Science Archives

Is Language Left or Right Brain? Why Both Hemispheres Matter

Is language left or right brain? What role does each hemisphere play in understanding language? Despite the popular caricature of the right hemisphere as “silent,” psychiatrist Iain McGilchrist contends that it plays a crucial role in understanding language. He discusses the vital roles that both the left brain and right brain play in our use and interpretation of words. Read more to learn what we understand about language and the brain.

ADHD and the Brain: The Neuroscience of the Disorder

What is ADHD? How is the brain affected by ADHD? In Scattered Minds, Gabor Maté says that ADHD, which stands for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental condition. If you have ADHD, it’s because your brain works differently than others. Keep reading to learn more about ADHD and the brain’s way of responding to the condition.

Visual Perception in the Brain: How the Left & Right Brains See

How are the left brain and right brain different in the way they perceive objects? Do we need the function of each hemisphere to fully see something? Psychiatrist Iain McGilchrist seeks to dispel the myth of left-hemisphere superiority by showing that the right hemisphere is responsible for several of the brain’s most essential functions. To this end, he examines the different ways that each brain hemisphere perceives objects. Keep reading for an intriguing exploration of visual perception in the brain.

Where Does ADHD Come From? The Biopsychosocial Role

Where does ADHD come from? Is ADHD caused by genetics or your environment? According to Scattered Minds by Gabor Maté, there are many factors that could explain why your brain developed atypically. There’s a biopsychosocial approach to the origins of ADHD that lead to the psychological symptoms associated with ADHD. Let’s dive into the causes of ADHD, as well as the role genetics and childhood stress play in it.

The Vital Question by Nick Lane: Book Overview & Takeaways

Why does life work the way it does? Are life’s features the product of random genetic mutations, or did organisms have to evolve in a certain way to overcome specific physical and chemical challenges? In The Vital Question, Nick Lane argues that genetics can’t give us the answers by itself. To explain the origin of life, we have to understand how cells make use of energy and what environmental conditions gave rise to the molecular power plants found in every living thing. Continue reading for an overview of this book that seeks to answer some of life’s biggest questions.

The Evolution of Eukaryotes: Following Clues From “Junk DNA”

How did eukaryotes evolve? How can we even go about figuring it out? Biochemist Nick Lane follows clues provided by introns to learn how eukaryotes evolved. He takes us on a journey through time, explaining how eukaryotic life might have experienced ever greater organization and complexity, eventually evolving into the plant and animal kingdoms we know today. Keep reading to learn what Lane believes about the evolution of eukaryotes.

Emotions and the Brain: The Vital Role of the Right Hemisphere

How can a brain injury impact someone’s ability to process and express emotion? How does looking at different types of art affect the brain? Psychiatrist Iain McGilchrist argues that the right hemisphere is more important than the left—and that a failure to recognize this threatens to rob our lives of meaning and happiness. One reason why he believes this is that the right hemisphere is primarily responsible for processing and expressing emotions. Continue reading to learn about McGilchrist’s important research into emotions and the brain.

Reasoning in the Brain: The Surprising Role of the Right Brain

Is reasoning in the brain strictly a function of the left hemisphere? What accounts for “aha!” moments? Iain McGilchrist thinks that pop psychology puts an unwarranted emphasis on the left brain, arguing that the right brain plays a vital role in many functions. One of these is reasoning, typically associated only with the left hemisphere. Read more to learn what contribution the right hemisphere makes to our reasoning.

The Origin of Eukaryotes: Beyond Bacteria and Archaea

How did complex life emerge? What distinguishes eukaryotic life from simpler life forms? In his quest to understand the origin of life, biochemist Nick Lane examines the transition from the simplest life forms (bacteria and archaea) to more advanced organisms (eukaryotes). He explains his research and his resulting proposal in The Vital Question. Read more to understand Lane’s ideas about the origin of eukaryotes.

The First Cells on Earth: A Biochemist Goes Back in Time

When, where, and how did the first cells on Earth arise? How can we fill in the gaps left by the fossil record and genetics? In The Vital Question, biochemist Nick Lane explores the biochemistry of cells and speculates about how life might have developed on the very young Earth. He discusses the genetic history and what cells require. Then, he uses that information to hypothesize about the earliest cells. Continue reading to take a journey deep into prehistory—and into the ocean.