Neuroscience2861 articles archived since 1845

Touching a Nerve: Exploring the Implications of the Self as Brain, Part 1 [Excerpt]

Philosopher Patricia Churchland looks at aggressive impulses and sex through the lens of neuroscience and evolutionary theory

Phased Out: Human Sleep Patterns Linked to Full Moon

“It must be the moon”—the newest excuse for why you’re tired today

Illusion of the Week: Jesus is watching you!

The face appears to always looks directly at you, no matter your position. And coolest of all, it looks at everybody in all positions all at once.

As Machines Get Smarter, Evidence Grows that They Learn Like Us

Studies suggest that computer models called neural networks may learn to recognize patterns in data using the same algorithms as the human brain

Through the Eyes of a Child

New Hypothesis Explains Why We Sleep

During sleep, the brain weakens the connections among nerve cells, apparently conserving energy and, paradoxically, aiding memory

Use Care with Cat Caca

Our feline friends might be carrying hazardous organisms in their waste, so be careful when scooping that poop. Katherine Harmon reports

Brain Exercise Benefits at Any Age

Elderly adults who worked their mental muscles, both early and late in life, remained more intellectually limber than those who didn't. Karen Hopkin reports

The Neuroscience of Everybody's Favorite Topic

Why do people spend so much time talking about themselves?

Anxiety Disorders Are More Common in Women

Rates of diagnosis are higher in women than men

Fruit Flies Seek Mates Leggingly

Male fruit flies have taste receptors on their legs that, upon contact with a female's body, identify her as a mate-able member of the same species or just a good nonspecies friend. Karen Hopkin reports...

Choral Singers Sync Heartbeats

Because phrasing requires synchronous respiration, choral singers also sync up their heartbeats, which may add to the group feeling of unison. Sophie Bushwick reports

The Right Incentive Can Erase an Autism Deficit

With the right incentive, such as winning a prize, children with autism do fairly well at inferring the thoughts and beliefs of others, according to a new study

Infertility May Be Linked to Taste Genes

Scientists show that male genes linked to taste may play a role in sperm production

These Body Drugs Can Affect the Mind

Bad mood? Sleep loss? Memory trouble? Check your prescriptions

Blind Kids Gain Vision Late in Childhood While Giving a Lesson in Brain Science

Surgery in blind children from India allows them to see for the first time and reveals how vision works in the brain

Hunting for the Brain's Hidden Treasures

A new initiative aims to invent new technologies for understanding the brain

A Call for Open Access to Autism Diagnostic Tools

Few studies of autism prevalence have been conducted in low- and middle-income countries. Freely available screening and diagnostic tools could help address this disparity

New Moms May Experience OCD Symptoms

Boozy Memory Blocking Reduces Risk of Relapse among Alcohol Abusers

A molecule associated with learning and memory consolidation could be key to treating alcoholism