What’s That? How Well Can You Hear in a Crowded Place?
Try our Speech in Noise test to find out! It’s the latest addition to our free brain games page. Speech in Noise measures your brain’s ability to hear words amid varying levels of background noise. Can your brain keep up with conversation on a busy city street, or only in a quiet office building? Try Speech in Noise now!
Mac users, we’re sorry to say Speech in Noise only works on PCs at this time, but we’re working to make a Mac version available soon. We have lots of Apple enthusiasts in the office here, so you may want to join them in trying our free iPhone only app “I Know You.”
Reading the Mind in Vegetative Patients
A breakthrough study suggests that some vegetative patients may actually be conscious. European researchers asked patients in a “persistent vegetative state” to think about specific things, then imaged their brains. Results suggested that some of the patients were able to think like non-vegetative people, and even answer simple questions. What are the implications of this growing ability to read our brains—our thoughts—both for vegetative patients and for the rest of us? Find out.
Older Investors: Bigger Risk-Takers?
New research published in the Journal of Neuroscience suggests that one effect of aging might be riskier investment choices. In the study of 110 people, older adults playing an investment game made more “risk-seeking” mistakes than younger subjects—possibly due to the cognitive changes that occur with aging. Learn more.
The Baby Brain and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Although the numbers have declined in recent years, thousands of babies still die every year from SIDS. New research helps to explain why. Babies who die from SIDS have significantly less serotonin in their brains—a chemical that helps regulate breathing and heart rate. While most sleeping babies adjust their heads if they aren’t getting enough oxygen, serotonin-deficient babies don’t always do so, which can lead to suffocation. Learn more.
Fish Oils: The Benefits Keep Coming
We already know fish oils are good for us in multiple ways: they reportedly improve cardiovascular health, regulate inflammation, reduce certain types of cancer, prevent pregnancy complications, and may even protect against Alzheimer’s. Now, we can add a new item to this list: preventing the onset of psychosis in at-risk teenagers. A pilot study at the University of Vienna showed fish oils worked on par with—or better than—antipsychotic drugs as a prevention tool. Learn more.
Food for Thought: “Second Brain” in Your Belly
Did you know that your intestinal system holds a “second brain”? For years, scientists have known that a network of neurons lining your guts is responsible for digestion. Now, it looks like this neural tissue plays a role in mental state and disease, too. So the next time you know something In your gut,” that should provide some “food for thought.” Learn more about the “second brain” and its role.
New Stories from Posit Science Customers
We’ve gotten great new success stories from people who have used our programs. Like Dave Demko, who at age 57, credits InSight with helping him compete at the highest levels of skiing—against 16- to 25-year olds. Or Arthur Marquis, who used the Brain Fitness Program to help him learn French. And Lyn Morgan, whose use of DriveSharp helped him feel sharper behind the wheel on long road trip. Check out these and other stories!
Book of the Month
The Human Brain Book (2009)
by Rita Carter
In The Human Brain Book, science writer Rita Carter showcases her ability to make complex topics accessible to the average reader and her vast knowledge of the brain. The book covers a host of topics from the basic anatomy of the brain through cutting-edge research on memory, emotion, and morality. Rich illustrations and brain images complement the text. As Carter says, it’s “a book to put on your coffee-table...to consult whenever you think ‘why did I do THAT?’" Buy Now >> |
