(Press-News.org) Brain growth in babies is linked to the amount of time and energy mothers 'invest', according to new research published today.
The study of 128 mammal species, including humans, shows that brain growth in babies is determined by the duration of pregnancy and how long they suckle. The Durham University research concludes that the longer the pregnancy and breastfeeding period in mammals, the bigger the baby's brain grows.
The researchers say the findings reinforce the suggestion that breast is best for brain development and add further weight to the World Health Organisation's advice of six months' exclusive breastfeeding followed by continuing breastfeeding up to the age of two or beyond supplemented with solid foods.
The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, helps to explain why humans, who suckle their babies for up to three years in addition to their nine-month pregnancies, have such a long period of dependency as this is necessary to support the growth of our enormous 1300cc brains.
In comparison, species such as fallow deer, which are about the same body weight as humans, are only pregnant for seven months with a suckling period of up to six months, resulting in brains of only 220cc, six times smaller than the human brain.
The anthropologists, from Durham's Evolutionary Anthropology Research Group, analysed statistical evidence on brain and body size, maternal investment, and life history variables in mammals, including species such as gorillas, elephants and whales.
They found that brain size relative to body size was most closely linked to maternal investment – the amount of time a mother spends carrying her offspring in pregnancy and how long she continues to breastfeed. The study shows that length of the pregnancy determines brain size at birth and the period of lactation decides brain growth after birth. It also shows that mothers with higher metabolic rates can afford to fuel faster brain growth in the foetus.
Lead investigator, Professor Robert Barton from Durham University's Department of Anthropology, said: "We already know that large-brained species develop slowly, mature later and have longer lifespans but what has not always been clear is why brains and life histories are related.
"One theory is that large brains increase lifespan by making the animal more generally flexible in its behavioural responses to unpredictable challenges, permitting slower life histories. However, our findings suggest that the slow-down in life histories is directly related to the costs rather than the benefits of growing a large brain. The necessary benefits to offset these costs could come in other ways, such as improving specific perceptual and cognitive abilities, rather than through some generalized flexibility.
"Our findings help us to understand what the implications are of evolutionary changes at different stages, before and after birth, but we now need to do more research to pinpoint exactly how changes to the pre- and postnatal growth phases affect the structure of the brain."
###
The research was funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
Mothers' hard work pays off with big brains for their babies
2011-03-29
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
New insight into how 'tidying up' enzymes work
2011-03-29
Working with Professor Jeremy Harvey and Professor Adrian Mulholland of Bristol's School of Chemistry, Dr Julianna Olah, an EU Marie Curie Fellow in Bristol at the time, studied a class of enzymes – cytochromes P450 – which play an important role in removing drug molecules from the body.
When a tablet of medicine is taken, the active molecules get absorbed into the bloodstream through the gut and make their way around the body, including to the cells in which they are intended to act; however, it's important they don't stay in the body forever. Enzymes (biological catalysts) ...
Premiere Tree Service of Charleston Warns Owners on Tree Roots' Damage to Properties
2011-03-29
Premiere Tree Service of Charleston Offers Advice on Tree Roots Damage. Something that many property owners may not realize is that tree roots can create some really big problems they may not be aware of. Some of these problems can quickly lead to expensive repair work for an unwary property owner.
Roots from trees and water lines often grow into buried pipes such as waterlines, sewer lines, drainage pipes and culverts. If these pipes are old and rusty or made of materials such as clay or brick roots can break through and interfere with them. "This can end up costing ...
To better detect heart transplant rejections, Stanford scientists test for traces of donor's genome
2011-03-29
STANFORD, Calif. — Heart transplant recipients and their physicians are likely more concerned with the function of the donated organ than with the donor's DNA sequences that tag along in the new, healthy tissue. However, researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have shown that an increase in the amount of the donor's DNA in the recipient's blood is one of the earliest detectable signs of organ rejection.
The finding implies that a simple blood draw may soon replace the regular surgical biopsies that are currently used to track the health of the donor ...
Even Canadian rocks are different
2011-03-29
Canadians have always seen themselves as separate and distinct from their American neighbours to the south, and now they have geological proof.
New research published in April's edition of Geology shows that rock formations roughly along the same political boundary as the two North American countries formed as early as 120 million years ago.
Dr. Andrew Leier, of the Department of Geoscience at the University of Calgary, set out to prove what he thought was the obvious: because the mountains are continuous between the U.S. and Canada, the ancient river systems that flowed ...
Erase Negativity Author Gives Talk at Mystic Moon Bookstore in Scottsdale
2011-03-29
Sally Marks, co-author of the self-improvement book, Erase Negativity and Embrace the Magic Within will give a talk, âEURœSimple Steps to Increase Happiness, Energy and WisdomâEUR 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 19 at Mystic Moon Bookstore, 7119 E. Mercer Lane in Scottsdale.
The fee is $10 per person for those who prepay and $15 at the door. Following the interactive talk Marks will sign copies of her book. Erase Negativity and Embrace the Magic Within is available at the bookstore for $12.99.
âEURœMost of us know we are in charge of our emotions, but what we donâEUR ...
The Astleford Restoration Studio Introduces Economic Stimulus Plan for Antique Dealers
2011-03-29
The Astleford Restoration Studio has introduced an Antique Dealer Economic Stimulus plan to assist antique and collectible dealers and estate auction resellers boost their sales and increase their profits.
The Astleford Restoration Studio is an antiques and collectibles restoration studio located in Sioux Falls, SD, and is owned and operated by Mr. Matt Astleford. In addition to having an art degree from Buena Vista University, Mr. Astleford was professionally trained by a fourth generation art restorer while he worked at one of the premier art restoration companies ...
Cancer drug shows promise for treating scleroderma
2011-03-29
A drug approved to treat certain types of cancer has shown promising results in the treatment of patients with scleroderma, according to results from an open-label Phase II trial. While the drug's efficacy must be demonstrated in a Phase III trial, the gold standard for testing a drug, researchers are optimistic that Gleevec™ (imatinib) could potentially be a weapon against the chronic connective tissue disease for which a treatment has remained elusive.
"This trial showed Gleevec has acceptable safety and tolerability, and there are hints of efficacy or suggestions the ...
Video skilled the students so far
2011-03-29
Making a video about a scientific experiment rather than writing up a presentation poster leads to better learning and clearer understanding of the concepts underpinning the experiment according to science educators in Australia. Writing in the International Journal of Innovation and Learning, the researchers explain how preparation and rehearsals for video production also helped with learning.
Geoff Hilton of the School of Education, at the University of Queensland in Brisbane asked two groups of year 7 students (one class with 21 students, one with 22) of mixed ability ...
Harris James Associates Things To Consider When Investing In An IPO: Not As Risky As You Think!
2011-03-29
Harris James Associates, a market leader in Financial Services aims to dispel the fear that Initial Public Offerings (IPO's) are riskier than normal investments. For potential investors to understand more about IPO's, here is a guide that could hopefully eliminate the jargon.
HJA New York is committed in offering access to most up-to-date and widest range of financial services to clients. We are aware that deciding on the right investment, right product and right strategy is not that easy to do especially nowadays. So whether you need financial or investments planning, ...
New direction for epilepsy treatment
2011-03-29
If common anticonvulsant drugs fail to manage epileptic seizures, then perhaps the anti-inflammatory* route is the way to go. That's according to Mattia Maroso and colleagues from the Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research in Milan, Italy, who found that giving mice repeated doses of a specific enzyme inhibitor significantly reduced both chronic epileptic activity and acute seizures. Their findings, published online in the Springer journal Neurotherapeutics, open up the possibility of a new target system for anticonvulsant drug intervention, to control epileptic ...