Prof John Aitken, Laureate professor at the University of Newcastle in Australia, has found that oxidative stress caused by free radicals can prevent male sperm from fertilising an egg. Some small studies have suggested that the solution to this problem could be quite simple. A diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables increases antioxidants and [...]

No, I am not suggesting you place yourself in an oven. I know that many people under stress consider that as an option. Yes, I am suggesting that cooking can be relaxing and therapeutic. No need to spend a fortune on exotic foods and resort-style cuisine. May I recommend a website I recently came across [...]

photo credit: mynameisharsha By adopting physical actions of a positive nature — that is, acting contrary to your depressed feelings, the body is often tricked into a more positive mode. To do this, just apply some action that you know will produce good feelings – for example, actually making some appointments or spending a few [...]

photo credit: learningexecutive Some animal research suggests that when rats help or protect their kith or kin the action causes the altruist’s brain to produce endorphins. Antisocial behaviour has the opposite effect. While these studies have not been applied to humans, it makes evolutionary sense that we are built in such a way that when [...]

photo credit: Andre Um The word neuropeptide is so new thai it’s rare to find it in a dictionary published before 1990. I have a 1987 copy of the Australian Concise Oxford Dictionary and the word neuropeptide doesn’t get a guernsey, although the word peptide is discreetly tucked away in the pages containing words that [...]