'tis the season
Here are a few readings for today:
“Over millions of years dogs have developed bigger brains than cats because highly social species of mammals need more brain power than solitary animals, according to a study by Oxford University.”
“The European Commission has announced a ban on the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in plastic baby bottles from next year. The commission cited fears that the compound could affect development and immune response in young children. There has been concern over the use of BPA for some time, with six US manufacturers removing it in 2009 from bottles they sold in the US, although not other markets.”
“Binge drinkers have a risk of heart disease twice that of people who consume the same amount of alcohol but more steadily, researchers say.The study compared 10,000 male drinkers from “booze-bingeing” Belfast and “moderate” France over 10 years”
“AN Australian company will sell the world’s first armpit testosterone lotion in American stores next year after receiving approval from the US Food and Drug Administration.
The lotion, created by Melbourne-based drug delivery firm Acrux, treats men with hypogonadism, a disease which produces low testosterone levels and includes symptoms such as erectile dysfunction, low sexual desire and performance. Axiron – an anagram for “iron ax” – is the first testosterone replacement therapy to be applied in the armpit, with current treatments including a gel for the upper body and regular injections.”
5 Comments
natzafis · November 29, 2010 at 8:57 pm
The article “Dogs Have Bigger Brains Than Cats Because They Are More Sociable, Research Finds” was very illuminating. I had previously believed the notion that the brain size of all mammals had increased over time, so it was surprising to me to learn that this is not the case. It is understandable that brain size is directly linked to the how social an animal is, especially considering how large the human brain is and what social animals we are. I personally enjoyed learning that dogs have larger brains than cats because I classify myself as a “dog person” and think that cats make boring pets, which is reinforced by their brain size correlating with a more solitary species. I thought it was extremely interesting that the brains of monkeys, horses, dolphins, and camels were the mammals whose brains had grown the most over time. I knew previously that dolphins were considered very social animals, but was unaware that monkeys and horses are considered more social than they are.
hdrain · November 29, 2010 at 9:59 pm
“Binge drinking ‘doubles heart risk'”– this article does not surprise me. It fits with the idea that when you drink more at one setting, you are just attacking your heart, rather than letting your heart “get used to it” by drinking a little at various settings. But what I am curious about is the differences in the countries that the study took place. We have always been told that heart failure is cultural as well as biological. The differences in healthy vs. unhealthy hearts are correlated with amount of alcohol consumed, but what about the diet and lifestyle differences-culturally? What was interesting was the differences in beverages chosen. Men in France were more likely to drink wine than men in Belfast. I think wine might be my drink of choice now!
Maria · November 30, 2010 at 10:49 am
This armpit testosterone lotion appears to be a good idea as long as it is kept away from those who don’t need it. If a child were to get a hold of this lotion, it might have dramatic hormonal affects on the child. It would have to be kept in a secure place because most children won’t see lotion as any sort of threat to their health and would readily use it. On the other hand, this product is quick, easy, and beneficial to men.
johnson · November 30, 2010 at 1:13 pm
In the article about dogs brain size, I find it intersting that dogs and other social animals brain size being bigger than less social animals. It makes sense that social animals have bigger brains, since they don’t just have to worry about themselves and survival, but others around them’s survival and happiness. The findings are interesting, especially since humans are very social beings and the human brain has greatly increased over the years.
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