Learning and memory stimulated by gut hormone
I thought we had established that food was a good thing when we're trying to learn - but apparently that may be in doubt.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Mmmmm...brain chemicals...
Researchers find molecule that may hold key to learning and memory
The key word is "may" - but an interesting finding none the less.
The key word is "may" - but an interesting finding none the less.
I reject your reality and substitute my own...
Humans ignore motion and other cues in favor of a fictional stable world
Our brain - master of all it survey's. Literally.
Our brain - master of all it survey's. Literally.
Ewww...it's green!
Great (taste) expectations: Study shows brain anticipates taste, shifts gears
Again, I posted about this earlier - this is just some follow-up info.
Again, I posted about this earlier - this is just some follow-up info.
Maybe it's not genetic...
Approach to school affects how girls compare with boys in math
The title is for humor purposes for the most part - and possibly for former Harvard presidents.
Anyway - an interesting finding.
The title is for humor purposes for the most part - and possibly for former Harvard presidents.
Anyway - an interesting finding.
Grammar on the brain
Evolutionary traces of grammar
I posted about this in the "Grammar Hard Wired in the Brain" post - but this is a more comprehensive article.
I posted about this in the "Grammar Hard Wired in the Brain" post - but this is a more comprehensive article.
Monday, February 20, 2006
Man, research is GREAT
Boys face greater burns risk than girls, says new research
Once again, we see more research that any male will read and say "Duh!"
Boys are born pyromaniacs - it's a genetic thing.
Once again, we see more research that any male will read and say "Duh!"
Boys are born pyromaniacs - it's a genetic thing.
Interpret my intent will ya'?
Dartmouth study finds how the brain interprets the intent of others
We can identify the spot where we interpret the intent of others. Cool.
We can identify the spot where we interpret the intent of others. Cool.
More technology helping communication
Technology helps disabled kids find their voice
Related to a prior post about learning language via the use of games and similar technologies.
Related to a prior post about learning language via the use of games and similar technologies.
Games to learn languages
Video Games Help U.S. Soldiers Learn Arab Language, Culture
This is very, VERY cool - and one of the best developments in education. I've been thinking and dreaming of applications like this for at least 10 years. Sweet.
More here and here.
This is very, VERY cool - and one of the best developments in education. I've been thinking and dreaming of applications like this for at least 10 years. Sweet.
More here and here.
Are you a "Bright"?
'Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon,' by Daniel C. Dennett
I am not. And after reading this book review, I'm guessing Mr. Wieseltier isn't either.
I'm curious what others think of this review and method of thinking.
More on the "Bright" world-view here.
Wow. I'm not sure condescending is a strong enough word.
I am not. And after reading this book review, I'm guessing Mr. Wieseltier isn't either.
I'm curious what others think of this review and method of thinking.
More on the "Bright" world-view here.
Wow. I'm not sure condescending is a strong enough word.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Don't learn when you're angry
How 'hot' emotional brain interferes with 'cool' processing
If you have lots of emotional distraction, you won't form memories as well.
So, the old "Don't drive when you're angry." mantra can now be applied to learning.
If you have lots of emotional distraction, you won't form memories as well.
So, the old "Don't drive when you're angry." mantra can now be applied to learning.
Monday, February 13, 2006
WAY before PBS shows
Baby got math
This is pretty darned cool. The experiment is described as well, which is nice.
I'm telling you, before long we're going to see that strange things like fashion sense are an innate thing in humans.
This is pretty darned cool. The experiment is described as well, which is nice.
I'm telling you, before long we're going to see that strange things like fashion sense are an innate thing in humans.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Violence and a kid's brain
Cognitive daily strikes again, this time with a post about recent research on the effect of violent movies on a child's brain. Kudos to the researchers for acknowledging that the results may simply be due to arousal rather than an isolated violence effect.
This study is set up very well by prior research that shows that images with emotional or violent content are more memorable than generic content images. I'm curious to see if the same effects would be found in adults or what kind of effect happens to children under 8.
It's too bad that fMRI testing is so darned difficult and expensive to do. I can think of hundreds of experiments I'd run if I had the time, money and willing volunteers.
This study is set up very well by prior research that shows that images with emotional or violent content are more memorable than generic content images. I'm curious to see if the same effects would be found in adults or what kind of effect happens to children under 8.
It's too bad that fMRI testing is so darned difficult and expensive to do. I can think of hundreds of experiments I'd run if I had the time, money and willing volunteers.
Grouping or referential grouping?
Check out this exceedingly cool post over at Cognitive Daily. Experiments and everything!
Seriously, I can't do it justice, just go and read it.
Seriously, I can't do it justice, just go and read it.
Monkey see....
Brain Has "Face Place" for Recognition, Monkey Study Confirms
An interesting development for monkeys - I wonder if it would be quite as compartmentalized in the more complex human brain?
An interesting development for monkeys - I wonder if it would be quite as compartmentalized in the more complex human brain?
All the parents say: Duh!
FOXNews.com - Science News - Brains of Young Adults Not Fully Mature
Is there any 40 year old (or thereabouts) that will read this story and say "Wow! I had no idea!"?
Actually, that's a little unfair. Maturity of experience is not the same as a mature brain, so this finding is actually quite interesting.
Is there any 40 year old (or thereabouts) that will read this story and say "Wow! I had no idea!"?
Actually, that's a little unfair. Maturity of experience is not the same as a mature brain, so this finding is actually quite interesting.
Ask a grandmother....
Rockabye baby: Research shows gentle singing soothes sick infants
Okay - not necessarily brain related....but still, you have to admire the cajones of a researcher that wants to prove what is possibly the oldest grandma trick in the book - singing to soothe a crying baby.
Hey, this is what publishing is all about - find what hasn't been researched and go for it.
Okay - not necessarily brain related....but still, you have to admire the cajones of a researcher that wants to prove what is possibly the oldest grandma trick in the book - singing to soothe a crying baby.
Hey, this is what publishing is all about - find what hasn't been researched and go for it.
Help for the dyslexic
Brain images show individual dyslexic children respond to spelling treatment
Good news I'm sure. Now if we could just pinpoint what exactly causes dyslexia or what exactly the effects are, we'll be in business.
Good news I'm sure. Now if we could just pinpoint what exactly causes dyslexia or what exactly the effects are, we'll be in business.
3rd world intelligence?
Long-term poverty affects mental health of children
That's a rather harsh title for the post, but essentially it hits the mark. Poor nutrition and an impoverished environment in which to gain experience would seem to be a sure-fire recepie for poor cognitive development.
That's a rather harsh title for the post, but essentially it hits the mark. Poor nutrition and an impoverished environment in which to gain experience would seem to be a sure-fire recepie for poor cognitive development.
But can it identify stupidity?
Brain scans may predict cognitive decline in normal people
This is actually a pretty cool development - imagine if you could identify very early on if you were starting to lose your cognitive abilities - an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
This is actually a pretty cool development - imagine if you could identify very early on if you were starting to lose your cognitive abilities - an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
What did you expect?
Expectations Influence Sense of Taste
Anyone with a young child knows this is true at least from a behavioral aspect. But it is interesting that we find that perception (which is essentially the same as expectation) affects nearly every part of our sensory experience.
Anyone with a young child knows this is true at least from a behavioral aspect. But it is interesting that we find that perception (which is essentially the same as expectation) affects nearly every part of our sensory experience.
Boys in education
The lost boys
This is a good article on a story that has been building for some time. Boys are now the ones that aren't getting the education and girls are statistically taking over.
There are various positions that can be taken, and a number of theories as to why and what to do about it; but the bottom line is hard to ignore - fewer boys are getting a college education.
This is a good article on a story that has been building for some time. Boys are now the ones that aren't getting the education and girls are statistically taking over.
There are various positions that can be taken, and a number of theories as to why and what to do about it; but the bottom line is hard to ignore - fewer boys are getting a college education.
Me speak English good!
Scientists find ability for grammar hardwired into humans
Next they're going to tell us that the ability to cook hot dogs is hard wired into the brain.
Next they're going to tell us that the ability to cook hot dogs is hard wired into the brain.
Good new for the gregarious 1st grader
Social first graders more likely to become good readers
Knowing my son, I'd say this is good news. That boy will talk/play with anyone. And he loves to read, which is also a good sign.
Knowing my son, I'd say this is good news. That boy will talk/play with anyone. And he loves to read, which is also a good sign.
Unhappy parents = unhappy child
Parental conflict may affect children's behavior and learning by disrupting their sleep
This is a study that rings true, unfortunately. More here and here.
This is a study that rings true, unfortunately. More here and here.
Bad boy = bad reader
Reading and behavior problems intertwined in boys
This doesn't necessarily surprise me. I guess being a teacher's pet/brown noser has cognitive advantages as well.
This doesn't necessarily surprise me. I guess being a teacher's pet/brown noser has cognitive advantages as well.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Memory processing is complex
UCI researchers prove a single memory is processed in three separate parts of the brain
It's a study on rats, but still - this is interesting stuff.
It's a study on rats, but still - this is interesting stuff.
Can snoring ruin a marriage?
Can snoring ruin a marriage?
This has nothing to do with the brain - but I just had to make one comment.
I'm in big trouble.
This has nothing to do with the brain - but I just had to make one comment.
I'm in big trouble.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Game Skillz = intelligence
Video game offers new way to test intelligence
I'm not quite sure what to do with this story. I'm all about implementing gaming technology more into education (or at the least game type activity) - but using it to measure intelligence? I don't see this as being any more valid than a paper-and-pencil test.
I'm not quite sure what to do with this story. I'm all about implementing gaming technology more into education (or at the least game type activity) - but using it to measure intelligence? I don't see this as being any more valid than a paper-and-pencil test.
Tall = intelligent
Tall men get better education
Sorry, but the simplified equasions as titles just give me a kick. It's addicting.
But, as a 6'4" man myself, I'm darned happy to hear this.
Sorry, but the simplified equasions as titles just give me a kick. It's addicting.
But, as a 6'4" man myself, I'm darned happy to hear this.
Does this explain "extreme" sports?
Intelligence may contribute to health inequalities
Snarky comment aside, I know several people who would seriously question the idea of IQ scores in the first place, but in reality it seems that the effects of the study could also be explained by socio-economic factors as well, so the conclusion is somewhat dubious.
Snarky comment aside, I know several people who would seriously question the idea of IQ scores in the first place, but in reality it seems that the effects of the study could also be explained by socio-economic factors as well, so the conclusion is somewhat dubious.
Wait...wait...I know who she is....
A fork in memory lane: UCSD research indicates hippocampus supports two aspects of recognition
As the article states, the hippocampus is an area of the brain that we really don't understand very well, and the details of how it functions are a pretty wide open debate. Any development that increases our knowledge in this field is a good thing.
As the article states, the hippocampus is an area of the brain that we really don't understand very well, and the details of how it functions are a pretty wide open debate. Any development that increases our knowledge in this field is a good thing.
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