Laser Light in Biomaterials?

Rachel Berkowitz. “Peacock feathers can be lasers,” Science, July 2025.

With their impressive long tail feathers and eye-like markings, peacocks have a unique place in the animal kingdom. A recent study has revealed that these amazing birds have a secret: they can emit beams of laser light. According to this study published in Scientific Reports in July 2025, there are tiny reflective structures in these feathers which can amplify light into a laser beam.

Lasers form when the medium’s electrons emit photons and the light is further amplified into a coherent beam in a reflective cavity. Researchers say what they have found in peacock feathers is the “first example of a laser cavity” in the animal kingdom. Physicist Nathan Dawson from Florida Polytechnic University and his colleagues conducted their study on the ordered microstructures within the feathers which produce vivid colors as they reflect light at specific frequencies. Their goal was to see if these microstructures could also function as a laser cavity. To do that, they dyed and then energized the feathers with soft pulses of light.

What they found was not visible to the naked eye, but with lab instruments they detected beams of yellow-green laser light originating from the eye-like markings on the feathers at two distinct wavelengths. Surprisingly, the laser light emitted from differently colored parts of these markings appeared at the same wavelength. According to Dawson, the probability of this is “like rolling two 100-sided dice and always getting 74 from one die and 83 from the other.”

Further research that looks for laser light in biomaterials, according to Dawson, can have ramifications, for instance in medicine, and if put safely into the human body help us with biosensing, medical imaging, and therapeutics.

Reading Each Other’s Minds?

Daryl Austin. “Is ‘twin telepathy’ real? Here’s what scientists say.” National Geographic, August 2025

Twins, a 1988 comedy film, features Arnold Schwarzenegger (6’ 2”) and Danny DeVito (4’ 10”) as two unlikely fraternal twin brothers who were born as a result of a secret genetic experiment. Given their height and other apparent physical – and behavioral – differences, the unlikeliness is impossible to miss.

Many twins, however, especially monozygotic ones, are almost identical in physical appearance. These similarities have fueled myths suggesting a connection between twins that goes beyond shared DNA, physical traits, and mirrored behaviors. One such myth is whether twins can communicate through telepathy. Daryl Austin defines in National Geographic (August 2025) twin telepathy as “the belief that twins – especially identical (monozygotic) ones – can sense each other’s feelings, thoughts, or physical sensations across distance without using the five senses.”

Despite the murkiness in this matter among the scientific community, Austin notes that some recent studies have produced intriguing results. In one of four pairs in a 2013 study published in the Journal of Scientific Exploration, “the non-stimulated twin showed a response that was considered above chance.” In another research in 2024 which involved 91 stimulus trials, 18 stimulation epochs were identified – this is “nearly double the 11 hits expected by chance.” Still, none of these findings qualify as “credible scientific evidence that twin telepathy exists.” The real focus, then, should be on what twins genuinely share: growing up in the same environment, experiences, routines, cultural influences, and genetic traits. According to Joanne Broder, twins are “more likely just demonstrating a communication bond, not reading each other’s minds.”

Password-Protected Brain Implant Decodes Internal Speech

Gemma Conroy. “A mind-reading brain implant that comes with password protection.” Nature, August 2025.

A new study on a brain-computer interface (BCI), or mind-reading device, shows meaningful improvements in accurately decoding internal speech, while safeguarding privacy through a novel password mechanism. The device was tested on four individuals with speech impairments caused by stroke or motor neuron disease. Electrodes placed on the motor cortex recorded neural activity as participants either attempted to speak or silently imagined words and sentences.

The study revealed that both types of speech arise from the same brain region, though signals linked to internal speech are weaker. AI models were then trained to recognize phonemes—the smallest units of speech—from these signals and construct words and sentences from a vocabulary of 125,000 words. The system decoded up to 74% of silently imagined sentences with accuracy comparable to existing BCIs that rely on attempted speech. It also detected spontaneous self-talk, such as silent counting, suggesting the system can capture more natural forms of inner dialogue.

To prevent unintentional decoding of private thoughts, researchers introduced a password trigger to control when decoding begins. When participants imagined the phrase “Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang,” the system recognized it with over 98% accuracy, preventing the unintended translation of private thoughts. This is an important step toward helping people with paralysis or speech loss communicate naturally through thought. The password mechanism helps with privacy protection for real-world use. Researchers aim to explore other brain regions beyond the motor cortex and hopefully improve speed and accuracy to broaden the system’s usefulness for different types of speech impairments.

One of the important concepts in Abrahamic faiths is thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is a profound sense of gratitude that involves recognizing aspects of our biological structure for which to be thankful. According to research, it has various positive effects on both physical and emotional well-being. “Whoever is grateful, it is for the benefit of his own soul” (Qur’an 31:12). Throughout history, religious leaders and philosophers worldwide have expressed ideas about the essence of thanksgiving. One of the primary reasons many believers inquire about each other’s well-being is to create an opportunity to express gratitude to God. In this way, those who ask and express gratitude engage in an act of worship together, preparing the ground to benefit from material and spiritual blessings.

The feeling of gratitude, at the heart of thanksgiving, helps us turn to God wholeheartedly; it gains the value of worship through the acknowledgment of its true source. In recent years, particularly in the fields of neuroanatomy and genetics, various studies have begun to highlight the biological influences and outcomes of feelings like gratitude.

Brain structure and gratitude

One aspect of gratitude’s connection to healing, satisfaction, and happiness is that it serves as a reward for both our worldly life and our state of mind. True gratitude occurs with the full recognition of the blessing, as appreciating the giver of the blessing is largely dependent on recognizing the blessing itself.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of brain tissue have shown that people with a developed sense of gratitude have more gray matter. Gray matter, responsible for processing information, functions more effectively in learning and decision-making mechanisms for those who are consistently in a state of gratitude. According to studies, the limbic system, responsible for emotional experiences in the brain, helps control challenging emotions such as sadness, anger, and anxiety when gratitude is felt. Those with a strong sense of gratitude have healthier nervous systems, as gratitude suppresses problem-producing mechanisms and activates problem-solving systems. Gratitude is an active form of thinking that disables most of the negative emotions of the ego. Many negative emotions lying in the subconscious, such as jealousy, greed, hatred, ambition, laziness, and arrogance, are related to ingratitude. Gratitude cleanses these layers of negative emotions, but it requires serious effort to recognize and appreciate the blessings we have received.

The prefrontal lobes of the brain contain regions involved in empathy, decision-making, and self-control. Research has shown that feelings of gratitude stimulate these areas of the brain. The hypothalamus, which plays a significant role in regulating sleep cycles, is also activated when we feel gratitude. Feeling gratitude for the blessings received activates the hypothalamus, leading to better quality sleep with positive thoughts. Studies show that even recognizing simple acts of kindness can activate the hypothalamus, thus regulating all body mechanisms it controls. Being in a state of gratitude and recognizing blessings contribute positively to brain health.

Psychological effects

Neurotransmitters—the chemical substances secreted by the brain that transmit stimuli between neurons—affect human emotions. Conversely, human emotions also influence the secretion of these substances. Dopamine and serotonin are two of the most important neurotransmitters responsible for regulating mood. Those who deeply and sincerely feel gratitude secrete more dopamine and serotonin, which have happiness-inducing effects. Dopamine, often called the “motivation molecule,” contributes to feelings of motivation, happiness, and focus. Serotonin, often referred to as the “happiness chemical,” plays a critical role in feelings of well-being and happiness.

When the brain receives enough positive neural signals through gratitude and thanksgiving for endless blessings, these neural pathways strengthen, leading to feelings of happiness and satisfaction that develop with constant and conscious gratitude. Studies show that gratitude, which acts as a natural antidepressant, serves as a bridge between past happy moments and future hopes.

One should not wait to be happy to be grateful; every moment of gratitude increases happiness. (Thanksgiving itself is a blessing and requires its own expressions of gratitude). It is understood that thanksgiving activates the brain’s memory center and the amygdala, reduces the secretion of stress and anxiety-inducing hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline) and improves mood. This leads to stronger heart function and greater resistance to emotional negativity. Long-term research shows that those with a sense of thanksgiving cope better with stress and toxic emotions. Various studies support the fact that recognizing blessings is a significant factor in leading a less stressful life. Recognizing blessings increases feelings of sufficiency, which leads to a decrease in symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Effects on physical health

While reducing stress hormones, gratitude also helps to better manage autonomic nervous system functions. Neurochemical hormones secreted by the nerves contribute significantly to our physical health. Dopamine plays a role in regulating blood vessel function and heart rate, while serotonin is involved in sleep and the digestive system. Although serotonin is primarily found in the intestines, it affects the brain by crossing the blood-brain barrier.

A study evaluating the impact of gratitude on physical well-being showed that patients who kept a gratitude journal experienced a 16% reduction in pain symptoms and were more willing to collaborate with doctors for treatment. Studies have also shown that thanksgiving regulates dopamine levels, increasing vitality and thereby reducing perceived pain.

People with a well-developed sense of gratitude experience slower neurological deterioration. Additionally, inflammation decreases in grateful individuals, making it easier to regulate blood pressure. The feeling of gratitude, formed by recognizing received blessings, leads to the secretion of the hormone oxytocin, which dilates blood vessels, lowers blood pressure, and protects the heart. Through these physiological processes, gratitude has a pain-relieving effect.

The promise in the verse “If you are grateful, I will increase My blessings upon you” (Qur’an 14:7) may also indicate that the blessing of healing readily comes into play through various physiological pathways that affect our physical health, beyond just psychological channels. It also refers to the otherworldly rewards associated with gratitude and thanksgiving.

From faith traditions to modern neuroscience, the quest for knowledge is regarded as essential for both progress and well-being. With more than a third of the world’s population suffering from neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, learning how to maintain brain health has never been more vital (GBD, 2016). Recent research has shown that the brain, once believed to stop developing with age, actually possesses a remarkable capacity to adapt and reorganize itself—a phenomenon known as brain plasticity (Maguire et al., 2000). While age and stress can impede this process, continuous learning has emerged as one of the most effective methods for improving brain function and delaying cognitive decline (Park & Bischof, 2013). In this article, we will look at the relationship between learning and brain plasticity through the prism of one of the divine names of God: “The Restorer” (al-Mueed). By investigating how mental challenges and lifelong learning might help heal and strengthen the brain, we may be able to counteract the consequences of neurodegenerative disorders.

The link between aging and brain deterioration

As people grow older, their risk of developing neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease increases considerably (Alzheimer’s Association, 2020). These conditions, which affect millions worldwide, are often associated with progressive brain deterioration. Alzheimer’s is characterized by memory loss and cognitive deterioration, whereas Parkinson’s largely affects movement and coordination (Jankovic, 2008).

Scientific studies indicate that the brain changes significantly with age. The brain’s overall volume begins to shrink, especially in regions crucial for memory and learning (Raz et al., 2005). Neurons, the cells that transmit information in the brain, also shrink, as does the number of synapses, or connections between these neurons. These changes result in slower cognitive processing, memory loss, and decreased problem-solving ability.

The fundamental question, therefore, becomes: Can the brain’s ability to expand and make new connections be repaired or strengthened in the face of aging? New research on brain plasticity reveals that with the correct inputs, particularly through continuous learning, the brain can adapt and function well into old age. This offers promising new avenues for improving brain health and combating neurodegenerative diseases.

What is brain plasticity?

Brain plasticity, or neuroplasticity, refers to the brain’s remarkable ability to reorganize and rewire itself (Kolb & Gibb, 2014). It enables the brain to form new synaptic connections throughout life, adjusting to learning, experiences, and even injury. One of the primary advantages of brain plasticity is the potential to reverse the detrimental effects of neurodegeneration. As neurons deteriorate due to aging or disorders such as Alzheimer’s, the brain can partially compensate by strengthening existing connections or establishing new neural pathways. This technique can improve cognitive capacities such as memory, learning, and problem-solving. A powerful example of plasticity in action is the ability of an individual to regain movement after a stroke. By rerouting signals to undamaged areas of the brain, people can often regain lost functions and restore a sense of normalcy in their lives (Murphy & Corbett, 2009). This demonstrates the tremendous potential of the brain’s ability to rewire itself for treating neurodegenerative diseases.

Barriers to brain plasticity

While brain plasticity offers hope for cognitive recovery, several obstacles can impede this process. One major factor is stress, which has been shown to reduce neuroplasticity. Chronic stress triggers the release of cortisol, a hormone that damages neuronal connections and impairs the brain’s ability to establish new ones. This can hinder cognitive flexibility, making it more difficult to acquire and adapt to new information. Another barrier is age and inactivity. The brain’s plasticity decreases as we age, especially if we engage in less mental and physical exercise (Salthouse, 2009). Neurons shrink and synapses deteriorate, making it difficult for the brain to form new neural connections. This is why active learning and engagement are critical for preserving brain function as people age. Finally, as we age, the brain attempts to strike a balance between plasticity and stability. While some flexibility is required for adaptation, excess plasticity can lead to instability. Therefore, as we get older, the brain increasingly prioritizes stability, which can make it more difficult to recover lost functions.

Understanding neurodegeneration

Neurodegeneration refers to the progressive loss of neurons and the deterioration of brain functions, often seen in conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. This gradual decline in brain health leads to memory loss, cognitive impairment, and motor difficulties. This relates to brain plasticity, where evidence shows that maintaining mental activity plays a vital role in slowing down neurodegeneration (Kolb et al., 2010). Engaging in cognitively stimulating tasks can enhance plasticity, allowing the brain to form new pathways that compensate for lost functions. However, neurodegeneration presents significant challenges. Harmful cellular build-ups, such as amyloid plaques and tau tangles, disrupt communication between neurons and hinder the brain’s ability to function properly. These biological barriers make it more difficult to fully restore lost cognitive abilities.

How to enhance brain plasticity

Learning and plasticity share a directly proportional relationship, where engaging in repetitive, challenging learning activities strengthens brain plasticity by encouraging the formation of new synaptic connections. Studies show that complex learning tasks—like learning a new language, solving puzzles, or playing an instrument—can promote neuron survival and stimulate brain reorganization (Park & Bischof, 2013). This process is especially important for preventing cognitive decline in older individuals.

Studies have linked difficult mental tasks to improved brain function, as they force the brain to adapt and evolve. Researchers have found that seniors who regularly engage in learning activities show a reduced risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases. In practical terms, consistent mental stimulation through ongoing learning can be a powerful tool for preserving cognitive abilities as we age. Regularly practicing new skills, engaging in hobbies, and challenging oneself mentally can enhance brain plasticity, contributing to overall brain health.

Many faith traditions prescribe lifelong learning, which aligns with the concept of brain plasticity. Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, encouraged seeking knowledge from the cradle to the grave, reflecting the idea that our minds have the potential to learn, grow, and adapt throughout life. This constant pursuit of knowledge is not only a spiritual endeavor but also a scientifically supported method to maintain brain plasticity and cognitive function as we age. Viewed through the lens of neuroscience, seeking knowledge can be seen as a form of exercising the brain. Reading the scripture regularly, memorizing prayers, and engaging in contemplation continuously strengthen neural connections and enhance cognitive abilities. Research shows that lifelong cognitive activities, such as reading and memorization, build cognitive reserve and slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases by reinforcing neural connections and preserving brain function (Wilson et al., 2013).

One of the beautiful names of God is “The Restorer,” (al-Mueed). This name signifies God’s ability to bring life back to what was lost or broken, offering both physical and spiritual renewal. In the same way, brain plasticity mirrors this divine attribute, as the brain has an extraordinary capacity to reorganize and restore itself after injury or through consistent learning and mental activity. The concept of Al-Mueed not only speaks to physical restoration but also to the idea of spiritual renewal—just as faith offers believers the opportunity to return to a path of righteousness, repentance, and personal growth, brain plasticity offers the chance for cognitive recovery and adaptation. For instance, in cases of brain injury or degenerative conditions, neuroplasticity allows for the healing and rebuilding of cognitive functions, providing a second chance for the individual to regain what was lost. This parallel underscores a meaningful relationship between faith and science. Where Al-Mueed revives the soul, brain plasticity revives the mind, and both processes require continuous effort and faith. The path of seeking knowledge and engaging in prayer can be seen as acts of spiritual and cognitive restoration. These practices not only reinforce spiritual beliefs but also stimulate the brain, building new neural pathways and preserving mental acuity, especially as one ages. Just as the faithful believes that the soul can be rejuvenated through faith, repentance, and turning back to God, the brain too can experience renewal through learning and engagement.

In conclusion, understanding brain plasticity in conjunction with the teaching of faith traditions offers a valuable perspective on the significance of lifelong learning. By embracing the concept of “The Restorer” and consistently engaging in mental activities, we can foster cognitive resilience and promote better brain health, ultimately reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. This not only strengthens the individual’s cognitive capabilities but also reflects the belief that our pursuit of knowledge is a path to both intellectual and spiritual fulfilment.

References

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• Jankovic, J. (2008). Parkinson’s disease: clinical features and diagnosis. Journal of Neurology, 255(S5), 3-8.
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