Brain
Blossoming brains—Why some people suddenly become geniuses or musical savants
Savant syndrome comes in different forms. In congenital savant syndrome the extraordinary savant ability surfaces in early childhood. In acquired ...
Building a better brain model by harnessing the power of AI
Neuroscientists have a lot of data on the brain—we can see it, take pictures of it, study it. But for ...
Why our earliest memories are often imagined
If life is but a tapestry, then memory is the thread. But some of those threads may simply be imagined: ...
Thinking like mom: Fatherhood makes male brains more maternal
The amount of time bat-eared fox fathers spend monitoring their young is an even bigger predictor of pup survival than maternal investment ...
Why our brains are in the business of predicting the future
According to [the] “predictive coding” theory, at each level of a cognitive process, the brain generates models, or beliefs, about ...
One researcher’s unorthodox approach to understanding memory
Mostafa “Neo” Mohsenvand often walks around with a fisheye lens on a smartphone strapped to his chest and a black, ...
Can we slow cancer through the power of positive thinking?
From savoring a piece of cake to hugging a friend, many of life’s pleasures trigger a similar reaction in the ...
Video: Why having a dog can put you in a ‘state of calm’
Your pets have a larger effect on your body and brain than you might think. They have the ability to ...
Looking for a memory boost? Forget crossword puzzles and get more sleep
People try numerous methods to stave off the memory decline associated with old age, but how many of them actually ...
Does language change the way our brains see the world?
Picture a sunlit Grecian sea or the deep hues of Santorini’s rooftops. They’re both called “blue” in English. But to ...
What we know about brain aneurysms like the one that struck MLB pitcher Danny Farquhar
Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Danny Farquhar, 31, suffered a brain hemorrhage in the White Sox dugout after throwing 15 ...
Facing extreme danger, are you ‘wired’ to fight or take flight?
"Fight or flight" reactions are much more complicated than we were taught in school. That fact has implications for reacting ...
Getting to the roots of insomnia and what you can do about it
Ever struggle with sleep? Almost all of us will at some point our lifetime. Several factors are at play--including travel ...
‘Brain banks’: Why these scientists want your brain
Researchers are striving to build collections of brains free of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. A stronger base of ...
Learning what Alzheimer’s does to the brain could lead to personalized treatments
Researchers are learning more about the causes and progression of the disease. This leads them to suggest that new treatment ...
What differentiates humans from chimps: Differing DNA or different expression of similar genes
Scientists have found genetic changes that make brains bigger and may help explain why we are so different from chimpanzees ...
Can’t get motivated? You may be able to blame your genes
Being apathetic may feel like following the path of least resistance. But studies of apathy in the brain show otherwise ...
Neurologic disorders may be linked to brain’s immune system
New research suggests there could be a link between certain disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, and the brain's inability to clear ...
There’s a reason you have trouble thinking and remembering when hunger sets in
Why is it so hard to think while you're hungry? Researchers now believe it may come down to one protein ...
Alzheimer’s ‘brain health’ quiz likely to scare more than help
Critics question the integrity of a risk assessment sent to prospective patients by NorthShore University Health System's Center for Brain ...
Can we trust the eyes of those who witness crimes?
The credibility of eyewitness accounts has taken some hits from DNA evidence-based refutation of trial testimony. But there's more here ...
What role might genes play in ‘creating’ terrorists?
As more terrorism sweeps across the globe, scientists begin to look at a biological basis for organized violent behavior ...
Seeing patterns that aren’t there? Understanding how the brain forms opinions — And implications for science
Humans have a natural inclination to 'order the world,' our minds imposing familiar patterns on the chaos of life. Could ...
Psychotherapy revival: Can “talk” therapy change our brains and genes?
"Talk therapy" has fallen out of fashion as being more art than science. But new research suggests that psychotherapy may ...
Genetics may have played a part in electing Trump president
Do our genetics influence whether we lean to the political left or right? It's obviously more complicated than that, but ...
New drug approved for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, as mystery disease causes come into focus
Viruses and our human genes tend to co-mingle and cause structural and functional changes--is that what's causing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? ...
Another modern myth: Shrinking attention spans
Are modern conveniences and technology causing our attention spans to shrink? No, actually they're just adapting ...
