A new study shows that 1 in 4 people with brain injuries who may have been thought to be in a coma might be conscious and can hear what is happening around them. Although these individuals aren’t able to give a thumbs-up when asked, they repeatedly show brain activity when asked to imagine themselves moving or exercising, thus indicating that they are actually conscious. In the study, of the 353 people with brain injuries caused by physical trauma, heart attacks or strokes, 241 could not react to any level of bedside tests for responsiveness, but the other 112 could. (Scientific American)