In the know
Want the latest health intel? We’ve combed the science journals so you don’t have to
41
The number of studies in a recent meta-analysis by the University of Eastern Finland, which found that vitamin D supplements may help ease the symptoms of depression in adults. Dietitians recommend supp-ing between October and March in the UK, as we don’t make enough of the stuff from meagre sunlight.
THREAD THE NEEDLE
-Still blessed with a memento of your teenage skin? A recent study* of 60 patients with acne scars and dark skin found microneedling (piercing the skin with tiny needles) reduced the appearance of scars in 73% of patients, compared with just 33% of those who received chemical peels.
MICRO MANAGING
-Here’s your cue to mute Slack: a recent review in the journal PLOS One found micro-breaks – stopping the task you’re doing for 10 minutes or less – were associated with lower fatigue and higher levels of ‘vigour’. Researchers believe these tiny time-outs could boost wellbeing.
GIVE A LITTLE
-Struggling to care about your partner’s work problem after a night in which REM was MIA? A new study by the University of California, Berkeley, that scanned the brains of 24 volunteers after eight hours’ kip and after a night of no sleep, found sleep-deprived brains showed less activation of the network associated with empathy. The sleepless lot also felt less inclined to help others.
Rhythm of life
People with dementia often lose the ability to speak to loved ones, but an uplifting study by Northwestern University has highlighted the power of a good tune. Musical memories can remain even after language is gone, so when patients were played the songs of their youth by a live band, they were able to build an emotional connection with their caregiver as the
