Concussion: More than ‘getting your bell rung’
Think a head injury isn’t a big deal? Think again. This common brain injury can cause serious – and lasting – damage. (Science News Explores, Online. February 20, 2013)
Classroom discussion questions (Grades 6 and up)
Stem cells: The secret to change
Recent discoveries in cellular research might just pave the way to restore sight to the blind, repair damaged spinal cords, or even overcome genetic disease. (Science News Explores, Online. April 10, 2013)
Classroom discussion questions (Grades 6 and up)
Some dirt won’t hurt
Not only is it okay to get dirty, it may even reduce risk of asthma and allergies. Find out why (and how to clean up properly after playing outdoors). (Science News Explores, Online. July 17, 2013)
Classroom discussion questions (Grades 6 and up)
Learning rewires the brain
As we learn, our brains rewire. In the process, brain cells change shape and even fire backwards. (Science News Explores, Online. September 2, 2014)
Classroom discussion questions (Grades 6 and up)
Air pollutants strike a blow to the brain
Scientists track super-small pollutants into the brain, where they can cause damage similar to that in people with Alzheimer’s disease. (Science News Explores, Online. December 17, 2014)
Classroom discussion questions (Grades 6 and up)
Stress for Success
Stress doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Find out how psychologists help anxious teens put their worries to good use. (Science News Explores, Online. March 20, 2015)
Classroom discussion questions (Grades 6 and up)
When every face is a stranger’s face
You may find it easy to spot someone you know in a crowd, but for people with ‘face blindness’ every face looks the same: eyes, nose, mouth, ears. Learn more about this condition that affects as many as two in every 100 people. (Science News Explores, Online. November 13, 2015)
Classroom discussion questions (Grades 6 and up)
What is IQ—and how much does it matter?
You may have heard of IQ or taken a IQ test. But what does your IQ score tell you about your ability to succeed? Maybe not as much as you think. (Science News Explores, Online. October 13, 2016)
Classroom discussion questions (Grades 6 and up)
What makes a pretty face?
Beauty is only skin deep, or so the saying goes. And yet we have a hard time ignoring a pretty face. Why is that, and what is it that makes a face beautiful? Oddly enough, it has to do with being average.(Science News Explores, Online. December 5, 2016)
Classroom discussion questions (Grades 6 and up)
Tattoos: The good, the bad and the bumpy
Some people treat skin like a canvas, “painting” it with tattoos. That permanent ink can cause allergic reactions, or it can boost the immune system. But beware: many inks aren’t meant to be used on the human body. (Science News Explores, Online. May 11, 2017)
Classroom discussion questions (Grades 6 and up)
Think you’re not biased? Think again
Everyone has biases against other groups of people: blacks, women, and the obese for a start. But those biases can be changed. The first step? Recognizing that you have them. (Science News Explores, Online. June 22, 2017)
Classroom discussion questions (Grades 6 and up)
Night lights have a dark side
Bright lights at night create light pollution, which alters animal behavior (including our own) and may even lead to diseases like cancer. The good news? It’s the easiest kind of pollution to control. (Science News Explores, Online. July 27, 2017)
Classroom discussion questions (Grades 6 and up)
Mindfulness in eating pays the body big dividends
Savoring each bite of a meal helps us slow down when we eat, which improves the experience and makes smaller amounts of food more enjoyable. It can also lead to better health. (Science News Explores, Online. August 17, 2017)
Classroom discussion questions (Grades 6 and up)
Social media: What’s not to like?
Social media interactions can help boost self-esteem for tweens and teens.But they can also contribute to ‘drama’ and even foster depression. Part 1 of Social Media story. (Science News Explores, Online. October 12, 2017)
Classroom discussion questions (Grades 6 and up)
The power of ‘like’
‘Liking’ an online post is an easy way to show approval, but even a single ‘like’ can change the kinds of information people see and even affect their behavior. Part 2 of Social Media story. (Science News Explores, Online. October 17, 2017)
Classroom discussion questions (Grades 6 and up)
Increasingly, chocolate-makers turn to science
Chocolate is more than just a sweet treat: It contains nutrients and other plant chemicals that may boost health. Scientists are working to grow stronger, healthier trees and make cocoa that’s rich in health-boosting chemicals. (Science News Explores, Online. February 8, 2018)
Classroom discussion questions (Grades 6 and up)
Athletes’ head injuries can provoke surprisingly long-lasting harm
New research on concussions suggests that the brain may remain injured for months, even years, after a head injury. And long-term damage can occur even without a concussion. (Science News Explores, Online. February 15, 2018)
Classroom discussion questions (Grades 6 and up)
Here’s what puts teen drivers at greatest risk of a crash
Teen drivers are more likely to get into car crashes than adult drivers. Inexperience and lack of attention to what’s happening on the road play a role in those youthful accidents. (Science News Explores, Online. October 11, 2018)
Classroom discussion questions (Grades 6 and up)
What part of us knows right from wrong?
Pinocchio had Jiminy Cricket instead of a conscience, but the rest of us have an internal sense of right and wrong. Where does that sense come from and why do we have it? (Science News Explores, Online. March 21, 2019)
Classroom discussion questions (Grades 6 and up)
Don’t snooze on getting enough sleep
Sleep boosts mood, regulates weight, and even helps you learn. If you’re not getting enough you’re probably feeling the effects. But be careful not to nap too much! (Science News Explores, Online. September 19, 2019)
Classroom discussion questions (Grades 6 and up)
The color of body fat might affect how trim people are
Brown, beige, white? Not all body fat is the same. In fact, brown and beige fat burn calories, instead of storing them. Learn about these different types of fat, why they do what they do, and how adding beige fat could become a key to good health. (Science News Explores, Online. October 10, 2019)
Classroom discussion questions (Grades 6 and up)
Zapping the brain may make it work right again
Medicine can help people with a variety of brain disorders, but it doesn’t work for everyone. What do people do when they can’t find relief? Some are turning to deep brain stimulation. Zapping the brain can provide relief from otherwise insufferable symptoms. (Science News Explores, Online. March 26, 2020)
Classroom discussion questions (Grades 6 and up)
Teen depression linked to how the brain processes rewards
Depression is far more than just feeling sad. Many people with depression feel empty, which may be due to changes in the brain. The good news: teens with depression can prevent life-long brain changes if they get help. (Science News Explores, Online. March 18, 2021)
Classroom discussion questions (Grades 6 and up)
Addiction can develop when reward-seeking changes a teen’s brain
Reward-seeking leads to changes in teen brains. Over time, the rewards disappear even as a craving for them grows, but stress to regain those rewards can drive many teens to use again and again. (Online. February 10, 2022)
Classroom discussion questions (Grades 6 and up)
Warning! Nicotine poses special risk to teens
Even a single dose of nicotine during early teen years can change the way the brain is wired and start a life-long cycle of nicotine use and addiction. (Online. May 19, 2022)
Classroom discussion questions (Grades 6 and up)
Persuasion can be used to change hearts and minds
Persuasion can be used for good — or ill — to change how people feel. To protect yourself against undue persuasion, pay attention. (Online. September 1, 2022)
Classroom discussion questions (Grades 6 and up)
Pets and other animals can boost health and well-being
Living with animals seems to provide some health benefits, from lower stress levels to a stronger immune system. (Online. January 4, 2024)
Classroom discussion questions (Grades 6 and up)
Music has the power to move us physically and emotionally. Here’s why
Music brings people together, spreads ideas (hello, advertising jingles), and makes us move, and the way music impacts the brain can improve mood and overall health. (Online | February 1, 2024)
Classroom discussion questions (Grades 6 and up)
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