neuroscience

The human brain never stops growing neurons, a new study claims

By Karen Weintraub, Scientific American

A new study points toward neuron formation in the human brain’s hippocampus up through the ninth decade of life, which implications for memory and disease.

Why that one song will always remind you of your ex

By Nsikan Akpan

This Valentine’s Day, three neuroscientists explain why music-evoked memories are so potent -- and whether we can let them go.

Scientists gave octopuses some molly. Here’s what happened.

By Jamie Leventhal

Two scientists drugged some cephalopods and were surprised to find that their reactions to MDMA were similar to those of humans, despite massive evolutionary differences.

CDC says 1 in 7 babies exposed to Zika have health problems

By Amanda Grennell

One in seven infants exposed to Zika in utero experienced microcephaly, seizures, hearing deficiencies or other health problems during their first year of life, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Tuesday.

A child lost a sixth of his brain, then made an amazing comeback

By Amanda Grennell

A child's major brain surgery could have sacrificed key skills, including the ability to recognize faces. Instead his brain shifted the jobs elsewhere.

Why are yawns contagious? We asked a scientist

By Teresa Carey

The average adult yawns 20 times per day. And when you feel a yawn coming on, it can be nearly impossible to suppress. But why does being around other yawners make you yawn?…

Analysis: Yanny, Laurel and why our brains struggle with ‘ambiguity illusions’

By Stephen L. Macknik, Scientific American

On Tuesday, the "Yanny-Laurel" auditory illusion took the internet by storm. A neuroscientist explains why listening to a single sound clip can yield different perceptions.

Which are smarter, cats or dogs? We asked a scientist

By Rashmi Shivni

Are cats smarter? Or are dogs? When scientists counted the brain cells in these animals, there was a clear winner. But the latest research on animal intelligence challenges all of the old-school notions of what it means to be smart.

The placebo effect’s role in healing, explained

By Erik Vance

The placebo effect influences all types of healing, from yoga to laying of hands to your doctor's office. We journeyed from Mexico to Maryland to learn how it works.