31st January 2010
RUNNING INCREASES BRAIN CELLS
Everyone knows that running is good for health but neuroscientists at Cambridge University have shown that a few days of running led to the growth of hundreds of thousands of new brain cells that improved the ability to recall memories without confusing them. The new brain cells appeared in a region that is linked to the formation and recollection of memories and has a potential to slow down the deterioration of mental ability that happens with old age. Scientists are unsure why exercise triggers the growth of grey matter, but it may be linked to increased blood flow or higher levels of hormones that are released while exercising. Exercise might also reduce stress, which inhibits new brain cells through a hormone called cortisol.

3rd JANUARY 2010
BONE MADE FROM WOOD
Scientists in Italy have discovered a way of making artificial replacement bones out of a mixture of wood, calcium and phosphate. This is great as normally people who need a bone or repaired or replaced would use a metal or ceramic substance. The wood substitute has the same matrix layers of bone and therefore allows nerves and blood from the bone to grow into it allowing the bone and wood to merge as one. This breakthrough suggests there would be no need to ever replace the implant because the structure and strength is virtually synonymous. It will hopefully be available within 5 years.