Did You Know? – Knowing Neurons

La Educación en Neurociencias en la Época del COVID-19: Una Entrevista con la Dra. Megan Peters Sobre la Academia Neuromatch

August 28, 2021October 25, 2021 Sean Noah 0 Comments Computational, Computational Biology, Education, mathematics, Neuromatch Academy, Skill learning

Artículo original: Neuroscience Education in the Time of COVID-19: An Interview with Dr. Megan Peters about Neuromatch Academy, Sean Noah Traducido por Daniela Semerjian En marzo del 2020, mi investigación… Read more

Big Ideas Consciousness Did You Know? Evolution of Cognition Joel's Pick Neuro News Philosophy

How Floating in Darkness Takes the Body off the Mind

June 8, 2021June 8, 2021 Joel Frohlich 0 Comments Anxiety, Awareness, Brain Awareness, brain imaging, Cognition, Consciousness, Default mode network, fMRI, Psychology

What happens when your mind disconnects from all outside sensations? First, you undress, put in earplugs, and step into a floatation tank, the water warmed to the temperature of your… Read more

Big Ideas Brain Basics Did You Know?

Gut Feelings: The Connection With The Brain

May 31, 2021January 19, 2022 Himani Arora 1 Comment enteric nervous system (ENS), Gut, gut microbiome, gut-brain axis, microbiome, microbiota, stress

Picture this: You are encountering some dilemma. You call your friend, and they advise you to go with your “gut feelings”. These are perceived to be some sort of miraculous… Read more

Big Ideas Brain Development Did You Know? Evolution of Cognition Language

Vocabulary Retention In Adult Language Learners

April 27, 2021December 10, 2021 Aurore Bargat 0 Comments language, language acquisition, Learning, Learning and Memory, native language, vocal behaviors

What can we learn and implement from neuroscience to support long-term vocabulary retention in adult language learners? Brain and Language Neuroscience focuses on how different regions of the brain work… Read more

Collaborations Did You Know? Interviews Podcast

Songbirds and Vocal Learning: Interview with Dr Stephanie White

April 22, 2021 Elizabeth Burnette 0 Comments

Knowing Neurons interviews Dr. Stephanie White, Professor of Integrative Biology and Physiology at UCLA, about her work studying vocal learning in songbirds as well as her role as the Assistant… Read more

Did You Know? Mental Health Neuro Primer Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders

Neuro Primer: Addiction Basics

March 22, 2021May 31, 2021 Elizabeth Burnette 0 Comments Addiction, Alcohol, Behavioral Neuroscience, Hippocampus, Nucleus accumbens, Tolerance, Withdrawal

Spanish Translation also available here: Neuro Cartilla: Los principios básicos de la adicción ~~~ From alcohol to opioids to cocaine, most of us are familiar with addictive substances. But how… Read more

Big Ideas Brain Basics Did You Know?

The Blood Brain Barrier – Is it Really All it’s Described to Be?

March 15, 2021May 31, 2021 Abdullah Iqbal 0 Comments Blood, Blood-brain barrier, Cell communication, Pathogens, The blood-brain barrier in health and chronic neurodegenerative disorders.

Spanish Translation also available here: La Barrera Hematoencefálica – ¿Realmente funciona como su nombre indica? ~~~ One of the mantras in neuroscience is that the blood brain barrier (BBB) protects… Read more

Big Ideas Brain Basics Did You Know? Sensation and Perception

Invisible Modulators of Fear: How the Gut Microbiome Alters Fear Extinction

February 21, 2021June 3, 2021 Mariella Careaga 0 Comments Fear, Fear conditioning, Fear Extinction, gut microbiome, Medial Prefrontal Cortex, Metabolism, microbiome

Learning to avoid a threat as well as knowing when something is no longer dangerous is crucial for an organism’s survival. Being able to shake off fearful memories after a… Read more

Brain Basics Collaborations Did You Know? Interviews Neuro News Uncategorized

Sex Differences in the Neural Control of Thermogenesis: An Interview with Dr. Stephanie Correa

February 15, 2021February 18, 2021 Arielle Hogan 0 Comments Estrogen, Hormone, Hypothalamus, Metabolism, Nature, Sex differences, Temperature

Understanding the complexity of the human mind and body is a feat that some would say is impossible. While the scientific community forges on despite the immense expanse of the… Read more

Big Ideas Brain Basics Did You Know? Mental Health Neuro News Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders Uncategorized

The Nocebo Effect

January 3, 2021June 3, 2021 Elizabeth Burnette 1 Comment Bias, Classical Conditioning, Drug, negative symptoms, Placebo effect, Treatment

Most of us have heard of the placebo effect – the phenomenon in which patients experience improvements in health simply due to their belief in the efficacy of a medical… Read more

Artificial Intelligence Big Ideas Did You Know? Evolution of Cognition Neuro SciFi Neuroscience Technologies

The AMI Procedure- Gateway to a Cyborg Future

December 7, 2020February 18, 2021 Arielle Hogan 0 Comments Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Neural Networks, Brain-computer interface, Frontiers in Neural Circuits, Robot-human interaction, Sci-fi

Advances in bioengineering and robotics have delivered incredible devices capable of partially restoring functionality to those who suffer from movement related disabilities. However, this technology is not perfect. Patients still… Read more

Big Ideas Did You Know? Science Policy

Evidence-Based Solutions to the Mass Incarceration Crisis: Neuroscience and Cash Bail

October 31, 2020February 18, 2021 Zoe Guttman 0 Comments Behavioral Neuroscience, Decision, Decision-making, Science Policy

Mass incarceration is a public health crisis with particular relevance to the neuroscience community. Much of our work as neuroscientists revolves around the criminal justice system, including mental illness, adolescent… Read more

Big Ideas Consciousness Did You Know? Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders Sensation and Perception

Focused Ultrasound: A Stimulating New Strategy To Treat Severe Brain Damage

October 27, 2020February 18, 2021 Joshua Cain 0 Comments brain imaging, Consciousness, Deep Brain Stimulation, Thalamus, transcranial electrical stimulation

A year into my doctoral training at UCLA, I escape the noisy hustle and bustle of Ronald Reagan Hospital at midday, into a clean and quiet room in the Intensive… Read more

Artificial Intelligence Big Ideas Collaborations Did You Know? Interviews Neuro News Neuroscience Technologies

Neuroscience Education in the Time of COVID-19: An Interview with Dr. Megan Peters about Neuromatch Academy

October 13, 2020February 18, 2021 Sean Noah 0 Comments Computational, Computational Biology, Education, mathematics, Neuromatch Academy, Skill learning

In March 2020, my research stopped. The cognitive neuroscience lab where I work was shuttered because our research involves collecting behavioral and neuroimaging data from human participants – something impermissible… Read more

Did You Know? Infographics Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders

Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)

August 17, 2020August 17, 2020 Rajamani Selvam 0 Comments ADHD, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, Infographic, neurodevelopmental disorer, Neurological Disorder, Neuroscience, psychological disorder, SciComm, Science

~ Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by abnormal levels of impulsive and hyperactive behaviors which occurs in both children and adults. Symptoms appear around 3-… Read more

Did You Know? Sensation and Perception Weird Animal Brain

Weird Animal Brain: Dung Beetle

June 18, 2018June 14, 2018 Kayleen Schreiber 0 Comments Fact, Neuron, Neuroscience, Perception, Science, Vision

he dung beetle has more interesting characteristics than you might think! If you’d like to learn about more animals with amazing vision, check out this article.… Read more

Did You Know? Language Sensation and Perception

Language: Your Connection to Others

March 28, 2018March 28, 2018 Kayleen Schreiber 1 Comment Brain, Broca's area, Cortex, ECoG, electrocorticography, Fact, Hebbian learning, Karl Wernicke, language, Neuroscience, Pāṇini, Paul Broca, Speech, Wernicke's area

magine what it would be like if you couldn’t communicate with others. Language is a critical aspect of our lives, and it may be one of the oldest academic pursuits… Read more

Big Ideas Did You Know? Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders

The Law of Attraction, the Placebo Effect, and the Immune-Brain Connection

March 1, 2018April 18, 2019 Caitlin Aamodt 1 Comment Addiction, Alzheimer's, Alzheimer’s disease, Autism, depression, Drugs, Immune System, Law of Attraction, Parkinson's, Parkinson's Disease, placebo, Placebo effect, Social experiment, Surgery, Synapses, Treatment

iomedical researchers call it “the most replicated experiment in the history of science.” Simply put, the placebo effect is a phenomenon where people who believe they are being treated for… Read more

Brain Basics Did You Know?

No, You’re Not Left-Brained or Right-Brained

February 15, 2018February 15, 2018 Joel Frohlich 1 Comment Cerebral, Cerebral hemispheres, Expierments, Fibers, fMRI, Functional MRI, Harry Potter, Hemisphere, Hogwarts, Lateralization, Left, Left brain, Nerve, Nerve fibers, Neuroanatomy, Neuroimaging, Right, Right brain, Split brain, Visuospatial abilities, VS Ramachandran

At the fictional Hogwarts school for witchcraft and wizardry in the Harry Potter series, students are sorted into different school houses by a magic hat based on their personalities. Similarly,… Read more

Brain Basics Did You Know? Sensation and Perception

Neuronal Communication: Electricity and Neurotransmitters

January 24, 2018January 23, 2018 Jenn Tribble 0 Comments Brain, Dopamine, GABA, glutamate, Network, Neuron, Neurons, neurotransmitter, Perception, Receptor, serotonin, Synapse

ith approximately 86 billion neurons in the human brain, it is a complex piece of machinery in charge of movement, sensation, decision-making, and more. Behaviors cannot arise from the work… Read more

Did You Know? Sensation and Perception Weird Animal Brain

Weird Animal Brain: Narwhal

December 18, 2017December 18, 2017 Kayleen Schreiber 0 Comments Brain, Narwhal, Neuron, Neuroscience, Ocean, Sense, Weird Animal Brain

Narwhal tusks used to be sold as unicorn horns and were believed to contain magical powers. Now we know a little bit more about these unique tusks, and the truth… Read more

Did You Know? Sensation and Perception Weird Animal Brain

Weird Animal Brain: Leaf Sheep Sea Slug

November 27, 2017December 18, 2017 Kayleen Schreiber 0 Comments Infographic, Knowing Neurons, Nature, Perception, Weird Animal Brain

Remember photosynthesis: How plants capture energy from the sun. Chloroplasts (the green parts of leaves) are where the sun’s energy is captured.… Read more

Did You Know? Neuro News

No Pain, No Gain: Commensal Bacteria Help Chemotherapy Through Painful Side Effects

November 8, 2017November 9, 2017 Amin Kamaleddin 0 Comments cancer, chemo, chemotherpy, Goldszmid, gut bacteria, Mao, Nervous System, Oxaliplatin, Peripheral nerves, peripheral neuropathy

ancer is still an unmet clinical challenge. Tens of thousands of people are diagnosed with cancer every day. In the US alone, more than half a million people died from… Read more

Did You Know? Movement Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders

Bite-size science: Cell replacement therapy for Parkinson’s Disease

October 30, 2017October 29, 2017 Kayleen Schreiber 0 Comments Brain, Cortex, Dopamine, Infographic, Knowing Neurons, Motor, Movement, Parkinson's Disease, Research, Science

In Parkinson’s Disease, specific cells in the brain die. Over time, this makes basic movements like walking and reaching for a cup impossible. Researchers are racing to find effective treatments.… Read more

Brain Basics Did You Know? Movement Sensation and Perception

What is the cerebellum?

October 23, 2017October 22, 2017 Cari Ritzenthaler 2 Comments balance, Brain, Cerebellum, Coordination, granule cell, Infographic, Knowing Neurons, Movement, Neuroscience, Proprioception, Purkinje cell, Vestibular system

Learn about the mini brain you have at the base of your skull!… Read more

Did You Know? Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders

Your gut is closer to your brain than it appears!

October 4, 2017October 3, 2017 Amin Kamaleddin 0 Comments Autoimmune disease, Bacteria, Cell communication, gut microbiome, Immune cells, Learning, Memory, MS, multiple sclerosis, myelin, Pathogens, pathology

ou are more than who you think you are! Yes, that is correct. If you are still thinking of yourself as a single intelligent organism, then think again! I am… Read more

Did You Know? Movement Weird Animal Brain

Weird Animal Brain: Woodpecker

October 2, 2017September 29, 2017 Kayleen Schreiber 0 Comments Brain, Brain Injury, Infographic, Knowing Neurons, Nature, Neuroscience, Prefrontal Cortex, Research, Science, TBI, Traumatic brain injury

Brain damage is a major concern for us humans – car accidents, football, falling backwards. It’s pretty easy to cause a concussion. Woodpeckers, however, pound away daily using much more… Read more

Did You Know? Sensation and Perception Weird Animal Brain

Weird Animal Brain: Tuatara Lizard

September 18, 2017September 17, 2017 Kayleen Schreiber 0 Comments Fact, Infographic, Knowing Neurons, Lizard, Nature Neuroscience, Neuron, Neurons, Neuroscience, Perception, Science, Vision

The tuatara lizard is called a “living fossil” because it is the last surviving member of the Rhynchocephalia order. Learn more about the tuatara in the infographic below!… Read more

Did You Know? Sensation and Perception Weird Animal Brain

Weird Animal Brain: Strawberry Squid

August 28, 2017August 30, 2017 Kayleen Schreiber 1 Comment Brain, Color, Fact, Infographic, Knowing Neurons, Neuroscience, Perception, Squid, Vision

Also known as the cock-eyed squid, this beautiful and weird creature is unique not only because of its similarities to a strawberry, but also because of its two very special… Read more

Did You Know? Learning and Memory Neuro News

Bite-size science: The brain remembers without staying the same

August 21, 2017August 21, 2017 Kayleen Schreiber 0 Comments Brain, Fact, Infographic, Knowing Neurons, Learning, Memory, Neuron, Neurons, Neuroscience, Research, Science

A new paper published this month in the journal Cell describes an unexpected finding about memory. Researchers used to think that memory required specific activity from the same brain cells… Read more

Big Ideas Did You Know?

You’re Not as Rational as You Think: Political Philosophy and the Science of Irrationality

August 17, 2017August 17, 2017 DanielToker 0 Comments 2004 Presidential Election, Amygdala, George W. Bush, Insula, irrationality, John Kerry, Neuroimaging, Neuroscience, philosopher-kings, Plato, political philosophy, Politics, presidential election, reason

ognitive scientists have known for decades that humans are inherently irrational when it comes to making economic decisions. This may seem obvious to a good poker player, who will likely… Read more

Did You Know? Sensation and Perception Weird Animal Brain

Weird Animal Brain: Fly

August 7, 2017August 7, 2017 Kayleen Schreiber 1 Comment Brain, Drosophila, Fact, Infographic, Knowing Neurons, Nature, Neuron, Neurons, Neuroscience, Perception, Receptor, Science, Smell, Synapse, taste

Fly lips are called labellum and fly feet are called tarsi. Both the labellum and tarsi contain taste receptors which help the fly find food. Think about that the next… Read more

Brain Basics Brain Development Did You Know? Learning and Memory Sensation and Perception

Reading: The Brain’s Best Hijacker

July 26, 2017July 28, 2017 Gabrielle Torre 2 Comments Brain, Cortex, Development, EEG, Fact, fMRI, Knowing Neurons, Learning, Neuron, Neurons, Neuroscience, Prefrontal Cortex, Reading, Research

What are you doing right now? I’m no psychic, but I can say for certain one thing that you’re doing: reading. You’re reading this sentence, word by word, and extracting… Read more

Did You Know? Sensation and Perception Weird Animal Brain

Weird Animal Brain: Brittle Star

July 24, 2017July 23, 2017 Kayleen Schreiber 2 Comments Brain, Color, Fact, Infographic, Knowing Neurons, Learning, Nature, Neuron, Neurons, Neuroscience, Perception, Research, Science, Vision

Brittle stars are covered in protective outer plates, but they also have another structure of internal plates. A particular species of brittle star seems to be able to use these… Read more

Did You Know? Interviews Neuroscience Art Sensation and Perception

Self Reflected: The Best of Neuroscience and Art

July 19, 2017July 16, 2017 Kayleen Schreiber 0 Comments Art, Brain, Color, Consciousness, Cortex, Genetics, Interview, Knowing Neurons, Learning, Neuron, Neurons, Neuroscience, Perception, Prefrontal Cortex, Science

The phrase, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” seems especially true for scientists. What we study becomes not only intellectually beautiful, but also literally beautiful: the form is… Read more

Did You Know? Sensation and Perception

Bite-size Science: Immune Cells use Neurotransmitter to Communicate

July 17, 2017July 16, 2017 Kayleen Schreiber 0 Comments Brain, Immune System, Neuron, Neurons, Neuroscience, Receptor, Synapse

Researchers have suspected for a few years that neurotransmitters like dopamine play a role in how the immune system functions. But they didn’t know how cells in the immune system… Read more

Big Ideas Brain Basics Did You Know?

Why Does Music Make Us Feel So Much?

July 12, 2017July 13, 2017 Amy Thomas 1 Comment Adiel Mallik, anhedonia, Daniel J. Levitin, Dopamine, Emotion, feeling, McGill University, Mona Lisa Chanda, Music, Naltrexone, NTX, Nucleus accumbens, opioids, reward circuit, serotonin

Whether you’re listening through tinny iPhone headphones on your morning commute or crying at a John Mayer concert, there is a special place in our hearts for music. But what… Read more

Did You Know? Uncategorized Weird Animal Brain

Weird Animal Brain: Moth

July 10, 2017July 9, 2017 Kayleen Schreiber 0 Comments Antenna, Brain, Fact, Infographic, Knowing Neurons, Nature, Neuron, Neurons, Perception, Science, Smell

These beautiful little creatures are incredibly skilled at sniffing out mates. The pheromone the females release is called bombykol. Scientists are on the hunt for exactly how this pheromone activates… Read more

Did You Know? Movement Neuroscience Art Sensation and Perception Weird Animal Brain

Weird Animal Brain: Platypus

June 26, 2017June 30, 2017 Kayleen Schreiber 0 Comments Brain, Neuron, Neurons, Neuroscience, Perception, Platypus, Receptor

The platypus and the echidna are the only mammals that have the power of electroreception, which means they can sense electrical changes. Check out this new Weird Animal Brain to… Read more

Aging Did You Know? Learning and Memory Movement Neuro News

Bite-size Science: Epigenetics help protect the aging brain

June 19, 2017June 30, 2017 Kayleen Schreiber 2 Comments Alzheimer’s disease, Brain, Cortex, DNA, Epigenetics, gene, Genetics, Infographic, Knowing Neurons, Learning, Memory, Nature, Nature Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, Neuron, Neurons, Neuroscience, Prefrontal Cortex, Receptor, Research, Science

Epigenetics change which genes are active and which are inactive. Research over the past few years has shown that these changes are important for protecting the brain from neurodegeneration and… Read more

Did You Know? Movement Neuroscience Art Sensation and Perception Weird Animal Brain

Weird Animal Brain: Sea Squirt

June 12, 2017June 30, 2017 Kayleen Schreiber 0 Comments Brain, Development, Infographic, Neuron, Neurons, Neuroscience, Ocean, Perception, Receptor, Sea Squirt

The brain is one of the most complex and amazing structures in the universe. It allows us to experience the world, feel, remember, and plan for the future. But for… Read more

Big Ideas Did You Know? Interviews

Spinning Logic

May 24, 2017June 30, 2017 Kate Fehlhaber 0 Comments Brain, Conversation, Future, Interview, Kate Fehlhaber, Neuroscience, Perception, Podcast, SciComm, Spinning Logic, STEM, Vision, Women

I had the opportunity to speak with Jason Havey, host of the Spinning Logic podcast! And it was a blast!!… Read more

Did You Know? Science Policy

Should you trust that article you’re reading?

May 10, 2017June 30, 2017 Kayleen Schreiber 0 Comments Bias, Fact, fake news, Infographic, Internet, Neuroscience, News, Reference, Research, SciComm, Science, Search, Source

It’s easy to find information on the internet — especially information that confirms what you already believe to be true. Through search engine bias, your Facebook newsfeed bubble, and confirmation… Read more

Brain Basics Brain Development Did You Know? Learning and Memory Neuro News Neuroscience Technologies Sensation and Perception

How does fundamental research help you?

March 15, 2017June 30, 2017 Kayleen Schreiber 3 Comments 2017, Alzheimer’s disease, Brain, Conference, Development, Fact, Florida, Infographic, Institute, Knowing Neurons, Learning, Max Planck, Memory, Neuron, Neuroscience, Perception, Receptor, Research, Science, Sunposium, Synapse

Sometimes it’s hard to understand why scientists do what they do. Why spend a career studying cells, fungus, or flies? Other than being nerdy and wanting to learn about our… Read more

52 Brain Facts Did You Know? Popular Articles

It’s Brain Awareness Week!

March 13, 2017June 30, 2017 Kate Fehlhaber 0 Comments 10 Brain Facts, 52 Brain Facts, BAW, Brain Awareness Week, Interviews, Videos, Weird Animal Brains

Every March, Brain Awareness Week (BAW, for short) unifies the world in celebration of the brain and mind! In order to raise awareness about how the brain works, what neuroscientists… Read more

Big Ideas Did You Know?

What Happens If You Stick Your Head in a Particle Accelerator?

February 27, 2017June 30, 2017 Joel Frohlich 0 Comments Alexander Litvinenko, Anatoli Bugorski, CERN, ionizing radiation, large hadron collider, particle accelerator, particle collider, Phantoms of the Brain, physics, protons, U-70 synchrotron, VS Ramachandran

What would happen if you stuck your body inside a particle accelerator? The scenario seems like the start of a bad Marvel comic, but it happens to shed light on… Read more

Did You Know? Sensation and Perception

Why Mosquitoes Love Us

February 8, 2017June 30, 2017 Megumi Sano 2 Comments Antenna, Chemosensation, Drosophila, Flies, Fruit fly, GFP, Glomerulus, Green fluorescent protein, gustatory, Labial Palp, Leslie Vosshall, Maxillary Palp, microbiome, Mosquito, Mosquitoes, Multimodal Sensory Integration, Odor, Odorant, Olfaction, olfactory, Perception, Proboscis, Sense, Sensilla, Sensory, SEZ, Smell, subesophageal zone, taste

From that evil itch on your arm to torturous diseases such as malaria, Zika, dengue, and yellow fever, mosquito bites can have unpleasant consequences. But have you ever wondered why… Read more

Did You Know? Learning and Memory Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders Philosophy

Can Neuroscience Explain the Mandela Effect?

February 1, 2017April 18, 2019 Caitlin Aamodt 7 Comments Alternative, Bear, Berenstain, Berenstein, Caitlin Aamodt, Cat, Confabulation, Effect, Engram, Fact, Facts, False, fMRI, functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Hippocampus, Kayleen Schreiber, Kazaam, Mandela, Memory, Parallel, Prefrontal Cortex, Reality, Reconsolidation, Schema, Schrodinger, Sinbad, Universe

Would you trust a memory if it felt as real as all your others? And other people confirmed they remember it, too? What if the memory turned out to be… Read more

Did You Know? Movement Sensation and Perception Weird Animal Brain

Weird Animal Brain: Octopus

January 9, 2017June 5, 2019 Kayleen Schreiber 0 Comments Brain, Fact, Infographic, Knowing Neurons, Neuron, Neurons, Neuroscience, Octopus, Perception, Weird Animal Brain

The octopus almost reaches alien status when it comes to its brain and nervous system. And yet, the differences can help us understand more about the human brain as well… Read more

Did You Know? Neuroscience Technologies

Stimulating Neural Circuits with Magnetism

January 4, 2017June 30, 2017 Joel Frohlich 1 Comment Brain, Broca, Cortex, DBS, Deep Brain Stimulation, depression, Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex, ECT, EEG, electroconvulsive therapy, Motor, Parkinson's, Parkinson's Disease, Prefrontal, Prefrontal Cortex, rDCS, Seizure, TMS, transcranial direct current stimulation, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Brain stimulation might sound like some Frankensteinian demonstration from a Victorian science fair. But in reality, it is a contemporary technique making a huge impact in neuroscience by addressing a… Read more

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