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Smart naps

12 March 2010: We know that napping is good for you but now we know why a nap makes you smarter. Subjects in a new study undertook a rigorous learning task at midday intended to tax the hippocampus, the region of the brain that stores fact based memories. At 2pm one group had a 90 minute nap while the other group stayed awake. Then at 6pm the subjects were given a new set of tests. Those who stayed awake did worse than they had done at noon while those who had napped improved their capacity to learn. This reinforces the idea that fact based memories are temporarily stored in the hippocampus before being sent to the brain’s prefrontal cortex which has more storage space. Sleep clears short-term memory storage making room for new information. The argument is clear; “If you want creativity this afternoon boss, I’m going to need a nap.”

Source: American Association of the Advancement of Science

Garlic cuts nitrosamines

11 March 2010: Some nitrosamines cause cancer and they are made when you consume nitrates, commonly from processed meats, high heat processed foods, or water contaminated by industry run-off. About twenty per cent of nitrates are converted to nitrites and these can be converted into nitrosamines. Vegetables also contain nitrates but the vitamin C in vegetables lowers the risk that they will turn into something toxic. Garlic’s anti-cancer reputation led researchers to suspect that it might contain substances with a similar effect. So they gave subjects a dose of sodium nitrate and then garlic capsules, or vitamin C, or nothing for seven days. The unique test here was to measure the subjects urine every second day to see if nitrosamines were forming. The garlic lowered nitrosamine formation as did vitamin C. As far as dose goes it was a case of the more garlic the better; but then we knew that already.

Source: Analytical Biochemistry

The magic useful tree

10 March 2010: Water-borne illness is a big problem in the developing world as a billion people rely on untreated surface water for daily needs. Now a study suggests a tree native to the lower Himalayas in India and grown in Africa, Central and South America, and South-East Asia may be an answer. Moringa oleifera is known by many names including “tree of life”. It is drought resistant, yields oil for cooking and lighting, and has pods leaves and seeds that are highly nutritious. Now research has shown that a powder made by crushing the tree’s seeds acts as a natural clearing agent for turbid surface water. The powder reduces cloudiness making the water look better and it kills between 90 and 99.99 per cent of bacteria in a water sample. The procedure can be done in homes, and while it would not eradicate all disease threat, it is a big step.

Source: Current Protocols in Microbiology

Spinach light

09 March 2010: Supermarkets are not renowned for their healthy practices when it comes to fruit and vegetables but it does seem that they might be doing something right. Spinach, and other produce, are kept in supermarkets at cool temperatures under fluorescent lights 24 hours a day. To test what this did to the spinach leaves researchers kept fresh spinach leaves under continuous light or darkness of between three and nine days. Spinach kept under lights for as little as three days had significantly higher levels of vitamins C, E, K, folate, lutein, and zeaxanthin. Leaves stored in darkness lost nutrients so photosynthesis continues after picking as long as there is air, moisture in the leaves and light. Harvesting from your garden is still the best option but when it comes to storage spinach is just like the rest of us, it doesn’t like to be kept in the dark.

Source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

Dark secrets

08 March 2010: Why is it that we tend to do things under the cover of darkness that we would never dare in the light of day? In a new study people were placed in either a dimly lit room or a well lit room and were given a sum of money. They were asked to complete a series of maths problems and then pay themselves for each correct answer they achieved in five minutes. The participants scored their own work and while both groups achieved the same results, those in the dim room cheated more and paid themselves more than they deserved. In a second experiment people who wore sunglasses also behaved more selfishly than those wearing clear glasses. It happens because the experience of darkness, even wearing sunglasses, triggers an illusory belief in anonymity and results in unethical behaviour. Maybe we don’t need more police after all, just more street lights.

Source: Psychological Science

Happy, healthy hearts

05 March 2010: Having positive emotions is known as “positive affect”; a state characterised by feelings like joy, enthusiasm, excitement, happiness, and contentment. “Negative affect” is associated with feelings of anxiety, depression, and hostility. This new study looked at over 1700 people taking part in a ten year survey who were assessed by trained nurses for heart disease risk and also for symptoms of positive and negative affect. The positive affect scale was based on a five point scale ranging from none to extreme. They found that for every one point increase on that scale there was a 22 per cent reduction in heart disease risk. This could be due to positive emotions reducing heart rate, improving sleeping patterns or leading to better lifestyle choices. You can increase your positive affect by creating space for whatever you enjoy, finding at least fifteen minutes to do it daily; like reading wellbeing.com.au for example.

Source: European Heart Journal

Sharp answers for period pain

04 March 2010: Approximately 50 per cent of young women experience menstrual cramps, the cause of which is usually unknown. A common treatment includes curling up with a heat pack, chocolate supply and a painkiller. This is a symptomatic, if enjoyable, approach. A long term and holistic treatment could be acupuncture according to new research. Researchers reviewed all available randomised and controlled studies on acupuncture up until July 2008. That meant 27 studies were examined and almost 3000 women were involved. The data showed that acupuncture was the preferred treatment for period pain when compared to pharmaceuticals and even herbal remedies. It seems that acupuncture stimulates release of endorphins and serotonin in the central nervous system. The researchers did note that some of the studies were flawed but there is enough evidence here to suggest that acupuncture is worth a try. At least being needled will be better than needling your partner.

Source: BJOG: International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Flower power

03 March 2010: Peter Rabbit’s mother gave voice to the folk loric wisdom that chamomile tea is good for “the nerves” when she gave Peter some of the beverage after an incident in Mr McGregor’s garden. Now in an evaluation for the Faculty of 1000 researchers have drawn attention to a randomised, controlled trial for the use of chamomile to treat generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). People with mild to moderate GAD were given either chamomile or a placebo. Apigenin is one of the components in chamomile that is thought to yield its calming effects, acting in a similar way to benzodiazepines. In the study the chamomile was given in the form of 220mg capsules with 1.2 per cent apigenin. Chamomile showed improvement beyond placebo and may have modest anti-panic activity as well as having no side-effects. Looks as though Mrs Rabbit, or is it all mothers, knew what she was about.

Source: Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology