The McGurk Effect

Our senses mediate everything we experience in the world. But sometimes, our senses fool us. One such example is the McGurk Effect: The "McGurk effect" is a mind-blowing auditory illusion—and you can listen to it here.

Cognitive Ability and Instrument Playing

There is a well-known link between playing an instrument and cognitive ability, but the benefit duration was unclear. A recent study suggests the mental benefit of playing a musical instrument remains for decades: Playing an instrument is linked to better cognition.

Awe and Well-being

"Awe is the feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends your understanding of the world." Awe is also a key component of well-being. How a Bit of Awe Can Improve Your Health (gift article), has a toolkit to experience more. I'm adding the book Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life to my reading list.

Microbiome Vaults

Diverse gut microbiota is a key element in health. Unfortunately, gut diversity is negatively influenced by our habits in modern society (processed foods, industrial chemicals, etc.). The article A Mass Extinction Is Taking Place in the Human Gut discusses efforts to preserve a historical record of human microbial diversity through the creation of a biological repository - or colloquially, a shit bank.

Olfaction and Navigation

A 2018 paper showed that those with a superior sense of smell were also better at navigating directions: Got a strong sense of smell? Then you probably also have this special skill. Why? It's thought to be because of the topographical overlap of the sense of smell and spatial memory of the brain.

The Mediterranean Diet

For the fifth straight year, the Mediterranean Diet was voted the most healthy eating pattern. The New York Times discusses many of the commonly asked questions: The Mediterranean Diet Really Is That Good for You. Here’s Why. (gift article)

Loneliness

Going from surviving to thriving is crucial for healing after a disaster. Disasters usually bring out pro-social behaviors. In 2023, instead of coming together, emerging evidence suggests that we are in the midst of a long-term crisis of chronic loneliness, in which relationships were severed and never re-established. How We Learned to Be Lonely mentions several ways to buck the trend.

Dishwashing Agents and the Microbiome

Here is a worrisome study looking at the effect of dishwashing agents on the microbiome. It is a well-known dish soap that breaks down the gut's mucus layer. Researchers find potential risks to the gut from rinse agents in dishwashers implicates alcohol ethoxylates, ingredients prevalent in commercial rinsing agents, in breaking down the epithelial layer of the gut. (thanks, Dave)

Setting Yourself Up for Success

Early January is a time to reflect on the direction of our lives and make plans for the upcoming year. 5 ways to set yourself up for success offers some good advice for the upcoming year.

Law of Jante

Denmark routinely ends up at the top of the world's happiest people, while the U.S. ranks far down the list. Some argue that societal belief in Jante Law, ten rules around accepting the average (rather than needing to be the best), are at least partially responsible for the nation's happiness. "Law of Jante": The grim Danish philosophy that makes people happy .

Diabetes and the Microbiome

A recent study revealed a distinct correlation between insulin sensitivity and certain butyrate-producing gut microbes. New findings link gut bacteria with diabetes risk, but questions remain discusses the findings.