Neuroscience 2001 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 23.33 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | WHAT DO PEOPLE SEEK TO READ ABOUT THE BRAIN? A STUDY ON THE USE OF OUR DAILY BRAIN, A MONTHLY INTERNET PUBLICATION. |
| Authors: |
Herculano-Houzel, S.*1
1Museu da Vida, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Other - Teaching of Neuroscience |
| Session: |
23. Other: teaching of neuroscience Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Sunday, November 11, 2001 8:00 AM-9:00 AM |
| Location: | Exhibit Hall BBB-70 |
| Keywords: | neuroscience literacy, education, communication |
A recent survey indicated that the public is not familiar with several basic issues about the brain such as the relation between modifications in the brain and learning (Herculano-Houzel, SFN 2000). Aiming at informing the public about recent discoveries of Neuroscience, a web site called O Cerebro Nosso de Cada Dia (Our Daily Brain - www.cerebronosso.bio.br) was created in August 2000. Every month 4-6 texts on recent original articles of relevance for daily life are published in both Portuguese and English. In order to break with the traditional view that science is serious and austere, the site layout is colorful, uncluttered, and purposedly childish.
Unique visits to the homepage and to each of the articles are tracked by means of individual counters. Without any publicity other than listing in search engines, the number of daily visits started below 30 and by April 2001 exceeded 100. Analysis of traffic to each of 43 articles suggests that the most visited themes are Sleep, Curiosities, Do It Yourself, and In Numbers. Surprisingly, when one considers how society demands that basic science be applied to human health, the articles visited the least are those in the Health section, regarding human brain disease and new therapies. Most importantly, readers return every month, and participate via e-mail with comments and questions. These observations help identify the profile of the readership, and show that addressing everyday issues in a direct, accessible language allows the formation of a captive audience interested in following the progress of brain research.
Unique visits to the homepage and to each of the articles are tracked by means of individual counters. Without any publicity other than listing in search engines, the number of daily visits started below 30 and by April 2001 exceeded 100. Analysis of traffic to each of 43 articles suggests that the most visited themes are Sleep, Curiosities, Do It Yourself, and In Numbers. Surprisingly, when one considers how society demands that basic science be applied to human health, the articles visited the least are those in the Health section, regarding human brain disease and new therapies. Most importantly, readers return every month, and participate via e-mail with comments and questions. These observations help identify the profile of the readership, and show that addressing everyday issues in a direct, accessible language allows the formation of a captive audience interested in following the progress of brain research.
Supported by Faperj/Fiocruz
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2001 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. San Diego, CA: Society for Neuroscience, 2001. Online.
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