- Scientists studied how memory works in people.
- They used brain scans called fMRI to watch activity.
- Participants watched short movie clips and stories together.
- Researchers asked if scenes had strong feelings for viewers.
- They also measured pupil size during the scenes.
- Strong feelings made the brain parts join together more.
- When brain parts join, memory stays longer after.
- The study was led by Jadyn Park at university.
- It appears in Nature Human Behavior journal.
- This work could help change traumatic memories for people.
Difficult words
- memory — Ability to keep and remember information or events
- brain scan — Picture of the inside of a person's brainbrain scans
- participant — Person who takes part in a study or experimentParticipants
- pupil — Black part in the center of the eye
- traumatic — Very upsetting and causing strong bad feelings
- measure — To find the size or amount of somethingmeasured
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever had a strong memory from a movie scene?
- Do strong feelings help you remember things?
- Do you like to watch short movie clips?
Related articles
Earth's magnetic field may move tiny air particles to the Moon
New research shows Earth's magnetic field can guide tiny particles from our atmosphere to the lunar surface. Computer simulations suggest this process worked best with a strong modern magnetic field and could leave a record in moon soil.
Targeting a brain circuit to reduce opioid relapse
Researchers at Washington State University found that lowering activity in a specific brain connection cut heroin-seeking in a preclinical model. The study identifies a pathway between the prelimbic cortex and the paraventricular thalamus and tests two ways to reduce its activity.
UNESCO report finds gaps in education data
A UNESCO report published on 27 April finds important gaps in education data from poorer countries. It reviewed primary and secondary data in 120 countries but under‑represented low‑income nations and found no science assessment data in low‑income countries.
Algorithms show how catalysts turn propane into propylene
Researchers at the University of Rochester developed algorithms that explain how nanoscale catalysts convert propane to propylene. The work reveals atomic features of metallic and oxide phases and could help improve industrial production methods.
