#lateralization

[currentsinbiology]

Ants store long- and short-term memories on different sides of their brains

The left and right sides of our brains store different kinds of memories: The left side specializes in verbal information, for example, whereas the right side specializes in visual information. But it turns out we’re not the only ones. A new study suggests ants—like humans, songbirds, and zebrafish—also store different memories in different sides of their tiny brains, in a process called lateralization.

[neurosciencenews]

Researchers were not right about left brains

Brain imprints on cranial bones from humans and great apes refute the long-standing belief that the human pattern of brain asymmetry is unique. Researchers noted similar patterns of asymmetry in our great ape ancestors. However, there was more variability in this pattern in humans. Findings suggest lateralized and uniquely human cognitive abilities, such as language, evolved by adapting an ancestral brain asymmetry pattern.

[flamboyantlybewildered]

Younger is not always better when it comes to learning a second language

The classroom setting is better for early teenagers, while self-guided language learning is better for adults.

"The theory of “universal grammar” proposes that children are born with an instinctive knowledge of the language rules common to all humans. Upon exposure to a specific language, such as English or Arabic, children simply fill in the details around those rules, making the process of learning a language fast and effective.

The other theory, known as the “critical period hypothesis”, posits that at around the age of puberty most of us lose access to the mechanism that made us such effective language learners as children. These theories have been contested, but nevertheless they continue to be influential.

Despite what these theories would suggest, however, research into language learning outcomes demonstrates that younger may not always be better.

In some language learning and teaching contexts, older learners can be more successful than younger children. It all depends on how the language is being learned."

[neurosciencenews]

Why Animals Evolved to Favor One Side of the Brain

Most left-handers can rattle off a list of their eminent comrades-in-arms: Oprah Winfrey, Albert Einstein, and Barack Obama, just to name three, but they may want to add on cockatoos, "southpaw" squirrels, and some house cats. "Handed-ness" or left-right asymmetry is prevalent throughout the animal kingdom, including in pigeons and zebrafish. But why do people and animals naturally favor one side over the other, and what does it teach us about the brain's inner workings?

The research is in Neuron. (full open access)

[hopebygrace]

I want to be in a relationship, to feel the love , the gesture to be in a infinity of circle that someone will fancy you forever. But it is just a fantasy to someone who is unstable. la lera relationship is only for whole spirit person who is ice as fire.

[neurosingularity]

Researchers were not right about left brains - Neuroscience News

Brain imprints on cranial bones from humans and great apes refute the long-standing belief that the human pattern of brain asymmetry is unique. Researchers noted similar patterns of asymmetry in our great ape ancestors. However, there was more variability in this pattern in humans. Findings suggest lateralized and uniquely human cognitive abilities, such as language, evolved by adapting an ancestral brain asymmetry pattern.