#brain-development

#brain-development

The problem is not just social media, but rather the quick "hits" of news, entertainment, and other information we experience all day long. These short bites, without context, are diminishing our prefrontal neural networks and affecting our ability to plan, organize, and solve problems. Teens who think they understand an issue because they've seen a 15-second video about it have not only missed the news, but they've missed the opportunity to understand context, evaluate sources, and draw conclusions. And it's damaging their brains along the way.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are RNA molecules that do not encode proteins, which led to their dismissal by many scientists as unimportant as it relates to DNA processes. For years, laboratories lacked the tools to study these molecules, and their roles in cellular processes remained obscure. However, the new study demonstrates that lncRNAs are far from inert, said Jhumku Kohtz, PhD, research professor in the Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology's Divison of Comprehensive Neurology and senior author of the study.

A study conducted on mice has revealed that a high-sucrose diet during the developmental period significantly rewires their brains, affecting cognitive functions later in life.

In our digital world, cursive has fallen by the wayside, but there are many reasons for students to get a basic grasp on cursive writing.