Science! AI Recreates Images from Inside the Human Brain

There have been many times during teaching jiu jitsu that I wished this was a thing. Fortunately I’m fairly articulate enough to explain myself, but several time I have expressed a wish that the image in my head be projected on a wall, I could point to it and say “here, do this, not that”

And we are one step closer to that glorious future: artificial intelligence is on its way to recreating images that are in the human brain.

As you can see, it’s not quite there yet, but it’s an exciting start!

Anyway, check out the article on IFLScience to learn more about it and have a great day everyone!

Science! Being Left Handed Can Help in Some Sports

According to one recent study, there may be a benefit to being left handed in some sports, mainly one with a time constraint.

I haven’t noticed a real benefit to being a south paw in jiu jitsu, to be honest- just a confused look from my partner when I want to drill something on the left side because it just feels more natural.

Anyway, check out the article and have a great day everyone!

Science! Gluten Sensitivity May Not Be Caused by Gluten

Huh, well this is pretty interesting: so for people that claim gluten sensitivity, it may not be actually the gluten that is making you feel terrible. Instead, this recent study suggests it may be a sugar chain called fructans that may gives people the bloated, awful feeling that they have been associating with gluten. The sugar chain is present in grains such as wheat, barley and rye, which is why if would make sense for people to feel better after they cut those grains out of their diet.

It’s a pretty neat article- check it out and have a great day everyone!

Science! Being Forgetful May Mean Your Brain is Working

Do you keep forgetting small details here and there, on and off the mat? According to a recent study, apparently it means your brain is working the way it’s supposed to! Whew!

IFLScience posted an article about a recent study: “They found that the growth of new neurons in the hippocampus, the part of our brain associated with memory, seemed to promote forgetting. The purpose was to make room for more important information, and do away with more useless things.”

Check out the article, and have a great day everyone!

 

 

Science! Origin of Violent Rage Found in Male Mice

So, this has little to absolutely nothing to do with jiu jitsu, I just think it’s kind of funny to think of mice as having “violent rage”. A recent study published suggests they have found the neural circuitry that is responsible for unprovoked, violent outbursts from male mice.

While this doesn’t quite have any practical application to humans just yet, the article does mention, “this research may help map the neural circuitry that controls aggressive behavior, which could eventually lead to surgical treatment for humans.”

Check it out, and have a great day everyone!

Science! Study Suggests Seasons Can Actually Change Your Brain

Huh, this is interesting: a study was recently published which suggested different parts of the brain are more active during the different seasons.

“While these are interesting observations, [it is pointed] out that the team currently has no insight as to how this process could happen.”

Well, balls. It’s interesting to consider though.

Check it out and let me know what you think- otherwise, have a great day everyone!

Science! Exercise Does Not Always Mean Weight Loss

While we know anecdotally that exercise is not the all encompassing answer to weight loss, we now have science to back it up: a recent study showed that while there will be a significant spike in calorie expenditure when initially being more active, the body will eventually adapt and end up burning less calories.

Our bodies are almost frustratingly efficient sometimes.

Anyway, check out the article and have a great day everyone!

Science! Those Who Take Their Coffee Black May Be More Likely to Exhibit Psychopathic Tendencies

I’m just mentioning this because it involves one of my favorite things in life, coffee.

Not that this study should be taken as indisputable fact, but a recent study claims to have found that people who take their coffee black are more inclined to exhibit psychopathic tendencies:

“Looking at the taste preferences of 500 people, it was found that those who enjoyed bitter flavors over sweet flavors were more likely to exhibit signs of “Machiavellianism, psychopathy, narcissism, and everyday sadism.” The study, which was published in the journal Appetite, was conducted at the University of Innsbruck, Austria, by psychologists Christina Sagioglou and Tobias Greitemeyer.”

While 500 people may seem like a lot, that’s actually a pretty small sample size. There are a couple other elements to this study that are missing, so I’m really not taking this study seriously. Still, it’s interesting to consider.

Feel free to check it out while I sit here and sip my coffee (with creamer in it), and have a great day everyone!

Science! Vitamin D May Protect Against Cognitive Decline

Stock up on your vitamin D everyone.

According to an article on IFLScience, studies have shown there may be a possible correlation between a vitamin D deficiency and a decline in cognitive function, particularly for individuals over 60. According to one researcher quoted in the article:

“There were some people in the study who had low vitamin D who didn’t decline at all and some people with adequate vitamin D who declined quickly. But on average, people with low vitamin D declined two to three times as fast as those with adequate vitamin D.”

It would be a shame to learn all this jiu jitsu, and then lose it all later in life.

Now if you will all excuse me, I’m going to go sit in the sunshine, drink some milk, and then have some salmon and…something else really high in vitamin D.

Take a look at the article, and have a great day everyone!

Science! The Misleading “Pee in the Pool” News Story

I’m writing about this because I’m a little annoyed, mainly because it shows how infrequently people actually read the source material of a story. And I’m totally guilty of doing the same, but this is a reminder that we should check the source before sharing articles, stories, etc.

I’m sure you’ve seen the article I’m referring to, probably on Facebook:

“The CDC says it’s not chlorine that’s irritating your eyes, it’s pure URINE! Ewwww!”

Ok, slow your roll there, friend.

If you read the actual article posted by the CDC, found here, from what I understand that’s not actually what’s happening: the article actually talks about poor airflow in indoor pools and the buildup of byproduct created when chlorine binds to sweat, urine, etc to destroy them. Your body is irritated by the chlorine doing its job and disinfecting the pool, essentially.

I’m not terribly familiar with exactly how chlorine molecules work, but I’m pretty sure that’s what the CDC is trying to inform everyone of. If there’s a chemist out there in the peanut gallery, please by all means feel free to correct me, but I’m pretty sure that’s what their article is about. The article is also suggesting to reduce this buildup of byproduct and keep indoor pools well ventilated, and hey, maybe actually follow the rules of the pool and rinse off before jumping in (again, not pointing fingers- I’m sure we’ve all ignored that rule at LEAST once).

That’s all for today folks- now go out there and…don’t pee in the pool. Please.