brain
Neuroplasticity: The Changing Brain
From memory and rationality to mood and mental stamina, the mind’s cognitive abilities are constantly being exercised. While the brain was previously considered immutable in its ability to make connections, the newest research highlights the phenomenon of neuroplasticity, the ability of the brain to rewire itself even after reaching maturity.1 With this discovery, the adage [...]
Print journal: Optogenetics as a medical treatment—and a barrier to metaphysics
By: Aleksandra Augustynowicz, writing for The Science in Society Review Imagine a healing pinpoint of light, fixed in the center of your forehead, radiating beams of energy throughout your body—a snippet from your local meditation class, or a clairvoyant glimpse of the future. About 121 million people worldwide suffer from depression, and in 2000, the illness [...]
The Mind and the Brain in UChicago’s Human Performance Lab
Recent scientific inquiry into the neurological basis of human behavior seems to tell us one thing about the field: It’s all about me. Or you. Or anyone, for that matter. As traditional psychology and neurobiology have begun to suggest a closer relationship between a person’s identity and behavior and his or her brain as a [...]
Dear Emotions: Vote for me! Sincerely, the Politicians
For those of us in the U.S., the fervor of the election season has only recently passed. From untold truths to outright lies, the political dialogue of our country is at its most heated. Those of us with an interest in the fate of our nation avidly watch the debates and tune into the news [...]
Scents and Senses: The Phenomenon of Scent-Triggered Responses
The holiday season is around the corner, which means family, friends, gifts, and food…lots of food. Not only do our taste buds bask in the delights of the season, but our noses are also filled with the sumptuous smells of feasts. The delicious scents of spices, baked pies, turkey, and gingerbread not only thrill our [...]
The Science of Morality
There is a trolley hurtling on a track towards five people. On an alternate track, another man is standing. You can pull a switch and cause the trolley to switch to the alternate track and kill the other man, saving five people. What do you do? Traditionally, the study of morality has been the province [...]
reMIND – Creative Eccentrics: Making the Connection
Known as “Japan’s Edison,” Yoshiro NakaMats holds the world record for patents, with over 3,000 to his credit. You can thank NakaMats for the digital watch, the CD, and the DVD, just to name a few of his most popular inventions1. However, his method for invention, as well as his daily routine, may strike you [...]
Nervous System Mysteries: The Social Stigma Surrounding Epilepsy
Epilepsy, a chronic neurological disorder characterized by sudden seizures, has mystified both patients and researchers alike for years with its baffling neuronal mechanisms and unpredictable nature. Each year, about 200,000 new cases of epilepsy are diagnosed—just as many as breast cancer. Of these 200,000 cases, 70% have no apparent cause
The Case for Neurodiversity
Is Asperger’s Syndrome really a disorder or is it simply another human variation?
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