Experiences early in life have an impact on the brain’s biological and functional development, shows a new study by a team of neuroscientists. Its findings, which centered on changes in mice and rats, reveal how learning and memory abilities may vary, depending on the nature of individual experiences in early life. Continue reading “Early life experiences biologically and functionally mature the brain”
When should you eat to manage your weight? Breakfast, not late-night snacks
The balance between weight gain and weight gain loss is predominantly determined by what you eat, how much you eat, and by how much exercise you get. But another important factor is often neglected. Continue reading “When should you eat to manage your weight? Breakfast, not late-night snacks”
DNA is only one among millions of possible genetic molecules
Biology encodes information in DNA and RNA, which are complex molecules finely tuned to their functions. But are they the only way to store hereditary molecular information? Continue reading “DNA is only one among millions of possible genetic molecules”
Burning Incense Is Psychoactive: New Class Of Antidepressants Might Be Right Under Our Noses
Religious leaders have contended for millennia that burning incense is good for the soul. Now, biologists have learned that it is good for our brains too. An international team of scientists, including researchers from Johns Hopkins University and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, describe how burning frankincense (resin from the Boswellia plant) activates poorly understood ion channels in the brain to alleviate anxiety or depression. This suggests that an entirely new class of depression and anxiety drugs might be right under our noses. Continue reading “Burning Incense Is Psychoactive: New Class Of Antidepressants Might Be Right Under Our Noses”
Deep common ancestry of indian and western-Eurasian mitochondrial DNA lineages
Here we present the ‘Abstract‘ of the very interesting corresponding paper by Kivisild T, Bamshad MJ, Kaldma K, Metspalu M, Metspalu E, Reidla M, Laos S, Parik J, Watkins WS, Dixon ME, Papiha SS, Mastana SS, Mir MR, Ferak V, Villems R. Continue reading “Deep common ancestry of indian and western-Eurasian mitochondrial DNA lineages”
Hazelnuts improve older adults’ micronutrient levels, study shows
Older adults who added hazelnuts to their diet for a few months significantly improved their levels of two key micronutrients, new research at Oregon State University indicates. Continue reading “Hazelnuts improve older adults’ micronutrient levels, study shows”