Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain – by Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett
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We’ve reviewed books about neurology before, and we always try to review books that bring something new/different. So, what makes this one stand out?
Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett, one of the world’s foremost neuroscientists, starts with an overview of how our unusual brain (definitely our species’ defining characteristic) came to be, and then devotes the rest of the book to mostly practical information.
She explains, in clear terms and without undue jargon, how the brain goes about such things as making constant predictions and useful assumptions about our environment, and reports these things to us as facts—which process is usually useful, and sometimes counterproductive.
We learn about how the apparently mystical trait of empathy works, in real flesh-and-blood terms, and why some kinds of empathy are more metabolically costly than others, and what that means for us all.
Unlike many such books, this one also looks at what is going on in the case of “different minds” that operate very dissimilarly to our own, and how this neurodiversity is important for our species.
Critically, she also looks at what else makes our brains stand out, the symphony of “5 Cs” that aren’t often found to the same extent all in the same species: creativity, communication, copying, cooperation, and compression. This latter being less obvious, but perhaps the most important; Dr. Feldman Barrett explains how we use this ability to layer summaries of our memories, perceptions, and assumptions, to allow us to think in abstractions—something that powers much of what we do that separates us from other animals.
Bottom line: if you’d like to learn more about that big wet organ between your ears, what it does for you, and how it goes about doing it, then this book gives a very practical foundation from which to build.
Click here to check out Seven and a Half Lessons about the Brain, and learn more about yours!
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Climate change is putting our water at risk
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What you need to know
- Dangerous waterborne organisms are becoming more widespread because of climate change.
- Rising temperatures allow flesh-eating bacteria that once lived primarily in the Gulf Coast to move farther north each year while also fueling the growth of toxic algae that threaten humans and animals.
- You can stay safe by avoiding water if you have cuts or scraps—or if the water is dirty or foul-smelling—and washing your skin as soon as you get out of the water.
This summer, several states reported dangerous bacteria and algae in lakes, rivers, and coastal areas that made people and animals seriously ill. Due to climate change, warming water temperatures create an ideal environment for potentially deadly waterborne organisms to flourish.
Flesh-eating bacteria are moving into new regions
In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned about unusual but severe infections of bacteria called Vibrio vulnificus. The microbe lives in warm salt or brackish (mixed salt and fresh) water, and it can infect open wounds, killing skin, muscles, and nerve cells. Around one in five infections are fatal, and many require amputation.
For years, most U.S. cases happened along the Gulf Coast. Now, infections are rising farther north as coastal waters warm. A 2023 study found that infections in the Eastern U.S. increased eightfold between 1988 and 2018, and the bacteria’s range moved roughly 30 miles north each year.
“Vibrios generally grow well between 15 and 40 degrees Celsius [59-104 degrees Fahrenheit], so as the temperature warms, their generation time shortens and they divide faster and faster,” said Rita Colwell, a microbiologist at the University of Maryland who has studied Vibrio for over 50 years, in a 2023 interview.
Warming waters fuel an explosion of toxic algae
Algae naturally grow in lakes and ponds, usually in small amounts. But when conditions are right, algal blooms can grow fast, forming a foamy or slimy substance that floats on the water’s surface.
Some harmful algal blooms release toxins that are dangerous to humans, pets, and wildlife. Touching, inhaling, or swallowing water containing these toxins or eating seafood that live in affected waters can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and liver damage.
Warm water and heavy rainfall make these blooms more likely, and both are becoming more common with climate change. Pollution from farms, lawns, and cities feeds algae, and harmful blooms are becoming more frequent and more intense.
“If you have a longer summer, then you’re going to have more time for these algae to continue to grow, and grow larger and be able to go into things like our sources of drinking water, or into a lake that people like to fish in or play in,” said Mae Wu, a former deputy assistant administrator at the Environmental Protection Agency, in a 2024 interview.
How to stay safe
You can lower your risk with a few simple steps:
- Avoid salt and brackish water if you have open cuts, scrapes, or recent piercings or tattoos. If you do enter the water, cover any wounds with waterproof bandages.
- Avoid water that is discolored, slimy, or foul-smelling.
- Wash your skin with soap and water immediately after getting out of the water.
- Cook all seafood well, and wash your hands and surfaces after handling raw seafood.
- Check local health advisories before swimming or fishing.
- If you notice symptoms of a vibrio infection or harmful algal bloom, contact a health care provider immediately.
This article first appeared on Public Good News and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
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Broccoli vs Cauliflower – Which is Healthier?
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Our Verdict
When comparing broccoli to cauliflower, we picked the broccoli.
Why?
This one is quite straightforward. Superficially, they’re very similar:
Both are great cruciferous vegetables with many health benefits to offer. Even for those keen to avoid oxalates, which cruciferous vegetables in general can be high in, these ones are quite low.
However, if you have IBS, you might want to avoid both, for their raffinose content that may cause problems for you.
For pretty much everyone else, unless you have a special reason why it’s not the case for you, both are a good source of abundant vitamins and minerals, and yet…
Anything cauliflower can do, broccoli can do better!
Broccoli contains more of the vitamins they both contain, and more of the minerals they both contain.
Broccoli also beats cauliflower on amino acids (except lysine), and contains a lot more lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids important for healthy eyes and brain.
So by all means enjoy both, but if you’re going to pick one, pick broccoli!
Want to know more?
Check out: Brain Food? The Eyes Have It!
Enjoy!
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Why do I need to get up during the night to wee? Is this normal?
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It can be normal to wake up once or even twice during the night to wee, especially as we get older.
One in three adults over 30 makes at least two trips to the bathroom every night.
Waking up from sleep to urinate on a regular basis is called nocturia. It’s one of the most commonly reported bothersome urinary symptoms (others include urgency and poor stream).
So what causes nocturia, and how can it affect wellbeing?
A range of causes
Nocturia can be caused by a variety of medical conditions, such as heart or kidney problems, poorly controlled diabetes, bladder infections, an overactive bladder, or gastrointestinal issues. Other causes include pregnancy, medications and consumption of alcohol or caffeine before bed.
While nocturia causes disrupted sleep, the reverse is true as well. Having broken sleep, or insomnia, can also cause nocturia.
When we sleep, an antidiuretic hormone is released that slows down the rate at which our kidneys produce urine. If we lie awake at night, less of this hormone is released, meaning we continue to produce normal rates of urine. This can accelerate the rate at which we fill our bladder and need to get up during the night.
Stress, anxiety and watching television late into the night are common causes of insomnia.
Sometimes we need to get up late at night to pee.
Christian MoroEffects of nocturia on daily functioning
The recommended amount of sleep for adults is between seven and nine hours per night. The more times you have to get up in the night to go to the bathroom, the more this impacts sleep quantity and quality.
Decreased sleep can result in increased tiredness during the day, poor concentration, forgetfulness, changes in mood and impaired work performance.
If you’re missing out on quality sleep due to nighttime trips to the bathroom, this can affect your quality of life.
In more severe cases, nocturia has been compared to having a similar impact on quality of life as diabetes, high blood pressure, chest pain, and some forms of arthritis. Also, frequent disruptions to quality and quantity of sleep can have longer-term health impacts.
Nocturia not only upsets sleep, but also increases the risk of falls from moving around in the dark to go to the bathroom.
Further, it can affect sleep partners or others in the household who may be disturbed when you get out of bed.
Can you have a ‘small bladder’?
It’s a common misconception that your trips to the bathroom are correlated with the size of your bladder. It’s also unlikely your bladder is smaller relative to your other organs.
If you find you are having to wee more than your friends, this could be due to body size. A smaller person drinking the same amount of fluids as someone larger will simply need to go the bathroom more often.
If you find you are going to the bathroom quite a lot during the day and evening (more than eight times in 24 hours), this could be a symptom of an overactive bladder. This often presents as frequent and sudden urges to urinate.
If you are concerned about any lower urinary tract symptoms, it’s worth having a chat with your family GP.
There are some medications that can assist in the management of nocturia, and your doctor will also be able to help identify any underlying causes of needing to go to the toilet during the night.
A happy and healthy bladder
Here are some tips to maintain a happy and healthy bladder, and reduce the risk you’ll be up at night:
- make your sleep environment comfortable, with a suitable mattress and sheets to suit the temperature
- get to bed early, and limit screens, or activites before bed
- limit foods and drinks that irritate the bladder, such as coffee or alcohol, especially before bedtime
- sit in a relaxed position when urinating, and allow time for the bladder to completely empty
- practice pelvic floor muscle exercises
- drink an adequate amount of fluids during the day, and avoid becoming dehydrated
- maintain a healthy lifestyle, eat nutritious foods and do not do anything harmful to the body such as smoking or using illicit drugs
- review your medications, as the time you take some pharmaceuticals may affect urine production or sleep
- if you have swollen legs, raise them a few hours before bedtime to let the fluid drain.
Christian Moro, Associate Professor of Science & Medicine, Bond University and Charlotte Phelps, Senior Teaching Fellow, Medical Program, Bond University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Asbestos has been found in children’s coloured sand. What’s the risk to kids?
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Multiple schools and early learning centres in the Australian Capital Territory have shut on Friday after asbestos was found in coloured sand used for children’s art and sensory play. At least one school in Brisbane has also closed due to potential exposure.
On Thursday, WorkSafe ACT issued a contamination notice after laboratory testing confirmed traces of chrysotile, a type of asbestos, in Kadink Decorative Sand.
It follows a recall notice by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for Educational Colours Rainbow Sand (1.3kg), Creatistics Coloured Sand (1kg) and Kadink Sand (1.3kg) in various colours. This was because of a different type of asbestos, tremolite.
The sand subject to the recall was manufactured in China and sold by several Australian retailers, including Officeworks and Woolworths.
Examples of the recalled sand products. Australian Competition and Consumer Competition. Parents will understandably be feeling worried about kids’ potential exposure to asbestos, which has been banned in Australia since 2003. But the risks in this case are low. Here’s what you need to know – and how to get rid of contaminated sand safely.
Natalia Alkema/Getty What was found in the sand?
There are six different types of asbestos. All are dangerous.
Information about which kind was found in these sand products differs according to the agency issuing the alert:
- the ACCC recall says the products “may contain tremolite asbestos”
- WorkSafe Qld says they “contain a low level of tremolite and/or chrysotile asbestos”
- WorkSafe ACT says its testing (of Kandink Sand) found it “contains chrysotile”.
Fortunately, the most dangerous type – crocidolite asbestos or “blue” asbestos – has not been reported as a contaminant.
According to the ACCC, the recalled products have been sold throughout Australia between 2020 and 2025. But if regular testing has occurred it’s likely the contamination is more recent, and could be limited to a single batch. However we do not have the information at this stage.
How could it end up in sand?
The children’s play sand was manufactured overseas, and we don’t know how it was contaminated. But there are several possibilities.
If the sand was taken from a beach then it is unlikely to be contaminated with asbestos. But if the sand was manufactured by crushing rocks, then potentially asbestos – which is a naturally occurring mineral – could have been in the source product.
Asbestos is still used as a heat-shielding material or as a building product in many places in the world. So it’s also possible the processes used to dye the sand could also be another potential source of contamination.
What are the health risks? Are kids more vulnerable?
Asbestos is most dangerous when it becomes airborne and can be inhaled, for example during demolitions and renovations of older homes, where it was a common building material.
Inhaling any form of asbestos (fibres, dust, microparticles) can cause mesothelioma – a cancer that affects organ tissue, particularly the lungs – as well as lung cancer and asbestosis, a chronic lung disease that causes shortness of breath.
There is no safe level of exposure. However the risks increase with the amount you’re exposed to.
This means a small amount can be dangerous. But those who encounter asbestos once or twice in small amounts have a far lower risk of developing health complications, compared to people continually exposed to large quantities, as we’ve seen in the construction and mining industries.
We don’t have much research about the impact in children. But we know the younger someone is when exposed, the greater the risk is they will develop cancer or asbestosis. This is because the health effects can take decades to develop. So younger people have a higher chance of living long enough to see them emerge.
So, what is the risk?
WorkSafe ACT hasn’t released the levels it found through lab testing. But a statement on its website says: “The risk of exposure to traces of chrysotile is low.” This suggests very low levels were found.
The potential of exposure should be taken very seriously, as asbestos can be deadly. But it is not a cause for panic; the risk in this case is low.
Remember, it is likely everyone has been exposed to asbestos at some point, but most of us report no health complications as a result.
How should I dispose of the sand safely?
Detailed instructions are available at WorkSafe ACT.
You should wear:
- disposable gloves, tucked into cuffs, and any gaps sealed with tape
- a P2-rated face mask (not a standard dust mask)
- protective eyewear.
When disposing of the sand:
- do everything you can to prevent dust or fibres becoming airborne
- carefully double-wrap the sand, its container, and related materials in heavy duty (200-micron) plastic bags
- seal with tape and clearly label the package as asbestos waste.
Information about asbestos disposal in your state or territory is available at the Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency website.
If you are worried about your exposure or your child’s, contact your GP.
Brian Oliver, Professor, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Sunflower Seeds vs Pumpkin Seeds – Which is Healthier?
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Our Verdict
When comparing sunflower seeds to pumpkin seeds, we picked the pumpkin seeds.
Why?
Both seeds have a good spread of vitamins and minerals, but pumpkin seeds have more. Sunflower seeds come out on top for copper and manganese, but everything else that’s present in either of them (in the category of vitamins and minerals, anyway), pumpkin seeds have more.
There is one other thing that sunflower seeds have more of than pumpkin seeds, and that’s fat. The fat is mostly of healthy varieties, so it’s not a negative factor, but it does mean that if you’re eating a calorie-controlled diet, you’ll get more bang for your buck (i.e. better micronutrient-to-calorie ratio) if you pick pumpkin seeds.
If you’re not concerned about fat/calories, and/or you actively want to consume more of those, then sunflower seeds are still a fine choice.
When it comes down to it, a diverse diet is best, so enjoying both might be the best option of all.
Want to get some?
We don’t sell them, but here for your convenience are example products on Amazon:
Sunflower Seeds | Pumpkin Seeds
Enjoy!
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PFAS Exposure & Cancer: The Numbers Are High
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PFAS & Cancer Risk: The Numbers Are High
Image Credits Mount Sinai This is Dr. Maaike van Gerwen. Is that an MD or a PhD, you wonder? It’s both.
She’s also Director of Research in the Department of Otolaryngology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, Scientific Director of the Program of Personalized Management of Thyroid Disease, and Member of the Institute for Translational Epidemiology and the Transdisciplinary Center on Early Environmental Exposures.
What does she want us to know?
She’d love for us to know about her latest research published literally today, about the risks associated with PFAS, such as the kind widely found in non-stick cookware:
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure and thyroid cancer risk
Dr. van Gerwen and her team tested this several ways, and the very short and simple version of the findings is that per doubling of exposure, there was a 56% increased rate of thyroid cancer diagnosis.
(The rate of exposure was not just guessed based on self-reports; it was measured directly from PFAS levels in the blood of participants)
- PFAS exposure can come from many sources, not just non-stick cookware, but that’s a “biggie” since it transfers directly into food that we consume.
- Same goes for widely-available microwaveable plastic food containers.
- Relatively less dangerous exposures include waterproofed clothing.
To keep it simple and look at the non-stick pans and microwavable plastic containers, doubling exposure might mean using such things every day vs every second day.
Practical take-away: PFAS may be impossible to avoid completely, but even just cutting down on the use of such products is already reducing your cancer risk.
Isn’t it too late, by this point in life? Aren’t they “forever chemicals”?
They’re not truly “forever”, but they do have long half-lives, yes.
See: Can we take the “forever” out of forever chemicals?
The half-lives of PFOS and PFOA in water are 41 years and 92 years, respectively.
In the body, however, because our body is constantly trying to repair itself and eliminate toxins, it’s more like 3–7 years.
That might seem like a long time, and perhaps it is, but the time will pass anyway, so might as well get started now, rather than in 3–7 years time!
Read more: National Academies Report Calls for Testing People With High Exposure to “Forever Chemicals”
What should we use instead?
In place of non-stick cookware, cast iron is fantastic. It’s not everyone’s preference, though, so you might also like to know that ceramic cookware is a fine option that’s functionally non-stick but without needing a non-stick coating. Check for PFAS-free status; they should advertise this.
In place of plastic microwaveable containers, Pyrex (or equivalent) glass dishes (you can get them with lids) are a top-tier option. Ceramic containers (without metallic bits!) are also safely microwaveable.
See also:
Here’s a List of Products with PFAS (& How to Avoid Them)
Take care!
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