Core Insights - The research conducted by scientists at MIT reveals that the ability to detect subtle changes in visual information relies on a low-frequency brain wave known as theta wave [1][2] - Theta waves function like a radar, scanning the visual cortex to "read" information in visual working memory, which is crucial for short-term recognition of changes [1] Group 1: Research Findings - The study involved an animal experiment designed as a "find the difference" task, where animals had to quickly identify a color change in a set of colored blocks [1] - The accuracy and speed of the animals' responses were closely linked to the phase of theta waves, indicating a rhythmic fluctuation in the brain's processing of visual working memory [1][2] - When the color-changing block appeared in the area being scanned by theta waves, the animals responded most quickly and accurately; mismatched timing led to a significant decline in recognition performance [1] Group 2: Mechanisms of Brain Function - Theta waves not only correlate with response speed but also coordinate other brain wave activities, such as suppressing beta wave activity during theta wave excitation [2] - This inter-wave coordination mechanism helps explain how the brain utilizes different frequency brain waves to perform cognitive operations [2] - The influence of theta waves becomes more pronounced as the number of blocks to remember increases, suggesting that theta waves may limit the capacity of working memory [2]