October 18, 2016
Story at a Glance. Leptin is transported across the blood brain barrier (BBB). Animals who are in a state of starvation display elevated triglycerides that block the transfer of leptin across the BBB. Interestingly, obese people also present with the same elevated levels of triglycerides. This tricks the brain into believing it is starving and therefore inhibits the transport of leptin across the BBB. Studies injecting mice brains with leptin directly into their hypothalamus showed considerable weight loss. In our two previous articles we covered the nature of leptin, a hormone that is secreted from your fat cells. It is […]
October 18, 2016
Story at a Glance. The greater the divide between where you are placed and the other person in question, the harder it is to feel an empathic response to their plight. The part of your brain that registers empathy is called the right supramarginal gyrus. You can increase your capacity to experience empathy by practicing it. If science has anything to say about it, it would appear so. Whilst one is sleeping on a soft bed, with fluffy pillows and a warm doona, it’s hard to imagine how bone-chillingly cold and uncomfortable a cold winter night must be for a […]
October 13, 2016
Story at a Glance. As human beings we need connection and love; we are bonding animals. Without that bond, we seek other things to bond with. Science has reviewed that isolated, drug-addicted mice drop their dependency when put in a community of rats in a social setting. This has lead researchers to believe that if we are unable to bond with other humans, addicts will bond with drugs. In today’s fast-paced world, filled with noise, tv’s, internet, computers and phones, we are surrounded by people, but we have never been less connected. There are many people who feel alienated, alone, […]
October 11, 2016
Story at a Glance. A global health crisis has been declared by the United Nations regarding bacteria and viruses that are now resistant to antibiotics. Overuse of antibiotics in animals and humans has developed resistant strains of viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi. This has far reaching consequences both to the success of medical procedures, in both humans and animals, and to the cost of healthcare globally. The United Nations called a crisis meeting in New York on the 21st of September 2016, to address what has become a global emergency – antibiotic resistance. Viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, no longer […]
October 11, 2016
Story at a Glance. Obese individuals have high levels of the hormone leptin but the brain is unable to recognise the hormone. High levels of leptin, unrecognised by the brain, is referred to as ‘leptin resistance.’ Insulin levels have become increasingly high in our society, which could be responsible for blocking leptin and its correlating actions on the brain – reduction of appetite and expenditure of calories. As we discussed in the previous article, leptin is the hormone that signals that we are not hungry. Mice genetically engineered(1) to halt leptin production rapidly became obese. Therefore low or zero levels […]
October 7, 2016
Story at a Glance. New study finds that children who read earlier have a high IQ later in their development. The children’s intelligence was measured not only with verbal intelligence testing but nonverbal intelligence testing as well. The differences in reading ability showed a clear link to differences in intelligence later on. These differences where noticeable by as early as the age of seven. We all know reading is important. But for the first time we’ve got some concrete evidence that learning to read early increases the level of intelligence in kids. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh and the […]
October 6, 2016
Story at a Glance. Listening is one of the most important skills you can learn. It’s why hostage negotiators do it first. Active listening, the art of actually listening deeply with the aim to fully understand the other requires more than simply just hearing. Practiced it will deepen your connection to other people and help you develop empathy and understanding bringing with it a more connected loving experience with those around you. We’ve all been there, either in a conversation that’s boring the pants off you, or a conversation that’s so exciting you can’t wait for the other person to […]
October 6, 2016
Story at a Glance. Leptin is a hormone that is secreted from your fat cells. It is often referred to as the ‘satiety hormone’ because it tells you that you’re full and no longer hungry. Mice genetically engineered to remove leptin rapidly became obese. Low leptin or zero leptin causes obesity. However obese humans produce leptin but it’s not recognised by the brain, which is why obese people continue to eat and become fatter. Their brains simply don’t recognise that they are full. You know the feeling. It’s nine o’clock in the evening. You’ve had dinner. Technically you should be […]
September 29, 2016
Story at a Glance. Whilst we think we understand our relationship towards money and our connection to happiness – we don’t. We think having lots of money to spend on ourselves is what will ultimately make us feel happier. Several studies have revealed that spending money on other people is what actually makes us happy. Whilst it’s always easy to imagine that a tonne of money will solve all of your problems, as it transpires, it’s how you spend your money, not how much of it you have, that will put a smile on your dial. And science can prove […]
September 28, 2016
Story at a Glance. Researchers at the University of Glasgow have reviewed social media effects and the effect on teenage depression, anxiety and reduced sleep. Adolescence can be a period of increased vulnerability for the onset of depression and anxiety, and poor sleep quality may contribute to this. While overall social media use impacts on sleep quality, those who log on at night appear to be particularly affected. This may be mostly true of individuals who are highly emotionally invested. It’s always been a pretty tough gig being a teenager, raging hormones, peer pressure, changing body shapes, it’s a veritable […]
September 28, 2016
Story at a Glance. Scientists have studied mice to observe if the maternal microbiome affected their offspring’s immune system during gestation. Offspring born to the infected mothers had increased numbers of innate lymphoid and mononuclear cells in their intestines and different patterns of gene expression in their guts. The study concluded that maternal microbiota shapes the immune system of her offspring. We used to call it gut flora but now it’s referred to by the very scientific name of microbiota. We’ve been researching the role of microbiota and its connection with our immune system since the late 1990’s. If the […]
September 23, 2016
Story at a Glance. Whilst there is no doubt that water consumption is imperative for the survival of the human body, there are some well-ensconced myths about water consumption. Your thirst will be your best gauge as to whether you require more water. Tea and coffee add to your water tally, not take away. Dehydration from caffeine is one of the biggest myths It’s a regular sight these days to see the ubiquitous water bottle carried around like a second limb. It’s almost the accessory du jour. Supermarket shelves are stacked with a plethora of option; spring water, sparkling water, […]
September 22, 2016
Story at a Glance. Once you are asleep your body experiences sleep paralysis. Scientist believe that as you fall asleep your waking brain battles with your asleep brain and fights the paralysis, causing your muscles to jerk. People who drink too much alcohol or coffee and who are stressed or very tired tend to jerk more as they fall asleep. It’s an interesting question. Most of us, actually up to 70% of us have experienced twitching or sudden jerking movement as we’re falling asleep. Sometimes that happens as a result of dreaming we are falling, or tripping over, and other […]
September 21, 2016
Story at a glance. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends at least 600 metabolic equivalent (MET) minutes a week of activity. The researchers from the University of Washington have found it’s five times more than WHO recommends in order to lower the risk of disease. The recommended amount is about 3,000 to 4000 MET minutes per week to reduce the risk of disease. We all know exercise is important. It’s not just good for our waistline but health benefits abound, it’s good for your heart, your brain and your general emotional health. But how much is the right amount? And […]
September 16, 2016
Story at a Glance. Overweight grandfathers impact the health of their grandsons. Grandsons given junk food negatively responded quite rapidly to the exposure of junk food showing fatty liver disease and pre-diabetic symptoms within a few weeks. The study showed a paternal link only. Epigenetics is the study of how inherited genes switch themselves on and off due to internal or external environments. And it’s in this area of science that has been looking at the harmful legacy parental obesity can pass on to future generations. With over 14 million Australians now obese, it’s food for thought.Blame it on the […]
September 15, 2016
Story at a Glance In a new study, people who weren’t physically active in their midlife had brains smaller than their peers twenty years later. As we age our prefront cortex and hippocampus get smaller, but exercise may make the brain bigger. People who had lower cardiovascular fitness and higher blood pressure and heart rate response to fitness had small brains nearly two decades later. Just when you thought pumping iron was only good for giving you big guns, science goes and gives us yet another reason to hit the gym. The benefits of exercise just seem to keep on […]
September 15, 2016
Story at a Glance. There are three types of tears. Psychic tears, the ones we use when we cry, have an inbuilt painkiller. Tears also release the chemical build-up of stress and toxins related to stress. It’s not just for babies, we all do it. Some of us do it more than others, some of us stay strong and refuse to do it unless under formidable circumstances. Women do it more than men, on average 50 times a year, compared to the stalwart male who on average only cries 10 times a year. Children do it when they don’t get […]
September 8, 2016
Story at a Glance There are genetic causes of infertility that you can pass on through IVF. It means that the next generation may be infertile as well. Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is a treatment for infertile men in which an individual sperm is selected and injected directly into an egg. Some studies suggest that IVF children born from ICSI may be at higher risk of medical problems, as they grow older, including male infertility. Infertility affects 1 in 6 Australian couples. 40 percent of those problems will be due to sperm issues, 40 per cent will be because […]