Research is cutting through historical discrimination and gender politics to get to the truth about differences between the brains of men and women
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10 brilliant discoveries about the human brain
With about 86 billion neurons and 3300 types of cells, your brain is one of the most mysterious and complex systems in the universe. In this special issue of New Scientist, we examine 10 brilliant discoveries that bring us closer to wrapping our heads around the human brain and what makes it so special.
The surprising discovery that your brain has its own microbiome is raising an intriguing possibility – that some dementias might be reversible
Your brain burns through the same amount of energy whether you’re daydreaming or taking an exam. So why do we experience mental fatigue?
Recent research suggests teenagers’ brains are particularly suited to coping with volatility and new experiences, including socialising and venturing to unknown places
Strange new types of cells keep coming to light in the human brain. By the latest count, there are more than 3300, and we don’t even know what most of them do
There are 86 billion neurons in your brain, roughly the same number as there are galaxies in the observable universe. Whether the mind is more complex than the cosmos, however, is up for debate
The time of day, the amount of sleep we get and our stage in life can each affect how our brains function. But the good news is there are ways to make sure your brain is working at its best
Forgetfulness can be frustrating, but cognitive scientists reckon it underpins the brain’s capacity to efficiently process sensory information – and its unique ability to generalise our knowledge
Thinking about consciousness from the perspective of a physicist may be key to figuring out whether it is a single phenomenon or a collection of discrete states
With fresh insights into the communication between different brain networks in creative people, neuroscientists have shown how we can all produce more original ideas
