- The body has a daily clock inside.
- A small brain area controls that clock.
- Many tiny cells in the area work together.
- Scientists watched cell activity for many weeks.
- They built a new computer tool to study cells.
- The tool mapped connections between many cells.
- A few hub cells make others work together.
- If hub cells are removed, rhythms stop.
- This finding shows hub cells are critical.
- Researchers hope to help people with shift work.
Difficult words
- control — make something work in a certain waycontrols
- activity — action or movement of something
- connection — a link between two things or peopleconnections
- hub — a central part that links many others
- rhythm — a regular pattern in timerhythms
- critical — very important for a result
- researcher — a person who studies and tests thingsResearchers
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you work at night or in shifts?
- Do you sleep at the same time every day?
- Have you used a computer to study something?
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