NEUROSCIENCE FOR NEURODIVERSE LEARNERS SUMMER CAMP
The DO-IT Center and Center for Neurotechnology (CNT) at the University of Washington is sponsoring a free, ten-day program for neurodiverse students during the summer of 2022 (August 8-19, 2022). The program is open to high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors who are citizens and permanent residents of the United States and its possessions who identify as neurodiverse learners. I will serve as the education director of this camp. Students will learn about neuroscience, neural engineering, neuroethics, scientific communication and research in CNT laboratories. The goal is to expose students to the field of neural engineering and provide basic preparation for college studies in STEM subjects and future STEM careers. Applications for the summer program are now being accepted at: https://www.washington.edu/doit/programs/nnl/summer-program

3. PICARIDIN INSECT REPELLANT

Are those end-of-summer mosquitoes still bothering you? If you do not like insect repellants containing DEET, perhaps you should try a product with picaridin. Data show that products with picaridin are about as effective at repelling insects as products with DEET.

Picaridin is a synthetic chemical based on piperidine, a chemical found in some black pepper plants. Although the exact mechanisms by which picaridin repels insects is not completely understood, there is some evidence that the chemical blocks the ability of mosquitoes, ticks and chiggers to sense their prey.

In addition to products containing picaridin, a new insect repellent that you might find in stores contains nootkatone. In 2020, a chemical named nootkatone was registered as an insect repellent with the U.S. Environmental and Protection Agency. Nootkatone, found in Alaska yellow cedar trees and grapefruit skin, has a citrusy smell and shows promise in keeping those biting insects away.

References:
http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/archive/Picaridintech.html
https://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dvbd/media/dpk-nootkatone.html
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-020-00760-z

4. MEDIA ALERT

A. “Protect Your Happiness” is the cover story of the September 2022 issue of SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN MIND magazine.

B. “Probing the Complex Influence of Video Games on Young Minds” (DISCOVER magazine, September-October, 2022).

C. “Eye Tests May Help Diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease” and “Spiky ‘Sleep Spindles’ Linked to Acts of Learning” (SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, September, 2022).

5. THE TREASURE TROVE OF BRAIN TRIVIA

C. At least 1 in 4,000 people has a disorder of the corpus callosum, the connection between the right and left cerebral hemispheres (Source: National Institutes of Health, ).