Departments

• How Light Deprivation Causes Depression
• Socializing with Youth Improves the Elderly's Health, Life Span
• Squeaky Mice Reveal Emotion, Self-Expression in the Brain
• Scientists Create a Map of Smell Similarity Based on Neural Activity
• Seeing is Hearing: New Type of Synesthesia Discovered
• A Natural Log: Our Innate Sense of Numbers is Logarithmic, Not Linear
• Incense May Act As a Psychoactive Drug during Religious Ceremony
• Avian Cooperation: Rooks Work Together to Solve Puzzle for Food
• Treating Anxiety in Alcoholics may Reduce Cravings
• Does Herpes Cause Brain Cancer?
• Unconscious Decisions
• Word Problems
• Call Me Sleepless
• Polling Places' Surprising Sway

Letters to the Editors

• Can one neuron release more than one neurotransmitter? Why is it comforting to discuss problems with others?

• Mind Reviews: Books, Movies & More

• Shading Illusions: How 2-D Becomes 3-D in the Mind

• Monkey Brains Hint at Evolutionary Root of Language Processing

• Arranging for Serenity: How Physical Space and Emotion Intersect

• SciAm Mind Calendar: August/September 2008

• Do-It-Yourself Addiction Cures?

• Emotional Ties and More from the August Issue of SciAm Mind

 

Features

Depressingly Easy
We nuke prepared dishes rather than growing our own food and machine-wash ready-made clothes rather than sewing and scrubbing. Such conveniences may be contributing to rising rates of depression by depriving our brains of their hard-earned rewards
By Kelly Lambert

Sleep on It: How Snoozing Makes You Smarter
During slumber, our brain engages in data analysis, from strengthening memories to solving problems
By Robert Stickgold and Jeffrey M. Ellenbogen

Minding Mistakes: How the Brain Monitors Errors and Learns from Goofs
Brain scientists have identified nerve cells that monitor performance, detect errors and govern the ability to learn from misfortunes
By Markus Ullsperger

The Hidden Power of Scent
Far from being a weak and unimportant sense, our odor-detecting ability is surprisingly acute and shapes our social interactions in ways we do not consciously realize
By Josie Glausiusz

Animal Intelligence and the Evolution of the Human Mind
Subtle refinements in brain architecture, rather than large-scale alterations, make us smarter than other animals
By Ursula Dicke and Gerard Roth

High-Aptitude Minds: The Neurological Roots of Genius
Researchers are finding clues to the basis of brilliance in the brain
By Christian Hoppe and Jelena Stojanovic

Gifted Children: How to Bring Out Their Potential
Enrichment activities can provide for very bright kids
By Christian Fischer

The Secrets of Storytelling: Why We Love a Good Yarn
Our love for telling tales reveals the workings of the mind
By Jeremy Hsu