The Synapse, Issue 1

Hi all and welcome to the first The Synapse (a neuroscience carnival). Thanks to everyone who participated for their fabulous submissions. Remember that The Synapse is a biweekly carnival, and the next carnival will be hosted by Coturnix at A Blog Around the Clock on the 9th of July. For information on how to submit and future issues check out our permanent page.

Anyway here you go:

Shelley Batts at Retrospectacle summarizes the wonders of cybernetics, and why -- while I may not be able to become Inspector Gadget today -- a man can still dream. She also discusses the pathways involved in addiction, material I am certain individuals planning to participate in my impending intervention will appreciate. (See you all Thursday.)

Keeping in a brain machine theme, Joe Kissell at Interesting Thing of the Day, a wonderfully named blog if I ever heard one, describes flashy, noisy brain machines to make you less stressed. I am not really certain how that is supposed to work but he is.

Ben P examines brain activation during sex and then during empathy -- sex then cuddling...just what I like to see.

Evil Monkey at Neurotopia proves that while monkeys can wash sweet potatoes they do not to our knowledge possess telepathy. I know you were worried, but everything is going to be OK.

Corpus Callosum explains something I have always wondered about: why my boss likes to see new data. Hint: the answer is mu opioid receptors.

If it has to do with sleep Coturnix at A Blog Around the Clock is so all over it. He examines a drug that acts on the melatonin system and how melatonin in breast milk may entrain a child's sleep cycle. Then he has a post where he appears to have summarized the entirety of physiology and neuroscience. I must say I am kind of impressed.

Steve at OmniBrain has useful and not so useful -- but more fun -- toys: a pillow that checks your sleep patterns and robots that try and mate.

Murky Thoughts shall henceforth be known for coining the term OMGMRIs for Oh My God Brain Imaging Stories. You know you have posted them -- I am looking at you Ben P. He also summarizes a little shady evidence on Jewish genetic superiority...not that Jews aren't smart...it is just the evidence that is bad...hey, I go to Mount Sinai buddy...oh whatever...

The Neurophilosopher looks at newly found gait cells, cells that respond the visual object of a walking person, and sees if they might be sex selective. He also discusses the neuroethology of religious experience.

Dave Ng at The World's Fair submitted a great summary on the prospects for neuroregeneration.

Finally I have a long post on the limits of genetic determinism -- something I repeat ceaselessly to no avail. I also cover perhaps the most spectacular OMGMRI story ever.

Thanks again everyone.