The more that is learned about the brain, the more amazing this organ seems. According to Johns Hopkins scientists, the brain can actually respond to a "stressful but not lethal insult" by circling its defensive wagons and protecting itself from "subsequent insult." A newly identified protein called Iduna--named after a Norwegian guardian goddess--is one of the brain's protective warriors, the researchers say. Unfortunately, the researchers also use the cliché "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" when describing their breakthrough (much of the time, actually, what doesn't kill you makes you weaker and will kill you later). But, in the case of the brave protective protein Iduna strengthening the brain after an attack, this saying appears to be a wise one. More on ScienceBlog