Microglia: The protectors of the brain

by Muhammet M. Ozturkfigures by Wei Wu For decades, scientists have been intrigued by how the brain controls the body. This curiosity led them to discover neurons, the brain’s messenger cells. Neurons, which receive, transmit, and process information, are arguably the most famous cells in our brain. The attention they get might suggest that the brain is only made up of neurons. However, about half … Continue reading Microglia: The protectors of the brain

Stop Multitasking on Your Phone: Media Multitasking May Lead to Attention Lapses and Poor Memory

Why is it that some people seem to have better memories than others? A team of scientist from Stanford reported that frequent attention lapses may be a cause, and people who are heavy media multitaskers are more likely to suffer from this. Continue reading Stop Multitasking on Your Phone: Media Multitasking May Lead to Attention Lapses and Poor Memory

What Does a Cognitive Neuroscientist Do?

How do you introduce yourself, scientifically?  My name is Dana Boebinger, and I’m an auditory cognitive neuroscientist. I study how the brain understands sound; I specifically study humans, and how the brain understands the kinds of sounds that are particularly relevant for humans, like speech and music.  What are the implications or broader impacts of your work?  I do basic science, which aims to advance fundamental … Continue reading What Does a Cognitive Neuroscientist Do?