Monthly Archives: December 2012

Running and the evolution of man (Part 2)

I distinctly remember watching Survivor: Africa in 2001 and realizing how vulnerable early man must have felt. The Survivor contestants were sleeping in a traditional african Kraal, which was simply a circular fence of thorny acacia bushes. At night, lions … Continue reading

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Running and the evolution of man (part 1)

Exercise builds the brain. Yet more strong theorizing summarized in this NY Times column: Anyone whose resolve to exercise in 2013 is a bit shaky might want to consider an emerging scientific view of human evolution. It suggests that we … Continue reading

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Four techniques Navy Seals use to make it through rigorous training

The training for Navy Seals is extremely tough. For instance, recruits have to stay underwater for 20 minutes. They have a hose to breath from, but they have to deal with regular attacks from instructors who rip their masks off, … Continue reading

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Sugar is only toxic sometimes

Finally, a very sane analysis of what sugar does in your body. Robert Lustig, who is most famous for saying “Sugar is toxic,” lays out the case in a more sensible, less sloganistic fashion by saying that the fructose in … Continue reading

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The Meaning of Pupil Dilation

From The Scientist magazine, a really interesting roundup about pupil diliation and what it can tell us about human cognition. It’s an old subject, but finding many new applications and helping create new insights (no pun intended). The Meaning of … Continue reading

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Inherited Resistance to Cocaine

Male rat pups of cocaine using fathers are less likely to become addicted to cocaine and find the drug less rewarding, according to new research. This is due to inherited, epigenetic changes induced by the cocaine use. “The findings, published … Continue reading

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Instagram Does an About-Face – NYTimes.com

Instagram reverts to previous rules. It took long enough. In a blog post on the company’s site, Kevin Systrom, Instagram’s co-founder, said that where advertising was concerned, the company would revert to its previous terms of service, which have been … Continue reading

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Grapefruit is a powerful drug

For 43 of the 85 drugs now on the list, consumption with grapefruit can be life-threatening, Dr. Bailey said. Many are linked to an increase in heart rhythm, known as torsade de pointes, that can lead to death. It can … Continue reading

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BBC News – Instagram “suicide note” seeks right to sell access to photos to advertisers

  Instagram signs its “Suicide Note.” They say you “own” your photos, but they can do whatever they want with it. What’s “ownership” without control? A notice updating the privacy policy on the Instagram site said: “We may share your … Continue reading

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More bad news for Ibuprofen during exercise

I’ve written about how ibuprofen may interfere with muscle development when taken after exercise, but it is not good to take during exercise either. For a while it has been known that it can cause people to ignore damage happening … Continue reading

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