Our eyes can play tricks on us. Sometimes, things look brighter than they really are. This is not just about how bright something is. It is also about what is around it. Scientists wanted to know if our brains can see this trick even when we are not paying attention. They did some experiments to find out. In the first experiment, they showed people two things. One l...
Puerto Rico is doing something cool with neuroscience. It's not just about labs and textbooks. They're mixing science with their rich culture. This makes learning fun and relatable. The island's history and traditions play a big role. Things like family, music, and food are part of the equation. This approach is called NeuroBoricuas. It started small but grew big fas...
Music can be a powerful tool in managing pain. This is not just a guess. Science is starting to prove it. Hospitals are using music more and more. Some nurses even play instruments for patients. One nurse, Rod Salaysay, plays guitar and ukulele. He plays music for patients after surgery. He plays all kinds of songs. Some patients smile and nod along. Some even need l...
People have always believed in miracles, but why? Scientists are now trying to figure this out. In 2007, a baby in Rhode Island was born very early and had serious health problems. The doctor prayed to a priest who had passed away long ago, and the baby's heart started beating again. Eighteen years later, the Pope said this was a miracle. The Vatican has a special g...
Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are making waves, but they're not perfect. The current tech, which relies on EEGs, is a bit of a mystery. It's like having a puzzle with missing pieces. You see the big picture, but you're not sure how it all fits together. The main issue? EEGs pick up brain signals from various spots and frequencies. But the algorithms used to inter...
Steve Jobs, a tech visionary, had a unique take on intelligence. He believed that smart people are great at seeing patterns and making connections that others might miss. This idea isn't just a random thought. Science backs it up. Research in neuroscience shows that intelligent brains work efficiently. They quickly adapt and change when learning new things. This is ...
Music has always been a part of healing, but now science is showing just how much it can help. In Cleveland, Ohio, cancer patients can ask for a special kind of medicine: live music at their bedside. Studies show that music can make pain feel less intense, reducing it by about 20%. This doesn't mean music replaces medicine, but it can work alongside it to make patien...
Enkephalins are like the brain's own painkillers. They help with pain relief, reward, and dealing with stress. But tracking them in real-time has been tough because they appear and disappear quickly and are present in tiny amounts. Scientists have come up with a clever way to study these enkephalins. They combined a few techniques: optogenetics, which uses light to ...
Epilepsy is a challenging condition, especially for those who don't respond to standard medications. This is known as drug-resistant epilepsy, and it's a significant issue that needs new solutions. Scientists have been investigating a protein called PHGDH. This protein is found in brain cells and plays a crucial role in producing essential compounds like serine and ...
Mental health issues are on the rise. More people are looking to spirituality for help. Prayer is one way people connect with their faith. It might also help with mental health. But how? And why? Scientists are still figuring that out. Prayer is common. Many people do it. It could be like forming a bond. Think of it as a relationship. But not with another person. In...