REM sleep is critical to brain development in children

REM Sleep
Researchers identify that rapid eye movement or REM sleep, usually associated with dreaming, is critical to converting daytime experiences into memories required for normal brain function

Researchers say their findings help to explain how children’s learning is affected by inadequate REM sleep, and how medication commonly prescribed for hyperactivity or depression interferes with this sleep.

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Potato head misnomer: starchy carbs made our brains bigger

Assortment of potatoes, which are starchy carbs
Carbohydrates have been left off the menu by dietary fads favouring protein, but a study on human brain evolution suggests a key role for starchy carbs

Paleolithic diets are increasing in popularity in the belief that a return to our ancestor’s diet can curb the upward trend in obesity and diet-related health issues.

Scientists agree there are health gains when our diet aligns with our evolutionary past because our physiology is optimised for that diet. Yet there is little agreement about what makes up a healthy diet and what comprises the Paleolithic diet of Old Stone Age man.

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Is sleep deprivation causing teenage depression?

Girl on phone late night

New research reveals a strong link between sleep deprivation and depression in adolescents that could guide better prevention and treatment

In a new study published in the journal Sleep, U.S. researchers found that up to 25% of adolescents slept for 6 hours or less per night, and were classed as sleep deprived. With early school times, weekend jobs and social media, it’s no surprise that adolescents don’t get enough sleep, putting them at risk of major depression.

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Is social media boosting self-esteem or feeding depression and anxiety?

Girl looking at phone

Researchers identify social media use as a risk factor in the rising trend of teenage depression

Olivia checks Facebook to see what’s been happening since she looked an hour ago. It’s 11.30 pm. She may spend ten minutes or it may be a couple of hours if there are lots of posts. Olivia has 453 friends. She posts a selfie showing her Clairol Deep Chestnut hair and waits for a response. Three likes come through. She relaxes a little.

Olivia is one of the increasing number of young people at risk of mental health problems from social media experiences. With over 1.2 billion active users monthly on Facebook—and more than 757 million users interacting every day—we are more publicly exposed than ever.

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Acetaminophen pain reliever may also dull your pleasure

Science Nutshell - Tylenol capsules

Next time you take a painkiller, your sensitivity to pain may not be the only thing reduced. You may also be reducing your sensitivity to pleasure

Researchers in the U.S have found that the common pain reliever acetaminophen has a previously unknown side effect of reducing positive emotion.

Previous studies show that acetaminophen reduces both physical and psychological pain, but this new study, published online in the journal Psychological Science, is the first to examine the effect on positive emotions.

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Narcissism linked to parents who over-rate their children

Plastic doll with large eyes sitting on grass
Telling our children they are better than others and giving them a skewed view of their worth may not be good for them in the long run

A recent study looking at the causes of narcissism reveals that parents who overvalue their children may be responsible for their increased self-centeredness and self-importance.

It is well known that narcissistic individuals are self-absorbed, consider themselves to be superior to others and tend to lack empathy. They can react with violence or aggression if they feel humiliated or don’t get the special treatment they deserve, according to past research by authors of this study. However, little is known about what causes narcissism.

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Spider venom: A breakthrough in chronic pain relief

Tarantula spider

Scientists have found that compounds in spider venom may provide the key to developing a new class of painkillers for chronic pain relief 

The study, published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, reveals the potential for analgesics without the side effects that restrict the dosage and effectiveness of existing medications. 

Chronic pain affects 15% of the adult population worldwide, causing prolonged suffering and reducing quality of life. The economic cost is significant, and in the U.S. it is estimated at $600 billion a year, exceeding the combined cost of cancer, diabetes and stroke. 

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Living with nature in mind

Welcome to Nature in Mind where you’ll find articles on wildlife conservation, sustainable living and animal welfare, as well as memoir and opinion pieces.

Wherever we live in the world, we are connected by our responsibility to humanity and nature. By living with nature in mind, we can support a thriving natural environment and enjoy better mental health. We can enrich our own lives and those of generations to come. Through this blog, I hope to raise awareness of why nature matters.

If you need a content writer, copywriter or copy editor for your business or publication, visit my freelance writing services website: www.tracybrightenwriter.com .

Image credit: Australasian Gannet Colony at Muriwai Beach, New Zealand by David Brighten

Older adults need double the protein RDA to build muscle

Foods high in protein including meat, eggs, fish, nuts and beans

New research shows that differences in protein synthesis between older and younger adults means that as we age, we must double our protein RDA to remain active

It is well known that we need to consume protein to enable our body to build and repair muscle. As we get older, the body becomes less efficient in this process at a time when fitness affects our quality of life and strong muscles can help protect our joints from osteoarthritis.

Research published in January in the American Journal of Physiology — Endocrinology and Metabolism suggests the amount of protein consumed by older adults affects the body’s net protein balance due to differences in the way they synthesise protein compared to younger adults.

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Sleep cleanses the brain of toxins linked to Alzheimer’s

Woman in bed sleeping

Research revealing that sleep cleanses the brain of toxins has been awarded a top prize in the advancement of science 

Scientists have long sought to establish the function of sleep, proposing that there must be a more essential function than the storing and consolidation of memories, considering an animal’s vulnerability during the sleep state. Sleep is also known to have a restorative effect on the human brain, and lack of sleep impairs brain function, but how does this occur?

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