Decrease in Ammonia Excretion by Boleophthalmus Boddaerti(Mudskipper) Exposed to Cyanide

ThetoleranceofthemudskipperBoleophthalmusboddaertitocyanideishigherthanthoseofotherfishes[1].Suchahightolerancetocyanidedoesnotinvoveareductionofmetabolicrateoranenhancedanaerobicmetabolism,oracyanide-insensitiverespiratorypathway.Instead,itisaresultofthepresenceofasurplusofcytochromeoxidaseandinduciblecyanide-detoxifyingmechanisms,tumingcyanideinthiocyanate,inthismudskipper[1].ThoughCN-isdetoxifiedtoSCN-,realizingbiomembranesaremorepermeabletoHCNthanCN-,wedecidedtoinvestigateiftheprotondi…     

Adverse effects of energy restriction on myogenic enzymes in judoists

In this study, we examined the effects of weight reduction by restricting energy intake on muscle function and serum concentrations of myogenic enzymes in judoists. Twenty-seven male judoists aged 19.3 +/- 0.6 years (mean +/- s) were divided into three groups based on the extent of body weight reduction: high weight reduction (height 1.70 +/- 0.05 m, body mass 78.5 +/- 13.6 kg), low weight reduction (height 1.70 +/- 0.05 m, body mass 80.7 +/- 13.1 kg) and a group that maintained body weight while continuing to perform exercise training (height 1.78 +/- 0.07 m, body mass 78.7 +/- 8.8 kg). Body composition, blood biochemistry, energy intake and anaerobic power were assessed on four occasions: 20 days (baseline data), 4 days and 1 day before and 7 days after competition. Compared with baseline, body mass and fat-free mass were significantly lower 1 day before competition in the high and low weight reduction groups (both P < 0.01); these changes persisted for 7 days after competition in the high weight reduction group. Serum creatine kinase was significantly elevated 1 day before competition in all groups (all P < 0.05), and remained higher 7 days after competition in both the high and low weight reduction groups. Compared with baseline, maximal anaerobic power was significantly lower 1 day before competition only in the high weight reduction group (P < 0.01). Our results suggest that energy restriction in addition to intense exercise training before major competition has an adverse effect on anaerobic power and elevates serum creatine kinase concentration, leading to an impairment of muscular function and an increased susceptibility of muscle tissue to injury.     

Optimizing segmental movement in the jumping header in soccer

This study looks at segmental movements in the jumping header from an optimization viewpoint. Investigations on the header so far have focused on head restriction in the movement but have not clarified how and to what extent body segments influence the performance of the skill. In the present study a biomechanical model was used to analyze the jumping header in simulated competition to give a clear picture of an optimized header. Skilled soccer players headed balls at speeds of 13 m x s(-1) the results indicated that the head moves as a free non-restricted segment in the jumping header and should be allowed to do so, even though much soccer literature says otherwise to prevent injuries. The arm movement showed individual characteristics and gave no general advantages in optimizing ball speed after impact in the header The movement of the legs was, on the other hand, the single most important factor in the skill. Therefore, coaches and players shouldfocus on developing muscle strength in the stomach, back and pelvis and should put no restrictions on head and arm movement to optimize the jumping header.     

Reasoning about beliefs: a human specialization?

A recent meta-analysis performed by Wellman, Cross, and Watson clears the air surrounding young children's performance on tests of false belief by showing that it is highly likely that there is some type of conceptual development between 3 and 5 years of age that supports improved task performance. The data concerning the evolutionary origin of these abilities, however, is considerably less clear. Nonetheless, there is some reason to suspect that theory of mind is unique to our species, and that its original function was to provide a more abstract level of describing ancient behavioral patterns (such as deception, reconciliation, and gaze following)-behaviors that humans share in common with many other species. Thus, the initial selective advantage of theory of mind may have been because it increased the flexibility of already-existing behaviors, not because it generated scores of radically new ones.