Research

The hidden link between autism and epilepsy

The hidden link between autism and epilepsy

It was only halfway through the twentieth century that autism was given a clear name and definition. Yet doctors at that time already noticed that some autistic children also had epileptic seizures. Today we know that this connection is no coincidence: autism and epilepsy have more in common than once thought.

Can an AI be “unbiased”?

Can an AI be “unbiased”?

New research shows that even so-called “aligned” AIs — trained to follow human values and avoid harmful outputs — still reflect stereotypes. Even GPT-4, one of the most advanced models, repeats the very biases it was meant to suppress.

Yellow benign chaos: The case of Homer Simpson

Yellow benign chaos: The case of Homer Simpson

Fictional characters intrigue us not only because of their stories, but also because they reflect deep truths about human nature. In this series, we explore the minds of iconic characters from film and television, analyzing their behavior through the lens of neuroscience and psychology. In this edition, we turn our attention to Homer from The Simpsons.

Literally stepping into another’s shoes: The body-swap illusion 

Literally stepping into another’s shoes: The body-swap illusion 

From the moment you are born, you live in one body. This body grounds your perspective: you see, hear, and feel the world from this single point of view. Yet this also means you are stuck inside it. You can never truly know what it is like to be someone else. Or can you? With a few clever tricks, your brain can be persuaded that you have stepped into another body. This is the body-swap illusion.

Tunnelvisual tricks: The eye as a peephole, the brain as a painter

Tunnelvisual tricks: The eye as a peephole, the brain as a painter

Nothing is what it seems, including our visual perception. We see through our eyes: well-cleaned panoramic windows overlooking the world outside. At least, that’s what our experience suggests. In reality, the window cleaner is only scheduled for tomorrow, the glass is terribly fogged up, and your eyes are more like raindrops that allow for occasional peeks into the outside world. Why do we not experience it as such? How come we can see so well regardless? And do we ever see the real world?