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Dr. Halabe Bucay suggests that a wide range of chemicals that our brain generates when we are in different moods could affect ‘germ cells’ (eggs and sperm), the cells that ultimately produce the next generation. Such natural chemicals could affect the way that specific genes are expressed in the germ cells, and hence how a child develops. [continue reading…]

Values are learnt at home; but not only from parents. Dutch researcher Annette Roest studied the role of the family in passing on personal values. Parents influence their children. But children also influence their parents. And parents influence each other. [continue reading…]

European researchers have built a computerised play platform for elderly people. Field testing shows that the system keeps elderly players mentally sharp, stimulates socialisation, and can alert caregivers to developing problems.
Three years ago, researchers at the EU-funded ElderGames project set out to create a high-tech play platform specifically for the elderly – the first designed to provide cognitive and social stimulation, and to allow early detection of cognitive decline.

The researchers knew that play can help ageing people stay cognitively fit and stimulate much-needed social interaction. What they hoped was that they could design and build a computer-enhanced play platform that elderly people could use easily, would enjoy, and that would enhance quality of life.

“Play is good in itself,” says Malena Fabregat, ElderGames coordinator, “but the challenge was to allow the users to train what the experts told us were the most important cognitive abilities in this period of life.”

Fabregat and her colleagues were aware that many elderly people are afraid of new technologies and tend to avoid them. They were surprised by how quickly elderly participants overcame their technological fears. [continue reading…]