Human brain's 'bat sight' found - Democratic Underground

dipsydoodle

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Thu May-26-11 11:41 AM
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Human brain's 'bat sight' found

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.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13539921

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Fumesucker

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Thu May-26-11 11:45 AM
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1. In the right situation it's not hard to do..

A reasonable distance from a large wall with not much else around, it's easy to hear the click echo come back at you, I've done it quite a few times.

That is an interesting article, thanks for posting.

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1monster

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Thu May-26-11 06:32 PM
Response to Reply #1

6. Check out the related story with video of a blind boy playing basketball

using echolocation. I challenge an older, sighted boy to do as well...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/dorset/8291573.stm

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Fumesucker

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Thu May-26-11 07:21 PM
Response to Reply #6

7. It's amazing what people can do when the need arises..

He could tell the pole was wood, that surprised me.

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Forkboy

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Thu May-26-11 12:08 PM
Response to Original message

2. I'm Batman!

Cool story.

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damntexdem

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Thu May-26-11 12:09 PM
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3. So we can all see the Bat Signal?

;-)

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slampoet

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Thu May-26-11 12:29 PM
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4. I'm not blind but i work in acoustics and have been able to do this.

Edited on Thu May-26-11 12:29 PM by slampoet

It's not really all that hard to do, the problem is that most people don't live in quiet areas.

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DirkGently

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Thu May-26-11 12:46 PM
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5. Holy echolocation.

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Snoutport

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Thu May-26-11 08:19 PM
Response to Reply #5

8. !!POW!!

Interesting information! Thank you for sharing!

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