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Brain

Thousands of infants born in Brazil have been reported to show signs of microcephaly, like Alice pictured here being comforted by her father.

How Can Viruses Like Zika Cause Birth Defects?

While the link between Zika and microcephaly is uncertain, similar diseases show how the virus might be affecting infants

New Research

People’s Brain Chemistry May Reveal the Hour of Their Death

The tiny biological clocks ticking away inside the body stop when life ends, leaving a timestamp of sorts

In transcranial magnetic stimulation, a magnetic device placed near the skull delivers painless pulses to the brain.

Could Magnets Help Treat Drug Addiction?

A new study suggests transcranial magnetic simulation could reduce cravings in cocaine addicts

An ultra-marathoner runs the Ultra tour de Mont Blanc

New Research

An Unexpected Effect of Ultra-Marathons: Brain Shrinkage

Don’t worry, it isn’t permanent

Male or female? Turns out there's no distinction.

New Research

There’s No Such Thing as a Male or Female Brain

When it comes to sex traits, brains are consistently inconsistent

A bomb blast engulfs a mountainside near the town of Barg-e Matal in Afghanistan.

New Research

Shock Waves May Create Dangerous Bubbles in the Brain

Lab experiments show how people who survive explosions may still carry cellular damage that can cause psychological problems

Scientists reconfigured a magnetic resonance scanner to capture a woman and her baby.

Why I Captured This MRI of a Mother and Child

A venerable symbol of human love, as you’ve never seen it before

This image shows a Fuxianhuia protensa specimen from the Chenjiang fossil beds in southwest China. The ancient arthropod was just under 5 inches in length.

New Research

How to Fossilize a Brain

A new study shows that brains can can fossilize like bones

New Research

Sleepwalkers Might Not Feel Pain, at Least Until They Wake up

By day, sleepwalkers may suffer chronic pain, but by night they can jump through windows without feeling a thing

Five Things We’ve Learned About Fear Since Last Halloween

Including why screams get our brain’s attention and why a drop of “love hormone” in our nose could make us less fearful

What makes these guys creepy?

On the Science of Creepiness

A look at what’s really going on when we get the creeps

The app uses facial expression-tracking technology.

Can an App Help Detect Autism?

Duke University researchers are using facial expression-tracking technology to screen for autism spectrum disorders

New Research

Where Do Hallucinations Come From? It May Just Be What You’ve Seen

It may be our brains overriding what is there with what it expects to see, according to new research

New Research

When You Space Out, Parts of Your Brain go to Sleep

Midday drowsiness might mean you’re already drifting off

New Research

Prosthetics Could Soon Have a Sense of Touch

A technology suprisingly inspired by Darth Vader

Innovative Spirit Health Care

Six Ways Electrical Brain Stimulation Could Be Used in the Future

Scientists are exploring how mild electrical shocks can treat, and perhaps even change, brains

It's OK, buddy. We're here to help.

New Research

Domestication Seems to Have Made Dogs a Bit Dim

Thanks to their relationship with us, dogs are less adept at solving tricky puzzles than their wolf relatives

Innovative Spirit Health Care

How Is Brain Surgery Like Flying? Put On a Headset to Find Out

A device made for gaming helps brain surgeons plan and execute delicate surgeries with extreme precision

More than 200 concussions occurred in last year's NFL season.

Innovative Spirit Health Care

The Future of Concussions: How 5 New Advances Could Change Treatment

Scientists and engineers are working on ways to diagnose, treat and prevent head injuries

This is your brain on science.

“Hidden Brain” Podcast Will Make You Think Twice About Your Unconscious Mind

In the new NPR program, correspondent Shankar Vedantam connects rigorous science with people’s everyday experiences

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