New JonesBlog update. Bionic implants

The device seen in these images is called the Utah Electrode Array (WARNING: potentially graphic image after the jump of an implant in a human brain). The Utah Electrode Array is a brain implant technology developed here at the University of Utah by Richard Normann. The purpose of this device, built by currently built for us by Blackrock Microsystems is to transduce signals from external devices to deliver to the brain for interpretation. Alternatively, the device can record impulses generated in the brain for delivery of neural signals to external devices. Our potential interests in this approach are manifold, but real use and implementation of these devices is some years away still.

New JonesBlog update. Bonneville Speed Week 2009

New JonesBlog update. Its spelt F-L-Y

New JonesBlog update. USS Toledo SSN-769

New JonesBlog update. A Computational Framework for Ultrastructural Mapping of Neural Circuitry

We have just published a manuscript in PLoS Biology where we describe how to build a complete and accurate neural network. This of course is one of the long standing holy grails in neuroscience. So, this effort meets two goals: 1) It meets the goals of building a complete neural connectome (we'll be finished collecting all of the data with cell identity, physiologic response and all synaptic connectivity in approximately six days) and 2) It defines a workflow whereby investigators from around the planet can download and use the tools we are providing to build their own connectome projects using existing infrastructure. We are making those tools available here to enable other groups to assemble, browse and annotate the terabyte sized datasets required of connectome level projects.

New JonesBlog update. Desire...

New JonesBlog update. Urban Deer

New JonesBlog update. Photowalking Utah Hill AFB Museum

New JonesBlog update. Happy Holidays 2008

New JonesBlog update. Full Moon

New JonesBlog entry on a visit to the Korean DMZ here.

This is a glimpse at an environment that hopefully will be rapidly changing, but with North Korea going through a spasm of Communist retrenching and the uncertainty of Kim Jong Il's health (or even if he is still alive), things in the DMZ appear to be just as tense as they have been for years.

With Montreal hosting the 2009 NHL All-Star Game, Canadiens fans are obviously excited to vote online to get their players into the starting lineup for the Eastern Conference. The league found, however, that after barely a day of voting, the "Flying Frenchmen" were in position for all six starting spots, with vote totals that were often 200% higher than rival stars like Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin, who are widely regarded as the biggest names in the sport. A script posted on a Habs fan forum enabled users to automatically hammer away at the NHL's balloting site, in violation of the rules.

The league has belatedly added a captcha to the voting page to confound the Greasemonkey crowd, but this episode begs a question: since the NHL boasts that its avid fans are exceedingly techno-savvy, isn't this exactly the sort of competition they'd like to see? For example, alliances could be formed between cities in opposite conferences to get each other's players into the honored slots.

Last year, a similar (albeit more grassroots) drive nearly led to journeyman Rory Fitzpatrick getting named to the Western Conference squad.

New JonesBlog entries on China here.

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New JonesBlog update. Red Flag

New JonesBlog update. Broad-tailed Hummingbird