Word: vitality
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...known as the neural tube. As cells in the neural tube proliferate at the astonishing rate of 250,000 a minute, the brain and spinal cord assemble themselves in a series of tightly choreographed steps. Nature is the dominant partner during this phase of development, but nurture plays a vital supportive role. Changes in the environment of the womb--whether caused by maternal malnutrition, drug abuse or a viral infection--can wreck the clockwork precision of the neural assembly line. Some forms of epilepsy, mental retardation, autism and schizophrenia appear to be the results of developmental processes gone awry...
When a baby is born, it can see and hear and smell and respond to touch, but only dimly. The brain stem, a primitive region that controls vital functions like heartbeat and breathing, has completed its wiring. Elsewhere the connections between neurons are wispy and weak. But over the first few months of life, the brain's higher centers explode with new synapses. And as dendrites and axons swell with buds and branches like trees in spring, metabolism soars. By the age of two, a child's brain contains twice as many synapses and consumes twice as much energy...
...station in life. Children's books are available for free at public libraries in every community and can be found at reasonable prices in many bookstores. Doctors, librarians, teachers, book publishers, business leaders and the news media can help make books available to families and educate parents about the vital role that reading plays in our children's lives...
...determined to build on the progress that has been made in recent years in encouraging minority students to pursue academic careers," President Neil L. Rudenstine said in the release. "The Mellon Program has played a vital role in these efforts...
...AIDS. Fanatical faith in the proposed cocktail could lead to further complications in the battle against HIV. Right now we need to be armed not only with the physiological remedies but also with a spiritual infrastructure. Call it spiritual healing, shamanism, palliative care or psychological coping, it remains a vital component of the cocktail. ADEL ISKANDAR Halifax, Nova Scotia...