Merriam-Webster declared 'science' the 2013 word of the year. But can reading something other than data and facts, say a work of fiction, help improve brain function? Anthony explains the many possible benefits that reading a fictitious book can have on the brain. Read More: A Novel Look at How Stories May Change the Brain www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140103204428.htm "Many people can recall reading at least one cherished story that they say changed their life." Novel Finding: Reading Literary Fiction Improves Empathy www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=novel-finding-reading-literary-fiction-improves-empathy "The types of books we read may affect how we relate to others." A novel look at how stories may change the brain esciencecommons.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-novel-look-at-how-stories-may-change.html "Many people can recall reading at least one cherished story that they say changed their life." Short- and Long-Term Effects of a Novel on Connectivity in the Brain online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/brain.2013.0166 "We sought to determine whether reading a novel causes measurable changes in resting-state connectivity of the brain and how long these changes persist." Reading Literary Fiction Improves Theory of Mind www.sciencemag.org/content/342/6156/377.abstract "Understanding others' mental states is a crucial skill that enables the complex social relationships that characterize human societies." READING LITERARY FICTION IMPROVES "MIND-READING" SKILLS FINDS A STUDY FROM THE NEW SCHOOL FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH www.newschool.edu/pressroom/pressreleases/2013/CastanoKidd.htm "Heated debates about the quantifiable value of arts and literature are a common feature of American social discourse." lifehacker.com/5965703/the-science-of-storytelling-why-telling-a-story-is-the-most-powerful-way-to-activate-our-brains www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=the-secrets-of-storytelling www.wired.com/business/2011/03/why-do-we-tell-stories/ Merriam-Webster's Word of the Year Is ... Science! news.discovery.com/history/merriam-websters-word-of-the-year-is-science-131203.htm "While the Oxford University Press honored "selfies" as its 2013 Word of the Year, celebrating those quickly snapped self-portraits, Merriam-Webster is taking a more academic approach to its annual linguistic spotlight." Word of the Year 2013 www.merriam-webster.com/info/2013-word-of-the-year.htm "The Word of the Year, with the greatest increase in lookups, may surprise many people: science." Watch More: Best Geek Reads 2013 www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMjhZ3vc55c TestTube Wildcard testtube.com/dnews/dnews-437-pets-make-us-healthier?utm_campaign=DNWC&utm_medium=DNews&utm_source=YT Sherlock: Master of Science www.youtube.com/watch?v=d67num8cp_c ____________________ DNews is dedicated to satisfying your curiosity and to bringing you mind-bending stories & perspectives you won't find anywhere else! New videos twice daily. Watch More DNews on TestTube testtube.com/dnews Subscribe now! www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=dnewschannel DNews on Twitter twitter.com/dnews Anthony Carboni on Twitter twitter.com/acarboni Laci Green on Twitter twitter.com/gogreen18 Trace Dominguez on Twitter twitter.com/trace501 DNews on Facebook facebook.com/dnews DNews on Google+ gplus.to/dnews Discovery News discoverynews.com

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