By Catherine Groux

In the future, there will be a great need for individuals who have at least a bachelor's degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM). For example, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of positions for engineers is expected to grow by approximately 11% in the next seven years, while jobs for mathematicians will increase by about 22% in this time.

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Math problems make more than a few students — and even teachers — sweat, but new brain research is providing insights into the earliest causes of the anxiety so often associated with mathematics.

Mathematics anxiety is more than just disliking math, experts say; someone with math anxiety feels negative emotions when engaging in an activity that requires numerical or math skills. In one forthcoming study, simply suggesting to college students that they would be asked to take a math test triggered a stress response in the hypothalamus of students with high math anxiety.

Anxiety can literally cut off the working memory needed to learn and to solve problems, according to Judy Willis, a Santa Barbara, Calif.-based neurologist, former middle school teacher and author of “Learning to Love Math.”

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