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
Neuroscience
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
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
Optogenetics and the Future of Brain Mapping
By: Andrew Huhn, 3rd year PhD candidate in the Neuroscience Program Optogenetics is one of the most significant advances in neuroscience in the last decade. The very concept of optogenetics appears to come straight from a science fiction novel: we can control the brain with a laser! Okay, so that’s a bit of an overstatement, but not … Continue reading Optogenetics and the Future of Brain Mapping
Sleep Cycle Apps: Precise, or Placebo?
By: Jordan Gaines Lewis, 3rd year PhD candidate in the Neuroscience Program Thanks to the Internet, it's the age of self-diagnosis. People like to learn about (and treat) themselves through technology. Especially when pretty graphs are involved (see fancy screenshot at left). As a sleep researcher, I was interested in my friends' use of sleep-tracking … Continue reading Sleep Cycle Apps: Precise, or Placebo?
Shedding Light on Vision
By: Andrew Huhn, 2nd year PhD candidate in the Neuroscience Graduate Program Have you ever had an overly philosophical conversation with a friend where you ask, “Do you think the color blue I see is the same color blue that you see?” There is no right way to answer this—because who knows, right? It’s interesting to think … Continue reading Shedding Light on Vision
Why Do People Sleep? Surprisingly, Nobody Knows
By: Jordan Gaines, 2nd year PhD candidate in the Neuroscience Graduate Program Why do people eat? The answer is obvious: to convert food into energy for us to do work. We wouldn't be able to move or think otherwise, and lack of food would eventually starve us to death. Now consider: why do people sleep? According to … Continue reading Why Do People Sleep? Surprisingly, Nobody Knows
Getting a Sleep Study: What’s All That Stuff They Put on Me?!
By: Jordan Gaines, 2nd year PhD candidate in the Neuroscience Graduate Program Have you ever had a sleep study done? Perhaps you or a loved one has been referred to a sleep clinic for insomnia, apnea, narcolepsy, or restless legs syndrome. Maybe you’ve participated in a sleep research study—and if you’re in central Pennsylvania, you may even … Continue reading Getting a Sleep Study: What’s All That Stuff They Put on Me?!
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