Monday, 20 May, 2013

Sick of stats on GDP or stocks? Some of the alternative economic indicators are sensible, some are zany, and some are misleading, even dangerous.

Ultra sports are exploding! Why would anybody bike 508 miles across the desert – or run 135? What are the rigors of training, the satisfaction of finishing, the dangers of competing? Are we the ultimate endurance animals?

The long rise may be inflated by redefinition of autism, social acceptance of the disabled and desire for services. If this is a real epidemic, it’s even more critical to find the cause.

Golfer-doctor finds that treating apnea cuts golf scores; sees new motivator for wearing nighttime masks.

As the day wears on, both sleep pressure and the brain’s alerting signal rise, until sleep pressure triumphs. [Nod]. New brain study explains why night owls don’t get as sleepy during the day.

Injecting a protein in the brain stifles the drive to drink among lab rats; one dose lasts three hours or more. Does GDNF offer a new angle on alcoholism?

Too good to be true: Could a 15-minute essay on your personal values improve school performance among minority students? A new study says yes.

Think all socks are created equal? Think about socks at all? A few scientists that think with their feet say choosing the right pair of socks is a major feat. Indeed!

The Why Files looks at kinesiology, sports medicine, psychology and some ancient Olympic history, brought to life.

Armstrong wins historic 7th Tour de France. How do endurance athletes prepare for Tour de France? Marathon? Ironman?

History shows societies collapse without soil. What can the world cando to keep our dirt clean?

It’s not just football. Hockey and biking are dangerous sports too. What are the real dangers of our athletic obsessions? What is the link between concussion and depression later in life?

Sleep survey finds Americans quite short of sleep but working more. 69% of Americans have at least 1 symptom of a sleep disorder.

New evidence shows that big is better, where baby’s brains are concerned.

Differences in working memory between children and adults.