Brain

Brain

Woodpecker brains host protein linked with human brain damage

Woodpeckers peck with a force great enough to give people concussions. Now a study shows that birds, too, may suffer some brain damage.

Brain

Unlike adults, teens don’t perform better when the stakes are high

Adults tend to do better on tasks that have bigger rewards. Not teens. This difference might have to do with the rewiring of the brain during adolescence, new data suggest.

Brain

Ow! These cells might help brains remember pain and fear

The brain may learn from traumatic experiences with the help of special cells, a new study finds. Scientists used to think these cells, called astrocytes, were just there to support others.

Brain

Alzheimer’s protein can sneak into the brain from the blood

Experiments in mice show that proteins linked with Alzheimer’s disease can enter the brain from the blood, then stockpile there.

Brain

Trading smartphone time for sleep? Your loss

A new study shows more and more teenagers are hanging out on devices when they should be catching ZZZs, putting their health at risk.

Genetics

Small genetic accident made Zika more dangerous

A new study finds that a tiny mutation made the Zika virus more dangerous, by helping it kill cells in the fetal brain.

Health & Medicine

Analyze This: Does moderate screen time boost teen happiness?

Computers, smartphones and TVs are everywhere. And scientists are trying to discover whether that’s a good thing for our well-being.

Brain

A cell hookup helps the tongue tell sweet from sour

To keep your sense of taste, new taste cells need to hook up to your brain every few weeks. Now, scientists have figured out how they do it.

Health & Medicine

Scientists Say: Rabies

Rabies is a disease caused by the rabies virus. There is a vaccine, but without it, people and animals can die from this disease.

Brain

Evening screen time can sabotage sleep

Blue light from electronic devices can impair the body’s ability to sleep, making it hard to focus in the morning.

Brain

Scientists Say: Glia

Scientists used to think glial cells did nothing more than glue the brain together. Now we know they do much, much more.

Brain

Could Zika become a cancer treatment?

The same virus that provoked fear over causing birth defects, last year, may have a beneficial alter ego. Scientists find it may kill cells destined to form deadly brain tumors.