The ability to concentrate is more important than memory capacity. Free Technical Library News

NEWS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, NOVELTY IN ELECTRONICS
Free technical library / timeline

The ability to concentrate is more important than the amount of memory

20.10.2020

Scientists from the Ural Federal University, together with colleagues from the Institute of Medical Psychology of the University of Tübingen (Germany), found out that work efficiency depends on a person's attention, and not on the amount of his memory.

The ability to structure information, manipulate it and mentally return to the necessary components affects the performance of working memory more than the ability to keep many tasks in the head.

Most real-life working memory tasks require both short-term storage and execution components. For example, remembering a phone number before dialing it requires converting verbal information into a sequence of button presses. The task also involves switching attention between the current number to be dialed and pressing the buttons on the phone panel. A more complex example is transforming a shopping list into an optimal shopping path. This task, in addition to translating a list into a sequence of spatial locations, also involves constantly updating information in working memory.

The main task of working memory is to store information and manage it in the short term. It consists of components such as "capacity" for short-term storage of memory contents and executive components that are responsible for controlling attention, processing and reorganizing or manipulating information in short-term storage. This is what distinguishes working memory from short-term memory.

In their study, the researchers observed a correlation between the ability to store information short-term and the ability to focus on this information in subjects. Participants had to perform above-average tasks so that the researchers could determine what signals the brain was giving. Some tasks required only the storage of information, others - storage and mental manipulation. The study of theta and beta components showed that the functioning of working memory is affected not only by external distractions, but also by the number of items stored in working memory and the presence of simultaneous tasks. The executive component of working memory is needed when the load on it is high or manipulations are needed. In these cases, the execution component helps the memory cope with interference.

According to scientists, people with higher efficiency are more prone to resist interference. This means that the ability to control attention plays a more important role in individual differences in working memory than short-term storage capacity.

<< Back: MIC28516/7 - 70V/8A Synchronous DC/DC Buck Converters 20.10.2020

>> Forward: Bird flight record 19.10.2020

Latest news of science and technology, new electronics:

The existence of an entropy rule for quantum entanglement has been proven 09.05.2024

Quantum mechanics continues to amaze us with its mysterious phenomena and unexpected discoveries. Recently, Bartosz Regula from the RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing and Ludovico Lamy from the University of Amsterdam presented a new discovery that concerns quantum entanglement and its relation to entropy. Quantum entanglement plays an important role in modern quantum information science and technology. However, the complexity of its structure makes understanding and managing it challenging. Regulus and Lamy's discovery shows that quantum entanglement follows an entropy rule similar to that for classical systems. This discovery opens new perspectives in the field of quantum information science and technology, deepening our understanding of quantum entanglement and its connection to thermodynamics. The results of the study indicate the possibility of reversibility of entanglement transformations, which could greatly simplify their use in various quantum technologies. Opening a new rule ... >>

Mini air conditioner Sony Reon Pocket 5 09.05.2024

Summer is a time for relaxation and travel, but often the heat can turn this time into an unbearable torment. Meet a new product from Sony - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-air conditioner, which promises to make summer more comfortable for its users. Sony has introduced a unique device - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-conditioner, which provides body cooling on hot days. With it, users can enjoy coolness anytime, anywhere by simply wearing it around their neck. This mini air conditioner is equipped with automatic adjustment of operating modes, as well as temperature and humidity sensors. Thanks to innovative technologies, Reon Pocket 5 adjusts its operation depending on the user's activity and environmental conditions. Users can easily adjust the temperature using a dedicated mobile app connected via Bluetooth. Additionally, specially designed T-shirts and shorts are available for convenience, to which a mini air conditioner can be attached. The device can oh ... >>

Energy from space for Starship 08.05.2024

Producing solar energy in space is becoming more feasible with the advent of new technologies and the development of space programs. The head of the startup Virtus Solis shared his vision of using SpaceX's Starship to create orbital power plants capable of powering the Earth. Startup Virtus Solis has unveiled an ambitious project to create orbital power plants using SpaceX's Starship. This idea could significantly change the field of solar energy production, making it more accessible and cheaper. The core of the startup's plan is to reduce the cost of launching satellites into space using Starship. This technological breakthrough is expected to make solar energy production in space more competitive with traditional energy sources. Virtual Solis plans to build large photovoltaic panels in orbit, using Starship to deliver the necessary equipment. However, one of the key challenges ... >>

New method for creating powerful batteries 08.05.2024

With the development of technology and the expanding use of electronics, the issue of creating efficient and safe energy sources is becoming increasingly urgent. Researchers at the University of Queensland have unveiled a new approach to creating high-power zinc-based batteries that could change the landscape of the energy industry. One of the main problems with traditional water-based rechargeable batteries was their low voltage, which limited their use in modern devices. But thanks to a new method developed by scientists, this drawback has been successfully overcome. As part of their research, scientists turned to a special organic compound - catechol. It turned out to be an important component that can improve battery stability and increase its efficiency. This approach has led to a significant increase in the voltage of zinc-ion batteries, making them more competitive. According to scientists, such batteries have several advantages. They have b ... >>

Alcohol content of warm beer 07.05.2024

Beer, as one of the most common alcoholic drinks, has its own unique taste, which can change depending on the temperature of consumption. A new study by an international team of scientists has found that beer temperature has a significant impact on the perception of alcoholic taste. The study, led by materials scientist Lei Jiang, found that at different temperatures, ethanol and water molecules form different types of clusters, which affects the perception of alcoholic taste. At low temperatures, more pyramid-like clusters form, which reduces the pungency of the "ethanol" taste and makes the drink taste less alcoholic. On the contrary, as the temperature increases, the clusters become more chain-like, resulting in a more pronounced alcoholic taste. This explains why the taste of some alcoholic drinks, such as baijiu, can change depending on temperature. The data obtained opens up new prospects for beverage manufacturers, ... >>

Random news from the Archive

Mechnikov was wrong 20.07.2012

At the end of the XNUMXth century, the outstanding biologist I. I. Mechnikov suggested that putrefactive bacteria living in the large intestine are to blame for human aging (at that time they did not know that these bacteria produce the vitamins we need). To prolong life, Mechnikov suggested drinking yogurt to replace harmful bacteria with beneficial lactic acid.

However, recent studies at St. Louis University (USA) showed that eating yogurt twice a day for four months does not change the intestinal microflora, but only improves its ability to absorb complex carbohydrates from vegetables and fruits. And this effect does not last long.

See full Archive of science and technology news, new electronics

All languages of this page

Home page | Library | Articles | Website map | Site Reviews