Thursday, June 29, 2006

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

You say alpha I say alfa

Chinese, English speakers handle math differently

This is an extremely interesting finding, especially in light of recent findings that math may be "pre-wired" in the brain just like language.

Monday, June 26, 2006

Um...yea, like we didn't know that....

How to build a better brain

The article is about a policy paper for CA schools that basically says if you want to help your kids, have a good relationship with them and show them lots of love.

[heavy sarcasm]Really...[/heavy sarcasm]

Friday, June 23, 2006

The "new" math

Math lessons get a makeover: New tools spark student interest, achievement in mathematics

I'm all for better math instruction - it's all Greek (or Arabic?) to me.

A personal warning

Brain function and negative thinking linked to late-onset depression

My father is showing a lot of signs of late-onset depression. His profile fits this article pretty well.

I need a break

Coffee Break Brain

And so does your brain.

Thursday, June 22, 2006

Dig those crazy sounds!

A neural mosaic of tones

A pretty cool imaging development. I wonder if we have the processing speed to image a symphony. Not a Philip Glass level piece of tonal garbage, but a real symphony (Beethoven) and be able to pinpoint how the brain processes the tones together.

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Thursday, June 15, 2006

I'll...never...make...it...

Challenge is in the eye of the beholder: A heavy burden can slant our world

Hmmm...so our perceptions are all different depending on our circumstances and mental states. My amazement knows no bounds.

Boys vs. Girls

The Truth about Boys and Girls

A very nicely done article.

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

The sky is blue - part 4 (or so)

Erotic images elicit strong response from brain

This is such an obvious truth that it's almost painful to read. Why do you think theh porn industry is so large?

Don't worry....Be happy!

UMHS Press Release: Hope I die before I get old?

Great report. Seems that as you age you acquire more emotional tools to help you interpret reasons for happiness. Teenagers are unhappy because they don't yet have the capacity for the long view of things, so momentary or temporary events that cause unhappiness are seen as long term, or even permanent.

Now if we could just get teenagers to actually understand this concept....

Wednesday, June 07, 2006

Hippocampus goes both ways

Amnesiac study offers insights into how working memory works

"Their findings, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, overturn the established view of the hippocampus and offers insight on how the brain forms and recalls memories by piecing together related bits of experiences."

Very, very cool. I love research that turns years of prior assumptions on their head.

Me learn English!

Basque grammar in the brain

Enhancing a well know fact that brains are geared to understand language, this research focuses on word order and grammatical mistakes.

iPod learning

How the latest learning technology takes the rap

"The research seeks to develop a model for optimizing student learning -- taking the focus away from content delivery."

Basically they're putting learing into podcasts, but not really following any new theory of education, just doing the same old stuff using a new tool (podcasts).

The Brain Master!

Master planners in brain may coordinate other areas' roles in cognitive tasks

Somewhat related to the prior post, but this one seems to have covered more areas besides navigation.

I should have taken that left turn.....

Where we change our mind

The headline is misleading. It should read, where we make decisions when navigating a 3D wire-frame maze.

But, you know, details etc.

Monday, June 05, 2006

Worse than it sounds

Number of children and teens treated with antipsychotics increases sharply

When I first read the title I was a bit skeptical, but the rise is apparently for rather severe psychotic episodes.

It's called a snit

Intermittent explosive disorder affects up to 16 million Americans

The description doesn't sound so much like a disorder as just somebody losing control for a little while. I had several episodes like those described in the article when I was younger - but none since I cared about and learned how to marshal my emotions.

Sorry - I just don't buy that it is a "disorder".

Well, color me EEGreen

FuturePundit: Rhythmic Light And Sound Raise IQ In ADD Kids

A very interesting series of articles on the same subject. I always thought that light/sound therapy stuff was bogus (Especially when Sharper Image started to market it in the early 90s) - guess I was wrong.

Have another coffee, baby...

Coffee makes us more likely to say 'yes'

So, Starbucks is the new booze-joint.