Neuroscience

Science

Study: We Love Facebook Because It Tricks Us Into Thinking We’re Doing Something Important

7:30PM February 8, 2012 | Kristen Philipkoski

When you’re perusing your Facebook account, your brain might be fooling you into thinking you’re doing something incredibly creative and productive that will improve your life. If only that were true! More »

Science

Even If You’re Old You Can Learn New Tricks With Really Freaking Hard Work

12:40PM December 9, 2011 | Kristen Philipkoski

London is a crazy mixed-up city, navigation-wise. It’s so hard find your way around that when taxi-drivers learn to, they say they’ve Acquired The Knowledge. And now scientists say The Knowledge actually changes drivers’ brains. More »

Science

Inside Your Brain On Cannabis: Cognitive Chaos

11:45AM October 26, 2011 | Kristen Philipkoski

We already know that smoking (or otherwise ingesting) pot causes an uncoordinated brain. Now scientists say they’ve discovered the mechanism behind pot brain clumsiness, and it could lead to better treatments for schizophrenia. More »

Science

Watching Ostriches Sleep With Their Eyes Open Is More Exciting Than It Looks

7:40AM August 26, 2011 | Kristen Philipkoski

In this thrilling video, you are witnessing ostriches during two phases of sleep: slow wave, or SWS, and rapid eye movement, or REM. More »

Science

Why Time Passing Can Seem Like Torture

11:40AM August 23, 2011 | Kristen Philipkoski

Why some moments can sometimes painfully drag on is still a mystery to brain scientists. But a recent study found some neurons seem to develop expectations that can make time pass more slowly. More »

Science

How Skillful Advertisers Can Word-Jack Your Brain

12:00PM May 26, 2011 | Esther Inglis-Arkell

It’s long been established that the mighty brain is nothing but a mound of putty. We don’t see what we think we do, we don’t remember what we think we do, and we don’t like what we think we do. If we did, advertisers would be out of business. As it is, they’re literally putting false thoughts inside our heads. More »

Science

How An Iron Rod To The Skull Changed Neuroscience Forever

12:20AM March 9, 2011 | Alasdair Wilkins

On September 13, 1848, an accidental explosion drove a metre-long iron rod through the skull of Vermont railway worker Phineas Gage. Incredibly, Gage survived, but the lingering side effects provided science its first clues about how the brain affects our personality. More »

Science

Neuroscientists Create The First Brain-Controlled Exoskeleton

10:39AM December 15, 2010 | Annalee Newitz

We’ve had brain-computer interfaces for years now, as well as mind-controlled prosthetic limbs. Now neuroscientists have taken it to the next level, with a system that would allow you to control a super-powered exoskeleton using only your thoughts. More »

Science

Darpa Wants Remote Controls To Master Troop Minds

9:20AM September 10, 2010 | Katie Drummond - Wired.com

The Pentagon’s research arm wants to trick out troops’ brains, from the areas that regulate alertness and cognition to psychiatric well-being. And they want to do it all from the outside in, with a gadget installed inside the troops’ helmets. More »

Science

Inescapable Technology Is Beating Up Our Brains

7:00AM August 26, 2010 | Sam Biddle

Is taking out your iPad during dinner conversation even rude anymore? Is it normal to get nervous with distraction-free minutes? I just glanced at my phone while typing this. The NY Times explores our tech-addled brains, and how it’s hurting. More »