Regular curry diet could boost brain regeneration after scientists identified compounds present in the stock cupboard staple, turmeric, encourage the growth of neurons in the brain, the BBC reports.
Researchers hope that the discovery could help develop new drugs for Alzheimer’s and stroke sufferers, but further testing is required to confirm the effects in humans and higher mammals.
So far, rats injected with aromatic-turmerone, which is naturally found in turmeric, had greater activity in the parts of the brain devoted to nerve cell growth.
The Daily Mail reports that a second study has found an association between paracetamol taken during pregnancy and an increased risk of children developing ADHD.
A study of data from more than 870 European infants found children were more likely to exhibit behavioural difficulties at age 7 and 11 if their mothers took paracetamol while pregnant.
Study lead, Dr John Thompson said: ‘The finding that even low doses of acetaminophen/paracetamol (indicated by the number of weeks of drug exposure) can affect behaviour seven years later is alarming because it is the most commonly used antenatal drug.’
And finally, the Daily Express reports that ‘hell’ has been unleashed and will bring suffering to ‘millions’, as a potent European ragweed pollen has reached record levels in the UK.
Researchers from the University of Leicester have seen high concentrations of the pollen for the first time in four decades, and suspect it’s a result of milder autumns allowing the plants to take root in Britain.
Lead researcher Dr Catherine Pashley said: “Ragweed can’t survive in the East Midlands because of our cooler climate compared to North America and Central Europe, […] if it is a late frost, it is likely that ragweed levels may increase this time next year.’
