There really is such a thing as "broken heart syndrome". It occurs when sudden or prolonged stress - good or bad - triggers a rush of adrenalin and other stress hormones, causing the heart's main pumping chamber to suddenly balloon. There are also dramatic changes in heart rhythm and blood substances typical of heart attacks. Fortunately, most victims recover within weeks; but women are 7 to 9 times likelier to experience broken heart syndrome than men. Perhaps this is because of hormones or because men have more adrenalin receptors on cells in their hearts - or perhaps women just take shocks "more to heart".
Fifteen percent of people with type 2 diabetes aren't fat. So says the National Institutes of Health. They have a condition called "TOFI" - thin outside, fat inside. Fat that usually builds up under the skin attaches to abdominal organs instead. Visceral fat is more dangerous because it can cause inflammatory substances to affect the liver and pancreas and lower insulin sensitivity, which increase type 2 diabetes risk. Regular workouts are the only way to lose visceral fat. Even moderate exercise causes muscles to absorb glucose at 20 times the normal rate. Hmmm, TOFI could also stand for "the other fat individuals".
Earworm is the nickname for what psychologists call "involuntary musical imagery". It's the random snippet of a song or melody that pops into our minds and repeats over and over. Studies suggest 90% of people get earworms at least once a week. A study published in the journal Psychology of Music collected data from 604 people and was able to identify 4 main triggers for earworms: music exposure (the most common), memory triggers, emotional state of mind and low attention states. Unfortunately, a way to get rid of earworms wasn't identified. Maybe scientists need a "worm's-eye view" of the phenomenon.
Right-handers and left-handers tend to like more popular, familiar types of music, while mixed-handers (those who use their non-dominant hand for at least 2 activities) have broader musical tastes. That was the result of another study published in the journal Psychology of Music. Ninety-two college students completed hand-preference surveys and then rated how often they listened to 21 types of music and their enjoyment of them. The broader range of music enjoyed by mix-handers was attributed to their being more in touch with the right hemisphere of their brain, which updates thoughts and beliefs. Mixed-handers were more "hands-on".
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