Sleepy Children, Happy Children

Image of young girl napping on textbooks.

Hey kid, falling asleep at your desk! WAKE UP!  This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Children have IMMENSE energy one moment. But then, . . . they’re out like a light! But is there something GOOD about that nap? Jianghong Liu from University of Pennsylvania and an international team

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Help Needed

Diffusion of responsibility, bystander effect illustration — Stock Image & Photo from depositphotos.com

HELLLP! Somebody nabbed MY grocery cart in the Trader Joe’s parking lot! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. The “bystander effect” claims that individuals are less likely to help when other people are around. But what’s the chance that at least ONE person steps up?  

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Virtual Recovery

Man with virtual reality headset.

Recovery’s about to get REAL — virtually! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science, saying…. Fire up the video games – and let the healing begin! Ruei-Ching Lin at Tri‐Service General Hospital in Taiwan and her team had an idea! Could virtual reality, or V-R, help

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Workout or Pass Out

Photo of Asian female studying and biting pencil in frustration.

Finals season – time to pull an all-nighter!  This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science, saying…can I just get forty winks first?  We know that both sleep and exercise are good for memory. But in which order? Is there a “magic formula”  to cram for that

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Friendly Brains

Women forming heart gestures during daytime in a grass field

Birds of a feather flock together. But how about us humans? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Do you and your besties share a love of knitting? Schlocky horror movies? Barbershop quartets? Sure, but just how alike are you? Ryan Hyon from UCLA and colleagues

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Dream and Learn

Green maze seen from above

Whoa, I’m flying! Or…is it just a dream? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Dreams can be so bizarre and fun. One minute you’re back in kindergarten, the next you’re floating in outer space! But WHY do we dream? Enter Erin Wamsley and colleagues from

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Coffee or Nap?

Two cups of coffee on a potable table placed on a bed

Foggy brain? How do YOU recharge your batteries — nap or coffee? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Chug down a grande frappuccino after lunch and whoa, you are rip-roaring and ready to go! But does coffee ACTUALLY help? Sara Mednick and colleagues at the

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Know by Heart

Woman looking at other woman with wondering face

Do I know you? My heart says yes! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Memories…light the corners of our minds! But what about our hearts? Enter Katia Mattarozzi and colleagues from University of Bologna in Italy. They wondered – is there a connection between heart

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A Snooze Boost

Person sleeping

Exams…ugh! I’m drinking Red Bull and pulling all-nighters but I can’t remember ANYTHING! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. After a good night’s sleep, our memory is tip-top compared to when we’re more bleary-eyed. But how does a snooze help us remember? Jing Zhang and

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