Science News for Kids » brain http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org Publication of the Society for Science & the Public Wed, 22 May 2013 13:05:39 +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 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 Another buzz for bees http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/03/another-buzz-for-bees/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/03/another-buzz-for-bees/#comments Sun, 24 Mar 2013 17:00:22 +0000 Stephen Ornes http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=16111 The caffeine in some flower nectar gives bees a memory boost, a new study shows. Credit: Image courtesy of Geraldine Wright

Blooms are more memorable when their nectar contains caffeine]]> The caffeine in some flower nectar gives bees a memory boost, a new study shows. Credit: Image courtesy of Geraldine Wright

Blooms are more memorable when their nectar contains caffeine]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/03/another-buzz-for-bees/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 Feeling the invisible http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/02/feeling-the-invisible/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/02/feeling-the-invisible/#comments Mon, 18 Feb 2013 21:51:45 +0000 Sid Perkins http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=15743 A rat with an infrared-detecting sensor wired into its brain soon learned that it could find water at a door marked with an invisible infrared light. Credit: Thomson et al., Nature Communications (2013)

Sensor wired into a rat’s brain lets it detect light it can’t see]]> A rat with an infrared-detecting sensor wired into its brain soon learned that it could find water at a door marked with an invisible infrared light. Credit: Thomson et al., Nature Communications (2013)

Sensor wired into a rat’s brain lets it detect light it can’t see]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/02/feeling-the-invisible/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 Baby’s stress can last decades http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/12/babys-stress-can-last-decades/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/12/babys-stress-can-last-decades/#comments Tue, 04 Dec 2012 20:37:03 +0000 Stephen Ornes http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=15012 Scientists have found a connection between stress early in life and anxiety later on. Credit: iStockphoto

Early stress may impair adult behavior, especially in girls ]]> Scientists have found a connection between stress early in life and anxiety later on. Credit: iStockphoto

Early stress may impair adult behavior, especially in girls ]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/12/babys-stress-can-last-decades/feed/ 0 Exhaled air: A problem in buildings? http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/10/exhaled-air-a-problem-in-buildings/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/10/exhaled-air-a-problem-in-buildings/#comments Wed, 31 Oct 2012 02:30:50 +0000 Janet Raloff http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=14513 Classrooms are one environment where carbon dioxide levels can be high. They’re also one of the last places anyone would want to risk harming reasoning abilities and thought processes. Credit: iStockphoto

New studies suggest carbon dioxide that accumulates in classrooms could limit how well the brain processes information, lead to more student absences]]> Classrooms are one environment where carbon dioxide levels can be high. They’re also one of the last places anyone would want to risk harming reasoning abilities and thought processes. Credit: iStockphoto

New studies suggest carbon dioxide that accumulates in classrooms could limit how well the brain processes information, lead to more student absences]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/10/exhaled-air-a-problem-in-buildings/feed/ 0 Of fish and brain health http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/10/moms-to-be-who-eat-a-diet-rich-in-the-right-fish-may-pass-along-benefits-to-their-children/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/10/moms-to-be-who-eat-a-diet-rich-in-the-right-fish-may-pass-along-benefits-to-their-children/#comments Fri, 26 Oct 2012 15:49:37 +0000 Stephen Ornes http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=14502 People who eat sharks, like the mako shown here, face the risk of ingesting high levels of mercury, a toxic metal linked to health problems. Credit: NOAA

Moms-to-be who eat a diet rich in the right fish may pass along benefits to their children]]> People who eat sharks, like the mako shown here, face the risk of ingesting high levels of mercury, a toxic metal linked to health problems. Credit: NOAA

Moms-to-be who eat a diet rich in the right fish may pass along benefits to their children]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/10/moms-to-be-who-eat-a-diet-rich-in-the-right-fish-may-pass-along-benefits-to-their-children/feed/ 0