How are we able to focus on a person’s voice in a noisy environment? The auditory brainstem, a part of the brain, may be responsible. It shuttles the electrical signals from converted sound waves to and from the ears and the cortex. Scientists have speculated that its connections to the ears might influence how electrical signals get transmitted to the cortex, but traditional experiments yielded mixed results. Neuroscientist Ross Maddox hopes to get more useful results through live brain scans and voice recordings. Read full article here
Technology
The First Solar-Powered Car Comes at a Hot Price
The Lightyear O is a revolutionary electric car powered by the sun. Developed by a Dutch startup, the four-door sedan has over 50 square feet of solar panels on its roof and hood, generating up to 43 miles of energy a day. With production now underway in Finland, the car does come with a hefty price tag at $262,000, but the company hopes to introduce a more affordable version, the Lightyear 2, by 2025. Read full article here