May 13
Archive for category Science
Apr 8
Not Having a Sense of Smell Leads to Insecurity
Research already shows that not having a sense of smell can create feelings of insecurity. There are a few reasons why this could be such as not being able to smell oneself or certain smells may be comforting and now a more recent study shows that men who can’t smell are lacking in terms of sex partners. Researchers compared 32 people who couldn’t smell with a control group and asked both groups about the number of sexual partners they’ve had.
The men, who can’t smell, on average, had way fewer partners than the men in the control group. What’s up with that? There are a few theories on why this is, and the one that makes the most sense as Research Digest points out: According to the study, the men apparently lacked social confidence. That might make them more timid in social situations, and explain the below-typical number of sex partners.
“Why Dudes Who Can’t Smell Never Get Laid – Popular Science”
Apr 2
Obama’s BRAIN Initiative
President Obama proposed today that the Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies or BRAIN initiative would have $100 million funding available in 2014. According to the White House, BRAIN, “aims to help researchers find new ways to treat, cure, and even prevent brain disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injury.”
The proposed BRAIN funding would allow a brain mapping process to take place similar to that of the Human Genome Project that mapped all human DNA. Obama says the project along with the health benefits of finding cures for diseases such as autism will ultimately create jobs and drive economic growth.
The funds to study the brain will come from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. The research will involve both private companies and federal research agencies.
“As humans we can identify galaxies light-years away, study particles smaller than an atom but we still haven’t unlocked the mystery of the three pounds of matter than sits between our ears,” Obama said.
The proposal goes to Congress this week and thus far has bipartisan support. Check out the clip below from the National Institute of Health, Dr. Francis Collins for an easy explanation of the BRAIN initiative.