(The Conversation) They say that eyes are windows to the soul. Indeed, research suggests this might also be true for our four-legged friends. Since the days of our most celebrated natural historian, Charles Darwin, humans have been interested in how animals communicate via their facial expressions, and how different species might express themselves in similar ways.
study
Bacteria in the Gut May Alter Aging Process
(Justin Deschamps) Aging is related to how the body repairs itself. This self-repair ability is tied to gut bacteria due to the fact these microorganisms are instrumental in the production of nutrients along with the mechanism by which we absorb vitamins and release toxins in the digestive tract. The following study looked at the effect of transferring healthy gut bacteria to an unhealthy subject, observing that changes took place that reduced the effects of aging.
Cannabis Might Reverse Heart Failure, University of Hawaii Study Finds
(Arjun Walia) Cannabis could potentially slow and even reverse heart failure via TRPV1, a cannabinoid receptor. This is according to research led by a team at the University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM). Alexander Stokes, a JABSOM assistant professor in cell and molecular biology, said “the potential medical benefits of using cannabis-based therapies for the treatment of heart disease are promising.”
Daylight Saving Time Has Long-term Effects on Health
(Science Daily) The annual transition to and from daylight saving time (DST) has clinical implications that last longer than the days where clocks “fall back” or “spring forward.”
Emotional Buttons: How They Affect Your Relationships
(Explore Your Mind) How many times do you find yourself reacting too strongly to a negative comment? Knowing what your emotional buttons are and the consequences for pushing them is the subject of a research study that was conducted recently.
We’re Beings of Light: Simply Imagining a Bright Light Can Be Enough to Change Your Pupil Size, Study Finds
(Carly Cassella) What goes on in our minds is usually a private affair, but sometimes, our eyes can betray our thoughts. When someone is thinking of a bright image, their pupils will noticeably shrink, researchers have found, even if there’s nothing to look at and they weren’t anticipating light.
Students Ditch Their Phones For a Week, Report Feeling Happier & More Refreshed
(Paul Joseph Watson) Students at a university in New York who took part in a test to go without their cellphones for a week reported that they felt refreshed, happier, more focused and more relaxed.
When Money is Scarce, Biased Behavior Happens Faster
(Science Daily) Discrimination may happen faster than the blink of an eye, especially during periods of economic scarcity, according to a new study from Cornell University.
New Study Shows That DMT Puts Your Brain In A “Waking Dream” State
(John Vibes) A study led by a team of researchers at the Centre for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London, recently published in the journal Scientific Reports, demonstrated that people under the influence of DMT (or dimethyltryptamine) show brain wave patterns similar to a dreaming state while they are awake.
Going for the Dopamine High: The Dynamics of Psychopathy
(Edie Weinstein) Art imitated life in an episode of one of my favorite medical shows called New Amsterdam. In it, a team of health care professionals tackle challenging issues in the lives of the patients who pass through the doors of an inner-city hospital and by the end of the show, sometimes the solutions are found, but not all are tied up in nice neat little packages with a pretty bow on top.
How Jazz Improvisation Affects the Brain
(Neuroscience News) Jazz artist Louis Armstrong once said, “never play a thing the same way twice.” Although musical improvisation — composing new passages on the spot — is not unique to jazz, it’s perhaps the genre’s most defining element. While improvised jazz solos are spontaneous, there are rules, says Martin Norgaard, associate professor of music […]
Here’s Why Ants Are Practically Immune to Traffic Jams, Even on Crowded Roads
(Carly Cassella) To be an ant is to never get stuck in traffic. It’s one of the many perks (along with super-human strength, an armour-like skeleton and two stomachs, of course).
How to Avoid Distractions While Studying, According to Science
(Martin Vasilev) Modern life is full of distractions – and some of them can have a negative effect on our ability to concentrate when studying. The problem is that many people tend to underestimate how much they are distracted by what’s going on around them. Here’s how you can get the most from your studies by considering your environment.
Research Worth ‘Bragging’ About: Three Types of Arrogance Identified
(Neuroscience News) A study reports arrogance and narcissism are on a spectrum. Researchers identify three types of arrogance and reveal the associated implications.
Sensory Deprivation and its Frightening Effects
Sensory deprivation, particularly for a period of more than 48 hours, can have a huge effect on perception, cognition, and emotion. Experts have proven that social deprivation has similar effects.