[accessibleimage] Secrets of the Senses , special issue Scientific America

Hi,
Scientific America current special issue is dedicated to the senses. Dr.
Kennedy has an article in it How the Blind Draw, also article about
synesthesia. Synopsis follows.
Best,
Lisa
link http://www.sciam.com/special/toc.cfm?issueid=47&sc=I110739
Secrets of the Senses 
Imagine what it must be like. In a condition called synesthesia, senses
blend, with exotic effects. Each number may evoke its own color, and
flavors can mingle with shapes-in one instance letting a man tell that a
roasted chicken was done, because it tasted "pointy." In their article,
"Hearing Colors, Tasting Shapes," Vilayanur S. Ramachandran and Edward M.
Hubbard describe how synesthesia has yielded insights into how the brain
processes complex sensory inputs. 
We take our conventional set of senses for granted, but their capabilities
are no less astounding for their everyday qualities. The constant stream
of data they provide helps the brain interpret our surroundings, giving us
vital tools to survive and thrive. As Nobel Prize winner Richard Axel
writes in "The Molecular Logic of Smell," humans "can recognize
approximately 10,000 scents, ranging from the pleasurable scent of freshly
cut flowers to the aversive smell of an angry skunk." Other senses leap
into action to protect us from such foul-smelling danger. Interpreting
acoustic signals from our two ears, the brain locates the rustling of an
animal on the forest floor. At the same time, our visual systems
near-instantly assemble into a coherent whole the scattered patches of
black and white peeking through the leaves: "Skunk!" 
When bereft of sensory feedback, the brain hastens to compensate, with
revealing results. "Phantom Limbs," by Ronald Melzack, describes the
enduring mental presence of missing appendages, whereas "How the Blind
Draw," by John M. Kennedy, discusses a surprising connection between
vision and touch. 
As scientists try to make sense of our senses, they also seek to imitate
or even improve on them to serve us in new ways. "Neuromorphic
Microchips," by Kwabena Boahen, describes work to etch visual systems in
silicon for better artificial-recognition technologies. Kathryn S. Brown's
story, which asks "Are You Ready for a New Sensation?", explores how
biology is combining with engineering to design the sensory experiences of
tomorrow. These thought-provoking pieces, and the others in the issue,
offer what we hope will be a sensational experience. --The Editors 

Vision: A Window into Consciousness by Nikos K. Logothetis
In their search for the mind, scientists are focusing on visual
perception--how we interpret what we see 
Dying to See by Ralf Dahm 
Studies of the lens of the eye not only could reveal ways to prevent
cataracts but also might illuminate the biology of Alzheimer's,
Parkinson's and other diseases in which cells commit suicide 
Neuromorphic Microchips by Kwabena Boahen 
Compact, efficient electronics based on the brain's neural system could
yield implantable silicon retinas to restore vision, as well as robotic
eyes and other smart sensors 
Listening with Two Ears by Masakazu Konishi 
Studies of barn owls offer insight into just how the brain combines
acoustic signals from two sides of the head into a single spatial
perception. 
Music and the Brain by Norman M. Weinberger 
What is the secret of music's strange power? Seeking an answer, scientists
are piecing together a picture of what happens in the brains of listeners
and musicians 
How the Blind Draw by John M. Kennedy 
Blind and sighted people use many of the same devices in sketching their
surroundings, suggesting that vision and touch are closely linked 
Phantom Limbs by Ronald Melzack 
People who have lost an arm or a leg often perceive the limb as though it
were still there. Treating the pain of these ghostly appendages remains
difficult 
Are You Ready for a New Sensation? by Kathryn S. Brown 
As biology meets engineering, scientists are designing the sensory
experiences of a new tomorrow 
The Molecular Logic of Smell by Richard Axel 
Mammals can recognize thousands of odors, some of which prompt powerful
responses. Recent experiments illuminate how the nose and brain may
perceive scents 
Hearing Colors, Tasting Shapes by Vilayanur S. Ramachandran and Edward M.
Hubbard 
People with synesthesia--whose senses blend together--are providing
valuable clues to understanding the organization and functions of the
brain 
Making Sense of Taste by David V. Smith and Robert F. Margolskee 
How do cells on the tongue register the sensations of sweet, salty, sour
and bitter? Scientists are finding out--and discovering how the brain
interprets these signals as various tastes 


Lisa Yayla
Huseby Kompetansesenter 
Oslo Norway
lisa.yayla@xxxxxxxxxx

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