Column
by Guy McKhann, M.D.
October 2009
The Dana Foundation's late chairman, William Safire, felt deeply about the Dana Foundation’s role in brain research and brain-related activities.
by Laura Sanders
Presented at the recent Society for Neuroscience meeting: Scientists have learned more about which brain cells are activated when thinking about particular people. The researchers believe it is the "first demonstration of humans’ ability to control the activity of single neurons."
by Mary Brophy Marcus
USA Today
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October 19, 2009
A magician-led presentation of magic's influence on the brain as it relates to perception, attention and deception proved popular during the Society for Neuroscience meeting.
by LiveScience Staff
A UCLA study shows changes in brain activity among people not too familiar with the Internet, suggesting such activity could have positive neural effects.
by Katherine Harmon
By using electrodes on the brain temporarily implanted to prepare people for epilepsy surgery, researchers probe Broca's area, learning more about how it interprets language.
by Hadley Leggett
Wired
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October 16, 2009
Studies suggest that the results of field goal kicks on the football field can influence one's perception of the size of the goal posts.
by Jonathan Fahey
Forbes
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October 15, 2009
A University of Michigan math professor is building a mathematical model of the brain region involved in the body's circadian rhythm.
by Coeli Carr
Time
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October 13, 2009
Just as it is played in the dentist office, music may become a part of brain surgery, with patients wearing earphones and listening to tunes to reduce their anxiety.
by Enjoli Liston
Millions of people suffer from buzzing and ringing in the ears. However, new research into potential treatments is promising.
by Amanda Gardner
A gene that makes people "smarter," in one sense of the word, appears to influence dopamine.
by David Brooks
The field of social cognitive neuroscience is changing, at least if you look at those studying it.
by Jessica Hamzelou
That street performer flipping a knife, apple, and flaming torch might be smarter than you think.
by Lisa Rosetta
Researchers have found yet another gene associated with autism, showing once again that autism puzzle is highly complex.
by Denise Grady
A particular virus has been linked to chronic fatigue syndrome, though it's too early to know if the virus causes the disease.
Column
by Andrew Kahn
Brain in the News
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October 2009
This month's links include a resource for those interested in more information on mental illnesses, a rat in motion despite severed spinal cord and a magazine’s repository of its brain-related articles. These links were active as of Oct. 1, 2009.
by Ron Winslow
A seemingly simple technique is being used to revive patients whose hearts stopped beating for as long as 20 minutes.
Reuters
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October 6, 2009
Previous studies have suggested that coffee drinkers are better protected against certain mental illnesses, but a new study disputes that.
by Roni Caryn Rabin
Up to one-quarter of pregnant women have depression, and many agonize over taking drugs to treat it: “I was worried that I would hurt the baby if I took the pills, and I was worried I would hurt the baby if I didn’t.”
by Kathleen McGowan
Discover
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October 5, 2009
Scientists are using fMRI to learn about the biology behind bad behavior.
by Rita Rubin
Two new major studies suggest the number of people diagnosed with autism is rising, but it still is not clear whether the rise is a real change or just the result of better diagnosis.
by Benedict Carey
The sensation caused by unfamiliar occurrences leads the brain to temporarily sharpen its focus, research suggests.