Podcast Summary
Exploring Science Through Storytelling: Endangered gibbons' love songs reveal social structures, women may not need long workouts for same health benefits, Tai Chi could lower blood pressure
The BBC, as an NPR sponsor, offers valuable information and inspiration through storytelling that encourages thinking rather than dictating opinions. Elsa, Elsa Chang from NPR, shares three intriguing science stories in this episode of Shortwave. The first story revolves around endangered gibbons in Myanmar, whose love songs are being studied to understand their social structures and communication methods. The second story discusses a potential gender equality finding, suggesting that women may not need to work out as long as men to achieve the same health benefits. Lastly, Tai Chi, an ancient Chinese practice, is explored as a potentially powerful tool for lowering blood pressure. These stories illustrate the importance of scientific research and discovery in various aspects of life. The BBC, as a trusted source of information, plays a crucial role in disseminating these findings to the public.
Discovering a Larger Population of Endangered Gibbons through Their Love Songs: Researchers discovered a larger population of endangered Skywalker gibbons in Myanmar using their distinctive love songs and DNA analysis.
The passionate love songs of gibbons, an endangered primate species, have led researchers to discover the largest population of Skywalker gibbons in Myanmar. These stealthy, tree-dwelling creatures were once believed to number fewer than 200, but their melodic duets, recorded using sound monitoring systems, revealed a larger population. However, despite this discovery, Skywalker gibbons remain endangered due to ongoing threats such as forest loss and hunting. Researchers collected DNA samples to confirm the identity of the gibbons and published their findings in the International Journal of Primatology. Gibbons are the fastest tree-dwelling mammals, making them difficult to track, but their love songs provide valuable insights into their populations and distribution.
New Study: Women Need Less Exercise Time Than Men for Same Health Benefits: The study reveals that women need only 70% of the exercise time men do to gain the same health benefits, debunking the common notion that women must work out more to see improvements.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggests women require less time for moderate to vigorous exercise, such as brisk walking or running and strength training, to receive the same health benefits as men. Researchers analyzed health data from over 400,000 US adults, mostly women, and found that a woman's 140 minutes of exercise had the same impact as a man's 300 minutes. This discovery doesn't mean women can skip the gym entirely, but it does offer some relief from the common belief that women must work out more than men to see health benefits. Tiara Smiley Evans, a senior author on the paper, hopes this research will encourage further collaboration and conservation efforts for various species in Myanmar, where they've built relationships with local communities. The study also looked at other healthy habits, like diet and lifestyle, but the researchers found that physical activity was the most significant factor in predicting longevity.
Exercise, especially tai chi, boosts women's lifespan: Exercise, including tai chi, can significantly increase women's lifespan, improve balance, reduce anxiety and depression, protect against cognitive decline, and boost memory.
Regular exercise, even if it's just a little, can significantly increase a woman's lifespan, regardless of socioeconomic status, race, or ethnicity. Surprisingly, people tend to be honest about their exercise habits in surveys, even though lying is a known issue with questionnaires. A new study published in the journal JAMA Network Open adds to the evidence that exercise is beneficial, revealing that tai chi, a slow-moving form of Chinese martial art, may be even more effective than more vigorous aerobic exercises like jogging or cycling when it comes to reducing blood pressure. Despite its slow pace, tai chi has been shown to improve balance, reduce anxiety and depression, protect against cognitive decline, and boost memory. It's never too late to start incorporating this gentle practice into your daily routine.
Tai Chi: A mind-body exercise that lowers blood pressure, especially for those with prehypertension: Regular practice of Tai Chi, a mind-body exercise, can help lower blood pressure, especially for those with prehypertension, reducing the risk of heart disease.
Practicing Tai Chi, a mind-body exercise, can help lower blood pressure, especially for those with prehypertension. This is significant because prehypertension is a warning sign for heart disease. The study suggests that Tai Chi's ability to elicit a greater response from the parasympathetic nervous system, which relaxes the body after periods of stress, contributes to its blood pressure-lowering effects. Consistency is key, as the benefits only come with regular practice. As Elsa noted, we could all benefit from some relaxation and calm, and Tai Chi offers an effective way to achieve that while potentially improving our heart health.
Reimagine your future with Capella's FlexPath learning format: Capella University offers a flexible learning format, FlexPath, allowing students to earn a degree at their own pace while providing support to ensure success.
Capella University offers a flexible learning format called FlexPath, which enables students to earn their degree online at their own pace. This means that students can balance their education with other commitments, such as work or family. Furthermore, Capella provides support to help students succeed in their academic journey. This combination of flexibility and support sets Capella apart and offers students an alternative way to imagine their educational and future career prospects. By choosing Capella University, students can take control of their education and achieve their goals on their terms. Imagine the freedom and flexibility that comes with earning a degree at your own pace, and the support that ensures your success. This is the unique value proposition that Capella University brings to the table. Visit capella.edu to learn more about how you can reimagine your future with Capella's FlexPath learning format.
