Daily Roundup: February 7, 2011

Take A Hike: Walking regularly can expand the hippocampus, the part of the brain that makes memories and shrinks with age, a new study shows. New York Times

Pay the Pump: Oil prices are expected to jump substantially because of the turmoil in Egypt; prices are already higher than they’ve been since 2008. Huffington Post

Shine A Light: California solar-energy “farmers” responded overwhelmingly to a call for bids from a utility company, indicating that the state’s solar market is getting amped up. Grist

Protein Power: Robotics engineers from England designed a lamp and a clock that use insects as an energy source. NPR

Going Swimmingly: A surprisingly large salmon run has been a recent boon to the fishing community in Northern California. Wall Street Journal

--Tim McDonnell