A professor of neuroscience at the University of Surrey claims to have solved the long-standing mystery of what creates human consciousness. According to Dr Johnjoe McFadden, the electromagnetic field produced by the brain's neurons is what produces this uniquely human trait. Vast amounts of research has gone into deciphering why we have the ability to know we think, whereas other animals do not. Previous attempts to understand this have included the spiritual and supernatural, including suggesting it comes from a soul. But Professor McFadden is basing his theory, published in the journal Neuroscience of Consciousness, on well-known scientific fact.

Our earliest childhood memories start from the age of two - far earlier than previously thought. Scientists have found the area of the brain responsible for memories can be triggered before toddlers even learn to speak. Researchers had previously thought our earliest memory formed at around the age of three-and-a-half. The breakthrough may lead to earlier diagnosis of developmental brain disorders such as dyslexia and autism. Our earliest childhood memories start from the age of two, according to new research.