Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system, which includes the brain, the spinal cord and the networks of sensory neurons throughout our body. It’s a multidisciplinary science that integrates biology, chemistry, and physics with the study of the nervous system’s structure, its physiology, behavior, emotions and cognitive functions. There are scientists that study the development of the nervous; neuroanatomists study its structure and organization. Some study cognitive processes, like visual perception and memory and others study processes underlying behavior. Other neuroscientists study the computational aspects of the brain. Some dedicate to study the clinical aspect of neuroscience, investigating the causes, effects and possible treatments for diseases like Parkinson, Alzheimer and schizophrenia, among many others. Meanwhile, molecular neuroscientists see the brain as a group of neurons that are composed of genes, proteins and molecules, vital for neuronal function. Puerto Rico has a large variety of these scientists. Our Island has a rich neuroscience community, having an Institute of Neurobiology in Old San Juan, next to El Morro. Also, the Schools of Medicine in Ponce, the University of Puerto Rico and the Universidad Central del Caribe; and the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez and Rio Piedras are home to Puerto Rico’s neuroscientists. *This article is part of CienciaPR's collaboration with El Nuevo Dia

Learning and Memory are fascinating brain phenomena that go hand in hand. Learning is the process of acquiring knowledge through experience; it produces memory, which is defined as the brain’s ability to retain and retrieve information. Recently three groups of Puerto Rican investigators publish back-to-back papers on their studies related to learning and memory in the December issue of the scientific peer reviewed journal, Learning & Memory. This article is part of our successful collaboration with El Nuevo Dia. For more information about the investigators that did these studies, visit this month’s spotlight in our main page or visit their CienciaPR profiles.

It is important to follow the instructions of any medications we are taking, but we don’t always understand the medical jargon associated to them. According to studies, old people and those who don’t know how to read or write are more at risk to make mistakes with their medications. Another group at risk is the people who take a lot of medicines or consult several doctors for different health conditions. It is important to: Talk to your doctor about all the drugs you are taking, including supplements and over-the-counter medications. Confirm what your doctor said with your pharmacist of choice. Read the labels carefully. *This article is part of our collaboration with El Nuevo Dia

The melting of the artic glaciers is one of the effects of global warming. Although the loss of the ice is occurring far away from Puerto Rico, the absence of glaciers in the Island does exclude it from the effects of global warming. This, because the atmosphere, the oceans, rocks and life are interconnected systems, that are very sensitive to changes among them. The melting of the Greenland and Antarctica glaciers could cause the water level to raise 0.5 to 2 meters in next century. This will bring a string of consequences like the increase of coastal flooding and erosion, and an increase in the frequency and intensity of storms and hurricanes. Also economical activities, like tourism, fishing, and agriculture, among others, could be affected. We can still diminish the effects of global warming if we act now. By conserving energy in our homes, work places and transport we can reduce carbon dioxide emissions produce by the use of fossil fuel. A lot of countries have taken measures to reduce their greenhouse gases emissions. Puerto Rico doesn’t have to be the last to do this, and contribute to the benefit of our planet and society.