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Meghan Mott, Ph.D. writes: Our brains naturally deteriorate with age. Sleep quality — specifically the slow-wave activity that occurs during deep sleep — also decreases as we get older. Previous research found that slow waves are generated in a brain region called the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), which exhibits age-related deterioration. more »

 In past versions of the News IQ test, Republicans have often outperformed Democrats and independents, but that was not the case with the current quiz. Overall, Republicans on average answered 8.7 items correctly, no different than Democrats (8.6) and independents (8.7). Democrats (47%) were more likely than Republicans (37%) to recognize a photo of Elizabeth Warren, the new senator from Massachusetts. Other partisan differences were very small. more »

Aside from the Senate passing VAWA, these some congressional bills introduced last week: Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), placing limitations on the possession and sale of a firearm by persons convicted of misdemeanor sex offenses against children; Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), prohibiting taking minors across state lines in circumvention of laws requiring the involvement of parents in abortion decisions; Sen. Mike Johanns (R-NE), ensuring women seeking an abortion are fully informed regarding the pain experienced by their unborn child. more »

Smithsonian’s Freer Gallery of Art and Wayne State University in Detroit have launched a new online resource, a comprehensive guide to James McNeill Whistler’s Peacock Room and its dynamic history. The elaborately painted former dining room and one of the most famous masterpieces in the Freer’s collection, celebrates its 90th anniversary of being on public view in 2013. more »