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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…