WEIRD STUFF

Cheeky chimps wipe up after sex

Chimpanzees use leaves to wipe their bottoms and clean up after sex.

Experts at the University of Oxford say that their study provides new insight into such behaviour in chimps and indicates that health-related care could be more common amongst the primates than previously suspected.

Dr Elodie Freymann, one of the authors of the study, said: "We humans like to fancy ourselves unique in lots of different ways. And I think for a long time, we thought that healthcare was one of those ways in which we humans are special.

"I think the more we find cases of animals helping each other with no immediate benefit to themselves, the more we compile evidence to show that's something that's also not uniquely human as we once thought."

It isn't the first study to demonstrate that apes take care of themselves as boffins have previously discovered that they treat wounds using the sap and chewed leaves of plants with medicinal properties.

--------------------

Lazy days could damage brain

Lying down for lengthy periods increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease, regardless of how much exercise a person does.

Health experts have long recommended doing plenty of exercise to combat the health risks of sedentary jobs but a new study has revealed that it might not make a difference in the battle against the brain illness.

Research conducted at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in the US city of Nashville tracked over 400 dementia-free adults aged over 50 and asked them to wear a watch measuring their activity levels for a week.

It was revealed that those with more sedentary time were more likely to experience Alzheimer's symptoms, irrespective of how much they exercised.

Professor Angela Jefferson, an author of the study, said: "This research highlights the importance of reducing sitting time, particularly among ageing adults at increased genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease.

"It is critical to our brain health to take breaks from sitting throughout the day and move around to increase our active time."

--------------------

Natural light boosts sanity

Natural light in homes can boost people's moods and wellbeing.

According to a survey by Tapi Carpets and Floors, 57 per cent of UK adults say natural light helps them to feel better about themselves.

This result aligns with existing research that shows exposure to daylight can affect people's moods and mental health.

Making "small changes" to people's homes, such as installing "larger windows or skylights", as well as ditching "heavy curtains for light fabrics" to bring more sunlight in can boost people's moods and lower their stress levels.

Doctor Eleanor Bryant, said: "This response aligns with existing research showing the role that daylight exposure plays in regulating circadian rhythms, mood, and mental health.

"Most notably, 70 per cent of 18-24-year-olds see natural light as key to reducing stress, more than any other age group, this is likely due to increased time spent indoors for studying and working, high levels of screen use, and a greater awareness of wellness trends."

--------------

High-speed music linked to risky driving

Motorists who listen to techno or dance music could become bad drivers. A study by Brunel University in London academics, said drivers need to "exercise caution" when listening to "fast-tempo music" because of how it stimulates the brain.

Experts believe tracks with a fast beat, aggressive lyrics or loud bass tones can encourage risky behaviour from those behind the wheel, such as not being alert or speeding.

This is because the music - such as Angels by Robbie Williams -stimulates a part of the brain called the amygdala, which is a small structure inside the brain that is a part of the limbic system that automatically detects danger - and triggers a slight or fight response.

Brunel University said: "Our findings indicate that drivers in high-load, urban environments should exercise caution in their use of fast-tempo music."