The brain goes through five distinct phases in life, with key turning points at ages nine, 32, 66 and 83, scientists have revealed. From a report: Around 4,000 people up to the age of 90 had scans to reveal the connections between their brain cells. Researchers at the University of Cambridge showed that the brain stays in the adolescent phase until our early thirties when we "peak." They say the results could help us understand why the risk of mental health disorders and dementia varies through life. The brain is constantly changing in response to new knowledge and experience -- but the research shows this is not one smooth pattern from birth to death.

Some people will reach these landmarks earlier or later than others -- but the researchers said it was striking how clearly these ages stood out in the data. These patterns have only now been revealed due to the quantity of brain scans available in the study, which was published in the journal Nature Communications.

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The abstract of a paper on NBER: This paper examines a large-scale randomized evaluation of the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) program in 531 Peruvian rural primary schools. We use administrative data on academic performance and grade progression over 10 years to estimate the long-run effects of increased computer access on (i) school performance over time and (ii) students' educational trajectories. Following schools over time, we find no significant effects on academic performance but some evidence of negative effects on grade progression. Following students over time, we find no significant effects on primary and secondary completion, academic performance in secondary school, or university enrollment. Survey data indicate that computer access significantly improved students' computer skills but not their cognitive skills; treated teachers received some training but did not improve their digital skills and showed limited use of technology in classrooms, suggesting the need for additional pedagogical support.

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An anonymous reader shares a report: Solid-state drives sitting unpowered in drawers or storage can lose data over time because voltage gradually leaks from their NAND flash cells, and consumer-grade drives using QLC NAND retain data for about a year while TLC NAND lasts up to three years without power. More expensive MLC and SLC NAND can hold data for five and ten years respectively. The voltage loss can result in missing data or completely unusable drives.

Hard drives remain more resistant to power loss despite their susceptibility to bit rot. Most users relying on SSDs for primary storage in regularly powered computers face little risk since drives typically stay unpowered for only a few months at most. The concern mainly affects creative professionals and researchers who need long-term archival storage.

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Max Verstappen took a crucial win in the Las Vegas Grand Prix, and with both McLaren drivers disqualified, slashed Lando Norris' championship lead to just 24 points. The Dutchman topped the top 10 of our Power Rankings list, but who else impressed last weekend? Check out the latest scores and overall leaderboard below...

Yuki Tsunoda was left frustrated after another disappointing result in the Las Vegas Grand Prix, with the Red Bull driver conceding “we can’t keep on like this”.

Haas had a very up and down race in Las Vegas, with Ollie Bearman’s incredible start raising hopes of another strong score for the youngster. But then Esteban Ocon took up the charge, and the team seemingly fell just short of the top 10 – until McLaren’s disqualification was announced.

Fernando Alonso reflected that Aston Martin’s difficult weekend in Las Vegas was ‘no surprise’ after a “lonely” race.

Alpine had high hopes of picking up a point or two in Las Vegas, such was the pace Pierre Gasly had shown throughout the weekend at a track he tends to go well at. But despite starting in the top 10, the Frenchman’s chances of scoring were over as soon as the race began, due to contact in the opening corner.

Als je aan eten denkt dat je gelukkig maakt, komen waarschijnlijk taart, ijs of een lekkere vette pizza bij je op. Maar wetenschappers die zich bezighouden met voedingspsychiatrie hebben slecht nieuws: juist die voedingsmiddelen maken je op lange termijn ongelukkiger.

Het idee dat suikerrijk en vet voedsel je blij maakt, komt rechtstreeks van de voedingsindustrie, legt onderzoeker Felice Jacka uit aan de nieuwssite NPR. Uit grote onderzoeken blijkt dat mensen die veel ultrabewerkte voedingsmiddelen eten, twintig tot dertig procent meer kans hebben op een depressie. En op korte termijn kunnen mensen zich binnen een paar uur na het eten van suikerrijk voedsel mentaal slechter voelen.

Maar wat zijn dan wel de gelukkigste voedingsmiddelen? Alle onderzoekers waar NPR mee sprak, wijzen naar dezelfde winnaar: volkoren granen. En de reden daarvoor zit in je darmen.

Volkoren granen bevatten een speciaal soort vezel waar darmbacteriën dol op zijn. Wanneer die bacteriën dit voedsel eten, produceren ze stofjes die gekoppeld zijn aan een hele reeks voordelen. Je krijgt minder ontstekingen en ook je gedachten worden helderder. De stofjes hebben ook een onrechtstreeks effect op je stemming.

Geen grote verandering nodig

Het mooie is dat je niet drastisch hoeft te veranderen om dit effect te krijgen. Vervang je witte brood door volkorenbrood, kies havermout in plaats van een zoet ontbijtgraan, of gebruik volkorenmeel bij het bakken. Ook bonen en linzen blijken super effectief te zijn.

Het enige waar je op moet letten is dat je je lichaam de tijd geeft om te wennen. Begin met kleine porties bonen of volkoren producten en bouw het langzaam op, anders kun je last krijgen van een opgeblazen gevoel.

Bron: NPR