Olympic Gold for Brainwave Performance

Whether or not a competitor stands on the podium wearing an Olympic metal can depend on a thousandth of a second difference in finishing time.  Greater physical performance may not be what separate winners from losers when the margin is that close.  Instead, it can be something beyond the competitor’s will–brainwaves.

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Zika Infects Adult Brain Too

 New research shows that the Zika virus can infect neural stem cells in the adult brain. The Zika virus, which is spread by mosquitoes and causes severe neurodevelopmental defects in infants who become infected by the virus during fetal development, also attacks neural stem cells in the adult brain according to a new study.  The…

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No Fear

In an interesting article in the magazine Nautilus, J.B. MacKinnon, reports that a brain scan (fMRI) of free solo climber, Alex Honnold’s brain explains why he is so willing to risk his life to climb rocks without a rope.  The fear circuitry in his brain is dysfunctional. Alex Honnold climbing without a rope You may…

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