A new study has found that musical training in adolescents can improve language and memory skills and even extend the brain’s development time.
The notion that musical training can have positive effects on cognitive functions other than music has long been a source of interest. Research first emerged at the beginning of the 20th century. Standardised assessments of IQ and musical ability suggested the two were correlated – and it was thought that participation in musical training could improve IQ.
Recently, research has shifted focus from effects on musical training on global intelligence and instead focuses on benefits to specific skills and tasks in individuals.
Taking in the glory of nature at the top of a mountain peak, joining in a song of worship or viewing a breathtakingly beautiful piece of art are some of the experiences that fill us with awe and make us feel most alive.
And according to new research, moments like this are both spiritually invigorating and good for our physical and mental health. The sense of awe on experiencing the beauty of nature, art and spirituality may boost our immune systems, according to a new study
Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have linked positive emotions with reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, proteins that signal the immune system to work harder.
Read more: Experiences Of Art, Nature And Spirituality May Help Prevent Disease, Study Finds
Shifting winds may explain why long-term fluctuations in North Atlantic sea surface temperatures have no apparent influence on Europe’s wintertime temperatures.
The findings, published in Nature Communications, could also have implications for how Europe’s climate will evolve amid global warming.
Read more: Scientists are trying to understand if the unusual weather is linked to climate change
New research provides further evidence for 'passive frame theory,' the groundbreaking idea that suggests human consciousness is less in control than previously believed.
The study shows that even complex concepts, such as translating a word into pig latin, can enter your consciousness automatically, even when someone tells you to avoid thinking about it. The research provides the first evidence that even a small amount of training can cause unintentional, high-level symbol manipulation.
Read more: Study shows complex ideas can enter consciousness automatically
New research shows that going to sleep shortly after learning new material is most beneficial for recall.
Psychologist J. Payne and colleagues studied 207 students who habitually slept for at least six hours per night. Participants were randomly assigned to study declarative, semantically related or unrelated word pairs at 9 a.m. or 9 p.m., and returned for testing 30 minutes, 12 hours or 24 hours later. Declarative memory refers to the ability to consciously remember facts and events, and can be broken down into episodic memory (memory for events) and semantic memory (memory for facts about the world). People routinely use both types of memory every day.
Read more: Sleeping after processing new info most effective
