This March has been packed with exciting science news. We started with the study of the origin and evolution of our species , an always exciting topic: a work published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution concludes that diet, specifically the intake of fruit, was the key for some species of primates to develop a bigger brain.
And more anthropology news : the Neanderthals that inhabited the El Sidrón cave have been international protagonists thanks to a work published in Nature , which describes some of their habits: they were vegetarians and probably knew the healing properties of some medicinal plants.
We are still in the field of evolution , because a team of researchers has described what could be the oldest plants on Earth, upsetting what we knew until now: they are fossils of red algae that would have no less than 1,600 million years of antiguaty. Almost nothing.
Moving on to the world of astronomy , an investigation by the Berkeley Lab determines that Mars must have contained, in the past, considerably more water than previously thought. For this they have been based on mineral samples that are part of meteorites fallen on our neighboring planet. And if we come to Earth, they have just discovered that our friendly home today was not so friendly in the past, since it was covered by a toxic atmosphere of methane.
Back to the causes of cancer
In the field of health, the journal Science once again brought to the fore the debate on the origin of cancer . This study, which confirms a fairly recent one published in Nature , points out that most of the time this disease is due to random mutations that happen at random. Does this mean that you have to stop leading healthy lifestyles for cancer prevention? Not at all: the same authors argue that 40% of cancers can be prevented with good habits.
And more about cancer: the journal Carcinogenesis publishes a paper that examines the role of lactic acid in the uncontrolled proliferation of cancer cells. This advance can be very useful in developing new prevention and treatment strategies.
Curiosities about health : did you know that sleeping well brings you as much happiness and well-being as winning the lottery? And it is much simpler, so we encourage you to review your sleep habits to improve your life. Another curious news, but very useful for couples with problems when it comes to getting pregnant, is a new app that will allow you to measure sperm fertility with your mobile. How about?
And it is that innovation in the field of health can give us many joys: imagine how Bill Kochevar, affected with quadriplegia for 8 years due to a bicycle accident, has felt when he has moved his arm with his mind again. All this thanks to a neuroprosthesis and a lot of electrodes placed in his muscles.
Designated days in March
On March 8, we wanted to celebrate International Women’s Day with a special dedicated to women and science. In addition, we especially remember the activists who fight for the defense of the environment and are often killed with total impunity, as was the case of Berta Cáceres a year ago.
And, in addition, Father’s Day came with very special news: fatherhood increases life expectancy.
