If you're trying to listen carefully to something, it might be better to keep your eyes open. This surprising finding goes against instinct and conventional wisdom, which suggests closing your eyes shuts out distractions and 'sharpens' your other senses. A new study from researchers at Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China put the idea to the test. In experiments, participants were tasked with picking a target sound out of background noise, with their eyes either open or closed. Not only did