The human body has a finite amount of resources, and scientists are always discovering more about how these resources are shared, depleted, and replenished.
Sorry, education reformers, it’s still memorization and repetition we need.
A new evolutionary theory is emerging that suggests our most physically active ancestors were able to create offspring with larger and more efficient brains. Feel like a jog now?
When 51 participants took 10 weeks of compassion training, their anxiety levels went down.
In this hour, TED speakers reflect on how words and methods of communication affect us, more than you might expect.
It’s ironic but true: The best thing for your nervous system is another human and the worst thing for your nervous system is another human. Neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett tells us why.
If it's past your bedtime, it might be best to steer clear of the fridge.
Take an interactive journey to see how the brain works and what impact an injury can have
When it comes to developing efficient, robust networks, the brain may often know best. Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies have, for the first time, determined the rate at which the developing brain eliminates unneeded connections between neurons during early childhood.
Prescription painkillers don't work for many people, and some people are helped by treatments like meditation that don't rely on drugs. The varied responses may stem from fundamental differences in how people's brains react to pain. Some minds can wander away from pain, while others just can't turn away.
Joshua Freedman (@eqjosh) shares the science behind what's going on inside your head. Emotional intelligence, he says, is the difference that makes the difference. Photo: Flickr/labguest Marco Iacoboni is one of the pioneers in a new area of neuroscience. A few years ago in Parma, Italy, scientists were researching how the brain [...]
Higher levels of several key nutrients in the blood are linked to more efficient brain connectivity and performance on cognitive tests in older adults, a new study has found.The study was published in the journal 'NeuroImage'. The researchers looked at 32 key nutrients in the Mediterranean diet, which previous research has shown is associated with better brain function in aging. It included 116 healthy adults aged 65 to 75 years."We wanted to investigate whether diet and nutrition predict cognitive performance in healthy older adults," said study author Christopher Zwilling.The analysis linked specific patterns of a handful of nutrient biomarkers in the blood to better brain health and cognition. The nutrient patterns included omega-3 fatty acids, which are abundant in fish, walnuts and Brussels sprouts, omega-6 fatty acids, found in flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts and pistachios, lycopene, a vivid red pigment in tomatoes, watermelon and a few other fruits and vegetables, alpha- ...
Working antisocial hours can prematurely age the brain and dull intellectual ability, scientists warn.
In the United States and the UK, we've seen the emergence of a multibillion-dollar brain training industry, premised on the idea that you can improve your memory, attention and powers of reasoning through the right mental exercises.
How our life experiences change the way we perceive colours.
By the time you’re finished reading this sentence, your brain will have rapidly assessed your surroundings 14 times to see if you should focus on
Procrastinate often? Caroline Williams does, so decided to find out if brain training could tackle her wandering mind. What she discovered could help everyone.
The discovery of an "anxiety gene" — and a natural way to put the brakes on it — in mice could lead to new treatments for anxiety disorders.
A new study from University of Virginia researchers supports a finding that’s been gaining science-fueled momentum in recent years: the human brain is wired to connect with others so strongly that it experiences what they experience as if it’s happening to us. This would seem the neural basis for empathy—the ability [...]
A neuropsychological approach to happiness, by meeting core needs (safety, satisfaction, and connection) and training neurons to overcome a negativity bias
The Misconception: You procrastinate because you are lazy and can’t manage your time well. The Truth: Procrastination is fueled by weakness in the face of impulse and a failure to think about…
Your entire day revolves around willpower.
Studies suggest that leisure travel can boost cognitive and cardiovascular health
I’m an exercise procrastinator, as I’ve admitted before on this blog. Rationally I know that daily exercise will be good for me in the long run. But it’s hard to get motivated by vague health benefits that are years or even decades away. Like any good American I like my instant gratification. I found some […]