Boys like blue, girls like pink and there’s a good genetic reason for it. In a study, researchers asked a group of men and women to look at about 1000 pairs of colored rectangles on a computer screen in a darkroom and pick the ones they liked best as quickly as possible. Afterwards, the researchers plotted the results along the colour spectrum and found that, while men prefer blue, women gravitate towards the pinker end of the blue spectrum. It’s believed that women’s preference for pink may have evolved on top of a natural, universal preference for blue. The differences may have a basis in evolution in which females developed a preference for reddish colours associated with riper fruit and healthier faces. For men, thinking about colours was less important because as hunters they just needed to spot something dark and shoot it. Source: Current Biology
A virus made me fat
A common virus causes human adult stem cells to turn into fat cells and can contribute to some people putting on weight and becoming obese. The virus in question is adenovirus-36, a common cause of respiratory and eye infections. Researchers obtained adult stem cells from people who had undergone liposuction. Half of the stem cells were exposed to adenovirus-36. After a week, most of the infected stem cells developed into fat cells, while the uninfected cells were unchanged. In further research, it was found that obese people were three times more likely to have been infected with adenovirus-36 than thin people. Of course, there are multiple causes of obesity, including overeating, lack of exercise, genetics, metabolism and now, perhaps, a virus. In the long-term, an anti-obesity vaccine could be developed to deal with the viral component. Source: Louisiana State University
Printer pollution
According to Australian researchers, workers face a potential health threat from office laser printers that emit large amounts of tiny particles into the air. Potential effects range from respiratory irritation to effects on the cardiovascular system and cancer if exposed long-term. The researchers classified 17 of the 62 printers as “high particle emitters”, but 37 of the printers were non-emitters. Printers emitted more particles when the toner cartridge was new and when printing images and graphics. When inhaled, the particles can travel to the deepest parts of the respiratory tract and then enter the bloodstream. The findings come from a large open-plan office in Brisbane, surrounded by busy roads and about 120 metres from a freeway. Average particle concentration inside the test office was five times higher during working hours than non-working hours and at its highest was three times higher than the outdoor rate. Source: Environmental Science & Technology
Crazy cats
Mental disorders associated with ageing, including Alzheimer’s, are far more common in domesticated cats than previously realised; more than half of all cats over the age of 15 show signs of senility. A growing body of evidence suggests that most, if not all, mammals can suffer age-related conditions normally associated with people. In the case of cats, the main difference is that a 15-year-old individual can be compared to an 85-year-old person. Behaviours associated with senility in cats range from acting disoriented and changes in their social relationships to shifting sleep habits. Symptoms may also include inappropriate vocalising, forgetting commands, breaking housetraining, pacing, wandering, sluggishness, unusual interest or disinterest in food and decreased grooming and confusion, such as forgetting they have just been fed. Good diet, mental stimulation and companionship appear to reduce the risk of dementia in cats (and humans). Source: Journal of Small Animal Practice
Bouncing breasts poorly understood
A new study by Dr Joanna Scurr of Portsmouth University questions many previous beliefs about breast biodynamics. More than 50 per cent of women experience breast pain when exercising, but Dr Scurr believes the predominance of men doing sports science research is why the topic hasn’t been taken seriously. Her study showed that breasts move not only up and down during exercise but also side to side and back to front, putting enormous stress on breast tissue. It was believed the maximum breasts can bounce is 16cm, but Dr Scurr found breasts can bounce up to 21cm during exercise. The study also found that breasts move as much during slow jogging as they do at maximum sprint speed. Previously, it was believed that compression bras are better for small-breasted women and encapsulation bras better for larger-breasted women. According to this study, encapsulation bras are better at reducing breast movement in women of all cup sizes. Source: Portsmouth University
Virgin olive oil may help keep blood clot-free
Most focus over the years has been on the good fats in olive oil. Lately, research has been examining the antioxidant qualities of the oil. Olive oil contains phenols, antioxidants that have been shown to fight blood clotting in laboratory tests, but few studies of their effects have been performed in humans. A new study had a group of people with high cholesterol eat two different breakfasts. For one week, they consumed either white bread with virgin olive oil containing 400 parts per million phenols, or white bread with olive oil from which much of the phenols had been extracted, leaving it with 80 parts per million. Two hours after the high-phenol meal, blood concentrations of blood clotting factors were lower compared with the low-phenol group. Since virgin olive oil has the highest phenol content, the researchers say virgin olive oil can be part of a heart-healthy diet. Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
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In This Issue:
Special Report: 12 tips for restful sleep Only in sleep does your body truly heal and rejuvenate. During the bliss of slumber you are actively regenerating your tissues, normalising hormone levels, restoring depleted energy reserves, improving your mood and even your appearance. Good sleep promotes health and vitality and lack of sleep reduces wellbeing and quality of life. Dr Giselle Cooke provides a practical guide to getting the sleep that you need.
Detox your mind As individuals, we are directly affected by Western civilisation’s heady pace of life, and in between meditation sessions and yoga classes, you’d be forgiven for feeling a little unwell. We are overwhelmed by information technology, entertainment options and advertising overload, and it’s not letting up any time soon. As Rebecca Fitzgibbon writes, the Mental Environment Movement is about reclaiming your sense of psychic and spiritual
Baby bites Introducing solids to your young baby’s diet is a very exciting milestone. It’s also a time fraught with questions from parents wanting the very best for their child. Sometimes, information regarding what types of foods and how much to give seems conflicting. All babies are different but there are some general guidelines that should be followed to ensure your baby’s best health. Kate Mirow guides you into giving your baby the best start possible. Soul Searching – Stephanie Dowrick As one of the few interfaith ministers in Australia and one of our nation’s leading writers in the personal growth genre, Stephanie Dowrick has spent a lot of time mulling over the big questions of life and how they affect all of us. WellBeing talked to her about her life and the lessons she has learned.
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“Sweating is the body’s safe and natural way to detoxify and stay healthy". By utilising Sunlight Saunas scientifically tested and proven Solocarbon far infrared technology for deep sweat therapy, you can effectively detoxify the body! Find out more
Optima Aloe Vera Liquid Fibre Liquid Fibre blend provides a great tasting and convenient way to help maintain regularity whilst providing your digestive system with the fibre it need to function properly. Australian Natural Organic Health provides a range of Aloe Vera Body, Oral and Hair Care products as well as Natural Deodorant! Find out more
