Monkey Medic
For generations, people across Southeast Asia have used the leaves of a liana plant to treat pain and inflammation, but recently a Sumatran orangutan named Rakus was witnessed using the leaves to treat a facial wound. According to a study by Scientific Reports, the Indonesian ape first chewed up the leaves of the plant then used his fingers to rub the juices onto the injury before using the leaves to then cover the cut like a bandage. “This is the first time that we have observed a wild animal applying a quite potent medicinal plant directly to a wound,” says study co-author Isabelle Laumer, a biologist at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour in Germany. Other apes and monkeys have previously been observed eating certain plants in Africa and the Americas to self-medicate. Such behaviours not only indicate the creatures’ intelligence but could even open up potential avenues for new medical discoveries based on traditional knowledge from the animal kingdom.
Heart Attack
You don’t need medical qualifications to understand that fury isn’t great for your heart health, but new research suggests that even thinking about being angry increases the risk of heart attack and affects those around you. The study, by Columbia University and published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that even remembering past episodes of rage triggered long-lasting blood vessel dilation that, over time, increases the risk of stroke and heart disease. Anger also releases bursts of adrenaline that, at high levels, can have an detrimental affect on our overall cardiovascular health. “Investigation into the underlying links between anger and blood vessel dysfunction may help identify effective intervention targets for people at increased risk of cardiovascular events,” says lead study author Dr Daichi Shimbo. Interestingly, the study found that other emotions like sadness or anxiety to not incur the same negative consequences.
Magic of Magnesium
Another month, another supplement trend, but it seems the mania around magnesium might have some merit. One of the main reasons that magnesium is having a moment is because of its ability to aid with a multitude of maladies such as hormone imbalance, stress, migraines, bone problems, and sleep issues. On TikTok, #sleepygirlmocktail has well over 100 million views, in reference to a sleepinducing, pre-bed tipple popular with Gen Z that mixes magnesium powder with melatonin-rich cherry juice, while the simple magnesium hashtag has more than one billion views, with it commonly cited for its benefits battling anxiety owing to its ability to make enzymes that create serotonin and melatonin. “Given its importance in the body, it might not be surprising to observe marked benefits after magnesium intake,” Louise Dye, a professor at the school of food science and nutrition at the University of Leeds, tells the Guardian. “However, magnesium should not be seen as a ‘miracle’ molecule, capable of solving any issue.” And as with all supplements, always consult with your GP before taking them.
Burn with Caution
The comforting evening outdoor aromas of smouldering pine and fir emanating from suburban flues heralds the start of the cold Kiwi weather while conjuring up cosy images of sipping wine or whiskey in front the crackling flames inside those homes. However, recent research shows that we should burn with extreme caution as even the occasional use of wood burning stoves and heaters exacerbate conditions such as asthma while long-term use can increase the risk of lung cancer by up to 68%, along with other cancers and diseases including dementia. It’s vital that wood burning heaters and the chimneys are cleaned and serviced regularly, while tips for safe usage include burning only dry, well-seasoned and chemically untreated wood; adjusting the air damper on the wood-burning heater to allow sufficient air flow to provide oxygen for clean combustion; and making sure the fire burns brightly to ensure enough heat for complete combustion. It should also be noted that wood burners contribute to outside environmental pollution, too.
Friends for the Ages
From mentorship to lack of competitiveness to fostering personal and community growth and cohesion while being exposed to all-new perspectives, the benefits of intergenerational friendships are plentiful. And according to the Harvard Business Review, intergenerational friendships are essential in the modern workplace, too, where managers are sometimes tasked with leading up to five generations: the Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. With connections unlikely to naturally develop across differing generations, the review suggests fostering these friendships by encouraging conversations to dismantle stereotypes and suspend judgment while highlighting the reciprocal benefits and shared purposes of what their company is trying to achieve. “Try issuing an intergenerational problemsolving mission that motivates people to come together,” writes Professor Megan W Gerhardt. “For example, form intergenerational task forces to tackle questions like ‘How can we integrate new AI strategies into our business while staying true to the values we were founded upon?’”
Smells Tasty!
Any readers preparing for a winter break to warmer climes will no doubt be stocking up on the insect repellent (especially if heading to Samoa where there is, at the time of writing, a dengue outbreak), but have you ever wondered why some folks tend to attract those pesky mozzies more than others? According to a study by New Yorks’ Rockefeller University, published in the journal Cell, it all comes down to smell – those with high levels of carboxyl acids are up to 100 times more attractive to the bloodsucking bugs than those with low levels. The acids are produced through the waxy coating we all get on our skins called sebum, and produced at higher levels when we are hotter and sweatier. Unfortunately, you can’t control the levels of this chemical that your produce – and it doesn’t change over time – meaning you’ll likely remain a mosquito magnet for life! However, scientists are more likely to be able to produce more effective repellents armed with the understanding of what mosquitoes find most attractive.
