Dr. Richard Gregory first observed this illusion’s effects at a cafe wall in Bristol, where the tiles were arranged in a chessboard-like pattern.

Other cool optical illusions posted earlier on the site:

• 3d color optical illusion by MIT professor
• Wavy coffee beans
• Spinning pinwheels
• a crooked square
• the amazing work of Felice Velini

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What do you think the original photograph portrays?

To give everyone a chance to try, will reveal submitted answers (in comment section below) in 1-2 days, thanks.

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New research published in the July issue of Cognition indicates that using gestures while studying can dramatically improve learning and memory.

The study, done by Susan Wagner Cook at the University of Rochester, showed that kids asked to physically gesture at math problems were almost three times more likely than non-gesturers to remember what they learned.

Cook suggests that gestures represent "an additional and potent avenue for taking in information".

In the study, students were asked to learn algebraic concepts. When using speech only to learn, 33% of students remembered the lesson. When using gestures, however, 90% of students retained the lesson.

If you’d like to read some more articles on gesturing published by Susan Cook, here are some PDF files:

• The Role of Gesture in Learning: Do children use their hands to change their minds?
• How our hands help us learn
• Probing the Mental Representation of Gesture: Is handwaving spatial?
• Explaining Math: Gesturing lightens the load

Earlier articles on the smartkit site which you may find helpful on the topic of learning strategies and improving memory include:

• Learning Strategies: How one study tip can significantly improve your memory
• Accelerated Learning and Improved memory via Distributed Practice
• What sleep research can teach us about unlocking learning potential: Crucial student study skills
• What every college student should know about ‘The All-Nighter"
• Students: Self-Test to improve your memory

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What number should appear inside the last purple star?

will unmask answers in a day or 2, thanks.

For a similar puzzle, try "Deduce the Pattern". 

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For this picture puzzle, there are 12 differences: Can you spot them all?

[click on image to jump to high resolution]

To give others a chance to answer, how about each person post 1 difference?

If you enjoy these puzzle types, you may want to try:

• Graffiti Picture Puzzle (11 differences to spot)
  
• Castle of Edinburgh? (13 differences to spot)
  
• Students learning in a classroom (9 differences to spot)

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Your brain is extremely fragile, and easily damaged by concussions and other forms of acceleration/deceleration injury. Back in January, I posted the story about Andre Waters-an NFL defensive back who committed suicide at the age of 44. The pathologist who examined his brain concluded it had the appearance of an 85 year old man with Alzheimer’s disease, and thought the severe dementia-like changes were probably due to the multiple concussions sustained over the course of his football career.

The July issue of Neurology Today discusses how the same pathologist (world-renowned Dr. Bennet Omalu, MD out of the University of Pittsburgh) has autopsied the brain of Justin Strzelczyk, a Pittsburgh Steelers lineman who died in a car crash at age 36.

Interestingly, Dr. Omalu finds that Strzelczyk’s brain also has the appearance of an 80 year old man, and shows similar pathologic changes compared to what Andre Waters had in his brain.

This is the 4th football player brain Dr. Omalu has autopsied and diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Within several years time, I suspect more and more studies will come forth showing how widespread brain damage is amongst NFL players.

And next up will be the soccer players. Already, well over a dozen studies indicate heading induces measurable cognitive deficits.

Most people are surprised to learn just how fragile and easily damaged the human brain really is.

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