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Welcome to the Neuroscience for Kids Newsletter.
In this issue:
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Neuroscience for Kids had several new additions in April including:
A. April Neuroscience for Kids Newsletter was archived
http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/news2204.html
B. Neuroscience in the News
http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/inthenews.html
C. 2018 Neurocalendars
http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/neurocal.html
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The Neuroscience for Kids "Site of the Month" for May is the web site of the "Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study" at:
The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study was developed to track brain development and child health in the United States. Children between the ages of 9-10 years old are being studied to investigate their biological and behavioral development from adolescence to young adulthood.
The ABCD Study web site has entry points for students, educators and partners, families and scientists. So, visitors of all ages and backgrounds can learn more about the study. For students, the site has a links to basic information and games about the brain and even has a link to the BrainWorks TV show. For teachers, the ABCD Study site discusses how the project may impact schools and educational programs.
The ABCD study was established in 2015 and although the project is very young, it is definitely one to keep an eye on.
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Calling all movie makers! Do you have an idea for a short (less than 5 minutes) brain-related video? If so, then the Society for Neuroscience Brain Awareness Video Contest may be for you. The contest is open to everyone, although non-members must have their videos submitted by a Society member. Entries are due on June 14, 2018. For more details about the contest, see:
http://www.brainfacts.org/for-educators/programs-and-events/brain-awareness-video-contest
__________________________________________________________A. "The Beautiful Brain: The Drawings of Santiago Ramon y Cajal" exhibit will make it to Boston this month! Visit the exhibit at the MIT Museum from May 3 to December 31, 2018. For more information about the exhibit, including special events, see:
https://mitmuseum.mit.edu/exhibition/beautiful-brain
B. The May 2018 issue of SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN MIND is "The Science of Memory."
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Now that spring has arrived, here about some facts about plants and the nervous system.
A. Strychnos nux-vomica is a small tree in Southeast Asia. The seeds of this plant contain a high concentration of strychnine. Strychnine is a neurotoxin that can cause muscular convulsions and interfere with breathing.
B. Indian snakeroot (Rauvolfia serpentine) contains the chemical reserpine; reserpine can reduce the levels of some neurotransmitters and cause depression.
C. Hemlock (Conium maculatum) contains the chemical coniine, a neurotoxin that is said to have killed the philosopher Socrates.
D. Neurotoxins (grayanotoxins) in some rhododendron plants attack the nervous system.
E. The drug named atropine is made from the plant Atropa belladonna (deadly nightshade). Atropine is used to treat some heart problems, reduce saliva flow during surgery and to dilate pupils. Poisoning from eating the plant can be lethal.
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Help Neuroscience for Kids
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Your comments and suggestions about this newsletter and the "Neuroscience for Kids" web site are always welcome. If there are any special topics that you would like to see on the web site, just let me know.
Eric
Eric H. Chudler, Ph.D.
(e-mail: chudler@u.washington.edu)
(URL:
http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/neurok.html)