Articles from ‘elocal magazine’

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have identified a bunch of genes linked to obesity in dogs – and found the very same ones in humans predisposed to putting on weight too. · A group of five genes was found to be the culprit in British Labrador Retrievers, with one called DENND1B having the most profound effect. DENND1B directly affects a brain pathway responsible for regulating the energy balance in the body, called the leptin…

In March last year, researchers found that among a group of nearly 300 participants, people who had higher concentrations of plastics in deposits of fat in their arteries (arterial plaques) were more likely to experience heart attacks or strokes, and more likely to die as a result, than those in whom plastics were not detected1. Since it was published, the New England Journal of Medicine study has been mentioned more than 6,600 times on social…

Around 360 B.C., the ancient Greek philosopher Plato described a powerful, advanced island civilization that existed 9,000 years before his time. In his Socratic dialogues called Timaeus and Critias, he describes this civilization, located beyond the Pillars of Hercules (modern-day Strait of Gibraltar) as a vast, wealthy empire with glorious architecture, advanced technology, and a strong military. · This great civilization, according to the…

Scientists have found further evidence that long-term use of common over-the-counter pain medication such as aspirin and ibuprofen may reduce the risk of developing dementia. While it's not the first time anti-inflammatory drugs have been linked to preserving cognitive function, this new research has found there's more to it than popping a pill every few months. · Researchers from the Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam tracked…

In the early hours of 11 March 1845, several hundred Ngāpuhi fighters attacked Kororāreka (Russell). While the settlement had declined since the capital moved from nearby Okiato to Auckland in 1841, it was still the fifth largest town in New Zealand and a major trading and ship-provisioning centre. · Hōne Heke and Kawiti were key figures in the attacking force. Their motives for fighting were complex. At the first chief to sign Te Tiriti o…

From midwifery to internet governance, pharmacy regulations, and others, many industry bodies are embedding partisan ideological commitments to Te Tiriti o Waitangi into their rules. · Critics argue that this is often at the expense of professional competence and neutrality. · Midwives are now expected to pledge allegiance to Treaty principles, with the New Zealand College of Midwives circulating a Tangata Tiriti Checklist urging non-Māori…

Hitting a plateau after a steady run of weight loss has derailed many health and fitness plans. But what if you could flick a biological switch that would eradicate the plateau and speed up metabolism? Scientists may have just found the key to this – and it was by complete accident. · While studying the liver's role in metabolism, researchers from the University of Southern Denmark (USD) made a surprise genetic discovery, identifying how one…

Astronomers have detected mysterious X-ray signals coming from a nearby white dwarf star for more than 40 years. We may now know where they’re coming from – the death throes of a planet being torn to shreds and raining down on the star. · The Helix Nebula is an eye-catching sight in the sky – and not just because it looks like a giant eye. Located about 655 light-years from Earth, it’s the site of a slow-motion explosion, from a star that went…

A twin study conducted by University of Southern Denmark researchers found that tattooed individuals were nearly four times more likely to develop skin cancer than their ink-free counterparts. · Among 316 twin pairs, the sibling with tattoos had a 33–62% higher likelihood of being diagnosed with cancer, with larger tattoos (bigger than a palm) tripling the risk. · While the findings do not prove tattoos cause cancer, they raise concerns about…

At this time of the year if you are like me, you have a plethora of tomatoes and can't eat them all!  · a good relish is always a good way to deal with the excess and the edmonds is a fantastic go to recipe. But there are lots of variations and this one is one of my favourites. The chilli adds a bit of heat and if you like it spicy you can dial it up.  · It's great with mince dishes, Sausages, in hotdogs and just as good in meat sandwiches or…