Human brain's 'bat sight' found (BBC) - Democratic Underground

eppur_se_muova

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Thu May-26-11 11:10 PM
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Human brain's 'bat sight' found (BBC)

The part of the brain used by people who can "see like a bat" has been identified by researchers in Canada.

Some blind people have learned to echolocate by making clicking noises and listening to the returning echoes.

A study of two such people, published in PLoS ONE, showed a part of the brain usually associated with sight was activated when listening to echoes.

Action for Blind People said further research could improve the way the technique is taught.

Bats and dolphins bounce sound waves off their surroundings and by listening to the echoes can "see" the world around them.
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more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13539921
full pub'n: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0020162

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Hannah Bell

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Thu May-26-11 11:21 PM
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1. these are the days of miracles and wonders - cool

Edited on Thu May-26-11 11:21 PM by Hannah Bell

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wickerwoman

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Thu May-26-11 11:29 PM
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2. Well I know what I'm doing this weekend now.

:-)

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DetlefK

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Fri May-27-11 09:52 AM
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4. I read an article about that topic a few years ago:

A study showed, that the test persons (NOT visually impaired) were able to echolocate on a rudimentary level after a month of daily practice.

One of the mentioned exercises was to put an object on the desk in front of the person and to make the clicking noises from a distance of AFAIR 5 to 10 inch.

Of course you could also slowly walk towards a wall with your eyes closed and use the echo as an indicator when to stop before you hit it.

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greenman3610

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Fri May-27-11 05:13 AM
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3. master Po knew the secret

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCyJRXvPNRo

"Do you hear the grasshopper that is at your feet?"
"Old man, how is it that you hear these things?"
"Young man, how is it that you do not?"

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