How does the brain link the visual basic traits of letters and numbers to abstract representations and to words? Scientists have analyzed the influence of context on the visual recognition of a written word regardless of the format in which these letters may be displayed.
11 Vote(s)
July 26, 2010
July 22, 2010
Zapping Memories Away
Imagine you're about to have to do something horrible or embarrasing, like say, admitting that you read Neuroskeptic. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to switch off your memory for a while, so you at least didn't have to remember it?Well, now you can, as long as you have electrodes implanted in your brain. Lacruz et al, based at London's Institute of Psychiatry, report that Single pulse electrical
11 Vote(s)
11 Vote(s)
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July 12, 2010
Why (smart) practice makes perfect
A new study demonstrates neural basis for observation that practicing several skills in single session works better than narrow drills on one skill. Study also helps define time window for brain's learning of new skills.
15 Vote(s)
15 Vote(s)
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July 1, 2010
Motivation Doesn’t Have To Be Conscious - Is Your Left Hand More Motivated Than Your Right?
Motivation doesn't have to be conscious; your brain can decide how much it wants something without input from your conscious mind. Now a new study shows that both halves of your brain don't even have to agree. Motivation can happen in one side of the brain at a time. Psychologists used to think that motivation was a conscious process. You know you want something, so you try to get it...
5 Vote(s)
5 Vote(s)
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June 23, 2010
Neuroscientists can predict your behavior better than you can
In a study with implications for the advertising industry and public health organizations, neuroscientists have shown they can use brain scanning to predict whether people will use sunscreen in the next week better than the people themselves can predict whether they will do so. This is the first persuasion study in neuroscience to predict behavior change.
15 Vote(s)
15 Vote(s)
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June 21, 2010
June 14, 2010
Astrocytes affect brain’s information signaling, research finds
Astrocytes are the most common type of cell in the brain and play an important role in the function of neurons -- nerve cells. New research from Sweden shows that they are also directly involved in the regulation of signaling between neurons.
7 Vote(s)
7 Vote(s)
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Learning difficulties may be centred in the eye, not the brain
Problems with math? And perhaps with handwriting - and motor skills? Researchers believe that the explanation for your troubles may be that not all of the cells in your eyes work the way they should.
10 Vote(s)
10 Vote(s)
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June 10, 2010
Biologists isolate genes that regulate the sleep-feeding conflict: New insights into how brain chooses between critical survival behaviors
A team of biologists has isolated genes that regulate the sleep-feeding conflict. The study offers new insights into how the brain chooses between behaviors that are critical for survival.
6 Vote(s)
6 Vote(s)
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Individual brain cells can ID objects as dissimilar as cars and dogs
Researchers have found that single brain cells, if confronted with a difficult task, can identify objects as dissimilar as sports cars and dogs.
16 Vote(s)
16 Vote(s)
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