Education Middle School Music and Theater Students Get Better Grades New research presents the best evidence yet that taking arts classes benefits kids academically. Tom Jacobs
Education More Evidence That Trained Musicians Are Superior Thinkers New research suggests that practicing Bach and Beethoven can build up the brain. Tom Jacobs
Education There’s New Evidence That Music Lessons Boost Kids’ Cognitive Skills Dutch schoolchildren reported higher scores on several key tests if they took supplemental music lessons. Tom Jacobs
Social Justice Marijuana Use May Not Lead to Cognitive Decline After All A large study of twins suggests family-related factors may contribute to both pot smoking and a drop in IQ. Tom Jacobs
Social Justice Turn Off the TV, Save Your Brain? New research reports watching a lot of television in early adulthood is associated with poorer cognitive performance at midlife. Tom Jacobs
Social Justice The Unique Flexibility of the Human Brain Scientists find that, compared to our closest primate relatives, the landscape of the human brain is exceptionally sensitive to external influences. Kate Wheeling
Social Justice New Evidence of Mental Benefits From Music Training Harvard-based researchers find a link between early musical training and cognitive capacities that allow for planned, controlled behavior. Tom Jacobs
News in Brief How Can We Prevent False Confessions From Kids and Teenagers? A new study shows that most cops use the same interrogation techniques on both adults and juveniles—and why that needs to change. Lauren Kirchner