http://discovermagazine.com Science, Technology, and The Future http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jul-aug/15-brain-stop-paying-attention-zoning-out-crucial-mental-state http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jul-aug/15-brain-stop-paying-attention-zoning-out-crucial-mental-state Researchers say a wandering mind may be important to setting goals, making discoveries, and living a balanced life. Carl Zimmer http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jul-aug/15-brain-stop-paying-attention-zoning-out-crucial-mental-state/key_image Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:15:00 -0500 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:15:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jun/15-can-single-neuron-tell-halle-berry-from-grandma-esther http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jun/15-can-single-neuron-tell-halle-berry-from-grandma-esther A new theory says the brain stores complex pieces of information in "sparse-coding networks." Carl Zimmer http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jun/15-can-single-neuron-tell-halle-berry-from-grandma-esther/key_image Fri, 15 May 2009 10:45:00 -0500 Fri, 15 May 2009 10:45:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/may/15-big-similarities-and-quirky-differences-between-our-left-and-right-brains http://discovermagazine.com/2009/may/15-big-similarities-and-quirky-differences-between-our-left-and-right-brains A broken symmetry from our evolutionary heritage is part of what makes us human. Carl Zimmer http://discovermagazine.com/2009/may/15-big-similarities-and-quirky-differences-between-our-left-and-right-brains/key_image Wed, 15 Apr 2009 08:00:00 -0500 Wed, 15 Apr 2009 08:00:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/apr/16-could-dose-ether-contain-secret-consciousness http://discovermagazine.com/2009/apr/16-could-dose-ether-contain-secret-consciousness Researchers may soon be able to measure consciousness as well as we can measure a person's temperature. Carl Zimmer http://discovermagazine.com/2009/apr/16-could-dose-ether-contain-secret-consciousness/key_image Mon, 16 Mar 2009 08:40:00 -0500 Mon, 16 Mar 2009 08:40:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/mar/17-is-patriotism-a-subconscious-way-for-humans-to-avoid-disease http://discovermagazine.com/2009/mar/17-is-patriotism-a-subconscious-way-for-humans-to-avoid-disease Another example of the “behavioral immune system”: Test subjects react more positively to “Bob” (healthy but has a port-wine birthmark on his face) than to “Jake” (looks normal but has tuberculosis). Carl Zimmer http://discovermagazine.com/2009/mar/17-is-patriotism-a-subconscious-way-for-humans-to-avoid-disease/key_image Wed, 18 Feb 2009 08:15:00 -0600 Wed, 18 Feb 2009 08:15:00 -0600 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/feb/15-how-google-is-making-us-smarter http://discovermagazine.com/2009/feb/15-how-google-is-making-us-smarter Critics are attacking the Internet, charging that it's making society collectively dumber. In fact, humans are "natural-born cyborgs," and the Internet is our giant "extended mind." Carl Zimmer http://discovermagazine.com/2009/feb/15-how-google-is-making-us-smarter/key_image Thu, 15 Jan 2009 08:45:00 -0600 Thu, 15 Jan 2009 08:45:00 -0600 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2008/dec/10-mom-and-dad-are-fighting-in-your-genes-and-your-brain http://discovermagazine.com/2008/dec/10-mom-and-dad-are-fighting-in-your-genes-and-your-brain A new theory says our brains contain a battle of the sexes -- a tug-of-war between our mother's genes and our father's genes. If the mother's genes win in a rout, we develop schizophrenia; if the father's genes kick ass, we develop autism. Carl Zimmer http://discovermagazine.com/2008/dec/10-mom-and-dad-are-fighting-in-your-genes-and-your-brain/key_image Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:10:00 -0600 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:10:00 -0600 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2008/nov/15-why-darwin-would-have-loved-botox http://discovermagazine.com/2008/nov/15-why-darwin-would-have-loved-botox Could crinkling your forehead to express surprise be the work of evolution? Charles Darwin thought so. But how will modern advances like Botox change our ability to express emotion—and others' ability to receive it? Carl Zimmer http://discovermagazine.com/2008/nov/15-why-darwin-would-have-loved-botox/key_image Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:40:00 -0500 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:40:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2008/oct/15-could-an-inner-zombie-be-controlling-your-brain http://discovermagazine.com/2008/oct/15-could-an-inner-zombie-be-controlling-your-brain Scientists have found evidence that the self-aware part of our brains isn't always in charge. One theory is that the inner zombie frees our conscious mind to focus on more interesting things. Carl Zimmer http://discovermagazine.com/2008/oct/15-could-an-inner-zombie-be-controlling-your-brain/key_image Mon, 08 Sep 2008 13:25:28 +0000 Mon, 08 Sep 2008 13:25:28 +0000 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2008/aug/11-how-your-brain-can-control-time http://discovermagazine.com/2008/aug/11-how-your-brain-can-control-time The three methods your mind uses to reverse, speed, and even slow the minutes. Carl Zimmer http://discovermagazine.com/2008/aug/11-how-your-brain-can-control-time/key_image Sat, 12 Jul 2008 13:05:00 +0000 Sat, 12 Jul 2008 13:05:00 +0000 Print Article