Engines rockets will be assembled in the augmented reality glasses


Manufacturer of engines for rockets "Proton-M" in 2016 will collect products using augmented reality glasses. The technology will create a three-dimensional visualization of the object, simplifying the assembly.

According to the press service of the Russian Federal Space Agency, the first augmented reality goggles public joint stock company "Proton-PM" and the Regional Engineering Centre were presented at the Perm engineering and technical forum in November 2015. According to the developers of the technology, it will allow to obtain a three-dimensional visualization of the assembly process complex components and assemblies of the engine. Workers on the assembly as a result will be able to see how, in what sequence, and by what tools you need to perform a task. "Introduction of interactive technology assembly processes will significantly change and supplement the existing system of design and technological preparation. And as a result, we significantly reduce the loss of time and reduce the cost of new product development process, "- he leads the agency words of Director General of PJSC" Proton-PM "Dmitry Schenyatskogo.

Recall, the company "Proton-PM" is specialized in the manufacture of liquid rocket engines RD-276, used as a power plant the first stage rocket heavy class "Proton-M". Another focus of the Company is the production of components and assemblies new generation engine RD-191 for a family of launch vehicles "Angara".

Perm development was inspired by the latest advances gaming industry, said RIA "Novosti". In contrast to the already usual virtual reality immersion in reality augmented people still see the surrounding reality, over which "accumulate" additional objects. "In the case of these points in the interests of the military-industrial complex it can be visual commands, steps orienting calculations of military equipment or engineering work", - adds the news.

Augmented reality is now quite closely integrated with the consumer market. For example, on the eve of the Israeli company Everysight, based Elbit Systems, introduced the Raptor glasses for cyclists, which were used technology in the helmet of the pilot combat aircraft. Externally, the glasses do not differ from ordinary bicycle, but, except for sun protection, indicate its owner for more information about the speed of movement, his health, and so on. D.

Genetically-modified salmon allowed to bring to the table


Office of Food Inspection and Drug Administration (FDA) has allowed for the first time in the history of eating genetically modified meat. Experts recognized safe salmon AquAdvantage, grown through the introduction of foreign DNA.

According to a press release, FDA, following a comprehensive study of the Office for the Control Food and Drug Administration approved the eating salmon AquAdvantage. FDA found no differences in nutritional and biological properties of GMO salmon compared with the conventional. DNA fragment, introduce the fish to accelerate growth, it does not cause harm. But, thanks to him, the fish is gaining weight is 2-3 times faster than conventional salmon, and the need for its dilution to 25% less feed.

«FDA carefully analyzed information on salmon AquAdvantage, presented AquaBounty. Management has determined that the fish meets the regulatory requirements, and eating food from the fish is safe, "- said the director of the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine Bernadette Dunham.

AquAdvantage Salmon is a genetically modified form of conventional Atlantic salmon, designed and developed by the corporation AquaBounty Technologies. The media reported that growth hormone for it was borrowed from the largest of the Pacific salmon - chinook. To maintain the activity of the hormone used the genetic material of the American eelpout - as the largest representative of his family.

Products of genetically modified salmon produces only one US company AquaBounty Technologies at two plants in Canada and Panama. The fish will be grown in inland waters in Canada. In reservoirs mounted numerous barriers to prevent leakage of fish and caviar. However, as noted in the press release, even if individuals escape AquAdvantage can not be reproduced at will, or interbreed with ocean population - they are sterile. On approval of the FDA application from the company AquaBounty Technologies, which produces GMO fish, it was 12 years since 2003. The development of this type of fish the company began in 1989.

The FDA also announced two instructions for labeling products with GMO ingredients. One guide describes the rules on labeling of genetically modified plant products, the second - is devoted entirely to AquAdvantage salmon and affordable products from it, including canned. Office of Food Inspection and Drug Administration takes public comments on the labeling of products containing GMOs, within 60 days, starting from November 23.

ESA satellite is studying the health of terrestrial plants by their glow

The European Space Agency is planning to monitor the health of the global vegetation, monitor its condition from space via satellite FLEX. The sensors of the satellite will "read" the information about the flora of the Earth imperceptible to the human eye glow, which produces the plant during the life processes.
According to the European Space Agency (ESA), during the process of converting sunlight and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere in energy plants emit a faint glow. Ordinary eye did not see, but from outer space, using special equipment can be. Glow can tell whether the plant is healthy, whether it is experiencing stress, and the state of the earth's flora in general. To read the data, ESA plans to launch in 2022, the year the eighth satellite to study the Earth, which will be called "Researcher radiation» (Fluorescence Explorer, or abbreviated as FLEX).
The European Space Agency hopes that the satellite will help scientists better understand the interactions between plants and the atmosphere, photosynthesis and its impact. "The conversion of carbon dioxide and water with the help of light in organic matter is one of the fundamental processes taking place in the world", - the ESA.
It is planned that the FLEX will orbit in tandem with research satellites for program Copernicus Sentinel-3. Recall, the first satellite "All» (Sentinel-1A) of the "Copernicus" was successfully launched last spring. The purpose of the project - the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security. Samu ESA program called "the second most important initiative of the European Union after the global navigation system Galileo». In general, the agency plans to create a network of satellites, collecting a vast array of different data on the state of the Earth. All these indicators after treatment and comparison will have to give a full picture of the changes taking place on the planet. In particular, Sentinel-3 can measure the colors of the earth and the ocean, the surface temperature of the planet, as well as to study the surface topography of the continents and ice-covered regions of the Arctic and Antarctic.
Thermal and optical sensors Sentinel-3 satellite FLEX will assist in the collection of data, making a comprehensive package of measurements. «FLEX will allow us to obtain new information on plant productivity, which we can use to support the agricultural sector, the development of the bioeconomy and understanding of the ecosystem as a whole", - said General Director of ESA Jan Werner.

Scientists have proved that the "Hobbits" Indonesia is a separate species


We found evidence that the Indonesian "Hobbit" is a separate species, not degenerates, the Cro-Magnons. This is the conclusion of scientists pushed the analysis of teeth beings.

The remains of Homo floresiensis (Homo floresiensis) was found in 2003 on the Indonesian island of Flores in the Liang Bua cave. It was found several skeletons whose age was 17-95 thousand. Years. In the media these creatures once called "The Hobbit": the fact that their growth was only one meter. Although Homo floresiensis brain volume was very small, being able to handle the stone tools.

Time passed, and the new fossils of Homo floresiensis was found. Therefore, some experts said that this is a Cro-Magnon man with congenital abnormalities. At various times, they have pointed to such violations like microcephaly, Laron syndrome, cretinism, and others. But now the Japanese Yosuke Kaifu (Yousuke Kaifu), together with other scientists found strong evidence of the veracity of the theory of "The Hobbit" as a separate form. We studied the structure of their teeth, and then compare them with the teeth Homo habilis and Homo sapiens.

The main difference between the teeth "hobbit" was their relative simplicity compared with samples of modern man. Canine premolar teeth were similar to the inhabitants of the late Pleistocene. In general, the unit of teeth "Hobbits" had much in common with the device Homo erectus. Therefore, they can hardly be considered as Cro-Magnon.

But where were themselves stunted strange creatures? Kaifu and other scientists has placed emphasis on the so-called the phenomenon of "insular dwarfism". Before us, perhaps descendants of Homo erectus, the size of which decreased because of the life conditions of island isolation.

Hobbits - that's fantasy works of John. R. R. Tolkien called the people whose representatives had a growth of about 90 cm. According to the book, these creatures are almost never left their land. There were three ancient tribe, later mixed in one large.

Anthropologist Stanislav Drobyshevskiy, incidentally, believes that "The Hobbit" from the island of Flores could well serve as a prototype of the creatures from the works of Tolkien. For information about the extinct about 12 thousand. Years ago, "dwarfs" could be transmitted in myths and legends. However, with the same success the prototype imaginary creatures might be some small monkeys.

Himself Yosuke Kaifu said that scientists expect to unity on the question of origin of Homo floresiensis is not necessary even now, after a new study. In due time, by the way, he argued that Homo floresiensis - this is not a separate species. So that a new round of "confrontation" in the scientific world can still take place.

  The technology of energy transfer via WiFi

The spread of wireless data transmission made a small revolution in our lives. Now we connect to the network everywhere, and stay in touch almost always, and on the mass of clutter escaped. I stayed next bastion - a charge - and it looks like he is about to collapse. Engineers of the University of Washington reported the development of technology PoWiFi, which allows you to pass through the air, and even energy.

"We were able to show for the first time that you can use WiFi to power sensors and other devices, - says one of the authors of development WAYS Talley (Vamsi Talla). - A system that can work in parallel and as a WiFi-router and as a source of power; wireless signal quality during charging wirelessly not impaired. " Present technology is planned in December, 2015 at the conference CoNEXT in Germany.

Unfortunately, for charging smartphones or laptops question. PoWiFi intended for devices that consume very little power - a level comparable to the peak power capacity of radio waves WiFi-signal. However, this includes not only the abstract "sensors", but it is clear to all bracelets and fitness trackers webcam.

For this purpose an ordinary WiFi-router is upgraded so that from time to time he sends the data packets are not, and energy, using unoccupied information transmission channels. Made prototype proved effective enough to without problems (without wires) to feed a small video camera VGA to a distance of 5 m. A charging fitness tracker Jawbone Up24 41% it took about 2.5 hours. At the same time the quality of the network channel Communication is not affected.

It is hoped that the authors will find a way to improve the development and transfer of energy is more - so that was enough even for a smartphone.

We prove the status of Pluto as a dwarf planet

Astronomer Jean-Luc Margot of the United States proposed a quantitative criterion, which allows you to check the status of a planet from a celestial body (such as Pluto), which is located around its star. The results of their research published in the author resource arXiv.org, and brief them can be found at the University of California in Los Angeles.

To determine the status of a celestial body is sufficient knowledge of three parameters: the mass of the star, the planet's mass and its period of revolution around the sun. Margot method uses a record of how long the celestial body clears its orbit around the parent star and is applicable to extrasolar planets.

Currently, about 5,000 of these objects it allows 99 percent classified as a planet. To elucidate the nature of other bodies of the scientists is not enough data. In our solar system approach Margot reserves Ceres, Pluto and Eris dwarf planet status.

"The gap between the planets and neplanetami strikes. The sharp difference suggests a fundamental difference in the way these bodies were formed, and the fact of their classification shows something deeper about the nature ", - he shared his impressions planetary Margot.

Determination of the planet, proposed by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), is applicable only to the celestial bodies in the solar system. According to him, the planet is considered rounded massive body, clear the neighborhood of its orbit by a large number of smaller bodies.

Total in the solar system, the MAC recognizes the existence of the six dwarf planets. One of them (Ceres) is located in the asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, while others, like Pluto - orbit beyond Neptune. The largest of them is Pluto.

It is the decision of the MAC in 2006, it ceased to be a planet because it does not satisfy one of its defining criteria (dominance in the space of its orbit). Total in the solar system, according to MAC, there are eight planets. The biggest and most massive of them - Jupiter.

Scientists: people began to use honey nine thousand years ago,

The researchers found that for the first time representatives of the human race began to use honey in food-nine thousand years ago. Experts have concluded, based on the analysis of six thousand potsherds era of the Ice Age, when people began to develop sedentary.

Scientists have determined the exact time when the ancient representatives of the human race have found favor and taste of honey. It turns out that eating "royal treat" people began to use nine thousand years ago. These conclusions are made experts, referring to the results of the analysis of six thousand potsherds era of the Ice Age, when people began to develop sedentary.

According to scientists, the first time began to use wax ancient people in Turkey, then the range has expanded in the direction of the islands of the Balkan and central Europe. In the end, there was a bee on the territory of Denmark. Experts suggest that the wax in ancient times was used for bonding of arrows, as well as pottery.

Scientists have discovered the most distant objects in the solar system

Scientists have discovered the most distant objects in the solar system. Dwarf planet named V774104 and moves it at an unusual orbit, writes Science Mag.
Publication Science Mag published a report astrophysicists Washington Carnegie Institute for Science in the opening of a new solar system object. Size Outer body title V774104, ranges from 500 to 1000 km in cross section. Speaking at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society, astrophysicist Scott Sheppard said that currently V774104 located at 15.4 billion kilometers from the sun. V774104 distance from the Sun is equal to three remote Pluto from the sun in our solar system, the researchers explain.
A dwarf planet moves in a strange orbit that may result from exposure to the forces of attraction of rogue planets or nearby stars. Scientists do not exclude adherence to the discovery of the body of extreme class of objects that are only formed in the solar system. V774104 classification depends on further progress in space. In the case of approach to the sun it will carry to the solar system. If the newly detected object will move in the opposite direction, it will assign to the icy worlds of the Oort cloud, which are now a trans-Neptunian objects Sedna and 2012 VP113.

     Designed battery produces electricity

US scientists have created a hybrid battery, which is used as a light and thermal radiation from the sun to generate electricity. In a device combined photoelectric cell and polymeric films.

Converted unused film solar battery light into heat and the heat is then converted into electricity. According to the creators of the battery, it generates 5 times more electricity compared with other hybrid devices. Modern solar cells have higher efficiency compared with earlier developments, but it is still quite low. To increase the amount of electricity generated by solar energy, various methods are used. One of them - the creation of hybrid batteries of different materials capable of capturing more solar light and heat.

American Chemical Society reports that the device created by the imposition of solar panels on the polymer film. In response to light, it heats up. Beneath it is a thin film pyroelectric and thermoelectric device - each of these elements makes the heat in the light. The effectiveness of all components that work together to exceed 20% efficiency of the one solar battery. Given the fact that the indicator most commercially available offers less than 20%, it is possible to speak about a gain in half. Of course, the commercialization of the invention require a lot of time.

                   7 facts about beer

Fact 1. Beer harmful than moonshine vodka, as in the fermentation process are stored toxic compounds (aldehydes, methanol, esters ...), which is 10-100 times more than in the vodka produced from alcohol highest purification.

Fact 2. Beer alcoholism - a serious psychological disorder. For it is very typical, so-called anosognosia, that is a complete denial of the disease. For the use of beer set table is not needed, or even if a formal occasion for drinking: you can drink one can a company can be at home, it is possible in the street, you can sit, but you can on the fly, etc. Therefore, from the standpoint of Addiction, beer drinking - it's heavy, difficult to treat alcoholism option.

Fact 3. Beer - is the greatest deception of all peoples. One bottle of beer is equivalent to 50-100 grams of vodka, depending on the strength. Drinking 5-6 beers, you can get a dose of ethanol, equal to a bottle of vodka. But psychologically you're protected: drinking a bottle of vodka a day - an obvious alcoholic and drink 2-3 liters of beer - "ordinary" people, and sometimes gives the impression of a successful and happy. In addition, statistics show that consumption of vodka grows with the consumption of beer. No wonder there is a catch phrase - "Vodka without beer - money down the drain."

Fact 4. Most people recall that in the beginning they did not like the taste of beer, they soon found it nasty and bitter. However, the drink was seen as a symbol of adulthood. What would be helpful and healing properties attributed to either drunk, his pitches, being carcinogens, will inevitably make their work of destruction, in particular, contribute to the development of cancer of the digestive tract.

Fact 5. Many believe that, using beer, they meet their daily requirement in almost all the necessary elements and vitamins. Vitamins act mainly into beer malt, rich in vitamins of group B. However, in the process of brewing beer concentration of vitamins inevitably decreases, and as a result becomes negligible. To ensure that 100% of the daily requirement for this vitamin is necessary to drink 10 liters of beer a day.

Fact 6. The beer washes away from the body's proteins, fats, carbohydrates and minerals, especially potassium, magnesium and vitamin C. In potassium deficiency occurs disruptions of cardiac rhythm, there is dryness of the skin, pain in the calves, weakness in the legs. Magnesium deficiency is dangerous because it changes mood, the person becomes irritable, tearful, poor sleep. With the leaching of vitamin C reduced immunity, hypoxia of the brain suffers intelligence, are more common colds. Therefore, the benefits of beer for the kidneys no voice and can not be. Kidneys have to pass through itself enormous amounts of beer and clean it. The benefits we can not go at all.

Fact 7. Some people think that beer is good for potency and generally helps in communicating with the other sex. In fact, reality is quite different. Because of the toxic effect on the adrenal glands, alcohol blocks the production of androgens in them, causing the libido. Therefore, the first payment for the abuse of beer is to reduce sexual desire. In men, the abuse of beer leads to irreversible degenerative changes in the spermatic cords. As a result, the body begins to secrete a substance inhibits the production of male sex hormone testosterone, which further leads to a change in the appearance of men: breast cancer grow, becomes wider pelvis. Women who consume beer, increases the likelihood of cancer, and if a nursing mother, the child may be epileptic seizures. Also, the women become rougher voice, and there are so-called "beer mustache."

As the writing of texts affects the brain


Writing texts, especially by hand, improves the functioning of the brain, intelligence and memory pumps, helping to solve problems and find new ideas. Why the letter so useful and how to get all these benefits, will cover in this article.

How do you feel after a couple of hours spent writing the text, articles, a new chapter? If you feel relaxed, full of energy, or even more inspired than at the beginning, you are not alone. Many people argue that an effect on how they feel, how to think and how to look at different things. Indeed, writing texts affects the brain much more than we think. Let's see how.

Letter improves memory.

You ever been so that you record list or phone number, and when you need to call or do something, it turns out that you remember this great and needs no records? It is not by accident. When you write something, zadeystvuete group of cells in the temporal lobe, known as the reticular activating system. As a result, your brain increases the concentration on the recording media.

Cliche stop the development.

Have you ever read the text, consisting almost entirely of cliches? At such times it seems that the brain really switched off. Well, there is some truth. Reading and writing clichés reduce the chances of your brain, eliminating the stimulation of visual elements and metaphors. So try to avoid clichés when writing.

Keeping a diary improves health.

Many of us keep a diary to record everything that happened during the day, throw on paper their emotions and feelings and keep the ideas for the future. We know that keeping a journal helps to quickly cope with the unpleasant events, go through the stress and disappointment, but actually benefits diary is much greater.

Researchers from the University of Texas found that keeping a diary enhances production of T-lymphocytes. It is the immune cells that help the body fight infections.

There is also scientific evidence that keeping a journal develops the left hemisphere of the brain. Okay, but what about the right hemisphere is responsible for creativity? When the left hemisphere is busy with work, the right hemisphere is activated and creates something creative, fantastic and sensual.

Effect of letters on intelligence.

How can we talk about the letter and the brain, and not to mention that this activity makes you smarter. Writing texts increases the clarity of mind like never make verbal communication.

Writing text on any topic requires a clear understanding than talk about it. Before you write something, you need to think, organize thoughts and only then turn carefully processed information in the text.

If you are a writer, you probably impressive vocabulary. You can thank your for this occupation. In the process of writing, we begin to notice the words and phrases used in our texts again and again. We understand that it will be boring not only for our readers, but also for ourselves. And it makes us look for new words and expressions.

Remove the keyboard.

How many notebooks, albums and notebooks on your desk right now? How many pens and pencils? If a lot, then you're probably a fan of stationery.

And this is very good. The physical act of writing - writing pen on paper - activates your brain in three different ways. You use fine motor skills to take a pen and write, your brain works, recognizing the lines and shapes that create each letter, and you are aware of every word, formed in the brain.

So if you can not go past the Department of office supplies, do not worry. From their attachment to the writing of the hand, you get much more than your friends, have forgotten what a pen.

Write to improve their ability to write texts.

Everyone knows that reading increases vocabulary and helps to improve writing style. This is so, but still the best thing that can make a person who wants to pump the skill of writing - write as often as possible. The reason is simple.

The emergence of the idea makes the writing, and the writing stimulates the emergence of ideas.

Think about anything. How often do you get ideas for new texts and works while you were working on the old? Ideas do not always refer to the project you are working on now, but the process of writing stimulates the brain, due to which it gives rise to a variety of ideas.

There is a problem? Write about it.

To solve the problem, it is necessary to understand it, to investigate the details and find a solution. What could be more useful in this case, you write about it?

Description of the problem on paper helps you fully understand that with which you are dealing. A lot of notes to help explore and delve into the details of the problem.

And finally, is there a better way to find a solution, you record the results of brainstorming to see all the ideas on the paper in front of him?

Moreover, solving problems through their writing, you not only increase your chances of finding a solution now, but also develop their ability to solve problems in the future.

The largest planet in the universe can remain invisible to existing methods of observation


From well-known today about 2 thousand. Most exoplanets are large gas giants similar to our Jupiter and Saturn. But the greatest of these may be unavailable for normal observations.

The giant planets are easier to detect by their influence on the movement of the star or its luminosity in those moments when the planet passes between us and her. Only the great efforts, astronomers have learned to detect planets smaller, the size of which is comparable with the Earth. However, the largest of the planets whose mass is ten or more times the mass of Jupiter, may be hiding from our telescopes.

Working in the US astrophysicists Zhobin Dong (Ruobing Dong) and Chzhaohuan Zhu (Zhaohuan Zhu) came up with the hypothesis that giant planets can hold around him quite dense disk rotating matter - both young stars. However, unlike the stars, the planets do not emit a lot of energy, and if the gas-dust disk of stars are heated and become visible, then such planets, they remain cold and almost indistinguishable, hiding behind an entire large planet.

However, the simulation allowed Dong and Zhu predicted that gravity and the motion of particles in the gas and dust cloud that sooner or later, will give it a special helical structure. And if it will be "highlighted" nearby stars, some features of this structure, in principle, could be considered with the help of our instruments. Indeed, search for such structures in the existing observational data, scientists have found several examples that could be evidence of the existence of such enormous planets.

Fleeing from the attacks, tropical fish call on the assistance of other predators


Caught between the "Predator" and "Alien", is sometimes enough to duck - and they will understand each other. This approach uses a clever and chromis fish-inhabiting coral oases Pacific.

In case of injury, many fish - from salmon to sea cucumbers - emit certain chemicals. However, the appointment of these compounds is still controversial. Some scientists believe that they can serve as a warning signal for the tribesmen, the other - to help disinfect wounds. Recently, however, ichthyologists Una Lonshtedt (Oona Lonnstedt) and Mark McCormick (Mark McCormick) put forward a completely new and unexpected explanation. According to scientists, this signal can attract other predators - so that the unfortunate victim has a chance to escape deftly while they are confused by the unexpected meeting with each other.

The authors were able to show that the predatory Pseudochromis fuscus really attracted to the smell of fish, chromis injured even more than the smell of large and healthy individuals. This behavior has been demonstrated in the laboratory and in the wild - in the latter case to the action quickly arrived and other predators, which are meeting each other almost always ended with a scuffle.

Intrigued by this, the researchers repeated the experiment with different predators in the tank, watching the scene. And indeed, if a wounded chromis time to multiple predators, they began to fight with each other, but the victim managed to escape much more than if she met with any of them alone. The chances of saving at the same time was estimated at as much as 40% - against several percent at a meeting with the persecutor "eye to eye".

Novice researchers divided the millions alternative Nobel Prize


On Sunday, the US Founders Award Breakthrough Prize Winners in mathematics, biology and physics. Scientists rewarded a sum of three million dollars.

According to Reuters, Science Prize Breakthrough Prize («Award for Breakthrough") established by Russian billionaire Yuri Milner, founder of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder of Google Sergey Brin, as well as biotechnology and co-founder of 23andMe Anne Voyzhitski (former wife of Sergey Brin). Unlike the Nobel Prize awarded Breakthrough Prizes to scientists, who are just beginning their careers in science. Also Prize differs from the "Nobel Prize" of the financial component: Scientists distribute three million dollars, while the award of the Nobel Prize does not exceed $ 1.2 million.

In physics the Grand Prix went to one thousand. 370 laureates. Three million divided between the scientists who worked on the project of neutrino oscillations (the possibility of converting from one type of neutrino into another, pointing to their non-zero mass). Recall Nobel Prize in Physics in 2015 for experimental confirmation of neutrino oscillations obtained Takaaki Kadzita Arthur MacDonald. Two-thirds of the prize will receive the leaders of the seven teams of scientists, the remaining million will be shared by the rest (about $ 700 for each physics). "I would give each of them three million, but so far it does not pull", - joked Yuri Milner.

A few awards found their owners in the field of biology. Premiums received scholars specializing in various fields - from optogenetics to the genome sequencing of ancient people (paleogenetics). It clarifies the RIA "Novosti", talking about the American molecular biologist Carl Deyserrote from Stanford University, and Ed Boyden of MIT, Helen Hobbs of the University of Texas, awarded for the discovery of variations in genes responsible for the level and distribution of cholesterol and other fats through the body and John Hardy - for the discovery of mutations in APP, leading to the development of Alzheimer's disease.

In the field of mathematics prize was one person. Breakthrough Prize Laureate was the American scientist Ian Egol the University of California. According to the founders of the award, he made a significant contribution to the study of topology of multidimensional spaces and the theory of groups.

Award Breakthrough Prize - not the only project of Yuri Milner in science. Earlier philanthropist said he was willing to spend $ 100 million on the search for extraterrestrial life, studying cosmic radio and light signals.

What feeds the tendency of society to mysticism?


Why psychics, fortune-tellers and astrologers do not depart from the pages of newspapers and TV screens? Teaching of homeopathy or torsion fields claim to be scientific, and supporters of traditional religions insist that creationism is taught on a par with the theory of evolution, and require the introduction of religious education in schools. However, school education provides familiarity with the scientific picture of the world, therefore, if the school will be taught the basics of religion or religious culture from the perspective of the faithful, it is reasonable and fair balance of scientific knowledge about the religion.

The mystical beliefs prevalent around the world and are filled with its diversity. Someone does not eat pork, someone prays to summon rain, someone symbolically eating the flesh of their God, believes in flying saucers, clairvoyance, horoscopes or bad omens. It is no secret that many people tend to take these ideas for granted, without requiring stringent evidence and studies, based on their own intuition and feelings. Another group of people speculated: where do these ideas about the world?

Scientific Burhus Skinner studied pigeons. At one time he worked for the US Navy guided missile system with the help of these birds, but the project was soon abandoned due to the advent of more advanced developments. And few were willing to entrust rocket pigeon, despite the success of the test. In addition, Skinner spent a number of interesting behavioral research. He put the pigeons in a cage with a trough in which from time to time, regardless of what the birds fell out food. In this case pigeons elaborated peculiar rituals: one blue run circles counter-clockwise, the other banging his head against the corner of the cell, the fourth and the fifth made regular rotation of the head. It turned out that the pigeons are beginning more often than usual to repeat the movement, which they by coincidence, made at the time of cooking. This phenomenon has been called "pigeon prejudice" and is an example of how the animal world there is an intuitive link between two unconnected events: hit his head against the wall and getting food. Examples of this kind of prejudice in humans will establish the relationship between the black cat that crossed the road, and misfortune, shaman dance and autumn rain, tarot cards and receiving the award at work, between the adoption of a homeopathic remedy and cure of the disease. Of course, complex things such as religion, are not primitive superstition, but human thought is much harder than thinking of a dove.

Do mentally ill people prejudices can take extreme forms. Neurophysiologist Vilaynur Ramachandran tells how one psychiatric clinic showed him two patients. One of them went out to meet a dawn and stood at the window until the evening every day, arguing that it moves the sun across the sky. The second power of thought controlled the flow of moving cars on the road at the hospital, "examining" emerging cork. They saw the changes in the world and mistakenly consider them as a consequence of their thought processes, sincerely believed in it. Professor Ramachandran brings another interesting example of absurd faith in man, the patient anosognosia. The patient, being of sound mind, capable without problems to discuss any topic, to think logically, to play chess, but completely denies the paralysis of his left arm caused by damage to the brain. "It's not my hand; it's big and hairy, so it is the hand of my father "- may declare a patient. Or: "The hand is not paralyzed, it is quite normal." When the patient is asked to touch the paralyzed left hand to the right shoulder, he did not hesitate to take his ailing arm healthy right hand and follow the instructions: someone smart in his subconscious realizes that the arm is paralyzed, but people consciously deny the obvious facts, believes that the hand in order. This is an extreme, but perhaps, and mental health is not so far from these mistakes in everyday life?

If serious violations of the brain give rise to absurd beliefs and convictions, could it be that the usual tendency to believe is related to the features of the device of the brain? Could these symptoms be inherited? The first answers were obtained through research on twins. It was found that identical twins (genetically identical), brought up individually, are much more similar in their relation to faith in God than ordinary brothers and sisters. If the last into adulthood often differ in the tendency to believe in the religious phenomenon, adult identical twins is approximately two times more likely to retain the same views. This was the first evidence that "spirituality" is inherited. He was soon found and the corresponding gene. In 2004, a scientist Dean Hammer published a book "God Gene: How Faith is fixed in our genes," which describes the unique find. The gene encoding the protein VMAT2, is found in several variants (alleles) in the human population and, according to the study, it is associated with a tendency to believe that does not require evidence. VMAT2 - a protein which is the major transporter of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, serotonin and histamine. These substances provide communication between brain cells. The fact that "God gene" is associated with the transport of these substances, it is not surprising: the impact on our perception and emotional state is extremely large. The idea of ​​"God gene" has been adopted by theologians hostility as an attempt to reduce the religious perception of the world to the banal features of the functioning of the human body, but nothing this opening (as well as any scientific discoveries) to the question "Is there a God?" Does not have. It was just that people are very religious in physiological reasons related to their genetic information.

Before going any further, we need to touch upon another disease - epilepsy. In ancient times it was believed that epileptics in contact with the higher powers, for example, with God or, conversely, that they possessed by the devil or an evil spirit. In some tribes became epileptic shamans often be seen as predictors of the future, sometimes feared and held in isolation. One form of epilepsy with the excitation source in the temporal lobes of the cerebral hemispheres leads to strange mystical experience: a person during and after seizures may appear that he learned all the secrets of the universe, he saw "infinity in a grain of sand," or heard the voice of the Creator. After such attacks people are particularly religious. The above-mentioned Professor Ramachandran says: different objects evoke the emotions of people of varying strength. Type of dangerous animals or beautiful members of the opposite sex excites the man, while a bottle of water or a stone on the road do not have the emotional significance for ordinary people. It is very important for an adequate perception of the world. It is possible to hypothesize what if because of seizures a person all begins to seem emotionally meaningful to him and the only explanation for this strange feeling becomes divine intervention?

Experiments have shown that the hypothesis is wrong: the risk of epilepsy-ons, but everyday objects such as a table or a chair, they still do not care. Moreover, unlike conventional men epileptics such extremely weakly excite sexual imagery. But striking proved another fact: as soon as epileptic showed the icon, the cross, the word "God", a star or other mystical symbol, the polygraph ("lie detector"), which measures the emotional state, rolls over, and in the test it was possible to detect increased activity of certain groups of nerve cells. It turned out that a group of cells in the amygdala, the approaches to the emotional center of the brain - the limbic system, associated religious visions epileptics, and their hypersensitive reaction to the mystical symbols. It amygdala is associated with the definition of the emotional significance of the observed objects. Some resourceful supporters of religion, do not want to keep up with scientific progress, this area of ​​the brain compared to the "antenna" that God has placed in the people to communicate with them. According to Professor Ramachandran, how this is arranged at the center of an individual may depend on his tendency to believe in ghosts, clairvoyance, or God.

But that's not all. The most severe forms of epilepsy is sometimes treated with surgery, during which cut the corpus callosum - bridge connecting the left and right hemispheres of the brain. For the study of people with disparate hemispheres in 1981, Roger Sperry was awarded the Nobel Prize. In a series of complex experiments, during which it was possible to communicate with the hemispheres separately, it was found that as a result of the operation, each hemisphere has its own personality, to the point that one hemisphere may be a believer in God, and the other not. This person does not have a real split personality, he is fully responsible for his actions, behaves like a man, not as two, adequately perceive themselves and the world. Critics argue that the whole concept is wrong: one hemisphere, namely voice, has consciousness (soul), and another - "zombies", but it is unclear on what basis they make such a conclusion: nonverbal hemisphere ability to think and communicate with the experimenter par with speech by selecting answers to questions finger (to say it does not). These experiments cover topics that previously belonged more to the sphere of religion and philosophy, than to the natural sciences: whether a scalpel to cut in half consciousness? In addition, there is a big theological problem: if a man two personalities, that will get you both of his soul to heaven or it may be that the soul of the believer will go to heaven hemisphere, and the soul is not an atheist?

Therefore, some scientists have come to the conclusion that the tendency to religion, mysticism is largely connected with the feature of the functioning of the brain, which in turn is determined by genetic factors by means of certain neurotransmitters. This, perhaps, is a fundamental contradiction between people with rational and irrational type of thinking: they see the world differently due to physiological differences in the brain and, therefore, one is unable to understand the blind faith, while others are not capable of that faith to give, how strong arguments were presented to them whatever. Once again, that no Ramachandran nor Hammond, nor most of the other scientists did not lead it as a proof that there is no God: if God existed and was all-powerful, he could easily create the brains of people so that they believe in him with the a power. "It is not clear just why God prefers to be epileptics, and during seizures, but that's a private matter," - adds to this, Professor Ramachandran.

It should be noted that the study of human morality in terms of neurophysiology not stand still. Religion definitely claim to be a landmark in the formation of human morals, but, for example, data from studies of prisoners in US and British prisons show a significant predominance among them religious people, not atheists and agnostics. Explanation of this phenomenon can give a lot, but in any case there is no real reason to believe that religious beliefs are added to people any moral qualities. You can recall the Crusades, the suicide bombers, the Inquisition, the persecution of the Old Believers of the Gentiles sacrifice, and so on. Still, most people do not kill each other, and not plunder. Why is that? More recently, it was made a curious discovery: discovered the so-called "mirror neurons." If we nibbled apple activates a group of mirror neurons, and the same group of cells is activated when we observe how the other person is chewing an apple. Mirror neurons allow people to imitate relatives, put yourself in the place of another, such as when we imagine or see the pain of another person (and if we're having discomfort). One can hypothesize: mirror neurons - a kind of built-in mechanism to maintain the standards of human morality of the golden rule: Do unto others as you want them to do to you, put yourself in the other person. People who do not work mirror neurons with autism - it harder to get along with people, it is more difficult to imitate others and put ourselves in their place. Another study on twins shows that many aspects of behavior, such as a tendency to forgive, renounce vengeance, largely inherited. There is reason to believe that morality, like religion, is partly innate feature of the brain, and if so, it makes sense to ask: why in the course of evolution, these personality traits have emerged and survived?

On the question of the origin of morality answers Richard Dawkins, a popularizer of the theory of evolution, the author of the famous book "The Selfish Gene." With the help of "game theory" simulated many situations in life. One such game is the "prisoner's dilemma". In this game two players. Each round, both players choose one of two things: to share or not to share a certain amount of money (can not agree beforehand). If both players are divided, both get 3 dollar conditional if both do not want to share - 2 conventional dollar. If one is divided, and the other does not want to share, first of all received a suspended 1 dollar, and the second receives as many as four conventional dollar. In the game one by one, if the player chooses the strategy will never share, it is guaranteed to receive as much or more money than his opponent. But if opponents hundred or two? In 1981, Axelrod and Hamilton organized a computer tournament for the game in the "prisoner's dilemma" to determine the best strategy. The tournament was a lot of programs: aggressive, self-centered programs, complex program calculates the wrong moves, soft, "good" program, and all they had to take turns with one another, gaining points. The most successful program was very simple, it was called "you to me, I tell you." In the first round she willingly shared, and then repeated the banal every previous move of the opponent. Simply put, this program is easy to "take offense", but also easy to "forgive" and willingly cooperated with other programs. When there are two similar programs, they immediately started to "make friends" to give $ 3 each, and thus win over the final results. The idea turned out to be the most suited friendly program easy to forgive injuries, became an argument in favor of that, and people in the community that can collaborate and suppress his ego, can generally be successful. In the life of animals can find numerous examples of cooperation, confirms this: the big fish do not eat the small fish that are cleaned with these parasites, monkeys willingly clean each other, and vampire bats may voluntarily share the extracted blood hungry friends, and it's all laid on level of genetic programs. Morality is a very useful acquisition enshrined in almost every one of us from birth.

By analogy with the genes of Richard Dawkins introduces the concept of memes. Meme - an idea that can be transmitted from person to person. Successful memes are part of the culture. Trendy music, jokes, rumors and expressions - all memes. Philosopher Dan Dennett draws a parallel between memes and viruses: both require a carrier to spread. The only difference is that a biological virus - this is the information recorded in the form of DNA and RNA molecules, and a meme - that is, information in the form of words or actions related to the idea or ritual. Spread can useless and harmful memes, but it is useful if the meme media, increasing his chances of spreading. For its conservation memes can have protective mechanisms, such as the meme may contain information that questioning him, the man was wroth higher power or fail - then the media meme harder to get rid of him. Dawkins considers religion and history as the evolution of memes, using the propensity of people to the beliefs to spread.