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Astronaut Edgar Mitchell Claims Alien Cover-up

Dr. Edgar Mitchell is a veteran of the Apollo 14 mission and he was the sixth man to walk on the Moon. Dr. Mitchell also insists that aliens have visited Earth and that governments are actively covering it up. "I happen to have been privileged enough to be in on the fact that we've been visited on this planet and the UFO phenomena is real," Dr Mitchell said. "It's been well covered up by all our governments for the last 60 years or so, but slowly it's leaked out and some of us have been privileged to have been briefed on some of it. "I've been in military and intelligence circles, who know that beneath the surface of what has been public knowledge, yes - we have been visited. Reading the papers recently, it's been happening quite a bit." Dr Mitchell, who has a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering and a Doctor of Science degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics claimed Roswell was real and similar alien visits continue to be investigated. He told the astonished Kerrang! radio host Nick Margerrison: "This is really starting to open up. I think we're headed for real disclosure and some serious organisations are moving in that direction." NASA issued a quick denial. In a statement, a spokesman said: "NASA does not track UFOs. NASA is not involved in any sort of cover up about alien life on this planet or anywhere in the universe. "Dr Mitchell is a great American, but we do not share his opinions on this issue." If Dr. Mitchell is correct about a cover-up than this is exactly the type of denial one would expect NASA to make. You can listen to the interview with Dr. Mitchell where he discusses the UFO phenomena here. Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds Read more…

Brain Imaging Shows Similarities & Differences In Thoughts Of Chimps And Humans

16.10.2007 08:22 Science - Source: ScienceDaily Headlines

Science Daily — In the first study of its kind, researchers at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, used functional brain imaging to assess resting-state brain activity in chimpanzees as a potential window into their mental world and to compare chimpanzee brain activity to that of humans.

The researchers' findings suggest chimpanzees may engage in thought processes similar to those of humans at rest as well as thought processes that are quite different. The findings are significant because they show the uniqueness of humans as well as our similarity to our closest living primate relative.

According to lead researcher Jim Rilling, PhD, "Examples of resting-state thoughts are when your mind wanders to past social interactions, to potential future social interactions and to problems you need to solve."

Working with his research team and using positron emission tomography (PET), Rilling studied eight humans and five chimpanzees. Results showed significant overlap in brain activity patterns such as high levels of activity in the medial prefrontal and medial parietal cortex, brain regions associated with reflecting on mental states of self and others. Results also showed differences with humans, including activity in regions associated with language and the analysis of meaning; these were found in humans but not chimpanzees.

The research team included Yerkes, Emory College and/or Center for Behavioral Neuroscience colleagues Sarah Barks, Todd Preuss, PhD, and Lisa Parr, PhD.

"Widespread activity in language regions of the human brain suggest humans think with words, though, of course, chimpanzees do not," says Rilling.

In choosing to image resting-state brain activity, the researchers reasoned if the pattern of brain activity in chimpanzees at rest is similar to humans, there is likely to be some similarity in cognition; conversely, they thought, if there are differences in brain activity during rest, it would imply differences in resting-state cognition.

"This study bears on important issues in comparative psychology, specifically whether chimpanzees understand other beings have minds. This study doesn't resolve the issue, but it does suggest humans and chimpanzees share brain systems involved in thinking about one's own behavior and that of others," Dr. Preuss adds.

Researchers plan to further study chimpanzee brain activity by imaging the animals while they are engaged in tasks that specifically drive mental processes the researchers hypothesize to be ongoing at rest.

Results appear in the online Early Edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Note: This story has been adapted from material provided by Emory University.