Vision
2024 Kavli Prize awarded for research on face-selective brain areas
Studies by Nancy Kanwisher, Winrich Freiwald and Doris Tsao revealed how the brains of humans and other primates identify faces and helped establish an understanding of brain specialization.
![Black-and-white headshots of Nancy Kanwisher, Winrich Freiwald and Doris Tsao.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/KavliPrize-1200-rearranged-1024x692.webp)
2024 Kavli Prize awarded for research on face-selective brain areas
Studies by Nancy Kanwisher, Winrich Freiwald and Doris Tsao revealed how the brains of humans and other primates identify faces and helped establish an understanding of brain specialization.
Can an emerging field called ‘neural systems understanding’ explain the brain?
This mashup of neuroscience, artificial intelligence and even linguistics and philosophy of mind aims to crack the deep question of what "understanding" is, however un-brain-like its models may be.
![Illustration of a series of squares containing distinct patterns.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LLM-neuroscience-Inside1-1200-1024x692.webp)
Can an emerging field called ‘neural systems understanding’ explain the brain?
This mashup of neuroscience, artificial intelligence and even linguistics and philosophy of mind aims to crack the deep question of what "understanding" is, however un-brain-like its models may be.
Visual perception improves in the blink of an eye
Blinking—long considered a problem the brain must overcome to produce seamless vision—may actually be more of a feature than a bug, new research suggests.
![A person sits in an experimental rig that examines eye movements.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eye-Blinks-setup-1200-landscape-1024x683.webp)
Visual perception improves in the blink of an eye
Blinking—long considered a problem the brain must overcome to produce seamless vision—may actually be more of a feature than a bug, new research suggests.
The creative brain—an edited excerpt from ‘Essays on Art and Science’
In his new book, neuroscientist Eric Kandel explores how sensory perception and higher-order cognitive processes influence our experience of art.
![Portrait of the interior designer Madeleine Castaing by the French painter Chaïm Soutine.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/kandel-art-science-neuroscience-transmitter-1200-landscape-1024x683.webp)
The creative brain—an edited excerpt from ‘Essays on Art and Science’
In his new book, neuroscientist Eric Kandel explores how sensory perception and higher-order cognitive processes influence our experience of art.
Controversial dyslexia study marred by methodological and ethical problems, researchers say
Subsequent studies have also failed to validate a range of products based on the work.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1200-dyslexia-study-methodological-ethical-problems-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Controversial dyslexia study marred by methodological and ethical problems, researchers say
Subsequent studies have also failed to validate a range of products based on the work.
Expanding ‘little brain’ may have powered dinosaur flight
The cerebellum swelled in size before flight evolved among modern birds’ dinosaur ancestors, according to a new comparison of fossilized skulls and living birds.
![An image of a fossil](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1200-evolution-of-flight-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Expanding ‘little brain’ may have powered dinosaur flight
The cerebellum swelled in size before flight evolved among modern birds’ dinosaur ancestors, according to a new comparison of fossilized skulls and living birds.
Monkey studies throw wrench into decade-old idea about movement’s effect on visual cortex
Movements that boost activity in the visual cortex of mice have the opposite or no effect in marmosets and macaques, prompting questions about whether mice are a suitable model for the primate visual system.
![Illustration of a yellow brain and a pink brain](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1200-cortical-states-neuroscience-transmitter-1024x683.webp)
Monkey studies throw wrench into decade-old idea about movement’s effect on visual cortex
Movements that boost activity in the visual cortex of mice have the opposite or no effect in marmosets and macaques, prompting questions about whether mice are a suitable model for the primate visual system.
Remembering Peter Schiller, principled pioneer of vision research
Schiller, best known for his research on how the superior colliculus controls eye movements, died last month at the age of 92.
![A photograph of Peter Schiller](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1200-peter-schiller-obituary-neuroscience-transmitter-1024x683.webp)
Remembering Peter Schiller, principled pioneer of vision research
Schiller, best known for his research on how the superior colliculus controls eye movements, died last month at the age of 92.
Vertebrates share retinal building blocks
Variations in cell subtypes drive species-specific functions, according to new research.
![A research image of retinal circuitry in a variety of animals](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1200-cells-in-retina-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Vertebrates share retinal building blocks
Variations in cell subtypes drive species-specific functions, according to new research.
New specs immerse mice in virtual worlds
The tool — called “MouseGoggles” — could provide rodents with an improved virtual experience in the lab, at a lower cost than current techniques.
New specs immerse mice in virtual worlds
The tool — called “MouseGoggles” — could provide rodents with an improved virtual experience in the lab, at a lower cost than current techniques.
Explore more from The Transmitter
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
![Research image of neurons in the fly’s ventral nerve cord.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/lede-motormodules-1200-1024x692.webp)
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
![Illustration of researchers talking to laypeople amidst strands of DNA.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1200_Charman-1024x687.webp)
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/paincircuit-1200-1024x692.webp)
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.