Science on Wednesday

Neuroscience has led to marvelous and groundbreaking discoveries. It leads us into the puzzling world of the brain. It helps to prevent and treat brain disorders. But neuroscience is also beautiful in itself.  

Students of Art Academy Minerva created artworks to accompany neuroscientific findings which were provided by neuroscientists of the University of Groningen and the University Medical Centre Groningen. Their translation makes the dusty science lively and appealing. Science on Wednesday aims to marvel you, to learn and fascinate you about the beauty of neuroscience. 

Science on Wednesday is a collaboration between the University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Academy Minerva, and the University Museum Groningen. The project is funded by the Gewaardeerd! Fund of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences.

People who have a more positive self-image are more resilient against stress and depression

People who have experienced depression and undergo psychotherapy for it have a lower risk of a recurrence of symptoms. This is partly because a preventive treatment helps them develop a more positive self-image, as discovered by brain researchers at the UMCG.

The pil does not cause depression

Whem women start using the birth control pil, they are often still in their puberty. That is a vulterable period in which sometimes the first signs of depression emerge. Researchers do not attribute the depressive feelings to the pill, but instead by to their age.

The cortex of women contains 17% fewer brain cells

Yet women are not less intelligent. On average, their brain cells have more connections to each other. Also, their brain tissue has a higher metabolism. Look at it as an enging running at higher speeds.

Those who wake up frequently during the night, hallucinate more often

People who sleep fragmented are at a higher risk to experience hallucinations. These hallucinations are not limited to night time, but also happen during the day. This result was presented by an online study involving a large group of Dutch population.

Speak multiple languages and lower the risk of dementia

Speaking multiple languages can help protect the brain from diseases like Alzheimer's. Research showed that multilingual people develop dementia about 4.5 years later than those who speak only one language.

Left-handers sometimes use an extra half of their brains

Recognizing faces typically happens in the right half of the brain. But for left-handers, things ofter work a bit differently. Research shows that some left-handed people do not use just one, but both brain hemispheres when they view a face.

What is good for your heart, is good for your brain

People with cardiovascular diseased are at a higher risk of dementia and cognitive problems. That is why a healthy heart likely contributes to a healthy brain.

Deep brain stimulation makes poor swimmers

Some people with muscle spasms or Parkinson's disease find significant relief through electrodes in the brain. Deep brain stimulation improves motor skills. They are walking faster, but swimming can become particularly difficult.