Science News for Kids » neuroscience http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org Publication of the Society for Science & the Public Thu, 23 May 2013 17:00:53 +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 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 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 Fooling the mind’s eye http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/09/brain-scientists-learn-from-magicians-and-their-tricks/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/09/brain-scientists-learn-from-magicians-and-their-tricks/#comments Wed, 19 Sep 2012 20:21:36 +0000 Amanda Leigh Mascarelli http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=14213 magic_feature

Brain scientists find they have much to learn from magicians and their tricks ]]> magic_feature

Brain scientists find they have much to learn from magicians and their tricks ]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/09/brain-scientists-learn-from-magicians-and-their-tricks/feed/ 0 Sweets on the brain http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/06/sugar-free-sweeteners-fool-the-bodys-internal-computer/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/06/sugar-free-sweeteners-fool-the-bodys-internal-computer/#comments Thu, 28 Jun 2012 19:06:08 +0000 Stephen Ornes http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=13098 Many diet sodas are sweetened without sugar, but those sweeteners may fool your brain as well as your taste buds.

Sugar-free sweeteners fool the body’s internal computer]]> Many diet sodas are sweetened without sugar, but those sweeteners may fool your brain as well as your taste buds.

Sugar-free sweeteners fool the body’s internal computer]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/06/sugar-free-sweeteners-fool-the-bodys-internal-computer/feed/ 0 Seeing swirling snakes http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/05/seeing-swirling-snakes/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/05/seeing-swirling-snakes/#comments Mon, 21 May 2012 15:00:43 +0000 Stephen Ornes http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=12651 These circles seem to squiggle perhaps because of blinks and tiny eye movements called microsaccades, say scientists in a new study. Credit: Akiyoshi Kitaoka

Brain scientists watch the eyes of people watching an optical illusion]]> These circles seem to squiggle perhaps because of blinks and tiny eye movements called microsaccades, say scientists in a new study. Credit: Akiyoshi Kitaoka

Brain scientists watch the eyes of people watching an optical illusion]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/05/seeing-swirling-snakes/feed/ 0