The Furious Spinner

You have got to see this poster (PDF) from the Howard Dean campaign. It's a PDF, but it's worth it. Or go to the Boing Boing site where Mario found it.

The 11/22 issue of New Scientist had some interesting goodies. Apparently during ovulation, progesterone inhibits the hormone oxytocin, "which helps determine how trusting we are." The researchers say this makes sense because women would need to make careful judgments during that time. Have to tell you that has not been my experience. When I was younger I was very friendly when I was ovulating and generally neutral when I was bleeding. Now I'm generally unfriendly all the time: ovulating, bleeding, or in-between. Although I suppose one can be friendly and still have good judgment.

And speaking of being crazy (in love) scientists at Rutgers University are researching romantic love. Judging from activity in the brain, the scientists say the beginnings of a relationship (when everyone is hot and heavy) resemble an obsessive-compulsive disorder—at least as far as the brain is concerned. The part of the brain where emotional activity takes place is only stimulated if the relationship moves past that beginning stage. No wonder we feel a little crazy when we first fall in love. (FYI, the link is to an article about this topic, but it's not the same article as the one in the print edition of the magazine.)

Speaking of the brain working or not working. They have discovered that for several days after a person dies, the brain is still producing new neurons in the hippocampus. They believe this is the brain's response to the lack of oxygen, but who knows?

Right now, my brain cells need some food. Have a good day. Walk in beauty.

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All photographs and written material copyright © 2003-2008 by Kim Antieau unless otherwise indicated. May not be used without permission.