{
  "id": 12459430,
  "title": "Shape-shifting sensory cells may help insects process visual information with less delay",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/shape-shifting-sensory-cells-may-help-insects-process-visual",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-06T20:20:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-10-shifting-sensory-cells-insects-visual.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Insects process visual information with remarkable speed, leaving many of us frustrated when trying to swat a fly. This rapid perception may stem from the intricate dance between physical movements and the shape changes within sensory cells and neurons, challenging the traditional view of neural circuits as static. Prof. Mikko Juusola, leading an international team of researchers, suggests that these physical movements and cellular reshaping work together to enhance sensory processing and reduce delays. Published in Physics of Life Reviews, the study argues that nervous systems should be understood as systems that actively move and change shape, not just as static components. The review highlights that insect vision experiments and models show that microscopic movements within sensory cells enable more efficient visual sampling, contributing to swift and accurate perception. Juusola emphasizes that the key lies in the combined action of movement at multiple scales, with animals actively sensing their environment while their sensory cells and neurons also move and reshape. This dynamic coordination ensures that sensory information is taken in quickly with minimal delay, allowing for synchronized sensing, behavior, and thought. The review proposes that the evolution of body movement and cellular shape changes went hand-in-hand, creating a feedback loop where movement shapes incoming information, cellular adjustments refine it, and brain activity guides subsequent actions. Prof. Aurel Lazar from Columbia University adds that as sensory signals are processed through brain networks, they acquire semantic meaning—information about what the signals represent in relation to the animal's surroundings, memories, and goals. This step is crucial for neural coding, as it allows the brain to distinguish different sensory inputs and understand their implications for behavior. While fast sensing is essential, the review also stresses that brain networks must interpret the meaning of sensory inputs to guide appropriate actions. By applying these biological principles, researchers could develop new approaches to visual prostheses and health care, as well as inspire more energy-efficient artificial intelligence and robotic vision systems, such as those used in autonomous vehicles.",
  "summary": "Anyone who has ever tried and failed to swat a fly has experienced the speed of a tiny nervous system. Now, a new review brings together evidence that its secret lies partly in microscopic movements and shape changes within sensory cells and neurons, challenging conventional views of how brains process information.",
  "key_points": [
    "Insects process visual information rapidly, outpacing human swatting attempts",
    "Shape changes within sensory cells and neurons enable efficient visual sampling",
    "Dynamic coordination of movement and cellular reshaping reduces perception delays"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}