Health - Scientists are trying to build human brain using the world’s most powerful computer.

It is intended to combine all the information so far uncovered about
its mysterious workings -- and replicate them on a screen, right down
to the level of individual cells and molecules.
If it works it could be revolutionary for understanding devastating
neurological diseasessuch as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, and even
shedding light into how we think, and make decisions.
Professor Henry Markram, based in Switzerland, is leading the project
and will be working with scientists from across Europe including the
Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute at Cambridge.
They hope to complete it within 12 years.
"The complexity of the brain, with its billions of interconnected
neurons, makes it hard for neuroscientists to truly understand how it
works. Simulating it will make it much easier -- allowing them to
manipulate and measure any aspect of the brain," he said.
Housed at a facility in Dusseldorf in Germany, the 'brain' will
feature thousands of three-dimensional images built around a
semi-circular 'cockpit' so scientists can virtually 'fly'
arounddifferent areas and watch how they communicate with each other.
It aims to integrate all the neuroscience research being carried out
all over the world -- an estimated 60,000 scientific papers every year
-- into one platform.
The project has received some funding from the EU and has been
shortlisted for a 1 billion euro EU grant, which will be decided next
month.
When complete it could be used to test new drugs, which could
dramatically shorten the time required for licencing them than human
trials, and pave the way for more intelligent robots and computers.
There are inevitably concerns about the consequences of this
'manipulation' and creating computers, which can think for themselves.
In Germany the media have dubbed the researchers 'Team Frankenstein'.
But Prof Markram said: "This will, when successful, help two billion
people annually who suffer from some type of brain impairment.
"This is one of the three grand challenges for humanity. We needto
understand earth, space and the brain. We need to understand what
makes us human," he added. Our brains have 100 billion neurons. Each
one performs billions of 'calculations' per second -- roughly similar
to a desktop computer.
So the brain computer will need to be able to do billion calculations
that will require the output of a nuclear power station.
Finding a way to power the supercomputer will be one of the
researchers' major challenges.
--
:-> :->

Islam - Believe in Allah, Because He Believes in You

Why were we created? Many Muslims will automatically respond, "To
worship Allah." That's true, but why does Allah want to be worshiped?
Furthermore, why did He create everything else – the stars, planets,
forests, seas, mountains, animals?…
Without presuming to know Allah's intentions, and returning to the
realm of the human for a moment, I will make a simple observation. As
a writer, one of the reasons I write is because the act of putting my
thoughts and feelings on paper satisfies something deep within me.
I've been writing creatively since I was a child, and to me it's not a
hobby but a calling. I'm a writer, therefore I write; and I am a
writer because I write.
The same is true for a painter or any other artist. I imagine if you
asked a painter why he paints, you might get many different answers:
*. "It makes me happy"
*. "It's my passion."
*. "To express my ideas."
*. "To make money."
*. "I don't know, I just do."
The bottom line is that it's the painter's nature to paint; it's her
calling, her function. She is a painter, therefore she paints; or she
paints, therefore she is a painter. Same difference.
Allah is Al-Khaaliq, The Creator. That is one of His names, one of His
attributes. He expresses this attribute by creating. You are a part of
that expression, and so am I. So is a blue whale, Mount Kilimanjaro,
the Grand Canyon, a dolphin, a mouse and an amoebum. Everything that
Allah created is amazing in its function and awesomely complex in its
design. Everything that He created is beautiful and purposeful.
Including you and me.
To create is an act of love. It is an act of faith. The Creator loves
youand believes in you. Believe in Him, believe in yourself, believe
inhumanity, and believe in the unique path that Allah has chosenfor
you.
--
:-> :->

'' Dua '' :: - -A woman's du'a for her future husband:

A woman's du'a for her future husband
O Allah! Please grant me the one
Who will be the garment for my soul
Who will satisfy half of my deen
And in doing so make me whole
Make him righteous and onyour path
In all he'll do and say
And sprinkle water on me at Fajr
Reminding me to pray
May he earn from halal sources
And spend within his means
May he seek Allah's guidance always
To fulfill all his dreams
May he always refer to Qur'an
and the Sunnah as his moral guide
May he thank and appreciate Allah
For the woman at his side
May he be conscious of his anger
And often fast and pray
Be charitable and sensitive
In every possible way
May he honor and protect me
And guide me in this life
And please Allah! Make me worthy
to be his loving wife
And finally, O Allah!
Make him abundant in loveand laughter
In taqwa and sincerity
In striving for the hereafter/

--
:-> :->

''Advise'':-:- The Almighty has a special Mercy upon those who share their possessions:

If we would like to achieve success & gain greater blessings in what
we have or earn, we must learn to share whatever we have with others.
The Almighty has a special Mercy upon those who share their
possessions with others. Never let the heart be so deeply attached to
wealth or other belongings because the day we are tested in those
things, we will find it very difficult to overcome such tests or even
to understand the wisdom in the Almighty's Plan. From childhood we
should train our offspring to share their toys, food and other
belongings where possible so that as they grow they learn to love this
great habit and feel very happy & blessed to share. Some take sharing
as a burden whereas others claim not to have enough to be able to
share when in fact they have more than enough. The Great Companions
shared even at times of their own desperate need for the same item -
which was sometimes food and drink. Although we may not get to that
level of selflessness, if we aim there, we will be able to get nearer.
The Almighty says•►"You will never achieve true righteousness until
you spend from that which you love most." (3:92)

--
:-> :->