The most interesting events of the week 7-13 October

EU gets closer to unravelling the mysteries of the human brain

The Human Brain Project (HBP), running from 2013 to 2023, has brought together more than 500 scientists, engineers and doctors from across Europe to study the human brain using advanced computational methods. Among the project's key achievements are the creation of the most detailed 3D brain atlas available on the EBRAINS platform and the development of personalised virtual models to study brain diseases such as epilepsy. These models help to make precise medical interventions.

The HBP project has also achieved breakthroughs in neuromorphic computing with the SpiNNaker and BrainScaleS hardware platforms, which simulate brain functions with minimal power consumption, making them significantly more efficient than traditional supercomputers. The project has also developed algorithms for artificial intelligence inspired by the brain's cognitive processes, improving AI, especially in robotics and computer vision.

HBP's medical innovations include the use of virtual brain models for epilepsy surgery, which could revolutionise personalised medicine. Digital brain maps are also being explored to diagnose psychiatric conditions such as depression, with the aim of creating objective biomarkers.

The EBRAINS platform has become an important resource for neuroscience, providing access to research tools to more than 10,000 users worldwide. HBP has laid the foundation for further development of personalised medicine and expanding the possibilities of studying the brain using digital twins and neuromorphic technologies.

Russia is developing a cancer vaccine

Preclinical studies of the Russian cancer vaccine show that the drug effectively suppresses tumour growth and can probably prevent metastasis. This was reported by Alexander Gintsburg, Director of the Gamaleya Research Centre. Scientists are also studying the possibility of turning mutations in tumours into antigens that would stimulate the immune system to fight cancer. They plan to start using the vaccine in patients in 2025.

Several scientific institutes are involved in the development of the vaccine, including the Gamaleya Centre, the Blokhin Oncology Research Centre and the Blokhin Moscow Oncology Institute. The vaccine is being developed by several research institutes, including the Gamaleya Centre, the Blokhin Oncology Centre and the Gertsen Oncology Institute in Moscow. P.A. Herzen Oncology Institute in Moscow. The work is state-funded, and preclinical trials were completed last month.

One vaccine option is an mRNA vaccine that is being developed by several research teams. , with a focus on immunotherapy for cancers such as melanoma, lung cancer and some GI cancers.

Despite progress, the vaccine is not a universal cure for all cancers and will only be effective for certain diseases where immunotherapy has been shown to be effective.

Northern lights are becoming a frequent phenomenon

The northern lights, once considered a unique phenomenon, have become much more common in recent years, even in the United States. Last week, it was visible to the naked eye again, thanks to the active phase of the 11-year solar cycle.

This cycle peaks when the sun becomes active and ejects charged particles into space, which collide with gases in Earth's atmosphere to create colourful flares in the sky. The current cycle began in 2019 and will peak in 2025, so such phenomena are likely to occur more frequently in the coming months.

To see the northern lights, experts recommend staying away from artificial light and in clear weather.