The World's Best Book Summaries
Is mouthbreathing bad for you? What happens when you breathe through the mouth instead of the nose? It’s well-established that mouthbreathing isn’t the optimal way to breathe. When you breathe through the mouth, you inhale a lot of air very fast, but that air isn’t filtered. Breathing through the mouth also expends more energy. Here’s why you should train yourself to rely on breathing through the nose.
How long have fertility rates been falling? What are the economic implications of low birth rates? Falling fertility rates have the potential to significantly alter global dynamics in the 21st century. From 1950 to 2000, the global fertility rate dropped from around 5 to 2.6. If global fertility rates keep declining at the same rate, severe economic consequences are in order. Keep reading to learn about the economic repercussions of increasingly low birth rates.
How far has cancer research come? Are we any closer to curing cancer? Cancer was nearly impossible to treat until the last century or so. Today, cancer patients at least have hope, and new discoveries are paving the way to more reliable and safer treatments in the future. Specifically, the new theory of cancer as atavism could revolutionize cancer research and treatment. Keep reading to learn about the new, possibly revolutionary theory of cancer, according to Dr. Fung.
What is the somatic mutation theory of cancer? What is the main shortcoming of this theory? The somatic mutation theory of carcinogenesis has been at the forefront of cancer research during the 20th century. However, this theory can’t explain why cancer is so common, or why there are so many different types of cancer that all share the same characteristics. Dr. Jason Fung explains the flaws of the somatic mutation model.
How does cancer develop from a single cell to a malignant tumor? What is the mechanism that drives cancerous cell reproduction? Rapid and uncontrolled cell growth is the primary hallmark of cancer. Cancer growth is facilitated by growth factors, which are activated by nutrients we consume from food. An abundance of readily available nutrients creates an environment for cancer to flourish. Here’s how growth factors drive cellular reproduction.
What is positive stress? In what ways can stress be good for you? Stress isn’t necessarily bad for you. Stress can actually be a good thing if it kicks in when you feel determined to achieve something or feel called upon to perform, but you don’t perceive your life to be at risk. Psychologist Kelly McGonigal refers to it as a “challenge stress response.” Keep reading to learn about the benefits of the challenge stress response, according to McGonigal.
Is cancer a random event? What is the problem with the idea that cancer is a random occurrence? According to Dr. Jason Fung, cancer can’t possibly be the result of a random mutation. If cancers could be assigned to random specific mutations, treatments targeting those mutations would be effective, but that’s rarely the case. Here’s why cancer is not a random event, according to Dr. Fung.
What is the tend-and-befriend response? What is the evolutionary benefit of the tend-and-befriend response to danger? The tend-and-befriend response is an instinctual stress response triggered by a perception of threat to one’s loved ones. Evolutionary psychology suggests that the tend-and-friend response is a typical female response, mediated by the release of hormones that promote vigilance and attachment. Here’s how the tend-and-friend response works on the hormonal level.
What is the Atavistic Theory of cancer? How does the Atavistic Theory explain cancer prevalence? According to the Atavistic Theory, cancer results from the re-emergence of traits from the earliest single-celled organisms, caused by evolutionary pressure from carcinogens. Atavism explains why cancer can be found in nearly every animal species on Earth: It’s because the traits of cancer come from our oldest common ancestors. Keep reading to learn about the Atavistic Theory of cancer.
What is the fight-or-flight response? How can the fight-or-flight response work against you? The fight-or-flight response is a physiological reaction to a perception of threat. It mobilizes your physiological resources to prepare you to face danger. However, this response has negative effects, too: when you perceive danger where there isn’t any, you experience unwarranted fear and anxiety. Keep reading to learn about the psychology of the fight-or-flight response and how it aids survival.