Visualization

As you know, aging is a complex process that can be decribed with the use of a variety of concepts and ideas from the most diverse science disciplines. To develop effective anti-aging methods, it is necessary to carry out a wide range of research united by a common goal and similar vision of the problem. In the opinion of such experts in the field of scientific vizualization as Robert Horne, one of the most effective means of scientists’ work consolodation is the development of a diagram visualizing the aging process. This solition is not in the least designed to substitute scienific articles and computer models. However, models and articles, in view of cognitive abilities of thinking cannot serve as a substitute for a graphic aging diagram. Each method of information representation and handling having its own niche, the aging diagram irepresents a general scientific model comprising basic concepts and their interconnections, consolidating and guiding interdisciplinary research carried out by laboratories all over the world. From this perspective, the diagram is a tool designed to develop a holistic vision among researchers. Still, there are other aspects of the project.

Report on the collapse of a bridge over the Rhone in 1840
Report on the collapse of a bridge over the Rhone in 1840

Interdisciplinary research is of considerable value, as it facilitates the generation of concepts and solutions that are unlikely to emerge in the contex of one discipline. Due to cognitive visualization effects, the representation of concepts from many disciplines and their interreations at one sheet of paper fosters the generation of new ideas: on concepts grouping, on lacking concepts or relations and even on the role of some concept at one of the low-level processes represented by some model or mentioned in some articles.

Hydrology cycle diagram
Hydrology cycle diagram

Ergonomic  and cognitive opimization of a diagram allows to effectively use it for education. The blocks forms and lines types, as well as colour coding and blocks configuration promote memorization of new concepts. It is provided not only by redundancy (one concept may be coded simultaneously by colour, form, configuration, etc.) but by the fact that colour, form and configuration bring certain sense – it is  much easier to learn a poem than a random alphabetic set of the same size. Visual information structuring makes it possible not only to memorize but to perceive the essence of the model.

Psychological experiments have demonstrated that it is extremely difficult for a man to simultaneously operate with more than seven (7±2) concepts. This number is increased if several concepts are united in a single block – our brain does it almost automatically, but the number  seven rule is still valid.  From this viewpoint, visualization is a human memory booster  which allows a man to operate with much more complex systems, though at the cost of speed loss.  Aging is an exceedingly complex process and the Aging Diagram can accelerate work of a scientist engaged in research of a specific aspect of aging process.

 

                                                    Additional Materials

Positive effect of knowledge visualization is described in the article by Robert Horn, one of the leading visualization experts -  Visual Languages and NBIC

Dagram of adjudge difficult things