Critters spread many germs that can sicken each other — and even kill people.

Teenagers must act on an endless parade of choices. Some choices, including smoking, come with serious consequences. As a result, adolescents often find themselves trapped between their impulsive tendencies (Just try it!) and their newfound ability to make well-informed and logical choices (Wait, maybe that’s not such a good idea!). So what makes the teenager’s brain so complex? What drives adolescents — more than any other age group — to sometimes make rash or questionable decisions? By peering into the brains of teenagers, scientists who study brain development have begun uncovering...

Scientists who study the brain have been tapping into the world of magic to learn how its tricks fool our minds. Emerging in just the past five years, this new discipline is often called neuromagic. Neuroscientists and psychologists study how the mind works and how emotions can affect our responses. These scientists have begun teaming up with magicians to study how tricks can manipulate critical attention and awareness. This research is beginning to give scientists a window into how the mind could be influenced for more than entertainment — such as improving driver safety or classroom educ...