Bacteria that breaks down plastic bags

OK, I’ve written about a terrifying burden on the environment that is plastic bags. Now a Canadian high school student may find a plausible solution to this problem — by isolating bacteria that break down plastic bags in 3 months, instead of millions of years.

More about serotonin…in your brain

Source: Scientific American’s No Fair! My Serotonin Level Is Low

In the last post, we found out that serotonin controls appetite and metabolism. In fact, 80% of the body’s serotonin is found in the gut. But the neurotransmitter has many more functions, including roles in depression, anger, sleep, etc. Now the scientists have discovered that it can also affect the perception of fairness.

The subjects in the experiment are offered an amount of money that has been unevenly split. Normally, people would reject lowball offers like 20% or 30% of the money. When the subjects are depleted of serotonin, they turn down even 80% of the money, indicating that their judgement of fairness is seriously skewed.

Serotonin influences so many emotions that it is difficult to pinpoint a single function to study. It is amazing how a small chemical can affect our body, mind, and life.

Serotonin controls appetite and metabolism independently

Source: Scientific American’s The Skinny on Fat: You’re Not Always What You Eat

Have you ever wonder why some people can just gobble down foods but still stay skinny? Recent study done by the scientists at the University of California, San Francisco, (U.C.S.F.) may shine some light on the matter.

Blogging — It’s Good for You

In response to Blogging — It’s Good for You from Scientific American:

I have been writing blogs since 2004, both in Chinese and English. I maintain multiple blogs to share different aspects of my many interests with the world, including music, movie, literature, science, and most importantly, life. I always find writing to be very therapeutic. When I feel disheartened, I write something, anything, to lift it off my chest. I always feel better soon after. Unlike a personal journal, a blog is an open medium. When I get feedback from my friends or even random visitors from the web, I feel excited and enoucraged to keep on writing. I never doubt the emotional and psychological benefit of blogging.

But now apparently blogging is good for you physically as well.