Nov 20, 2009In the so-called frontal eye field of the brain, we appear to keep a map of “important locations”—even those our eyes can’t reach. Nov 19, 2009The reduction and loss of arts programs in the schools puts more responsibility on families and the community to provide quality arts experiences, writes Susan Magsamen, co-director of the Neuro-Education Initiative at Johns Hopkins University School of Education. Families need to be strong educational partners with schools on behalf of their children. Nov 17, 2009Research with infants has convinced psychologist and Dana grantee Elizabeth Spelke that everyone is born with some skill in arithmetic and geometry. Nov 16, 2009A potential link between a virus and chronic fatigue syndrome has been discovered, but the finding is just a first step. Nov 16, 2009New research bolsters the theory that excessive anxiety is caused by disrupted connections between our “modern” prefrontal cortex and the “primitive” amgydala. Nov 11, 2009Sleep deprivation appears to increase levels of beta-amyloid plaques—the sticky clumps of protein characteristic of Alzheimer’s—according to a new study. Nov 09, 2009Neurons that classify reward in the brain, contrary to widespread belief, may not all function in the same way. Nov 06, 2009Activity in a specific part of the hippocampus seems to predict who will develop schizophrenia and reflect the severity of symptoms, according to a new study that may pave the way for novel tests and treatments. Nov 05, 2009Brain cells spend far less energy sending electrical signals than previously thought, according to a new study that may change the way we look at brain scans. Nov 03, 2009At a neuroethics conference in Nova Scotia, panelists advised taking claims about neurotherapy and brain imaging with a grain of salt. Nov 02, 2009The condition known as congenital amusia may be caused when a specific connection between the temporal and frontal lobes of the brain is missing or degraded, according to new research. Oct 30, 2009Having musical skills can also help people pull out spoken words buried in a thicket of other chatter, a recent study suggests. Oct 26, 2009Memory problems occur in most people with heart disease, contradicting the conventional wisdom that heart-lung pumps are the cause, according to recent research. Oct 23, 2009Recording fine-grained electrical activity seems to predict a person’s responsiveness to one common drug, in an early trial. Oct 15, 2009Two studies outline ambitious methods to coax growth from nerve fibers after spinal cord injury, but also highlight the difficulty of getting around the body’s roadblocks to new nerve formation. Oct 08, 2009Walter G. Bradley explains why he thinks everyone should read his new book, why finding the right doctor is essential and how the Internet is changing the doctor-patient relationship. Oct 07, 2009Two years after the first human iPS stem-cell lines were created by reprogramming skin cells, researchers have developed lines covering more than 20 human diseases. These lines are helping scientists watch how disease changes cells in real time as well as investigate drugs to combat disease. Oct 02, 2009Doctors may soon be using a variety of brain scans to diagnose and treat Alzheimer’s long before major symptoms appear. Several new studies add to evidence that scanning technology is powerful enough to detect minor brain changes that appear early in the course of the disease. Oct 01, 2009Scientists are finding that leptin, the hormone that helps amplify feelings of fullness, may also alter pleasure pathways, in a finding that may pave the way for new obesity treatments. Sep 27, 2009WILLIAM SAFIRE, 1929 2009 In memorium 2009 09 27 New York Times William Safire, Political Columnist and Oracle of Language, Dies at 79 With sadness the |