With MRIs, a person is slid inside a tube-shaped tank. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and other high-tech scanners let researchers see which parts of our brains tackle different tasks. They are using new technologies to explore why music-whether it’s reggae, rap, rock, or Rachmaninoff-is celebrated in every human culture.Įxploring how our brains work is one of the most exciting areas of modern-day science.

They are studying how our brains process music and learning why we respond in the ways we do. These are questions some scientists are asking in their laboratories. But how and why does it affect us? Why do certain songs trigger excitement or make us grin? Why do others bring relaxation, tears, or send shivers down our spines? Music has the power to motivate and soothe, no doubt about it. “After the game, when…it’s time to chill, I’ll probably throw that on.” “Mozart and Beethoven, those are my favorites,” Bosh said in an interview. Sure, he might fire up Jay-Z on his headphones to get pumped up for a game, but he switches to classical music once he leaves the arena. Her music-fueled energy helped her grab the gold medal in the half-pipe event.Īfter a physical night of snagging rebounds and putting up points, basketball superstar Chris Bosh wants to slow his mind. The techno beat of “Communicate” by Strive Roots thumped in her earbuds as she zipped and flipped through her high-flying performance.

Before American snowboarder Hannah Teter started her routine at the 2006 Winter Olympics, she cranked up her inspiration on her MP3 player.

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