Saturday, December 31, 2011

Connections [4]

You have already done Connections [1], Connections [2], and Connections [3]; now, try Connections [4] as follows!

Look at the following image for 2 minutes; keep in mind how the shapes are connected (note that how many connecting lines exist in the image):

Now, read the following news to spend some time:

Nuts improve mood, brain function, prevent cognitive decline

ISLAMABAD: Nuts, especially walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts, combined with the potent polyphenol resveratrol team, together improve mood and protect the aging brain, thus helping to maintain memory and cognition. Researchers reporting in the New England Journal of Medicine have found that nuts consumed over a period of years not only help with weight management issues, but also can reduce systemic inflammation to improve spirits and prevent cognitive decline.

Resveratrol has long been associated with brain health. The Journal of Pineal Research reports that resveratrol demonstrates anti-aging properties in the brain necessary for energy production and optimal brain function. Combining these two natural agents together as part of your healthy diet can improve mood, help retain memories and preserve youthful thought patterns.

Sharpen Your Brain! (for Kindle)

Researchers determined to validate the health-promoting capacity of nuts provided test participants with a diet of walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts for a period of 12 weeks. The volunteers for this study were sex and age-matched individuals given a control diet, and were compared to a group not receiving the nut mixture. All participants exhibited symptoms of metabolic syndrome, increasing risk for developing diabetes, heart disease, mood disorders and loss of cognition.

Individuals receiving the nuts had increased levels of serotonin, which will help a person feel better and potentially more satisfied and less likely to suffer from depression and poor mood. Additionally, the nut control group demonstrated reduced inflammatory markers from the high polyphenol content of the nuts. This is an important finding, as individuals exhibiting the signs of metabolic syndrome experience the effects of systemic inflammation leading to accelerated brain aging and cognitive decline.

Mitochondria are the tiny metabolic engines that are responsible for powering each of our trillion or so cells throughout the body. Over time, mitochondria begin to experience loss of function, and cellular decline and aging of the cell begin. Mitochondrial regulation is controlled in large part by the ’longevity’ gene known as Sirt1. Calorie restriction and potent natural nutrients such as resveratrol are known to alter expression of the Sirt1 gene. Researchers have demonstrated that resveratrol is able to restore neural mitochondria function by reviving Sirt1 gene expression; resveratrol provides "a potent anti-aging effect within the brain."

The human brain is a highly metabolic organ, demanding 20% of the total oxygen supply for the body. As such, it is also susceptible to the effects of oxidative stress and free radical damage that cause brain inflammation and advanced signs of aging. Natural nutrients such as resveratrol (25 - 50 mg per day) that cross the blood-brain barrier and foundation monounsaturated fats supplied by most nuts (1 to 2 ounces each day) and seeds protect the brain from damage and dramatically lower the risk of memory loss and cognitive decline.

source: http://www.onlinenews.com.pk/details.php?id=187543

Without looking at the previous image, connect the following shapes as they are connected in the above image:

Memory Challenge - Animal Silhouette [1]

You have already done some Memory Challenge exercises as in the following posts:

In this post, you will do this with Animal Silhouettes!

Look at the following silhouettes for 1.5 minute (90 seconds):

Now, without reviewing the above images, detect 3 new silhouettes in the following image list:

Scroll down to see the answer!

Answer:

Older Posts:

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Image Study [1]

In one minute, study the following picture very carefully:

Now, scroll down and do not refer to the above image!

Now, answer the following questions! Then, for each correct answer give yourself a 10. There are ten questions. So your total score would be out of 100. You can find the answers at the bottom of this post.

1. Excluding the horizontal line, how many items are in the picture?

2. How many items are above the horizontal line?

3. In which corner is the camel standing?

Top-Left
Top-Right
Bottom-Left
Bottom-Right

4. What is located at the right of the cow?

5. How many birds are there?

6. What can be found right on the top of the ship?

7. Is the dog above the horizontal line or below it?

8. There are two bikes; one above the horizontal line and one below it. Which one is bigger?

9. What is located at the bottom-right corner of the picture?

10. Above the horizontal line, what is located between the bike and the car?

Scroll down to see the answers and check with yours!

Answers:

1. 15
2. 7
3. Bottom-Left
4. Umbrella
5. 1
6. Bike
7. Above
8. The bike above the horizontal line
9. Horse
10. Fighter (airplane)