Brain scans to ‘read’ emotions
Scientists have for the first time used brain scans to identify emotions such as happiness, anger, sadness or even envy that a person may be experiencing.
The study combines functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and machine learning to measure brain signals to accurately read emotions in individuals. The findings by Carnegie Mellon University illustrate how the brain categorises feelings, giving researchers the first reliable process to analyse emotions. “This research introduces a new method with potential to identify emotions without relying on people’s ability to self-report,” said Karim Kassam, assistant professor of social and decision sciences and lead author of the study.
“It could be used to assess an individual’s emotional response to almost any kind of stimulus, for example, a flag, a brand name or a political candidate,” said Kassam.
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Pio musician claims racism at UK music fest
London: Award-winning British-Indian musician Nitin Sawhney has sparked a race row at one of the UK’s most famous music festivals.
The London-based performer and composer claims he has been relegated to a minor stage at the Glastonbury Festival for years because of his race. “There can be a segregation in the way Asian artists are perceived. I was on the jazz and world stage at Glastonbury for about 10 years. I sold just as much [albums], if not more, than the acts called ‘mainstream’. Because I was Asian I was put on a stage that wasn’t the same,” said Sawhney, who has collaborated with well-known artistes like ex-Beatle Paul McCartney and is also known for providing the score for films such as Midnight’s Children and The Namesake.
However, the organisers of the annual Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, held in Somerset, England, rejected his claim regarding discrimination. — PTI
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