3 questions. 3 hints. 3 answers. Every Tuesday.
Question: what is to brain like jumper cables are to car battery?
Hint: cow goes “moo, “dog goes “woof”… this goes “zap.” If this hint doesn’t make sense, ask a younger colleague, or go to YouTube for assistance.
Answer: transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a technique first developed in the early 80s which has progressed in fits and starts over the years due to skepticism about its effectiveness and perceived danger (it is relatively simple technology which could prompt inexperienced people to experiment with a do-it-yourself device). tDCS involves placing electrodes on specific cranial areas and delivering a low-dose current to those sites. As hundreds of studies indicate, tDCS appears to enhance a vast variety of brain functions and is being looked at to treat conditions such as Parkinson’s and other neurological disorders. At this time, however, tDCS has not received FDA approval so it may be quite some time before it is widely employed for applicable neuro-enhancement purposes. Read the details here.
Question: when tracking down bombs and drugs, what should the “emphasis” be on?
Hint:
Answer: an EU-funded program called Emphasis is assessing chemical sewer sensors to crack down on stay-at-home illicit bomb-makers and drug chemists. The sensors have been lab tested and will be evaluated within actual sewer systems next year. As one might guess, one of the concerns is keeping the sensors clean and functional among the waste… Read the story here.
Question: what is it about you that could be left, right or smack dab in the middle?
Hint: you are using it right now.
Answer: a simple “brain test” can establish what side of your brain dominates, if any (side that is). Tests have even demonstrated apparent differences between cultures or at least between Germans and Americans. One has to wonder though, what percentage of these cultural “brain” differences are attributable to environmental conditioning – Jawol? As a side note, I just took the “brain test“… Apparently, I am 69% right-side dominant. However, one thing the test does not seem to take into account is that, in assessing brain dominance via purposeful R/L arm or hand use, results may be skewed unless someone else is moving the cursor for you. Otherwise, you will be less likely to give priority to the side that is controlling the mouse…