Brain

Animals

Night lights have a dark side

Artificial light at night not only affects our view of the night sky, but also has the ability to impair animal behaviors — and probably our health.

Brain

Adolescents are brain-dense — and that’s good

Gray matter is densely packed in adolescents, brain researchers now find. This may explain how developing adults cope with decreasing gray matter volume.

Brain

Tongues ‘taste’ water by sensing sour

Water doesn’t taste like much, but our tongues need to detect it somehow. They may do it by sensing acid, a new study shows.

Brain

Scientists Say: Amygdala

Named after the Greek word for “almond,” the amygdala helps us process emotions, make decisions and form memories.

Brain

Brains learning together act the same

When students are all focused on the same thing, their brainwaves look the same, a new study shows.

Brain

When is an epileptic seizure about to strike?

Two high-school research projects suggest ways to identify early warnings of a coming epileptic seizure. This might give people time to free themselves from potentially dangerous activities.

Brain

Analyze This: Sleep patterns vary widely across the world

Data on four very different groups of people show that sleep patterns vary based on the local environment, the culture and daily schedules.

Brain

Scientists Say: Hippocampus

The hippocampus is an area of the brain that is essential for forming new memories.

Brain

Two brain areas team up to make mental maps

To find your way around, you need to remember where you are and plan ahead. A new study shows there’s a brain area for each task.

Brain

Just viewing super-size meals can promote overeating

Large portions of food dampen activity in a brain area involved in self-control, a new study shows.

Brain

Food smells better to sleepyheads

People who want to resist junk foods or overeating may want to make sure they get a good night’s rest. Being tired makes the scent of foods more appealing, a new study finds.

Brain

Noticing mistakes boosts learning

People who pay attention to their mistakes are more likely to do better the next time, data show.