MI weekly selection #189
Cannabis use spread throughout Eurasia as Bronze Age dawned
Ancient humans in both Asia and Europe started using cannabis as early as the end of the last ice age. Researchers say the use of cannabis intensified in East Asia around the beginning of the Bronze Age, then spread throughout Eurasia.
AI technique developed for early Alzheimer’s detection
Using artificial intelligence algorithms on MRI brain scans, scientists think they can detect signs of Alzheimer’s disease early so patients can be treated before symptoms show up. The AI system was trained to distinguish between patients with Alzheimer’s and those with two other forms of dementia.
Concussion damage to brain still visible after 6 months
High school and college athletes who suffered concussions and were considered recovered after seven to 10 days have been found to still have visible damage to their brains six months later. Researchers examined detailed brain scans of 18 student athletes and found persistent neurological damage in all of them.
Brown dwarf outside solar system shows signs of water clouds
Evidence of water clouds has been found for the first time outside the solar system in the atmosphere of a brown dwarf 7.2 light-years from Earth. Astronomers found water vapor on WISE 0855 after observing the massive object over 13 nights using Hawaii’s Gemini North telescope.
Tiny robot stingray created with rat heart cells, gold
Scientists have created a tiny robotic stingray using a gold skeleton covered in rat heart cells and controlled by light. Researchers say the little robot is helping them learn more about the mechanics of muscle pumping and could lead to the development of optical pacemakers and advances in soft robotics.