science newsletter: Science News SciGuru.com

Τρίτη 7 Αυγούστου 2012

Science News SciGuru.com

Few Kids Use Recommended Safety Restraints in Cars
Neuroscientists show that glial cells protect the brain from epileptic seizures
Making it easier to learn to read

Few Kids Use Recommended Safety Restraints in Cars

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 05:00 AM PDT

Despite the fact that car crashes are the leading cause of death for children older than three years in the U.S. and send more than 140,000 children to the emergency room each year, new research has found that low proportions of U.S. children are using age-appropriate safety restraints and many are placed at risk by riding in the front seat. The research is published in the September issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Neuroscientists show that glial cells protect the brain from epileptic seizures

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 04:55 AM PDT

Epileptic fits are like thunderstorms raging in the brain: Nerve cells excite each other in an uncontrolled way so that strong, rhythmic electrical discharges sweep over whole brain regions. In the wake of such a seizure, the nerve cells are severely affected, and permanent damage is possible. The glia, a class of cells that surround the neurons in the brain, was long suspected to contribute to the damaging effects of epilepsy. Quite the opposite is the case, as the team of Prof. Dr. Carola Haas from the Bernstein Center and Dr.

Making it easier to learn to read

Posted: 07 Aug 2012 04:47 AM PDT

To participate successfully in life, it is important to be able to read and write. Nevertheless, many children and adults have difficulties in acquiring these skills and the reason is not always obvious. They suffer from dyslexia which can have a variety of symptoms. Thanks to research carried out by Begoña Díaz and her colleagues at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig, a major step forward has been made in understanding the cause of dyslexia.