Practice isn't the only time learning happens. Research on offline learning shows that performance on certain tasks can improve after periods of rest or sleep, even without additional practice. The brain continues stabilizing and reorganizing...
The jaw joint sits extremely close to structures of the ear. That's one reason chewing, yawning, or moving the jaw can sometimes change sensations of pressure around the ears. Yawning can also help open the Eustachian tubes, which equalize...
Eye direction provides powerful social information. Research has found that direct gaze can influence how people evaluate faces and can increase attention toward them. The effect depends on context and isn't identical for everyone, but eye...
Waterlogged fingers aren't simply skin swelling like a sponge. The characteristic wrinkles are produced when the nervous system causes blood vessels beneath the skin to constrict. Research suggests the resulting grooves may improve grip on wet...
Yawning can be triggered not only by seeing another person yawn but also by hearing, thinking, or even reading about it. This is known as contagious yawning. Researchers continue to investigate why humans show this unusual response, with social...