Neuroanatomy of Freestyle Rapping

What happens inside the brain of someone like Eminem when he freestyles?

The prestigious magazine Nature has the answer.

While freestyling, brain scans revealed that areas in the prefrontal cortex associated with "organization and drive" rose in activity, while areas responsible for self-assessment and restraint froze. While freestyling, "an entire, unique network emerges ... motivation, language, emotion, motor function, sensory processing and the representation of the artists' subject experience all interact in unusual ways."

The researchers believe this activity inside the prefrontal cortex is fundamental to all expressions of creativity - not just freestyling. So, maybe man is most genuine early on in the creative process ... and as time lapses, we become less so.

The Scent That Makes You Smarter

A study shows that smelling rosemary can improve cognition.

20 participants were exposed to varying amounts of rosemary while doing subtraction and visual processing tasks. Rosemary oil didn't increase attentiveness, but those exposed to more rosemary did their tasks faster and better. The key component - 1,8-cineole - is also found in eucalyptus and sage essential oils.

Health Related to Small Business

A study shows that counties with more small businesses tend to have lower rates of mortality, obesity, and diabetes; counties with more large retailers tend to be higher. More "small business" communities exhibit higher likelihood of anti-smoking legislation, promoting community health programs, and supporting local farmers' markets.

"A place like this has a can-do climate, a practical problem-solving approach in which a community takes control of its own destiny," says lead author Troy C. Blanchard.

Depression Causes Bullying

Research shows that depression in fourth graders forecasts bullying and exclusion in 5th and 6th grade, respectively. The study tempers prevailing views that bullying caused depression.

Baboons That Can Read

A video clip summarizing a study that demonstrates that baboons can read basic English words.

Fear and Reproduction

A short video clip demonstrating the damaging effects of predation fear on prey reproduction cycles.