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/05-how-to-see-inside-brain-in-motion http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jun/05-how-to-see-inside-brain-in-motion A new mobile EEG system now lets researchers probe the brain function while people move around naturally. Eliza Strickland http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jun/05-how-to-see-inside-brain-in-motion/key_image Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:30:00 -0500 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:30:00 -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/jun/06-why-does-vaccine-autism-controversy-live-on http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jun/06-why-does-vaccine-autism-controversy-live-on Research has soundly disproved the alleged connection, yet fears about vaccines continue to be a major risk to public health. Chris Mooney http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jun/06-why-does-vaccine-autism-controversy-live-on/key_image Wed, 06 May 2009 19:00:00 -0500 Wed, 06 May 2009 19:00:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/may/01-the-biocentric-universe-life-creates-time-space-cosmos http://discovermagazine.com/2009/may/01-the-biocentric-universe-life-creates-time-space-cosmos Stem-cell guru Robert Lanza presents a radical new view of the universe and everything in it. Robert Lanza and Bob Berman http://discovermagazine.com/2009/may/01-the-biocentric-universe-life-creates-time-space-cosmos/key_image Fri, 01 May 2009 20:50:00 -0500 Fri, 01 May 2009 20:50:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/may/30-the-pentagons-beetle-borgs http://discovermagazine.com/2009/may/30-the-pentagons-beetle-borgs With the mind of a machine and the nimble body of an insect, this bug-bot may be the perfect scout: inexpensive, expendable, and capable of surreptitious reconnaissance. Stephen Ornes http://discovermagazine.com/2009/may/30-the-pentagons-beetle-borgs/key_image Thu, 30 Apr 2009 08:05:00 -0500 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 08:05:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/may/24-looking-at-stress-and-god-in-man.s-brain http://discovermagazine.com/2009/may/24-looking-at-stress-and-god-in-man.s-brain DISCOVER reporter David Ewing Duncan uses fMRI to try to track his thoughts on some big questions. David Ewing Duncan; photography by Kathrin Miller http://discovermagazine.com/2009/may/24-looking-at-stress-and-god-in-man.s-brain/key_image Fri, 24 Apr 2009 10:40:00 -0500 Fri, 24 Apr 2009 10:40:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/may/17-tapping-brain.s-defenses-to-fight-alzeimer.s http://discovermagazine.com/2009/may/17-tapping-brain.s-defenses-to-fight-alzeimer.s A natural brain protein and insulin, of all things, may lead to effective treatments. Sam Kissinger http://discovermagazine.com/2009/may/17-tapping-brain.s-defenses-to-fight-alzeimer.s/key_image Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:30:00 -0500 Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:30:00 -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/02-are-smart-drugs-the-answer-to-bad-moods-and-bad-economy http://discovermagazine.com/2009/apr/02-are-smart-drugs-the-answer-to-bad-moods-and-bad-economy Tomorrow's brain-hacking neuropharmaceuticals will leave today's bunch in the dust. “Think of millions of workers in India or China cognitively enhanced with neuropharmaceuticals that boost productivity. Will the United States be able to place these drugs off-limits and compete?” Sherry Baker http://discovermagazine.com/2009/apr/02-are-smart-drugs-the-answer-to-bad-moods-and-bad-economy/key_image Thu, 02 Apr 2009 08:05:00 -0500 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 08:05:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/apr/29-a-gland-failure http://discovermagazine.com/2009/apr/29-a-gland-failure When adrenal functions go out of whack, the mind and body respond in startling ways. Robert Norman http://discovermagazine.com/2009/apr/29-a-gland-failure/key_image Sun, 29 Mar 2009 20:00:00 -0500 Sun, 29 Mar 2009 20:00:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/the-brain/26-music-melody-strange-pull-they-exert-over-our-minds http://discovermagazine.com/2009/the-brain/26-music-melody-strange-pull-they-exert-over-our-minds Cognitive scientist Matthew Schulkind knows "earworms" inside and out—especially those spawned by the Wiggles. Shannon Sweeney http://discovermagazine.com/2009/the-brain/26-music-melody-strange-pull-they-exert-over-our-minds/key_image Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:15:00 -0500 Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:15:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/the-brain/24-which-brain-games-will-help-you-the-most http://discovermagazine.com/2009/the-brain/24-which-brain-games-will-help-you-the-most Recent studies have shown that mental training can actually increase your brain power in certain ways, and people are spending lots of time—and money—on such training. Here DISCOVER rates and reviews six brain game Web sites. Adam T. Hadhazy http://discovermagazine.com/2009/the-brain/24-which-brain-games-will-help-you-the-most/key_image Tue, 24 Mar 2009 07:40:00 -0500 Tue, 24 Mar 2009 07:40:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/apr/22-new-theory-about-why-sleep-maintain-immune-system http://discovermagazine.com/2009/apr/22-new-theory-about-why-sleep-maintain-immune-system New study shows that mammals that sleep more have more immune cells and fewer parasites. Amy Barth http://discovermagazine.com/2009/apr/22-new-theory-about-why-sleep-maintain-immune-system/key_image Sun, 22 Mar 2009 20:40:00 -0500 Sun, 22 Mar 2009 20:40:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/apr/18-the-pugnacious-paper-that-aims-to-turn-neuroscience-on-its-head http://discovermagazine.com/2009/apr/18-the-pugnacious-paper-that-aims-to-turn-neuroscience-on-its-head fMRI has revolutionized our understanding of the brain. But some researchers say it's actually a big misunderstanding. Andrew Grant http://discovermagazine.com/2009/apr/18-the-pugnacious-paper-that-aims-to-turn-neuroscience-on-its-head/key_image Wed, 18 Mar 2009 07:20:00 -0500 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 07:20:00 -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/04-can-a-dvd-teach-kids-with-autism-to-understand-emotions http://discovermagazine.com/2009/mar/04-can-a-dvd-teach-kids-with-autism-to-understand-emotions The creators of a new animated series say it can offer hope for children with autism—and major functional improvements. Melissa Lafsky http://discovermagazine.com/2009/mar/04-can-a-dvd-teach-kids-with-autism-to-understand-emotions/key_image Wed, 04 Mar 2009 10:00:00 -0600 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 10:00:00 -0600 Web Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/mar/26-unlocking-brain-secrets-and-powers http://discovermagazine.com/2009/mar/26-unlocking-brain-secrets-and-powers Top neuroscientists explain the strengths, weaknesses, and vagaries of the human mind. Photography by Michael McGregor http://discovermagazine.com/2009/mar/26-unlocking-brain-secrets-and-powers/key_image Thu, 26 Feb 2009 12:30:00 -0600 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 12:30:00 -0600 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/mar/11-we-all-live-in-darwins-world http://discovermagazine.com/2009/mar/11-we-all-live-in-darwins-world “Survival of the fittest” is helping us understand not only the origin of species but also love, politics, and even the cosmos. Karen Wright http://discovermagazine.com/2009/mar/11-we-all-live-in-darwins-world/key_image Wed, 11 Feb 2009 08:15:00 -0600 Wed, 11 Feb 2009 08:15:00 -0600 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/feb/21-what-can-strippers-tell-us-about-evolution http://discovermagazine.com/2009/feb/21-what-can-strippers-tell-us-about-evolution How has human sexual choice shaped evolution? Psychologist Geoffrey Miller has set out to find out. Here, he answers DISCOVER's questions about his work. Fred Hapgood http://discovermagazine.com/2009/feb/21-what-can-strippers-tell-us-about-evolution/key_image Wed, 21 Jan 2009 08:55:00 -0600 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 08:55:00 -0600 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/feb/20-think-animals-dont-think-like-us-think-again http://discovermagazine.com/2009/feb/20-think-animals-dont-think-like-us-think-again The story of the life—and death—of a remarkable parrot who taught scientists that the minds of birds and humans are far less different than we think. Irene M. Pepperberg; Illustrations by Scott Bakal http://discovermagazine.com/2009/feb/20-think-animals-dont-think-like-us-think-again/key_image Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:00:00 -0600 Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:00:00 -0600 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/feb/16-what-makes-you-uniquely-you http://discovermagazine.com/2009/feb/16-what-makes-you-uniquely-you What is consciousness? How does it work? Can it be created artificially? Gerald Edelman has spent a career studying these questions, and now reveals his answers. Susan Kruglinski http://discovermagazine.com/2009/feb/16-what-makes-you-uniquely-you/key_image Fri, 16 Jan 2009 10:05:00 -0600 Fri, 16 Jan 2009 10:05:00 -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/2009/feb/10-skip-and-a-jump-towards-curing-paralysis http://discovermagazine.com/2009/feb/10-skip-and-a-jump-towards-curing-paralysis A cure for paralysis has long seemed like a medical pipe dream. But now, scientists have made major progress, using none other than primates. Eliza Strickland http://discovermagazine.com/2009/feb/10-skip-and-a-jump-towards-curing-paralysis/key_image Sat, 10 Jan 2009 10:05:00 -0600 Sat, 10 Jan 2009 10:05:00 -0600 Print Article