes this method could serve as a rehabilitation tool following spinal cord injuries, enabling paralyzed individuals to collaborate and potentially allowing shared experiences from a distance.

Bouton and his team collaborated with Keith Thomas, a man in his 40s who became paralyzed from the chest down after a diving accident in July 2020, losing all movement and sensation in his hands.

In a prior study in 2023, researchers inserted five sets of small electrodes into the part of Thomas’s brain responsible for movement and sensation in his right hand, enabling them to monitor his neural activity through a device affixed to his skull.

By processing these signals through a computer equipped with an artificial intelligence model, the researchers deciphered the neural activity and relayed signals wirelessly to electrodes on Thomas’ forearm, prompting muscle contractions and relaxations that allowed him to move his hand. Thomas also used force sensors on his hands, transmitting signals back to his brain implant, thereby creating a sense of touch. Consequently, he was able to use his mind to pick up and feel objects in his hands for the first time in years.

Now, the team has adapted a similar system that enables Thomas to control and sense through the hands of others. In one experiment, a non-disabled woman was fitted with forearm electrodes and numerous force sensors on her thumb and index finger. Although she did not attempt to move, Thomas was able to open and close her hand by merely imagining the action.

He could also perceive the sensation of her fingers gripping a baseball, a soft foam ball, and a firmer ball in his own hand, distinguishing between them based on their hardness while blindfolded. “It definitely feels strange,” Thomas remarked. “You’ll eventually get accustomed to it.”

Though Thomas could only identify the different balls with 64% accuracy, Bouton believes this figure could be enhanced by optimizing sensor locations and numbers on his hands. They also could not discern the shape of the balls, but Bouton is hopeful that additional brain electrodes and force sensors might enable them to recognize various objects.

In another similar trial, Thomas assisted a paralyzed woman named Kathy DeNapoli in picking up a can and drinking from it, a task she struggled to perform independently due to limited finger movement. “It was genuinely remarkable, how you can assist someone simply by thinking about it,” Thomas expressed.

Electrodes implanted in Keith Thomas’ brain are wired to a computer

Matthew Ribasi/Feinstein Institute for Medical Research

After several months of working with Thomas, DeNapoli’s grip strength nearly doubled, according to Bouton. DeNapoli’s paralysis isn’t so severe that receiving invasive surgery is morally questionable. While similar gains in grip strength can be achieved through conventional treatments like electrical muscle and spinal cord stimulation, Thomas and DeNapoli found collaborating far more appealing than rehabilitating alone, Bouton added.

“Just conversing about things like, ‘How’s your weekend going?’ can be beneficial. It enhances your self-esteem and theirs,” Thomas states. Bouton shared that the team intends to explore this approach with more individuals next year.

Rob Tyler, who has paralysis and is a lay member of the scientific committee of the spinal cord injury charity Inspire Foundation, perceives potential value in this method for specific paralyzed patients..

“I view this as a convenient option,” he states. “It’s enjoyable to collaborate with other patients who likely share similar experiences. It can greatly enhance someone’s quality of life.” He emphasized that finding the right combination of people with compatible outlooks and motivations will be critical.

Bouton admits numerous ethical concerns regarding who could benefit from this method must be addressed before it can receive broader medical approval, which he aims to achieve within the next decade.

Nonetheless, Bouton asserts that such technology may have applications beyond medical use, such as allowing non-disabled individuals to remotely control or experience sensations through others. “This could represent a new frontier for human connection,” he suggests.

However, it opens up a plethora of ethical dilemmas. “Is it beneficial or detrimental for society if people can control and feel through others?” questions Harris Akram from University College London Hospital. “I can envision using your body to harm another individual, or controlling someone to perpetrate a crime, and then claiming, ‘That wasn’t me.’

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Reverse Midas Touch: Starme Plan Promotes Collapse to Back Digital IDs | Labor

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Kiel Starmer is seen as a manifestation of Prime Minister’s “Reverse Midas Touch,” with overall support for digital IDs plummeting following his announcement about implementation plans.

Net support for digital ID cards has dropped from 35% in early summer to -14% over recent weekends.

These findings indicate that the proposal is significantly affected by its association with the unpopular government. In June, 53% of surveyed voters expressed support for all British digital ID cards, while 19% were opposed.

The government aims to launch a nationwide digital identity scheme, citing it as a “big opportunity” for the UK to make illegal employment more challenging.

After the cross-star announcement, only 31% of those surveyed expressed support for the scheme, while 45% opposed it, with 32% stating they strongly opposed it. Over 2.6 million people have signed the petition against the introduction of IDs.

Proponents of digital identity schemes across the nation are dissatisfied with how the policy was presented and are doubtful about its future implementation.

Analysis of the Commons vote indicates that public discontent with the government is contributing to the decline in support. While only 20% of those who believe Starmer is doing a poor job favor digital IDs, 71% of those who view Starmer positively support them, with only 14% in opposition.

These statistics reflect the Prime Minister’s uphill battle to regain public trust in his policies and leadership. His personal approval rating has fallen to an all-time low, with recent studies identifying him as the least popular prime minister in history.

Recent polling by Ipsos reveals that 13% of voters are satisfied, while 79% express dissatisfaction, leading to a net rating of -66. This marks the lowest satisfaction recorded for a prime minister since 1977, worse than previous lows set in August 1994 during John Major’s tenure.

“Digital IDs lack popularity fundamentally. Earlier this summer, we observed it as a clear indicator of governmental instability,” remarked Luke Trill, Executive Director of More Common.

“If governments are to reshape support for digital identity, they must initiate clearer use cases. The danger is that potentially beneficial policies could become additional challenges for governments amid organized opposition.”

Starmer and former adviser to Tony Blair, Peter Hyman, claimed the plan is “dead in the water” within six months, as ministers failed to present a persuasive case during an event at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool.

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Hyman indicated that the scheme’s opposition finds itself “on the back foot,” urging Downing Street to engage social media influencers to “address objections” and counter rising conspiracy theories threatening the initiative’s viability.

The minister stated that digital ID cards would be mandatory for individuals wishing to prove their right to live and work in the UK. The government is particularly concerned about the ease of accessing illegal jobs within the UK’s shadow economy, a contributing factor encouraging perilous travel across the channel.

Photo IDs would be stored on smartphones, similar to a digital bank card, and would contain details such as the owner’s name, residency status, date of birth, and nationality. They do not grant access to healthcare or welfare benefits.

According to a senior minister, ID cards will be implemented prior to the next election, initially aimed at verifying individuals’ rights to work.

“If having an ID card helps eliminate fraudulent activities within the system, this was always a straightforward aim,” stated Interior Secretary Shabana Mahmoud at a fringe event. As conservatives deem it a “witness,” the plan continues to face resistance from British reformists.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Hades II Review: A Witch’s Touch Enhances This Underworld Sequel | Games

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fA few years back, during a time when we sought refuge from the chaos of the outside world, “Hades” by Supergiant Games provided a welcome distraction. Zagreus, the underworld’s rebellious son, attempted to escape his prison while the rest of us remained confined at home. There was no shame in its alluring charm, and it embraced its sensuality without reservation. The character designs by artist Jen Zi showcased Olympian perfection, and winning the favor of these irresistibly charismatic Greek gods was essential for thriving in this realm. It was a tale filled with apologies.

Alongside this, a series of challenges awaited. In “Hades II,” composer Darren Korb delivers a powerful and dramatic score to underscore the climactic stages of Olympus. This level of operatic grandeur surpasses anything from the original game. Zee’s new character illustration (including one wearing a leopard skin pouch) may even inspire further fan art and fan fiction. The brilliant script by writer Greg Casabin is wittier, smarter, and more layered than ever before.

Revenge is sweet, but this time, you are not playing as Zagreus; instead, you take on the role of his sister, Merinoe, at a crucial juncture. Rather than being trapped in a motel, she calls a haunted forest home, guided by the spectral shade and her mentor Hecate. While it may be dim and dreary, unlike Zagreus, she does not seek escape. Instead, she faces nightly adventures. Supergiant invites us to reclaim our time as we dive into the same struggles we faced five years ago, navigating two frontlines of intense battles—from the depths below to the heights of Mount Olympus.




Hardships and troubles… Hades II. Photo: Super Giant Game

Preparing to face Hecate in your first attempt may be a challenge—your showdown with the “Head Mistress” is merely the initial test of your combat abilities. However, the allure of run-based games like “Hades II” lies in the opportunity for improvement each night presents. Every failure offers lessons, and with each attempt, you gain some measure of progress. Emphasizing its occult theme, you will gather materials to throw into a cauldron during quests, enhancing your spells and boosting your odds of survival.

The game also draws inspiration from another pandemic hit. Animals that cross your path can sense resources and assist you in battle. The pale raven Raki surprises both rocks and foes, while the faithful hound Hecuba can distract enemies while unearthing recovery items. Personally, I found Wildcat Toula hard to overlook; she charges at nearby opponents with her claws—when she feels like it. Plus, she grants you a single chance to evade death during each run. With nine lives, she can afford to be daring.

To defeat Cronos, we will require the help of these newfound allies along with other forms of essential support. Encounters are as intense as you might expect, and it takes time to get accustomed to Merino’s captivating weapons. Interestingly, even if you wield the witch staff like a spear, combat feels intimately magical. The dark cloak allows you to send enemies into the ether and serves as a magical jetpack. As challenging as “Hades II” may become, you are afforded more avenues than ever before to tip the scales in your favor. Conversely, you can make the slopes of Olympus even steeper: nightmare boss fight variations demand mastery of the game’s delectable yet perilous risk-reward mechanics.

One of the delights of “Hades II” lies in its exploration of an internal conflict within a Dysfunctional Extended Family. But this is merely a setup for the resolved conflict. Not every character seems aware of the stakes: Scylla, the frontwoman of the Pop-Punk Trio of Sirens, cheerfully sings I will captivate you and make you my own deep down in Oceanus. Nonetheless, even amidst chaos, the fickle nemesis of your power suit could sporadically challenge you before blocking potential exits, but you can overcome them with the gifts of Nectar or Ambrosia. The conclusion of the game makes it abundantly clear: the fight against oppression’s power requires every ounce of our collective strength, no matter how insignificant we may feel. Regardless of our stance, true resistance arises from solidarity.

Source: www.theguardian.com

“Out of Touch”: US Tech Firm Cuts Jobs and Halts Global IT Operations to Implement AI

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The cybersecurity firm that gained notoriety last year for causing a significant global IT outage has revealed plans to partially reduce its workforce by 5% citing “AI efficiency.”

In a memo to employees earlier this week, CEO George Kurtz, who was released to the US stock market, stated that 500 jobs, or 5% of the total workforce, would be eliminated globally due to AI advancements created by businesses.

“We are at a pivotal point in the market and technology, where AI is transforming every sector, accelerating threats, and changing customer demands,” he explained.

Kurtz emphasized that AI “will streamline the adoption process and enable quicker innovation from concepts to products,” adding that it “enhances efficiency in both front and back offices.”


“AI acts as a force multiplier across the enterprise,” he added.

Other factors contributing to the layoffs include the need for sustainable market growth and expanded product lines.

The company anticipates incurring costs of up to USD 53 million due to the job reductions.

CrowdStrike reported a revenue of USD 1 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025, reflecting a 25% increase from the same period in 2024, despite a loss of USD 92 million.

Last July, CrowdStrike unintentionally promoted an erroneous software update intended to detect cybersecurity threats, which affected 8.5 million Windows systems globally.

The incident caused widespread disruption, impacting airports, hospitals, television networks, payment systems, and individual computers.

Aaron McCann, VP of research and advisory at Gartner, expressed skepticism regarding claims of AI efficiencies amid declining revenue forecasts, as seen with CrowdStrike in March.

“I view it as a justification for workforce reductions, particularly in tech. It’s fundamentally a financial decision,” he remarked, expressing immediate skepticism.

McEwan noted that firms are under pressure to justify significant investments made in AI.

“The productivity improvements we anticipated from AI are not materializing.”


Gartner’s survey indicates that fewer than 50% of employees utilize AI in their roles, with only 8% employing AI tools to boost productivity.

Toby Walsh, a professor of artificial intelligence at the University of New South Wales, described CrowdStrike’s announcement as “somewhat alarming” following last year’s suspension.

“They would be more effective by reallocating these 5% of employees to emergency responses and bug fixes,” he advised.

Walsh suggested that the market should brace itself for more such announcements in the future.

“It’s straightforward. Increased profits for companies, fewer jobs for workers. We should learn from the first industrial revolution. By uniting, we could use these savings to enhance the quality and quantity of work for everyone.”

Niusha Shafiabady, an associate professor of computational intelligence at the Australian Catholic University, stated that AI-induced job displacement is an “inevitable reality.”

“Even with good intentions, this transformation will occur. Regrettably, many will lose their traditional roles due to AI and technology,” she remarked.

“If companies can save costs by leveraging AI and technology, they will do so, resulting in job losses. This is the stark reality.”

The 2023 World Economic Forum report predicted that AI and other macroeconomic factors would affect nearly 23% of jobs globally within five years. While 69 million jobs are expected to be created, 83 million are projected to be eliminated, leading to a net decline of 2%, according to Shafiabady.

McEwan asserted that companies, especially in high-tech sectors, are exploring ways to gradually reduce their workforce through AI.

“I firmly believe that companies are emerging that can effectively shrink their workforce thanks to AI,” he noted.

“It largely depends on the type of product being sold. However, most companies at this juncture would benefit more from enhancing their workforce rather than using AI as a replacement.”

Has your job been lost to AI? Please reach out at josh.taylor@theguardian.com

Source: www.theguardian.com

My Handcrafted Blue Ghost Spaceship Ready to Touch Down on the Moon

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The personally built spacecraft is a few hours away from landing on the moon, a feat only achieved by one other company in spaceflight history.

The robot lander, known as Blue Ghost, has been orbiting the moon for approximately two weeks, gearing up for a daring descent. Firefly Aerospace, a Texas-based company, has developed a spacecraft with the goal of landing on the moon around 3:34 am early Sunday.

If all goes as planned, Blue Ghost will become the second privately owned vehicle to land on the moon. In February 2024, another Texas-based company, Intuitive Machines, made history with the Odysseus Lander successfully touching down near the moon’s Antarctic region.

Firefly’s Blue Ghost Lunar Lander took a selfie on Earth.
Firefly Air Space

Firefly Aerospace’s future landing attempts are set for 2025 as part of a robotic mission to the moon. Recently, Intuitive Machines launched its second lunar landing vehicle into space. Japanese company, The Ispace, was also sent towards the moon on the same rocket as Blue Ghost, taking a longer route but expected to arrive around late May or early June.

Blue Ghost is targeting a landing site in a 350-mile-wide basin near the moon’s surface, always facing the Earth. This area is believed to be the location of an ancient asteroid impact, according to NASA.

During a recent orbit around the moon, the Lander captured footage showing distant craters on the lunar surface.

Firefly’s Blue Ghost Lander filmed footage of the other side of the Moon on February 24th.
Firefly Air Space

Blue Ghost is scheduled to begin its descent around 2 am on Sunday. NASA will broadcast live streams starting at 2:20 am ET on NASA TV.

Equipped with 10 NASA science instruments, the spacecraft will conduct various studies, including surveying the moon’s interior up to 700 miles deep, capturing Earth-focused x-ray images, analyzing space weather interactions with Earth’s magnetic field, and capturing detailed images during the descent for future missions.

The instruments onboard the Lander will examine lunar soil samples, study lunar dust adherence to different surfaces, and use lasers to measure Earth-Moon distance accurately.

Blue Ghost is expected to gather data on the moon for about two weeks.

While in Lunar Orbit, Firefly’s Blue Ghost Lander captured images of the moon’s Antarctic.
Firefly Air Space

This mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative, a public-private partnership between NASA and US companies to deliver scientific experiments, technology, and cargo to the moon. It is a critical component of NASA’s Artemis program, designed to eventually return humans to the moon.

NASA allocated approximately $101.5 million to Firefly Aerospace to carry out the Blue Ghost Mission.

NASA states that the scientific experiments and technology demonstrations on these missions will enhance our understanding of the moon’s Antarctic region, where future human crews are expected to land.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Scientists discover 16 different types of neurons responsible for human sense of touch

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A new study led by scientists from the University of Pennsylvania, Karolinska Institutet, and Linköping University has revealed a landscape view of the human sense of touch.

Somatosensory diversity arises from heterogeneous dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. However, the cell body transcriptome, a key piece of information for deciphering the function of individual human (h)DRG neurons, is lacking due to technical difficulties. In a new study, Yu others. They isolated somatic cells from individual hDRG neurons and performed deep RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to detect an average of more than 9,000 unique genes per neuron, identifying 16 types of neurons.

Humans perceive touch, temperature, and pain through the somatosensory system.

The general understanding is that there are specific types of neurons for each type of emotion, such as pain, pleasant touch, or coldness.

But new research casts doubt on that notion and shows that bodily sensations are probably much more complex than that.

“Much of the knowledge we have today about how the nervous system works comes from studies of animals,” said Dr. Wenqing Luo of the University of Pennsylvania and colleagues.

“But how similar are mice and humans, for example?”

“Many discoveries made in animal studies have not been confirmed in human studies.”

“One reason for this may be a lack of understanding of how it works in the human body.”

“We wanted to create a detailed atlas of the different types of neurons involved in somatosensation in humans and compare it with neurons in mice and the primate macaque.”

The study involved a detailed analysis of the genes used by individual neurons, so-called deep RNA sequencing.

Neurons with similar gene expression profiles were grouped as one sensory neuron type.

In this way, the researchers identified 16 unique human neuron types.

This study is the first to link gene expression and actual function in different types of neurons.

To investigate the function of neurons, the scientists used microneurography techniques to listen to the signals of one neuron at a time.

Using this technique, skin neurons in awake participants are exposed to temperature, touch, or certain chemicals, and individual neurons are “listened in” to determine how those particular neurons respond and send signals to the brain. You can find out if it is.

During these experiments, the authors made discoveries that would not have been possible if mapping the cellular machinery of different types of neurons had not given them new ideas for experiments.

One such discovery concerns a type of neuron that responds to pleasant touch.

The researchers discovered that this cell type unexpectedly responded to heat and also to capsaicin, the chemical that gives chili peppers their heat.

Scientists were surprised that the touch-sensing neurons responded to such stimuli, since their response to capsaicin is typical of pain-sensing neurons.

Additionally, this type of neuron also responded to cooling, even though it does not produce the only protein known to date that signals the perception of cold.

This finding cannot be explained by what is known about cellular mechanisms and suggests that there are other mechanisms for detecting colds that have yet to be discovered.

The authors speculate that these neurons form an integrated sensory pathway that produces pleasurable sensations.

“We have been listening to the neural signals from these neurons for 10 years, but we knew nothing about their molecular characteristics,” said Dr. Håkan Ólausson from Linköping University.

“This study shows us what kinds of proteins these neurons express and what kinds of stimuli they can respond to, and we can now make connections between them. Moving forward.”

Another example is a type of pain-sensing neuron that conducts very rapidly and has been shown to respond to non-painful cooling and menthol.

“There is a common understanding that neurons are very specialized: one type of neuron detects cold, another type detects specific vibrational frequencies, a third type responds to pressure, and so on.” said Dr. Saad Nagy, also from Linköping University.

“That's how people often talk about it. But it turns out it's much more complicated than that.”

So how do mice, macaques, and humans compare? How similar are we? Many of the 16 types of neurons the researchers identified in their study are largely similar across species.

The biggest difference they found was that conduction in pain-sensing neurons was much faster in response to stimuli that could cause injury.

Compared to mice, humans have more pain neurons, a type of neuron that sends pain signals to the brain at high speeds.

“Our study doesn't answer why this is the case, but we have a theory,” Dr. Ólausson said.

“The fact that pain signals are emitted at a much faster rate in humans compared to mice is probably just a reflection of their body size.”

“Mice don't need such rapid neural signaling. But in humans, the distances are longer and the signals need to be sent to the brain more quickly, before reacting and withdrawing.” You will be injured.”

Regarding this research, paper in diary natural neuroscience.

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H. Yu others. Utilizing deep sequencing of single cell somatic RNA to explore the neural basis of human somatosensation. nut neurosipublished online on November 4, 2024. doi: 10.1038/s41593-024-01794-1

Source: www.sci.news

Reasons to stop making light of having “a touch of OCD”

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We’ve probably all heard people jokingly or proudly describe their habit of meticulously rearranging their bookshelves or taking an incredibly long time to clean their bathroom as “a bit OCD.”

Most people have a rough idea of ​​what OCD is, but it tends to be thought of as a behavioral quirk. In fact, the condition is characterised by intrusive thoughts and compulsions that cannot be stopped, and it is debilitating for the 1-3% of the world’s population that are affected.

In this light, the “kind of OCD” joke risks trivializing illnesses as serious as schizophrenia or depression. This misuse of the phrase may reflect our ignorance about OCD. But as we explore in “New Understanding of OCD Paves the Way for New Treatments,” we are now discovering more about how OCD manifests in the brain, which is influencing how we think about the illness.

It’s true that obsessions and compulsions exist in all of us to some degree — maybe you run back into the house to make sure the front door is locked, or you can’t help but think about an upcoming stressful event. In fact, many of the symptoms of OCD seem to represent distortions of beneficial behavior. But imagine what it would be like if the intrusive thoughts and urges to act were unstoppable. That’s the hallmark of OCD.

It is becoming clear that OCD is a complex condition that involves the immune system.

Thanks to decades of research into the mechanisms underlying this disease, we now know that entire brain networks are affected, causing a significant imbalance in the neurotransmitters that transmit signals around them, and that the disease is more complex than we thought, with the immune system and gut bacteria also playing a role.

These insights into the body and brain causes of OCD are paving the way for much-needed new treatments for people who don’t respond to current first-line therapies. But what’s clear is that OCD is an incredibly distressing condition, and we’re only just beginning to address the problem. It’s time to stop kidding ourselves.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Enhancing Virtual Reality with Artificial Touch Technology for a More Immersive Experience

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When you open the door, it hits you and warmth spreads over your skin. Fighting the smoke and heat, I brace myself and head inside. As you walk through a burning building, flames flicker around you. You find what you want and run away. It's so cold outside that I start shivering and my hands and feet go numb.

But when I remove the headset, everything stops. An incredibly realistic training exercise is now complete. All of these sensations felt real, but they were not caused by changes in my surroundings. Instead, carefully selected chemicals were injected into the skin to mimic different emotions.

Such stimuli have long helped us understand the most complex of the human senses: touch. In the 1990s, research into capsaicin, an extract from chili peppers, and menthol, found in peppermint, helped determine how our bodies respond to heat and cold. now, Jasmine Lu and colleagues at the University of Chicago They use this knowledge to create chemically induced sensations that make virtual environments incredibly realistic.

With a technology called chemical haptics, they built a wearable device that, when placed on the skin, can cause the wearer to experience different sensations, such as hot or cold, numbness or tingling, depending on their needs. . Its uses could include creating highly realistic virtual worlds for gamers to explore, training firefighters, and more. But will we ever be able to fully recreate the experience of touching the real thing? And if we can't, what might we stand to lose?

Source: www.newscientist.com

Japanese lander Slim prepares to touch down on the moon

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Artist's thoughts on SLIM after landing on the moon

JAXA

Japan is preparing for its first moon landing. The Smart Lunar Survey Lander (SLIM) is scheduled to land on the lunar surface on January 19th. If all goes well, Japan will become the fifth country to land a probe on the moon, following the United States, Soviet Union, China and India.

SLIM launched in September 2023 and took a long, narrow path to the moon, making a steep descent to conserve fuel. It entered lunar orbit in December and has since taken images of the lunar surface and slowly lowered its altitude in preparation for landing.

This spacecraft's landing technique is so precise that it has been nicknamed the “Moon Sniper.” It is designed to match images from its onboard camera with data from other lunar rovers to determine its location and autonomously navigate to a precise landing site. “[It] “We can expect 20 minutes of breathless, numbing fear,” said Kenji Kushiki, one of the mission managers at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). in a statement.

If successful, future missions will be equipped to land exactly where they want to land, rather than within a few dozen square kilometers of their desired spot, as is the case today. “Lunar orbiting satellites… have provided a large amount of high-resolution observation data of the lunar surface,” Kushiki said. “Thus, interest in lunar science and resource exploration has shifted from 'somewhere on the moon's surface' to 'that rock next to this particular crater.'”

When the spacecraft lands, it releases a pair of probes with new and strange ways to travel across the moon's surface. Lunar Expedition Vehicle-1 (LEV-1) is designed to fly around rather than roam on wheels like traditional rovers. LEV-2 is a sphere slightly smaller than a tennis ball that was designed by toy manufacturers to roll on the ground. take a picture. The lander itself also carries scientific instruments to survey the area around the crater that will be the target of the landing.

The landing is part of a large-scale international effort to explore the moon. India's Chandrayaan-3 lander reached the moon's surface in August 2023, but there were a series of failures. A lander sent by Japan's iSpace company crashed last April, Russia's Luna 25 had a similar accident in August, and more recently the US crashed. Astrobotic's Peregrine lander suffered a fuel leak and failed to reach the moon. If this mission is successful, it could be the moment when lunar exploration gets back on track.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

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