Sign in / up

back to article Pretty fly for an AI: Bioboffins use machine learning to decipher fruit flies' brains

Scientists in the US have developed a computer program called JAABA that uses machine learning to map groups of neurons responsible for the different behaviors observed in tiny fruit flies. The brain is a tangled mess of neurons that continues to mystify neurologists. Creating a detailed map allows scientists to learn the …

COMMENTS

Post your comment
House rules Send corrections
Add to 'My topics' unstar *
  1. Your alien overlord - fear me

    They could also use the contestants of Love Island if they run out of fruit flies !!!!

    9 0 Reply
    1. Matt Collins
      Reply Icon

      I fear there isn't enough brain, even by fruit fly standards.

      9 0 Reply
    2. TheVogon
      Reply Icon

      "They could also use the contestants of Love Island if they run out of fruit flies"

      Or presumably those that bother to watch it...

      2 0 Reply
  2. John Smith 19 Gold badge
    Coat

    "are based on genetic manipulations..only really be done in model organisms like fruit flies."

    Or by people who aren't bothered by a potential charge of "Crimes against humanity."

    Just saying.

    There are always people for whom the ends always justifies the means, "For the greater good."

    1 5 Reply
  3. TRT Silver badge

    Ah! Dada Nanichimo ooneetah!

    Bas nah! Koonyah mahlyass koong! Ees too rong tah oong jedi mind trick!

    3 0 Reply
  4. Francis Boyle Silver badge

    Not much action in the female-chasing brain

    Seems that when it comes to sex fruit fly males aren't that different from human males.

    2 0 Reply
    1. BebopWeBop
      Reply Icon
      Trollface

      Re: Not much action in the female-chasing brain

      Buy t notice how much effort they pull t into backing away...

      2 0 Reply
  5. Robert Helpmann??
    Thumb Up

    It was a task RIPE for machine learning.

    I see what you did there!

    0 0 Reply
    1. bombastic bob Silver badge
      Reply Icon
      Unhappy

      Re: It was a task RIPE for machine learning.

      yes, but can they simulate how they manage to avoid me swatting them? Or why they go for the trash can instead of the fly paper? Maybe they can figure out how to make BETTER fly swatters and fly paper!

      0 1 Reply
  6. LaeMing
    Coat

    All that research to determine if it is really true that...

    Fruit flies like a banana.

    1 0 Reply
  7. Kobus Botes
    Coat

    ...seeking out ripe fruits and vegetables and mating

    Food and sex, therefore. Not much different from any normal teenager, to be honest.

    Ahhh, I remember it well! (My teenage years, that is).

    0 0 Reply

POST COMMENT House rules

Not a member of The Register? Create a new account here.

Forgotten password ?

  • Enter your comment

  • Add an icon

Anonymous cowards cannot choose their icon

Other stories you might like