By: Lina Jamis, 1st year student in the Anatomy Graduate Program People love stories—we build social networks around them, we recount them to our friends and families at the end of our day, we whisper them in the dark to our children before they sleep. Stories are all around us, even in the most unlikely of … Continue reading Your Brain on Fiction
Author: lionstalkscience
“Clarifying” Neural Circuitry: A New Technique to Image the Brain
By: Daniel Hass, 1st year PhD student in the Neuroscience Program The brain is complicated. There are hundreds of structures, layers, and cell types interacting with each other in complex ways in order for us to perform simple tasks, such as maintaining heart beat or moving a finger. Much of this complexity comes from the … Continue reading “Clarifying” Neural Circuitry: A New Technique to Image the Brain
Prosopagnosia: Why Some are Blind to Faces
By: Jordan Gaines Lewis, 3rd year PhD candidate in the Neuroscience Program A few years ago, I had an hour-long conversation with one of my college professors in his office discussing his course that had just wrapped up. We veered off-topic toward the end of our talk, broaching the subjects of his grad school days, … Continue reading Prosopagnosia: Why Some are Blind to Faces
Making Mirrors: Our Brain’s Reaction to Familiar Movements
By: Amanda White, Research Technologist in the Department of Psychiatry The Philadelphia Eagles are an exciting NFL team to watch because you never know which team is going to show up: the one that puts up 30+ points, or the one that loses pitifully to the New York Giants. Watching a tennis match is just … Continue reading Making Mirrors: Our Brain’s Reaction to Familiar Movements
“How Can I Join a Lab as an Undergraduate?”
By: Caitlin Millett, 2nd year PhD candidate in the Neuroscience Program There are many benefits to participating in undergraduate research. In most cases, especially in STEM fields, writing a research thesis is a requirement for graduation. Moreover, it’s necessary for a strong application to graduate or medical school. That said, there are many aspects of … Continue reading “How Can I Join a Lab as an Undergraduate?”
From Sacks to Suicidality: Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy and the NFL
By: Jordan Gaines Lewis, 3rd year PhD candidate in the Neuroscience Graduate Program Ah, football. The great American pastime. The fresh cut grass and crisply-painted yard lines. The sound of helmets clashing in an epic stack of large men vying for a single ball. Stands packed high with thousands upon thousands of crazed, prideful, body-painted … Continue reading From Sacks to Suicidality: Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy and the NFL
The Surprising Effects of Exercise on Memory
By: Amanda White, research technologist in the Department of PsychiatryNow that winter has descended upon central Pennsylvania, all I want to do is burrow into a pile of blankets and drink tea. But in the weeks ahead, I have to finish up projects, get together with family and friends, write cards, shop for last-minute gifts, … Continue reading The Surprising Effects of Exercise on Memory
How Does Animal Research Advance Medicine?
By: Ross Keller, 3rd year PhD candidate in the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program A question was submitted to our blog asking: “How does animal research advance medicine?” It is an important question, and I will do my best to answer it. The average human life expectancy has increased dramatically over the past 100 years. In … Continue reading How Does Animal Research Advance Medicine?
Alcohol, Sleep, and Why You Might Re-think that Nightcap
By: Jordan Gaines Lewis, 3rd year PhD candidate in the Neuroscience Program "Alcohol makes you sleepy." We've all heard it. Many of us have experienced it. A few of us even swear by it—enough to ceremonially partake in a glass or two of wine before crawling into bed. A nightcap. In fact, a little booze … Continue reading Alcohol, Sleep, and Why You Might Re-think that Nightcap
Goodbye Sun; Hello SAD
By: Caitlin Millett, 2nd year PhD candidate in the Neuroscience Program It’s that time of year again- the end of daylight savings and the beginning of the dark season. As is ominously stated in Game of Thrones: Winter. Is. Coming. While the majority of us look forward to seasonal festivities, millions can also expect feelings … Continue reading Goodbye Sun; Hello SAD
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