IBM Builds a Chip that Works Like Your Brain

Posted on by

Is it possible that we can someday build a computer that’s as powerful and as efficient as a brain?

Researchers at IBM recently unveiled a prototype of their human brain-inspired SyNapse chip. The new postage stamp-sized chip processes information using a network of just over one million “neurons” that communicate with one another using electrical spikes — as actual neurons do.

The chip uses the same basic components as today’s commercial chips, silicon transistors, but its transistors are configured to mimic the behavior of both neurons and the connections – synapses – between them.

MSK Takes Part in Proclamation of the First “World Head and Neck Cancer Day” and more…

Posted on by
  • MSK together with the International Federation of Head and Neck Oncologic Societies (IFHNOS) and the American Head and Neck Society (AHNS) declared July 27th as “World Head and Neck Cancer Day.” This occasion will launch an international initiative to promote awareness, education and training in the diagnosis, treatment, outcomes and research in head and neck cancer, said Dr. Jatin Shah, Chief of the Head and Neck Service at MSK.
  • Research carried out by Sloan Kettering Institute and Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry in the UK, has shed light on how cells in the brain and nervous system turn into cancer. They studied a tumor suppressor named Merlin and discovered how the loss of Merlin leads to tumors in the nervous system. The discovery can lead the way to drug therapy which may combat the process.
  • Sunitinib, a VEGF inhibitor, is the preferred first-line treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma as compared with the mTor inhibitor, everolimus. RECORD-3, a phase two trial, evaluated progression of disease on everolimus vs sunitinib and found that progression free survival was longer for patients treated with first-line sunitinib, as reported by Dr. Robert J. Motzer of the MSK Dept. of Medicine.
  • Patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma showed an improved response rate and significant duration of response when they received a higher than standard dose of carfilzomib in a study headed by Dr. Nikoletta Lendvai, of MSK’s Dept. of Medicine. At least a partial response was achieved in 55% of patients in the study.

Goldminer is a Good Source for Radiology and Biomedical Images

Posted on by

A quick way to search for radiology images is through ARRS GoldMiner®. GoldMiner is a search engine produced by the American Roentgen Ray Society. It provides access to radiology and biomedical images published in 742+ peer-reviewed journals. Images can be searched by findings, anatomy, imaging technique, and patient age and sex. Nearly 477,000+ images are available in the database.

With one click an image can be downloaded as a PowerPoint slide for teaching/instruction purposes. For information on permissions and terms of use, click here.

The MSK Library also has an extensive list of image resources and databases on our Images LibGuide. Take a look and ask us if you have any questions!