What goes on in our brains before we ever put a piece of food in our mouths? Our senses of smell, sight and touch contribute a lot to how we perceive the taste of food.
Author Archives: annettebrennan
China Has Officially Started Construction on the World’s First “Forest City”
China are in the process of building a futuristic “Forest City” aimed at helping to improve the problem of air pollution and climate change. It is a great initiative and one that could be replicated in other countries in the future.
The Hidden Beauty of a Walmart Store
Artist, Brendan O’Connell talks about his fascination with Walmart Stores and its shoppers, as a subject for his impressionist paintings.
Diana, Princess of Wales
Princess Diana was known to many around the world for her generous gift of time to the everyday person. Read a short summary of her charitable work here.
Cold-water coral reef found in Irish waters is deepest yet
Scientists gathering data recently came upon the deepest-known cold water coral reef. It is located in Irish waters, specifically in the Atlantic Ocean. With this discovery comes the surprise and excitement of finding new species.
How caves give astronauts a preview of life in space
Interestingly, caves provide a great training ground to prepare astronauts for outer space. In the cave a multicultural team spend six days of training in the isolation and confinements of the underground.
Forget Positive Thinking – Try This to Curb Teen Anxiety
Renee Zain is the creator of GoZen!–an anxiety relief program of short animated videos for kids to teens. In this blog on Psychcentral she gives some tips on how to overcome self-defeating thoughts or skewed perceptions of reality which she names “thought holes”.
February 2017 Featured School: Nathaniel Narbonne High School
What springs to mind when you think of interactive learning? Computers, apps, online tests? Think again! Last year 60 high school students in California teamed up with local volunteers from their community to create an outdoor space in which to learn, explore and enjoy.
Meet the female entrepreneurs using tech for good
Combining video games with a charitable cause is something that Jude Ower is very proud of. Developing Playmob was an opportunity for Jude to utilize her technology expertise to help those in need across the world, from children to pandas!
When Did Shopping Become a Leisure Activity?
Browsing through clothes rails, whether physically or virtually, is a pursuit of leisure that we probably rarely question. But, here’s an interesting, short insight that discusses when and how shopping changed from a practical job to a leisure activity enjoyed by most.
A Privileged Walk
Maricruz Mosqueda–born in Mexico but a native of Colorado–takes on a solo hike through the Pacific Coast Trail in the hope of inspiring, in particular, young immigrants like herself to experience the mental and physical benefits of the great outdoors.
Invisibles at Work, Take a Bow!
Many talented people do their jobs so well that they are almost invisible. Find out who these workers are and why they derive more satisfaction from their work than from fame or money.
A New Frontier in Animal Intelligence
By studying the brain activity of a few animals, scientists see some evidence in them of the ability of “episodic memory” or “mental time travel.” This planning of future actions based on past experience is seen as a sign of intelligence. Psychologist Thomas Zentall states that a hint of this ability is apparent in non-human primates, dolphins, scrub-jays, rats, and pigeons.
How to Improve Communication with Your Parents
Do you have a hard time talking with your parents? Check out these four steps to better communication.
Is There A Genetic Basis to Online Media Consumption?
With so much information at our fingertips have we a choice in what we view and consume?
3 brilliant inventions from a 12-year-old scientist
12-year-old Peyton Robertson was certainly guided by a cause when his own hometown in Florida was hit by flooding, a recurring problem for many areas. In 2014 he invented a better sandbag that was easy transportable and very effective. This is one of his inventions created from a passion to create in order to solve problems around him.
Robot Takes Recovering Child to Her Seat in Class
Meet Clo-Bot! This is a robot of sorts–an iPad attached to an extendable pole on wheels that attends class in Point Pleasant Elementary School in Glen Burnie, Maryland! Clo-Bot is controlled remotely by Cloe who is at home recovering from surgery and, it enables her to participate with her classmates in school lessons as if she were in the room.
Behind the Scenes of ‘Maidentrip’
This is a story about a young, adventurous teenage girl’s determination and passion to sail solo around the world despite the obstacles in her way.
Underwater robot vacuums up lionfish
Lionfish are among some of the creatures taking over waters across the world, killing off native wildlife. As invasive species have no natural predators they multiply rapidly. Read about how the use of technology is now vital to combat the problem of extinction of native species.
Why fish do not deserve their reputation for forgetfulness
“I have a memory like a goldfish.” This reputation for our finned friends does not hold true apparently! Studies have disproved this idea that fish have poor memories and that they are better at navigating space than us.