In English
2023-08-23 @ 16.42.53 ∈ In English
Hookworms successfully prevent type 2 diabetes in human trial
“The JCU trial provides sufficient proof of concept that infection with live hookworms is safe and appears to have some sort of beneficial effects on people’s metabolic health, which will hopefully be confirmed by future clinical trials designed to confirm efficacy and explore how hookworms influence metabolism[.]”
2023-08-21 @ 21.10.40 ∈ In English
2023-08-20 @ 9.46.33 ∈ In English
Philosopher argues that mindfulness rests on dubious philosophical foundations
[Mindfulness's] focus on the individual's attention makes major structural social problems, such as the attention economy, a matter for the individual rather than something that we need to solve together. This criticism has also been raised in the context of workplace stress, where employees with stress are offered a course in mindfulness rather than changing working conditions.
2023-08-20 @ 9.41.21 ∈ In English
Ultrasound can briefly induce a hibernation-like state in animals
By examining mouse brain activity and tissue, they determined that the ultrasound procedure was activating neurons within the preoptic area. The authors also identified a likely mechanism for the ultrasound-induced torpor—a protein, also found in humans, that allows ions to flow into and activate these neurons.
2023-08-18 @ 19.43.57 ∈ In English
Nauseous territory: Outfoxing predators using baits that make them ill
Over three sequential periods, untreated baits were laid, followed by levamisole-containing baits and untreated baits again. During the final period baits taken fell by 30%, indicating that foxes had consumed the levamisole-containing baits, fallen ill, and were reluctant to go back for seconds, despite the later absence of levamisole.
2023-08-17 @ 20.14.20 ∈ In English
2023-08-14 @ 19.17.58 ∈ In English
Urban great tits have paler plumage than their forest-living relatives
The distinctive yellow color in the great tit's feathers comes from pigments called carotenoids which are found in food sources. The great tits get these nutrients from the insects they eat, who, in turn get carotenoids from the plants they feed on. This new research suggests that urban great tits are not able to consume as many carotenoids from their food as their countryside counterparts, and possibly fewer than they might need to stay as healthy.
