In a new study, researchers have just discovered the key role played by a protein, the CB1 cannabinoid receptor, during physical exercise.

Physical inactivity is a major public health problem that has both social and neurobiological causes.

According to the results of an Ipsos survey, the French have put “taking up a sport” at the top of their list of good resolutions for 2013.

In their mouse studies, Francis Chaouloff, research director at Inserm’s NeuroCentre Magendie, Sarah Dubreucq, a PhD student and François Georges, a CNRS research leader at the Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience, the researchers demonstrated that the location of this receptor in a part of the brain associated with motivation and reward systems controls the time for which an individual will carry out voluntary physical exercise.

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In a new study, researchers have suggested that the body’s natural defence mechanism against the cold could function as a type of “lie detector” for emotional reactions.

The scientists found that goosebumps frequently come after an “emotional climax” provoked by a “powerful” event or the “remarkable” actions of someone.

The way a person’s skin stood on end provided an insight into their fear, surprise, awe or admiration, the Telegraph reported.

The research concluded that while a person could lie about what they were feeling or thinking, goosebumps were not easily faked.

According to Prof Richard Smith, study leader from the University of Kentucky, goosebumps are often considered to be a result of cold or fear but they may also be a blend of fear, surprise and submission in reaction to a remarkable action performed by another person.

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For people who have ever regretted a bad haircut that seems to take age before growing out, help is at hand in the form of a shampoo that claims to boost hair length with every wash.

Scientists behind Fast, or Fortified Amino Scalp Therapy, say their product can grow hair by as much as two inches in just one month, which is double the usual rate.

Tests of the product suggest that the rate of growth increases the longer a person uses the products, the Daily Mail reported.

There is already a long waiting list of 5000 people for the shampoo and conditioner, which goes on sale in the UK on January 23.

The shampoo, which is made from natural herbs and organic amino acids, works by stimulating growth in the follicle.

However, while it helps those whose hair has fallen out through cancer, the shampoo is not a remedy for baldness because it cannot stimulate new hair growth, rather only promote the growth of existing hair.

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Insufficient sleep is one of the outcrops of a fast and furious lifestyle. We talk enormously about changing our eating and exercising enough, but somehow sleeping habits are not so much talked about unless it is related to beauty. The present generation is either working or studying or partying late into the night. Consistent lack of sleep over time can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiac diseases, depression and obesity. Therefore medical researchers are now saying that a good night’s sleep should be appreciated as being equally important as exercising and eating well for good health.

The new born slumbers most of the day. As we age, our sleep requirements reduce. The healthy sleep norm is about 8 hours for an adult and a bit over 9 hours for children.

Why is sleep so important?

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