Weight Loss Wonders: Tips and Tricks

When we talk about sunlight in the context of health, the picture is usually quite negative. This is, of course, because of the well-understood link between ultraviolet light and skin cancer. Ultraviolet radiation penetrates deeply into the skin and generates DNA-damaging molecules. Over time, this can result in mutations and ultimately in cancer. There is no doubt that excessive exposure to sunlight can be harmful. But research increasingly suggests that too little sun may be just as detrimental. A host of studies have shown, for instance, that living further from the equator is associated with increased risk of multiple sclerosis, and perhaps other autoimmune conditions. Lack of sunlight has also been linked to greater risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Humans evolved under bright sunlight, in equatorial Africa. So perhaps it shouldn’t be too surprising that ultraviolet radiation is an important health input, and its relative absence may be costly to us. Indee...

  Have you ever wondered what makes cinnamon rolls so irresistible? I don’t know about you, but whenever I walk past a Cinnabon storefront (usually at a mall or airport), I am bombarded by an unmistakable and mouth-watering aroma. To be honest I’m not sure if there is a more appealing scent on the face of the earth. I haven’t actually eaten a Cinnabon roll in a long time, however I am told by experts in the matter that they are pretty delicious too. But what exactly makes them smell and taste so wonderful?  Looking at the ingredient list does not answer this question. Yes, cinnamon probably plays a role, but it clearly isn’t the sole contributor. The other constituents don’t explain it either. Think about it: if I put white flour, hydrogenated oil, leavening agents, artificial flavors, cinnamon, and a whole lot of sugar in a bowl, it wouldn’t generate that delicious Cinnabon fragrance. Moreover, it wouldn’t even taste particularly good. You can see where I’m going wit...

What is the mind? This is a question that has sparked intense debate between scientists and philosophers for thousands of years. For most of us, it is our internal world – or more specifically our central nervous system, and the manifestations of our brain activity (thoughts, feelings, and other cognitive faculties). The mind, in effect, is confined to what is happening inside our head. For those of us who see the world from a biological perspective, this makes good sense. But an anthropologist or sociologist might argue that this is a relatively narrow view, in light of our long history as social organisms. Our brain evolved, at least in part, as a processing system for social information.  One of the developmental milestones in child psychology is theory of mind . Theory of mind refers to the ability to attribute mental states (thoughts, desires, emotions, etc.) both to oneself and to other people, and to understand that others may have mental states that are different f...