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Brain Waves

Exploring how we think, learn and connect.

Health
The Power of Purpose and Meaning in Life

Lydia Denworth on January 12, 2019

The secret to healthy aging? A new study reveals the powerful, positive, and pervasive effects of filling life with people and activities that feel worthwhile.

The secret to healthy aging? A new study reveals the powerful, positive, and pervasive effects of filling life with people and activities that feel worthwhile.

Motivation
How to Cross the Finish Line

Lydia Denworth on December 31, 2018

Long-term goals like writing a book or running a marathon are hard to accomplish. But there are ways to tackle them that help you get where you want to go.

Long-term goals like writing a book or running a marathon are hard to accomplish. But there are ways to tackle them that help you get where you want to go.

Media
Get Off Twitter and . . . Clean the Bathroom?

Lydia Denworth on December 10, 2018

Do you fear social media is getting in the way of time with friends and family? A new study examined how people spend their time when they log off. The results were surprising.

Do you fear social media is getting in the way of time with friends and family? A new study examined how people spend their time when they log off. The results were surprising.

Parenting
How to Be a Happier Parent

Lydia Denworth on September 7, 2018

Parenting is a joy, except for all the times it's not. If you are looking for a little more everyday happiness, a new book has practical ideas.

Parenting is a joy, except for all the times it's not. If you are looking for a little more everyday happiness, a new book has practical ideas.

Memory
An Upside to the Adolescent Brain

Lydia Denworth on August 27, 2018

The teenage brain gets a bad rap, but it's not all about risk-taking. Emerging brain research shows the adolescent love of reward is good for learning and memory.

The teenage brain gets a bad rap, but it's not all about risk-taking. Emerging brain research shows the adolescent love of reward is good for learning and memory.

Memory
The Link Between Exercise and Memory (and Sleep?)

Lydia Denworth on July 17, 2018

Does your mind feel clearer and your memory sharper after a workout? A new study explains how exercise changes the brain to improve your ability to remember new skills.

Does your mind feel clearer and your memory sharper after a workout? A new study explains how exercise changes the brain to improve your ability to remember new skills.

Loneliness
Why You Need a Social Convoy

Lydia Denworth on June 30, 2018

Worried about loneliness? It's critical to pay attention early and often to the close friends and family who move with you through life.

Worried about loneliness? It's critical to pay attention early and often to the close friends and family who move with you through life.

Parenting
How Parenting Is Hard-Wired

Lydia Denworth on April 11, 2018

Being a mother or father means making big changes in behavior. For the first time, scientists have worked out the details of a brain-wide circuit for parenting.

Being a mother or father means making big changes in behavior. For the first time, scientists have worked out the details of a brain-wide circuit for parenting.

Sleep
What Happens in the Brain During Unconsciousness

Lydia Denworth on March 6, 2018

People have wondered about the mysteries of the unconscious brain for centuries. Three new studies shed a little more light and show the brain is still working, but differently.

People have wondered about the mysteries of the unconscious brain for centuries. Three new studies shed a little more light and show the brain is still working, but differently.

Mating
Wooing with Song and Mating for Life

Lydia Denworth on February 12, 2018

We fall in love with our eyes and ears. That's why communication is so important, for people and for songbirds.

We fall in love with our eyes and ears. That's why communication is so important, for people and for songbirds.

Relationships
Who Are the Difficult People in Your Life?

Lydia Denworth on January 24, 2018

Social connection isn't all positive. Sometimes we're stuck dealing with demanding people. A new study reveals who they are, and why we can't abandon them.

Social connection isn't all positive. Sometimes we're stuck dealing with demanding people. A new study reveals who they are, and why we can't abandon them.

Sleep
The Connection Between Writing and Sleep

Lydia Denworth on January 12, 2018

Do you have trouble falling asleep? A new study reveals that writing for a few minutes is an easy and effective solution. But what you write about makes all the difference.

Do you have trouble falling asleep? A new study reveals that writing for a few minutes is an easy and effective solution. But what you write about makes all the difference.

Friends
How to Be a Good Friend

Lydia Denworth on December 21, 2017

Who will you celebrate with in the festive weeks to come? A year of researching friendship reveals the importance of prioritizing, laughing, and giving thoughtfully.

Who will you celebrate with in the festive weeks to come? A year of researching friendship reveals the importance of prioritizing, laughing, and giving thoughtfully.

Empathy
The Two Channels of Empathy

Lydia Denworth on December 2, 2017

Is empathy an instinctive sharing of emotion? Or is it understanding how other people feel? According to the latest scientific thinking, it's both.

Is empathy an instinctive sharing of emotion? Or is it understanding how other people feel? According to the latest scientific thinking, it's both.

Sleep
Sleep Strengthens Recent Learning and Negative Memories

Lydia Denworth on November 16, 2017

What happens in the brain during sleep? Quite a lot. Machine learning and EEG are revealing how memories, especially negative ones, and learning are boosted while we're asleep.

What happens in the brain during sleep? Quite a lot. Machine learning and EEG are revealing how memories, especially negative ones, and learning are boosted while we're asleep.

Altruism
Why Be Tolerant? Lessons From Bonobos

Lydia Denworth on November 10, 2017

Humans aren't the only species willing to help strangers for no benefit. Bonobos, one of our closest relatives, do it, too.

Humans aren't the only species willing to help strangers for no benefit. Bonobos, one of our closest relatives, do it, too.