Why are we still obsessed with protein?
High-protein recipes have dominated food trends for the past ten years, and thanks to social media their popularity persists. But do we really need to eat so much protein? And if the answer is no, why do these diets have such a hold on us?Β Proteinβs reputation as the ultimate...
Current in Science
Does practicing gratitude make you more generous?
Itβs long been theorised that giving thanks can cultivate a stronger desire to be giving. Now, thereβs neuroscience to back this up, with recent research revealing a link between a grateful brain and an altruistic one. If youβre into mindfulness, then youβll know how transformative it can be to practice...
Does the human brain have a microbiome?
Though itβs long been assumed that bacteria canβt survive in the human brain, neuroscientists have recently been surprised to discover that it may harbour all sorts of micro-organisms. In recent years, gut health has been all the rage. This is because our understanding of the function and importance of the...
Home-based brain simulation therapy improves depression symptoms
Recent advancements in transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) offer new, accessible at-home options and change the course for depression treatments. Depression affects individuals uniquely, with symptoms and underlying causes that vary widely. For some, depression may stem from biochemical imbalances, while for others, it could be linked to traumatic experiences, environmental...
Space travel might be worse for human health than scientists thought
New research by a British non-profit suggests that the health consequences of being in space may be more serious than originally believed. As far as suitable environments go, space in pretty uninhabitable. Not only does it lack oxygen, but the atmosphere is either far too hot or far too cold for...
Scientists finally understand why people with schizophrenia hear voices
According to new research β which represents a βparadigm shiftβ for mental health disorders β the way people experience auditory verbal hallucinations isnβt that different from the way humans hear external sounds. For decades, scientists have been endeavouring to understand why people with schizophrenia (which affects
Does the moon actually influence human health?
Researchers have long dismissed such claims but surprising new evidence suggests that the lunar cycle does in fact subtly affect sleep, menstruation, and certain mental illnesses. In astrology, the moon represents the inner world β namely our emotions. Understanding how to work with its 29.5-day cycle has always been the aim of the astrologically inclined, even more so in the 21st century, with the mystical services market estimated to be worth...
Complex life on Earth may be 1.5 billion years older than thought
Previous studies suggest animal life did not emerge on Earth until around 635 million years ago. New research claims to have found new evidence deep within rocks showing environmental conditions for animal life 2.1 billion years ago. As it currently stands, animals first showed up on Earth around 635 million years ago. Or did they? According to an international team of researchers, this previous estimate may need to be revised β...
Immunosuppressant drug show promise of prolonging womenβs fertility
Rapamycin, a drug commonly used to prevent organ transplant rejection, appears to lessen the number of egg follicles released during womenβs menstrual cycles with no adverse side effects. Scientists say this could extend female fertility by up to five years. Though couples are waiting longer on average to have children, reasons for doing so are often varied. Some are worried about the cost of having kids, while others want to travel...
The βInternet of Animalsβ is about to change our understanding of nature
A globally accessible database that documents the lives of animals and geographical structures could go live as early as next year. The collection of real-time data will inform experts on speciesβ behavioural changes and environmental shifts. Biologists, ecologists, and conservationists alike are concerned with the health of our planet and all life within it. So why doesnβt a comprehensive, living database exist to assist their work? One might argue that previously...
