Scientists claim to have for the first time successfully managed to partially control a specific memory in mice, after harnessing neurons in bra-ins of the rodent in a laboratory experiment. Though just an initial step, a team at Scripps Research Instit-ute hopes the research will eventually lead to better understanding of how memories form in the brain, and even ways to weaken harmful thoughts for those with conditions such as schizophrenia, the Science journal reported.
Researchers have known for decades that stimulating various regions of the brain can trigger behaviours and even memories. But, understanding the way these brain functions develop and occur normally — effectively how people become who they are — has been a much more complex goal. “The question we’re ultimately interested in is: How does the activity of the brain represent the world?” said Scripps Research neuroscientist Mark Mayford, who led the team.

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Madonna album out in Russia three days early
RUSSIA’S LARGEST search engine Yandex has made US pop star Madonna’s new album available for download three days before its worldwide release, the company said on Friday. The album, MDNA, is also available in Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan as a result of a deal between Yandex and the Russian branch of Universal Music. It will be streamed online on Yandex’s music site, Yandex Music, from March 23 through 26, and will be available to download for the first 100,000 listeners, the firm said in a press release.
The announcement comes just a day after Madonna condemned a new law in St. Petersburg banning “gay propaganda”, pledging to speak out against the bill at her concert there in August. — IANS

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Crowe to star in a biblical film, noah
Gladiator star Russell Crowe has been tapped to star in director Darren Aronofsky’s biblical retelling Noah. The 47-year-old actor will play the dev-oted ark builder, a role which was originally offered to Christian Bale and Michael Fassbender, reported Ace Sho-wbiz. Bale turned down the project since he was also committed to Terence Malick’s Lawless and Knight of Cups. Noah will reunite Crowe with screenwriter John Logan, who penned the script for Ridley Scott’s Oscar-winning Gladiator. The film will also become Aronofsky’s follow-up to his Oscar-no-minated Black Swan. “Since I was a kid, I have been moved and inspired by the story of Noah. The imaginations of countless generations have sparked to this epic story of faith. I hope I can present a window into Noah’s passion and perseverance for the silver screen,” Aronofsky said. — PTI

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Perry’s new video left her sore & exhausted
Pop star Katy Perry says she had to train so hard to get into shape for her latest music video Part of Me, that it left her sore and exhausted. The 27-year-old singer admitted that she hired a personal trainer to tone up for the video, which sees her join the US marines after coming out of an adulterous relationship, reported MTV News online. “I got on a meal plan. I’m still on that meal plan, although I cheat a little bit — I have to live. I got a fantastic person to work me out and get me into really good shape. On the actual base, I did a lot of things. I flipped girls, I learned how to fireman-carry. I know how to carry my weight a little bit more,” said Perry.
However, the Firework hitmaker confessed that there was one stunt she was unable to master and the director had to edit that particular shot in the video. — PTI