Learning a second language can boost brain power, scientists believe. - bruno from Bookmarklet

Under quiet, laboratory conditions, both groups - the bilingual and the English-only-speaking students - responded similarly. But against a backdrop of noisy chatter, the bilingual group were far superior at processing sounds. - bruno

Co-author Viorica Marian said: "People do crossword puzzles and other activities to keep their minds sharp. But the advantages we've discovered in dual language speakers come automatically simply from knowing and using two languages. - bruno

Musicians appear to gain a similar benefit when rehearsing, say the researchers. Past research has also suggested that being bilingual might help ward off dementia. - bruno

Nothing specifically mentioned about age factor. for example if this improvement applies to learners at all ages or it's level differs as a function of age. - Sir Vali