Balance December 2017 - 8

December

GOOD
NEWS

Ever wondered what connects a rat, Louis Armstrong and a
probiotic for flatulent cows? James Gill has the answer

BLACK DEATH TO
WHITE KNIGHTS
Rats need better PR. Ever
since they played a part in
wiping out upwards of 100
million people via the Black
Death, they've struggled to
win our affection. Oh, sure,
Michael Jackson gave us
the timeless classic Ben, all
about his beloved pet, but
those rascally rodents still
have a way to go. However,
the furry scoundrels might
be about to chalk up a big
win with the part they're
playing in proving that
stem cells might be able
to treat spinal cord injury.
In research carried out by
Dr Shulamit Levenberg
from the Technion-Israel
Institute of Technology,
paralysed rats were able to
walk after being implanted
with engineered tissue
containing human stem
cells. Says Dr Levenberg:
'Although there is still some
way to go before it can be
applied in humans, this
research gives hope.'

8

RANDOM KINDNESS
As more and more creepy,
famous men are outed
for doing creepy - and in
some instances horrific
- things, one Twitter
user (@BAKKOOONN)
wanted to know about
celebrities who'd done good
things. The results were
overwhelming: actor Tom
Hanks bought fast food
meals for all 50+ interns
at a TV studio because
he 'thought they looked
hungry'; late comedian
Robin Williams consoled
a grieving woman; actor
David Tennant read a
fan's academic paper and
made notes and so on. At
Balance, we're big believers
in being the change so,
rather than just marvel at,
say, Bill Murray buying gig
tickets for strangers (which
he did recently), try to be
more randomly altruistic
yourself this festive period.
Research shows kindness
releases feel-good chemical
serotonin, boosts happiness
and gives you more energy.

Wellness
AND ALL THAT JAZZ
There's a reason Louis
Armstrong's chart-topper
What A Wonderful World
is a feelgood classic. 'I see
trees of green, red roses
too,' sings Satchmo. 'I see
them bloom for me and
you. And I think to myself
what a wonderful world.'
Recent research carried out
by the Max Planck Institute
for Human Development
in Berlin is in tune with
the 1967 hit: nature, quite
simply, makes us feel good.
The five-year study showed
that those participants who
relocated to a new, greener
residential area between the
second and third year, had
significantly better mental
health once they'd moved.
So if there's a park near
where you live, take a stroll
and remember to think
to yourself... what a
wonderful world.

BA LA N CE December 2017

Food
CHOCS AWAY
To anyone still living
with their folks, we have
great news: chocolate for
breakfast is good for you.
As festive gifts go, that
nugget of information
could prove priceless and,
if your parents tell you
you're talking rubbish, just
hand them this magazine. A
report on 2017 food trends
found dark chocolate is
good for both the body
and the brain, and Liz
Moskow, culinary director
at Sterling-Rice Group,
says: 'Eating chocolate
prepares you more for your
workday, so what better
time to incorporate dark
chocolate into your meal
than breakfast?' So as you're
wolfing down a bar of Green
and Black's at 7am, just
remember: you're simply
absorbing flavonoids in
order to improve blood
flow to the brain. As for the
subsequent dental bills?
You're on your own there.

IMAGES: PA PHOTOS, SHUTTERSTOCK, STOCKSY

Science

Internet



Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Balance December 2017

Balance December 2017 - 1
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