Best videos of 2011: Magnet turns off speech

Caitlin Stier, video intern

At number 5 in our countdown, watch a mind-controlling magnet have a powerful effect on speech.

This super magnet produces a freaky speech glitch. The technique, known as transcranial magnetic stimulation, changes neural activity in the brain by turning off some neurons and activating others. Variations of the technique are being investigated for treating migraine and stroke.

For more about the technique, check out our feature about how it's being used to treat depression or read the original blog post, How a magnet can turn off speech.

If you liked this video, watch a magnetic ferrofluid perform a spiny ballet.

Source: http://feeds.newscientist.com/c/749/f/10897/s/1b56ceba/l/0L0Snewscientist0N0Cblogs0Cnstv0C20A110C120Cbest0Evideos0Eof0E20A110Emagnet0Eturns0Eoff0Espeech0Bhtml0DDCMP0FOTC0Erss0Gnsref0Fonline0Enews/story01.htm

china aircraft carrier barbara walters most fascinating person 2011 golden globe nominations los angeles clippers los angeles clippers charlize theron telenav