Complex clues in a kiss
By James Morgan
Science reporter, BBC News, Chicago
When you share a kiss with your lover on Valentine's Day, you may be revealing a lot more than you realise.
Locking lips not only stimulates our senses, it also gives us subtle clues about our suitability as mates, US scientists have found.
A man's saliva has a "cocktail of chemicals" hinting at his fertility and evolutionary fitness, they said at a conference in Chicago.
That may be why the first kiss is often the last - "the kiss of death".
Primitive instinct
"Kissing is a powerful adaptive mechanism - otherwise we wouldn't see it all over the world. Over 90% of human societies practice kissing," said anthropologist Helen Fisher, of Rutgers University in New Jersey, at the annual conference of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Chicago.
"Chimpanzees and bonobos kiss. Foxes lick each other's faces. Birds tap their bills together and elephants put their trunks in one another's mouths.
"So why do we do it? I think it is a tool for mate assessment. When you kiss, you can touch, see, feel, taste somebody. A huge part of our brain lights up.
"This is a real assessment tool - and can be highly positive or highly negative. In one study, 66% of women and 59% of men had experienced a first kiss which killed the relationship. It was the kiss of death."
Chemical bond
As well as acting as a "screening" mechanism for potential mates, Dr Fisher believes kissing evolved to stimulate what she has described as the three key brain systems for mating and reproduction.
The first of these is sex drive.
"Male saliva has testosterone in it. And men as a group seem to like wet kisses, with an open mouth and more tongue action.
"So it may be that, unconsciously, they are attempting to transfer testosterone - to trigger the sex drive in women and push them into being more sexually receptive."
Men also have a poor sense of smell, she said, so by open mouth kissing "they might be trying to pick up traces of a woman's oestrogen cycle, to figure out the degree of her fertility."
The second mechanism is romantic love.
"Kissing is novel, at least at the beginning of a relationship, and novelty stimulates dopamine - which is associated with romantic love," said Dr Fisher.
Finally, kissing promotes what she referred to as "attachment" or "pair bonding".
It helps us to stay together "at least long enough to have children," she said.
To study the chemistry which underlies kissing and pair bonding, neuroscientist Dr Wendy Hill, of Lafayette College, recruited a group of college students.
The young lovers - 15 couples in all - were then split into two groups. Some were asked to smooch for 15 minutes, to the soundtrack of relaxing music. The others sat holding hands and talking.
Romantic setting?
"Afterwards, we measured the changes in their levels of cortisol - a stress hormone - in their saliva.
"Levels had declined for everyone in the kissing group. And the longer the relationship, the lower the cortisol."
Dr Hill also took blood samples from the couples to measure levels of oxytocin - a messenger molecule associated with trust and sexual intimacy.
After 15 minutes of kissing, the males saw a significant increase in the "pair bonding" chemical.
But in the females, a decrease in oxytocin was observed.
"This was very surprising," Dr Hill admitted. "We are exploring the possibility that the setting - a college health centre - was just not very romantic.
"After all, this is a place where students go when they are ill. That may have had an effect on the females."
Dr Fisher is now running the study again "in a more romantic setting.
"We have a secluded room with a couch, flowers, candles, and a light jazz CD playing."
Interestingly, the females on birth control pills had significantly higher oxytocin levels, even before kissing began.
But with so few couples taking part in the study, which has yet to be published, it was not clear if there was any direct link between the two.
Showing posts with label Nursing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nursing. Show all posts
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Children's sweet tooth explained
By Victoria Gill
Science reporter, BBC News
A compulsion for sweets is a well-known part of childhood, and research could have now explained why children love sugar quite so much.
The study, carried out in the US, found a direct link between children's growth and their preference for sugary drinks.
It showed that youngsters who preferred the sweetest drinks were the ones that were growing the fastest.
Researchers from the University of Washington and Monell Chemical Senses Center collaborated on the work.
The team used what they described as a "sip and spit" method to test the children's preference for sugary drinks.
''Kids love sweets; they'll put sugar on frosted flakes. But that love seems to decline with age," said Susan Coldwell from the University of Washington, who led the study.
"We wanted to see what was going on as that shift happens - at around the age of 16."
More than 140 11-15 year-olds took part in the test. They were given six drinks to taste, each containing an increasing concentration of sugar.
The researchers asked the children to rate, on a scale of one to five, how much they liked the taste of each drink.
"Based on those taste tests, we divided the kids into a 'high preference' and a 'low preference' group," Professor Coldwell explained.
The scientists then tested urine samples from the children for a chemical associated with bone growth in children and adolescents.
"We tested for a [breakdown product] of bone," said professor Coldwell.
"It's found in the urine either when bones are growing or in older people with osteoporosis, when their bones are being destroyed."
Children with a high preference for sugar also had higher levels of this chemical.
"This gives us the first link between sweet preference and biological need," said Danielle Reed, a researcher from Monell, and one of the study's authors.
"When markers of bone growth decline as children age, so does their preference for highly sweet solutions."
By Victoria Gill
Science reporter, BBC News
A compulsion for sweets is a well-known part of childhood, and research could have now explained why children love sugar quite so much.
The study, carried out in the US, found a direct link between children's growth and their preference for sugary drinks.
It showed that youngsters who preferred the sweetest drinks were the ones that were growing the fastest.
Researchers from the University of Washington and Monell Chemical Senses Center collaborated on the work.
The team used what they described as a "sip and spit" method to test the children's preference for sugary drinks.
''Kids love sweets; they'll put sugar on frosted flakes. But that love seems to decline with age," said Susan Coldwell from the University of Washington, who led the study.
"We wanted to see what was going on as that shift happens - at around the age of 16."
More than 140 11-15 year-olds took part in the test. They were given six drinks to taste, each containing an increasing concentration of sugar.
The researchers asked the children to rate, on a scale of one to five, how much they liked the taste of each drink.
"Based on those taste tests, we divided the kids into a 'high preference' and a 'low preference' group," Professor Coldwell explained.
The scientists then tested urine samples from the children for a chemical associated with bone growth in children and adolescents.
"We tested for a [breakdown product] of bone," said professor Coldwell.
"It's found in the urine either when bones are growing or in older people with osteoporosis, when their bones are being destroyed."
Children with a high preference for sugar also had higher levels of this chemical.
"This gives us the first link between sweet preference and biological need," said Danielle Reed, a researcher from Monell, and one of the study's authors.
"When markers of bone growth decline as children age, so does their preference for highly sweet solutions."
Friday, March 20, 2009
Kids with freedom get more exercise
British Study; Research paves way for examining play environments
Reuters
From: http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/parenting/Kids+with+freedom+more+exercise/1223010/story.html
Children whose parents give them more free rein to roam are also more physically active, new research from the United Kingdom shows.
Parents are becoming less and less likely to allow their children this kind of independence, Dr. Angie Page and her colleagues from the University of Bristol point out, and more research is needed on how to change the social and physical environment to allow parents to feel more comfortable giving their children more autonomy.
Page and her team looked at the independent mobility -- the degree to which the children were allowed to move around without adult supervision. An example would be allowing children to walk to school or to a friend's house without being accompanied by an adult.
Parents may be becoming increasingly reluctant to let their children wander on their own due to concerns about traffic dangers or the threat that their child might be molested, the researchers note, or they may also want to spend more time interacting with their children.
Research has shown that children with more independent mobility interact more with other children and their environments, while lower levels of independent mobility could "negatively influence children's emotional, social and cognitive development," and may lead to more sedentary behaviours, putting them at risk of obesity, Page and her colleagues write. Evidence is mounting, they add, that children are spending less time on their own outside the home, and more likely to travel by car when they go out.
To investigate the relationship between independent mobility and physical activity, they looked at 1,307 boys and girls, 10-to-11 years old, attending 23 different schools in a large city. Children wore a device called an accelerometer to measure their physical activity for a week. The researchers looked at both local and area independent mobility, and asked the children how often they were allowed to go to various places on their own or with friends.
Overall, the researchers found, boys had more independent mobility than girls. And the greater a child's independent mobility, the more active he or she was on weekdays. However, the researchers found no link between independent mobility and weekend physical activity.
"Understanding the factors that influence independent mobility is necessary to determine the optimum social and physical environment that encourages parents and adult carers to allow their children to be physically active outside unsupervised," the researchers say.
"This should be in addition to encouraging children [and parents] to be more physically active outside together. Both of these approaches may be important mechanisms to promote increased physical activity in young people," they conclude.
British Study; Research paves way for examining play environments
Reuters
From: http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/parenting/Kids+with+freedom+more+exercise/1223010/story.html
Children whose parents give them more free rein to roam are also more physically active, new research from the United Kingdom shows.
Parents are becoming less and less likely to allow their children this kind of independence, Dr. Angie Page and her colleagues from the University of Bristol point out, and more research is needed on how to change the social and physical environment to allow parents to feel more comfortable giving their children more autonomy.
Page and her team looked at the independent mobility -- the degree to which the children were allowed to move around without adult supervision. An example would be allowing children to walk to school or to a friend's house without being accompanied by an adult.
Parents may be becoming increasingly reluctant to let their children wander on their own due to concerns about traffic dangers or the threat that their child might be molested, the researchers note, or they may also want to spend more time interacting with their children.
Research has shown that children with more independent mobility interact more with other children and their environments, while lower levels of independent mobility could "negatively influence children's emotional, social and cognitive development," and may lead to more sedentary behaviours, putting them at risk of obesity, Page and her colleagues write. Evidence is mounting, they add, that children are spending less time on their own outside the home, and more likely to travel by car when they go out.
To investigate the relationship between independent mobility and physical activity, they looked at 1,307 boys and girls, 10-to-11 years old, attending 23 different schools in a large city. Children wore a device called an accelerometer to measure their physical activity for a week. The researchers looked at both local and area independent mobility, and asked the children how often they were allowed to go to various places on their own or with friends.
Overall, the researchers found, boys had more independent mobility than girls. And the greater a child's independent mobility, the more active he or she was on weekdays. However, the researchers found no link between independent mobility and weekend physical activity.
"Understanding the factors that influence independent mobility is necessary to determine the optimum social and physical environment that encourages parents and adult carers to allow their children to be physically active outside unsupervised," the researchers say.
"This should be in addition to encouraging children [and parents] to be more physically active outside together. Both of these approaches may be important mechanisms to promote increased physical activity in young people," they conclude.
Extreme kids
If your child jumped off a bridge, would you jump too?
By Debbie Olsen, For The Calgary Herald
From: http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/parenting/Extreme+kids/1402036/story.html
Extreme sports like bungee jumping are becoming more popular with people of all ages. Many activities that were once the domain of adventurous adults are available for the younger set--providing they have parental approval. The tough thing as a parent is deciding whether an activity is too extreme for your comfort level--or theirs.
When it comes to risk-taking, sometimes it's best to let your children stretch their wings with carefully controlled activities. On a recent trip to New Zealand, our two teenaged boys were excited to try bungee jumping. The other four members of our family were not as eager, but we all climbed up the Auckland Bridge and stood beside the bungee platform to cheer on the dare devils. The experience gave new meaning to the old question: "If your friends jumped off a bridge, would you jump to?"
Here are some ideas for extreme (and not so extreme) activities.
THE ORIGINAL BUNGEE JUMP
In 1986, A. J. Hacket made his first jump from Auckland's Greenhithe Bridge. He opened the world's first permanent commercial bungee site at Kawarau Bridge near Queenstown not long afterward. He is one of the world's largest commercial bungee operators with permanent sites in New Zealand and around the world.
Two of our boys decided they'd like to bungee jump with the world's original operator off the Auckland Bridge. Like millions of adventurous souls before them, they lived to tell the tale.Info:It costs about $85 Cdn to bungee jump off the Auckland Bridge and that includes an A. J. Hackett Bungee T-shirt. (bungy. co. nz).
Hint: For about $24 Cdn per person, you can climb to the bungee platform and watch your friend or family member take the plunge off the Auckland Bridge. The views from the top are worth the fee, but seeing your loved one drop from the top is priceless.
ZORBING
As we rounded the stretch of New Zealand highway that leads into Rotorua we caught our first glimpse of the Zorb, a large sphere that looks like a giant beach ball. Inside the larger ball was a smaller one and inside of that was a tourist who was running down the hill like a hamster in an exercise ball. Our kids knew it was something they just had to try.Info:The zorb was invented in New Zealand and there are several places there and around the world where you can experience zorbing. It costs about $30 Cdn for one ride in Rotorua. (zorb. co. nz).
TANDEM PARASAILING
Sammy Duvall's Watersport Centre at Disney's Contemporary Resort in Florida offers a unique parasailing experience for families that provides a bird's-eye view of Walt Disney World that maxes out at 180 metres in height.Info:Parasailing flights start at $95 US for a single rider or $170 for two tandem riders. All fliers must be over six years old and the total weight on the parachute must be between 57 kg and 150 kg. ( sammyduvall.com).
TANDEM HANG-GLIDING
It takes months of training to be able to solo hang-glide, but novices can enjoy a tandem flight in a single morning. With an instructor by your side, you are towed 2,000 feet into the air and free fly for 15 to 20 minutes. While in the air, your instructor teaches you how to steer the glider using your body weight. People from ages four to 40 have enjoyed the experience and on a recent visit to Orlando, my 10-year-old daughter and I gave it a try. Exhilarating!
Info: A standard tandem instruction flight costs $120 at Wallaby Ranch near Orlando.( wallaby.com).
SAFETY FIRST
It's important to check out a company's safety measures as well as its safety record prior to participating in any type of extreme activity. Wearing proper safety gear for the activity such as helmets, pads, and proper clothing and having adequate travel medical insurance in place is also a must.
Debbie Olsen is an Alberta-based freelance writer and mother of four children.
© Copyright (c) Canwest News Service
If your child jumped off a bridge, would you jump too?
By Debbie Olsen, For The Calgary Herald
From: http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/parenting/Extreme+kids/1402036/story.html
Extreme sports like bungee jumping are becoming more popular with people of all ages. Many activities that were once the domain of adventurous adults are available for the younger set--providing they have parental approval. The tough thing as a parent is deciding whether an activity is too extreme for your comfort level--or theirs.
When it comes to risk-taking, sometimes it's best to let your children stretch their wings with carefully controlled activities. On a recent trip to New Zealand, our two teenaged boys were excited to try bungee jumping. The other four members of our family were not as eager, but we all climbed up the Auckland Bridge and stood beside the bungee platform to cheer on the dare devils. The experience gave new meaning to the old question: "If your friends jumped off a bridge, would you jump to?"
Here are some ideas for extreme (and not so extreme) activities.
THE ORIGINAL BUNGEE JUMP
In 1986, A. J. Hacket made his first jump from Auckland's Greenhithe Bridge. He opened the world's first permanent commercial bungee site at Kawarau Bridge near Queenstown not long afterward. He is one of the world's largest commercial bungee operators with permanent sites in New Zealand and around the world.
Two of our boys decided they'd like to bungee jump with the world's original operator off the Auckland Bridge. Like millions of adventurous souls before them, they lived to tell the tale.Info:It costs about $85 Cdn to bungee jump off the Auckland Bridge and that includes an A. J. Hackett Bungee T-shirt. (bungy. co. nz).
Hint: For about $24 Cdn per person, you can climb to the bungee platform and watch your friend or family member take the plunge off the Auckland Bridge. The views from the top are worth the fee, but seeing your loved one drop from the top is priceless.
ZORBING
As we rounded the stretch of New Zealand highway that leads into Rotorua we caught our first glimpse of the Zorb, a large sphere that looks like a giant beach ball. Inside the larger ball was a smaller one and inside of that was a tourist who was running down the hill like a hamster in an exercise ball. Our kids knew it was something they just had to try.Info:The zorb was invented in New Zealand and there are several places there and around the world where you can experience zorbing. It costs about $30 Cdn for one ride in Rotorua. (zorb. co. nz).
TANDEM PARASAILING
Sammy Duvall's Watersport Centre at Disney's Contemporary Resort in Florida offers a unique parasailing experience for families that provides a bird's-eye view of Walt Disney World that maxes out at 180 metres in height.Info:Parasailing flights start at $95 US for a single rider or $170 for two tandem riders. All fliers must be over six years old and the total weight on the parachute must be between 57 kg and 150 kg. ( sammyduvall.com).
TANDEM HANG-GLIDING
It takes months of training to be able to solo hang-glide, but novices can enjoy a tandem flight in a single morning. With an instructor by your side, you are towed 2,000 feet into the air and free fly for 15 to 20 minutes. While in the air, your instructor teaches you how to steer the glider using your body weight. People from ages four to 40 have enjoyed the experience and on a recent visit to Orlando, my 10-year-old daughter and I gave it a try. Exhilarating!
Info: A standard tandem instruction flight costs $120 at Wallaby Ranch near Orlando.( wallaby.com).
SAFETY FIRST
It's important to check out a company's safety measures as well as its safety record prior to participating in any type of extreme activity. Wearing proper safety gear for the activity such as helmets, pads, and proper clothing and having adequate travel medical insurance in place is also a must.
Debbie Olsen is an Alberta-based freelance writer and mother of four children.
© Copyright (c) Canwest News Service
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