Neuro Clips March 28, 2014

March 22 – 28, 2014

News Clips:

Electric 'thinking cap' controls learning speed

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140323171904.htm

Summary: Researchers found that the use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with learning tasks lends towards subjects learning from their mistakes more quickly and being more cautious. The potential implications of study findings could be useful for improved student learning and also have clinical implications for ADHD and Schizophrenia.

Four in 10 infants lack strong parental attachments

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140327123540.htm

Summary: Study examines “secure attachment” in about 14,000 U.S. children and finds that about 40 percent lack strong emotional bonds with their parents. Attachments with parents impact children’s social, emotional, and cognitive development therefore children without strong bonds may later face educational and behavioral problems.

Inspiration linked to bipolar disorder risk

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140327123339.htm

Summary: Study demonstrates that individuals at higher risk for developing bipolar disorder report stronger experiences of inner inspiration coupled with a strong drive for success. Additionally, researchers make a point to highlight the association between creativity and bipolar disorder.

Inspiring invention in primary school

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140327100331.htm

Summary: Study explores the use of technology in primary school settings to inspire an inventive nature in children. When seeking solutions to everyday problems, primary school classes utilized inventive imagination to create problem-solving inventions. Researchers propose that this experimental design could be used to transform current curriculum and enhance student engagement.

Life lessons: Children learn aggressive ways of thinking and behaving from violent video games, study finds

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140324181255.htm

Summary: Study suggests that video game content impacts real world behavior. Researchers suggest that whether prosocial or antisocial; extended exposure through video games teaches children certain learned behaviors.

Neuroscience of morality: How your brain works through moral issues

http://kdvr.com/2014/03/26/neuroscience-of-morality-how-your-brain-works-through-moral-issues/

Summary: Article explores the relationship between neuroscience and moral judgment. The author describes the specific network of brain regions associated with mediating moral judgment and then examines the brain dysfunctions associated with the amoral behavior of psychopaths and the variations in judgments of intention among individuals with autism. Lastly, the author explores the utilization of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to manipulate judgment.

Brain freeze: The science of procrastination and our ‘smart’ brains

http://thenextweb.com/lifehacks/2014/03/27/brain-freeze-science-procrastination-smart-brains/

Summary: Article explores the science of procrastination and how the brain acts to protect from unpleasant feelings, such as anxiety.

PTSD from your ZIP code: Urban violence and the brain

http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/27/health/urban-ptsd-problems/

Summary: Article explores the deterioration that occurs with PTSD in the many urban community members that experience prolonged exposure to violence. The rate of PTSD in urban community members is likely higher than that of war veterans. The potential impacts of PTSD and prolonged exposure to violence include limited academic achievement, permanent brain damage, social separation, hyper-vigilance, and psychiatric disorders.

When Animals Act Like People in Stories, Kids Can’t Learn

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/thoughtful-animal/2014/03/27/animals-who-wear-clothes-and-talk-actually-impede-learning/

Summary: Article examines how children differentiate between reality and fantasy when read books that feature anthropomorphic depictions of animals. Studies find that images that personified animals were not problematic for children, however anthropomorphic language led children to transfer false knowledge to real animals.

Brain Imaging Is More Than an Academic Gimmick

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/brain-imaging-is-more-than-an-academic-gimmick/

Summary: Author proposes that despite recent criticism, brain imaging has essential clinical utility in understanding and treating conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease, consciousness in vegetative state, and other conditions.

Fly brain 'atlas' opens door to linking human neurons to actions

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/27/us-science-flybrain-idUSBREA2Q23B20140327

Summary: Recent study identified the brain neurons that are fired with all 29 behaviors executed by fly larvae. This new finding could potentially lead to the development of a similar “neuron-behavior atlas” for specific human behaviors, movements, emotions, or thoughts.

Is laughter the best medicine? Cartoons could help patients cope with chronic conditions

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140328075817.htm

Summary: Study incorporated cartoons into a guidebook for patients with kidney disease. Patients reported that the cartoons lightened the tone and enhanced their level of understanding. Overall the study results suggest that the use of cartoons in patient education may be useful and may help lighten the mood to facilitate healthy coping.

How neuroscience is helping UC Riverside baseball

http://www.scpr.org/news/2014/03/28/43098/how-neuroscience-is-helping-uc-riverside-baseball/

Summary: UC Riverside baseball team is utilizing a neuroscience game, Ultimeyes, which improve vision by strengthening the way the brain processes what the eyes see.