July/August 2015 Scientific American Mind News Ticker

False memories in mice, a health gap between rich and poor kids, and medicated ADHD kids made the news recently

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The Head Lines section of Scientific American Mind's July/August issue mentioned the following articles in brief. Click on the links to learn more about them.
Women who develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy are more likely to have a child with autism.
                 
Scientists used electrical stimulation to make sleeping mice associate a certain location with positive feelings. When the mice woke up, they chose to spend more time there.

Most kids with ADHD get medication without behavioral therapy, despite expert recommendations to do both together.

The street drug Molly (crystal form of MDMA, known in pill form as ecstasy) may help people with PTSD learn to be less afraid their memories.


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Americans’ beliefs about income inequality do not line up with reality—few people realize just how rich the very wealthy are.

Bioelectric signals can stunt or grow brain tissue in an embryo, possibly providing a window for treating genetic neurological disorders.

A series of studies reveals a growing “health gap” between poor and rich teenagers, with poorer teens suffering from more and more physical and mental illnesses.

Future stroke drugs may one day target the opposite side of the brain, boosting the healthy hemisphere’s natural attempts to heal its neighbor.

An over-the-counter antifungal medicine used to treat athlete’s foot may reverse the damage multiple sclerosis causes to nerve-insulator myelin.
Prolonged eye contact between dogs and their owners releases a spike of oxytocin, the “love hormone,” in both species’ brains.

People who prioritize creativity in their life tend to be happier and more fulfilled.

ADHD rates are higher in children who are exposed to secondhand smoke at home.

Childhood trauma is linked to higher blood pressure later in life.

SA Mind Vol 26 Issue 4This article was published with the title “July/August 2015 Scientific American Mind News Ticker” in SA Mind Vol. 26 No. 4 ()
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican072015-3owA5L8pE3b1pTxeBiUAe0

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