Wouldn’t it be handy to boost intellectual capacity with a bit of brain overclocking? Oxford University scientists have discovered that a little bit of electric current across the parietal lobe can have a dramatic effect in improving numerical processing performance. Prior studies involved magnetism but Dr. Cohen Kadosh’s latest research applied a one milliamp current to volunteers as they performed substitution puzzles. It was interesting to note that current direction mattered, either producing an improvement over the control group or giving the subjects the abilities of a six-year old. “We are not advising people to go around giving themselves electric shocks, but we are extremely excited by the potential of our findings and are now looking into the underlying brain changes.” Perhaps with the proper study, scientists can un-retard people. On the other hand, there are those arguing that most math is completely irrelevant to the general population.