Brain
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Brain
A ‘cocktail’ in the brain can trigger sleep
A new study finds that a ‘cocktail’ of chemicals in the brain can directly cause mice to fall asleep or waken.
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Brain
Eyes offer new window into Alzheimer’s disease
The eye’s retina is distinctly different in people with Alzheimer’s disease compared to those with no signs of the malady, two teens now report finding. It could lead to earlier diagnosis of the brain disease.
By Sid Perkins -
Brain
Left brain stands guard during sleepovers
Part of the left half of the brain remains on alert while the rest of the brain and body snooze.
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Health & Medicine
Headed to a concert this summer? Pack earplugs
Wearing earplugs at concerts and other loud events may prevent hearing loss and permanent ear damage, a new study suggests.
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Health & Medicine
Explainer: When loud becomes dangerous
Many people don’t realize that sounds — even those of the music they love — can prove harmful when they get too loud.
By Janet Raloff -
Health & Medicine
Cool jobs: Brainy ways to battle obesity
Scientists from different fields are tapping into connections between food and the brain to help people fight obesity and overcome the urge to overeat.
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Brain
‘Mindfulness’ defuses stress in classrooms and teaching
The science behind mindfulness shows that both teachers and students can benefit from a bit of focused attention.
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Brain
When smartphones go to school
Students who use smartphones and other mobile technology in class may well be driven to distraction. And that can hurt grades, studies show.
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Brain
Early intro to sign language has lasting benefits
Children introduced to sign language as babies performed better on mental-processing tasks at age 12 — and as adults — than did people who learned sign language at age 3.
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Health & Medicine
Concussed brains need time to heal
Researchers working with mice found that allowing the body to rest after a concussion gave brain cells time to heal and reconnect with each other.
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Health & Medicine
Vaping may threaten brain, immunity and more
New studies of e-cigarette vapor in animals and human cells find new risks to gene activity, behavior and male sperm.
By Janet Raloff -
Health & Medicine
Zika worries go global
The World Health Organization says the devastating birth defects and brain disorders linked to the Zika virus are an international health emergency.
By Meghan Rosen