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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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Japanese Scientists Can Read Your Mind

They find a way to extract images directly from the brain

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(Newser) – The Thought Police could eventually exist in reality, if they can just figure out how to harness new technology developed by Japanese researchers, the Daily Yomuri reports. The team managed to re-create images that people were looking at—using only subjects' recorded brain activity. This is the first successful display of messages directly from the human brain.

The scientists recorded the patterns of neurons coming from the retina, which processes visual signals. By showing subjects test patterns of gradually increasing complexity, the team was able to map which neurons correspond to each part of the visual field. When subjects saw the word "neuron," the computers showed a fuzzy image of the same word.

Japanese scientists looked at the recordings from an fMRI scan of subjects' brains while they were looking at specific images, and re-created what the people were seeing.
Japanese scientists looked at the recordings from an fMRI scan of subjects' brains while they were looking at specific images, and re-created what the people were seeing.   (Flickr)
This image from the Milano-Bicocca University in Milan shows the electrical response evoked in a subject's brain while looking at words. Similar images were used in Japan to re-create seen words.
This image from the Milano-Bicocca University in Milan shows the electrical response evoked in a subject's brain while looking at words. Similar images were used in Japan to re-create seen words.   (AP Photo)
The stimuli used in the test phase of the experiment, and the results returned by the system.
The stimuli used in the test phase of the experiment, and the results returned by the system.   (Slippery Brick)
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3 comments
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Michael_CT
Dec 13, 08 1:10 AM CST
scary stuff Reply
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3motions
Dec 14, 08 5:28 PM CST
Not only is it scary, but how amazing is that? I mean, if they can get as advanced with it to read people's minds who are in comas, etc, or even possibly people that have passed on, that would be insane. Reply
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The_One_is_here
Jan 27, 09 7:21 PM CST
The machine can read minds. Not the scientists. Im a little worried about posting this here, but I can read minds. For real. Its hard to accomplish some times. People think too many things at the same time. Some of the images I see get sort of contminated. Or distorted. If you dont believe me, I don't care. I prove it to every one I tell. And then they are afraid of me. Reply
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