Ahh, birds chirping, leaves rustling … brains GROWING? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. A nice walk in the woods does wonders for a busy mind. But how does growing up near woods-y areas help DEVELOPING minds? Researcher Mikaël Maes at Imperial College London and
Continue readingTag: memory
Slimey Memories
Is slime for brains so bad? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science Organisms with brains can remember important things. Where to get food, how to build shelter, where I left my car keys . . . But what about organisms WITHOUT brains? Enter Mirna Kramar
Continue readingWorkout or Pass Out
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
Continue readingPeriodic Table of Fruit
Atoms, ions, carbon – Welcome to Chemistry one-oh-one! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. The table of periodic elements – quite the alphabet soup! Phosphorus is a P, but Potassium is a….K?? I don’t get it! But what if it was…an edible arrangement? Gregory Watson
Continue readingCoffee or Nap?
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
Continue readingSleep on That!
Does a bad Tuesday night’s sleep mean an even worse Wednesday? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. After a night of tossing and turning, random bad thoughts or memories seem to come out of nowhere to ruin the day! Is there a connection? Marcus Harrington
Continue readingKnow by Heart
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
Continue readingA Snooze Boost
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
Continue readingStimulated Learning
The latest development in learning? It’s literally SHOCKING! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. When you’re learning something new, your brain starts firing electrical pulses. These signals help you track and record information. But – does it work in reverse? Could a jolt of electricity
Continue readingHappy Memories
Remember the happiest day of your life? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science, saying you probably remember a LOT about it! Could positivity be the key to keeping our memories fresh? Emily Hittner and colleagues put their minds to it. They recruited a thousand people
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