Science News for Kids » Brain & Behavior http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org Publication of the Society for Science & the Public Mon, 20 May 2013 22:47:30 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 A mind for math http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/05/a-mind-for-math/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/05/a-mind-for-math/#comments Sun, 19 May 2013 15:00:54 +0000 Stephen Ornes http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=17077 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]]> 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]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/05/a-mind-for-math/feed/ 0 Perfect pacifier http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/05/in-people-and-mice-carrying-a-baby-calms-it/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/05/in-people-and-mice-carrying-a-baby-calms-it/#comments Wed, 01 May 2013 16:01:40 +0000 Stephen Ornes http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=16863 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]]> 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]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/05/in-people-and-mice-carrying-a-baby-calms-it/feed/ 0 The stuff of dreams http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/04/the-stuff-of-dreams/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/04/the-stuff-of-dreams/#comments Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:52:00 +0000 Stephen Ornes http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=16589 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]]> 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]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/04/the-stuff-of-dreams/feed/ 0 Brain to brain http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/03/brain-to-brain/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/03/brain-to-brain/#comments Fri, 15 Mar 2013 18:20:44 +0000 Stephen Ornes http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=15972 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]]> 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]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/03/brain-to-brain/feed/ 0 Concussion: More than ‘getting your bell rung’ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/02/concussion-more-than-getting-your-bell-rung/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/02/concussion-more-than-getting-your-bell-rung/#comments Wed, 20 Feb 2013 19:34:43 +0000 Alison Pearce Stevens http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=15781 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]]> 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]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/02/concussion-more-than-getting-your-bell-rung/feed/ 0 Baby brain, adult disease http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/01/scientists-find-signs-of-alzheimers-disease-in-the-brains-of-infants/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/01/scientists-find-signs-of-alzheimers-disease-in-the-brains-of-infants/#comments Thu, 24 Jan 2013 18:38:29 +0000 Stephen Ornes http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=15434 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]]> 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]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/01/scientists-find-signs-of-alzheimers-disease-in-the-brains-of-infants/feed/ 0 Learning language before birth http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/01/learning-language-before-birth/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/01/learning-language-before-birth/#comments Tue, 22 Jan 2013 21:01:08 +0000 Stephen Ornes http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=15394 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]]> 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]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/01/learning-language-before-birth/feed/ 0 The teenage brain http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/10/the-teenage-brain/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/10/the-teenage-brain/#comments Wed, 17 Oct 2012 18:20:22 +0000 Amanda Leigh Mascarelli http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=14423 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]]> 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]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/10/the-teenage-brain/feed/ 0 Risk-taking linked to Ritalin http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/10/risk-taking-linked-to-ritalin/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/10/risk-taking-linked-to-ritalin/#comments Fri, 05 Oct 2012 18:25:15 +0000 Stephen Ornes http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=14338 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]]> 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]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/10/risk-taking-linked-to-ritalin/feed/ 0 Learning in your sleep http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/09/sleeping-people-can-be-taught-to-make-connections-between-sounds-and-smells/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/09/sleeping-people-can-be-taught-to-make-connections-between-sounds-and-smells/#comments Thu, 20 Sep 2012 17:15:18 +0000 Stephen Ornes http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=14203 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 ]]> 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 ]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/09/sleeping-people-can-be-taught-to-make-connections-between-sounds-and-smells/feed/ 0