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Should children learn a second language?
The Los Angeles Times: Does being bilingual help children learn to prioritize information, provide a defense against some effects of Alzheimer's or just provide a great workout for the brain? All of the above, according to studies discussed Friday at the 2011 American Assn. for the Advancement of Science meeting in Washington D.C., where a number of researchers presented on the benefits of being bilingual. Read the whole story: The Los Angeles Times
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I 5683 you: When texting takes over our brains
The Toronto Star: Trying to get your crush to notice you? You may want to change your cellphone number. Frequent texting has so rewired our brains, says a recent German study, that when dialling numbers we unconsciously think of the words behind them. We even adopt the emotional feeling of the words, such that we prefer dialling numbers that correspond to “positive” words, such as LOVE (5683) or FRIEND (374363), rather than FEAR (3327) or SLIME (75463). Read the whole story: The Toronto Star
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Your mother may be to blame for your relationship woes
The Los Angeles Times: The strength of the bond you formed with Mom during the first two years of life strongly affects how efficiently you and your partner will move beyond a fight and join forces to accomplish mutual goals, a new study finds. But if those first years failed to cement your attachment to Mom, take heart: the same study suggests that finding a mellow mate--someone who "gets over it" quickly in the wake of an argument--can help even the insecurely attached to find happiness in a relationship. Read the whole story: The Los Angeles Times
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2 languages make your brain buff
CNN: If you had any doubts about exposing your child - or yourself - to a foreign language, there's more evidence than ever that being bilingual has enormous benefits for your brain. Scientists presented their research supporting this idea Friday at the American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting in Washington, D.C. Read the whole story: CNN
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What Watson Can Learn From the Human Brain
Wired: Watson won. That set of microchips will soon join the pantheon of machines that have defeated humans, from the steam-powered hammer that killed John Henry to the Deep Blue supercomputer that battled Kasparov. Predictably enough, the victory inspired a chorus of “computer overlord” anxieties, as people used the victory of microchips to proclaim the decline of the human mind, or at least the coming of the singularity. Read the whole story: Wired
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Finger Tapping Test Could Aid in ADHD Diagnosis
The cause of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which affects roughly 5.4 million kids in the United States alone, remains unknown. But new research into "mirror movements" sheds light on the mysterious neurobehavioral disorder and might even aid in its diagnosis. "This would be quite valuable," said APS Member Michael Manos, who directs the pediatric behavioral health department at the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital. "Even more important is the possibility that the methods, once developed, would assist us to monitor response to the medical treatment of ADHD." But Manos urges parents to not use motor movements to diagnose ADHD in their children.
