The Head Lines section of Scientific American Mind’s May/June issue mentioned the following articles in brief. Click on the links to learn more about them.
Our ability to metabolize alcohol goes back millions of years, according to a genetic study. Athletic performance is strongly influenced by our circadian rhythms—early birds often play better during daytime games. Professional football players who started the sport before age 12 were found to be more impaired in memory and intelligence than those who started at an older age. Hot or cold climates may have influenced whether languages evolved to be tonal or not. Viruses in our DNA may affect brain development. A conscientious spouse can make promotions more likely at work. Dogs can tell the difference between happy and angry human faces. Video-based coaching could help parents improve the social and cognitive development of babies at high risk of autism. Extremely gifted boys choose higher paying and more prestigious jobs than extremely gifted girls do, according to research that has been following child prodigies since the 1970s. Extraordinary experiences may seem disappointing without friends or family around to share the thrill. A single gene may have enabled the massive expansion of the neocortex in humans, Neandertals and other hominins, underlying the huge strides in intelligence that set hominins apart from apes. Symptoms may improve more if patients think they are taking a very expensive drug rather than a cheap one. People who have lucid dreams may also be better at metacognition, the ability to reflect on one’s own thoughts. Crows may understand analogies and the concept of “same” versus “different.” Letting your gut decide may not be the best course of action after all.
- Our ability to metabolize alcohol goes back millions of years, according to a genetic study.
- Athletic performance is strongly influenced by our circadian rhythms—early birds often play better during daytime games.
- Professional football players who started the sport before age 12 were found to be more impaired in memory and intelligence than those who started at an older age.
- Hot or cold climates may have influenced whether languages evolved to be tonal or not.
- Viruses in our DNA may affect brain development.
- A conscientious spouse can make promotions more likely at work.
- Dogs can tell the difference between happy and angry human faces.
- Video-based coaching could help parents improve the social and cognitive development of babies at high risk of autism.
- Extremely gifted boys choose higher paying and more prestigious jobs than extremely gifted girls do, according to research that has been following child prodigies since the 1970s.
- Extraordinary experiences may seem disappointing without friends or family around to share the thrill.
- A single gene may have enabled the massive expansion of the neocortex in humans, Neandertals and other hominins, underlying the huge strides in intelligence that set hominins apart from apes.
- Symptoms may improve more if patients think they are taking a very expensive drug rather than a cheap one.
- People who have lucid dreams may also be better at metacognition, the ability to reflect on one’s own thoughts.
- Crows may understand analogies and the concept of “same” versus “different.”
- Letting your gut decide may not be the best course of action after all.
