The Download: memory prosthesis, and rising nuclear plant risks

The news: A unique form of brain stimulation appears to boost people's ability to remember new information--by mimicking the way our brains create memories. The "memory prosthesis," which involves inserting an electrode deep into the brain, also seems to work in people with memory disorders--and is even more effective in people who had poor memory to begin with, according to new research. How it works: The memory prosthesis works by copying what happens in the hippocampus--a seahorse-shaped region deep in the brain that plays a crucial role in memory. The brain structure not only helps us form short-term memories but also appears to direct memories to other regions for long-term storage. Why it matters: In the future, more advanced versions of the memory prosthesis could help people with memory loss due to brain injuries or as a result of aging or degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, say the researchers behind the work.