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Brain & Behavior Articles

A mind for math

By Stephen Ornes / May 19, 2013

A child’s talent for learning math may relate to the size and wiring of different parts of the brain. Credit: iStockphoto

A part of the brain associated with making memories may also predict success in learning math

Posted in Brain & Behavior | Tagged brain, brain scans, Carnegie Mellon University, cognitive science, Columbia, David Geary, getinvolved, hippocampus, IQ, Kaustubh Supekar, learning, math, mathematics, MRI, neuroscience, Palo Alto, Pittsburgh, Robert Siegler, Stanford University, topstories, University of Missouri

Perfect pacifier

By Stephen Ornes / May 1, 2013

A mother’s arms can calm a crying infant, say scientists. The tactic works for mice, too, only those mammals use their mouth to cradle their young. Credit: iStockphoto

In people and mice, carrying a baby calms it

Posted in Brain & Behavior | Tagged Adaptation, babies, behavior, calming, carrying, Eastern Virginia Medical School, evolution, getinvolved, Japan, John Harrington, Kumi Kuroda, mammals, mice, mothers, Norfolk, physiology, pups, Riken Brain Science Institute, topstories

The stuff of dreams

By Stephen Ornes / April 18, 2013

Scientists recently used a computer program to decode patterns of brain activity displayed during a dream. They found that a certain object was linked with a particular pattern, and that pattern was similar whether the object was seen while awake or asleep. Credit: iStockphoto

Computer program decodes dreams, finds similar brain activity patterns for objects seen while asleep or awake

Posted in Brain & Behavior | Tagged Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International, brain, computers, dreams, fMRI, Frank Tong, getinvolved, Japan, Kyoto, mind, Nashville, neuroscience, sleep, Tennessee, topstories, Vanderbilt University, wakefulness, Yukiyasu Kamitani

Brain to brain

By Stephen Ornes / March 15, 2013

Scientists connected the brains of two rats using computer chips and computers. One animal later signaled the other rat’s brain. Credit: K. Zhuang, Lab.of M. Nicolelis, Duke Univ.

Rats brains signaled each other through computers

Posted in Brain & Behavior | Tagged artificial limbs, brain, brain activity, Brazil, cognition, computer chips, computers, cyborgs, Duke University, getinvolved, Lee Miller, microchips, Miguel Nicolelis, mind meld, nerve signaling, neuroscience, North Carolina, Northwestern University, rats, signals, topstories

Concussion: More than ‘getting your bell rung’

By Alison Pearce Stevens / February 20, 2013

Scientists are studying the brain and helmets to better understand and prevent concussions. Researchers at Virginia Tech use this device to test how well helmets protect heads. Credit: Courtesy of Steven Rowson

This common brain injury can cause serious — and lasting — damage

Posted in Brain & Behavior | Tagged athletic injury, axon, balance, brain, brain injury, cells, concentration, concussion, Dennis Molfese, dizziness, feature, football, headache, memory, nervous system, neuron, sledding, STAR helmet ratings, Steven Rowson, Summer Ott, unconsciousness, University of Nebraska, University of Texas Medical Center, Virginia Tech

Baby brain, adult disease

By Stephen Ornes / January 24, 2013

Newborns with a certain version of a gene are more likely to have a smaller medial temporal lobe (blue spots). This brain region is also smaller in adults with Alzheimer’s disease. People with the gene version are three times more likely to develop the disorder, which affects memory.

Scientists find signs of Alzheimer’s disease in the brains of infants

Posted in Brain & Behavior | Tagged Alzheimer’s disease, ApoE, brain, cells, gene, genetic variant, getinvolved, medial temporal lobe, memory, molecular genetics, nervous system, neurology, neuroscience, newborns, psychiatry, Rebecca Knickmeyer, topstories, University of North Carolina

Learning language before birth

By Stephen Ornes / January 22, 2013

A special pacifier helped researchers study how newborns respond to different vowel sounds. Scientists propose that babies start to recognize language before birth. Credit: C. Moon

Scientists find that newborns can recognize vowel sounds similar to those spoken by their parents

Posted in Brain & Behavior | Tagged American babies, babies, Christine Moon, getinvolved, language, learning, Pacific Lutheran University, pacifiers, prenatal development, psychology, Swedish babies, topstories, vowels

The teenage brain

By Amanda Leigh Mascarelli / October 17, 2012

The brain releases dopamine when something makes us feel good — like pulling off an exciting trick. The strength of this “feel good” response in teens helps explain why they sometimes chance real risks. Credit: iStockphoto

Adolescence triggers brain — and behavioral — changes that few kids or adults understand

Posted in Brain & Behavior | Tagged Adaptation, adolescence, Beatriz Luna, behavior, BJ Casey, brain, Brown University, Cornell University, decision making, Eveline Crone, evolution, feature, impulsiveness, incentives, learning, Leiden University, Michael Frank, nerve, neuron, prefrontal cortex, reward center, risk taking, synapses, synaptic pruning, teenager, temptations, topstories, University of Pittsburgh, ventral striatum

Risk-taking linked to Ritalin

By Stephen Ornes / October 5, 2012

In a new study, people without ADHD who took Ritalin took greater chances than those who didn’t take the drug. Credit: istockphoto

People who inappropriately take the prescription drug to become more alert may also become more reckless

Posted in Brain & Behavior | Tagged Aarhus University, attention deficit disorder, behavior, brain, Daniel Campbell-Meiklejohn, dopamine, gambling, getinvolved, neuroscience, neurotransmitter, New York University, noradrenaline, risk, risky behavior, Ritalin, stimulant, topstories

Learning in your sleep

By Stephen Ornes / September 20, 2012

Your brain is so eager to learn that it does so even while you sleep, scientists recently found. Credit: National Institute of General Medical Sciences

Sleeping people can be taught to make connections between sounds and smells

Posted in Brain & Behavior | Tagged Anat Arzi, brain, getinvolved, nervous system, neurobiology, neuroscience, olfaction, sleep, smell, sound, topstories, Weizmann Institute of Science

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