Newborns can detect the beat in music
Newborn infants can inherently perceive and detect the beat in music, says a study published in the journal Cognition (November). Researchers from the University of Amsterdam and HUN-REN Research Center for Natural Sciences (TTK), Hungary found that this ability to recognise musical beats is distinct and separate from their statistical learning ability. The study involved 27 newborns and used EEG brain wave measurements to differentiate between beat perception and statistical learning of sound sequences.
“There is still a lot we don’t know about how newborn babies perceive, remember and process music. But we found clear indications that babies just a few days old have the ability to hear a regular pulse in music — the beat — a characteristic that is considered essential for making and appreciating music. Our findings suggest that it is a specific skill of newborns and how important baby and nursery rhymes are for the auditory development of young children,” says Henkjan Honing, professor of music cognition at the University of Amsterdam.
Nutrient in dairy and red meat helps fight cancer
Scientists at the University of Chicago have discovered that a nutrient found in beef and milk could target several different types of cancer by activating tumour-fighting immune cells. According to the study published in Nature (November), the compound, known as trans-vaccenic acid or TVA, activates T cells in the body, which in turn aid the immune system fight cancer. TVA is found in the meat of ruminants such as cows, sheep and other mammals, and their dairy products like milk, cheese, butter and yogurt.
“There are many studies trying to decipher the link between diet and human health, and it’s very difficult to understand the underlying mechanisms because of the wide variety of foods people eat. By focusing on nutrients that can activate T cell responses, we found one that actually enhances anti-tumour immunity by activating an important immune pathway,” says Dr Jing Chen, a professor of medicine at the University of
Chicago and a senior author of the study.
The researchers concluded that a diet rich in TVA
significantly reduced the tumor growth of melanoma and colon cancer cells, and enhanced the body’s ability to infiltrate and attack tumors.
Stomach cancer on the rise in India
The incidence of stomach cancer in India has risen rapidly over the past decade, says a recent study of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). According to the study, stomach cancer incidence is higher than the Western countries because of Indian dietary practices, notably preference for spicy and preserved foods. “Geographically, higher incidence is noted in regions where dietary patterns include spicy, salty, or preserved foods. Hormonal differences and genetic factors might also play a role, although further research is needed for conclusive evidence,” says Dr. Puneet Dhar, head of department of gastrointestinal surgery, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad.
Symptoms of stomach cancer include persistent abdominal pain or discomfort, unexplained weight and appetite loss, swallowing difficulty, nausea, and omiting. While early-stage stomach cancer may not exhibit noticeable symptoms, ICMR emphasised the importance of regular screenings for high-risk individuals and adopting a healthy, balanced diet low in salt and spices.
Stone-age children enjoyed better parenting
A study of modern hunter-gatherer groups by researchers of Cambridge University suggests that children born during the Stone Age enjoyed better childcare than today’s generation. The study found that children of the Mbendjele BaYaka tribe in the Republic of Congo received nine hours of care per day from up to 15 different caregivers. Crying children were attended to by the mother’s support network more than half of the time, giving mums more time to rest.
“For more than 95 percent of our evolutionary history we lived as hunter-gatherers. Therefore, contemporary hunter-gatherer societies can offer clues as to whether there are certain child rearing systems to which infants, and their mothers, may be psychologically adapted,” says Dr. Nikhil Chaudhary, lead author of the study.
However, in Western countries, the provision of high-quality child support is limited. “The nuclear family system in the West is a world away from the communal living arrangements of hunter-gatherer societies like the Mbendjele,” says Dr. Chaudhary, adding that these findings suggest modern parenting styles may be at odds with children’s evolutionarily programmed needs.
