The Art of Healing

We always include articles on sustainability, but in this issue the articles on a rechargeable battery being made entirely from food, more on how fungi break down plastics, and insects such a high source of protein they could solve some of the issues regarding ongoing food, are really just so exciting. With AI and machine learning on everyone’s lips, we also look into some of the implications of these new technologies, including on a positive note, how it can be used to rank Alzheimer’s risk. We have more on the impacts of social media too – particularly on young people, in an interview with researcher Dr Veya Sekis from Griffith University, and how self-compassion once again along, with real life social connection, is just so important for our wellbeing. On the nutrition front, Paul Taylor sheds some light on the different types of ultra-processed food we are now confronted with from his book Death by Comfort, which follows our article on the latest shocking extent of type 2 diabetes due to poor diet. The Art of Healing also spoke with Paul Biegler about the nuances of pain, and Dean Yates, a Reuters journalist who has recently released his book Line in the Sand about his journey with PTSD. And you’ll be able to read some delectable recipes from Mezcla by Ixta Belfrage, including Whipped yoghurt with Roasted Strawberries and Peanut Fudge Sauce – yum!

A Small Shy Truth

The Art of Healing

CONTRIBUTORS

EDITOR'S NOTE

Food Prescriptions Making Their Way Into Healthcare Systems • Almost three-quarters of all deaths globally are the result of chronic diseases, according to the World Health Organization. And of those deaths, 80% are from cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes – all of which are impacted by unhealthy diets.

Just A Handful Of Walnuts Boosts Brains Growth In Adolescents And Those With ADHD • A handful of walnuts three times a week is enough to boost attention and brain growth in secondary school kids, according to a study of students in Spain. The nuts contain a type of omega-3 oil that is particularly beneficial to growing brains.

Globally, Governments Ramp Up Their Response to Loneliness • A recent trend reported by the Global Wellness Summit, “Wellness Comes for the Loneliness Epidemic,” explains how tackling loneliness is a macro trend.

Beating Anorexia Through Boxing • An English charity is helping young people tame anxiety disorders through boxing. For some, it’s been transformational.

People Over 70 Who Walk An Extra 500 Steps Daily Reduce Risk of Heart Trouble • A recent study has found that compared to those who took less than 2,000 steps per day, senior citizens who took around 4,500 steps per day had a 77 percent lower risk of experiencing a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke.

Lifestyle Has Greater Impact on Lifespan Than Genes • A recent paper in the journal Human Kinetics shows that the ratio between physical activity and sedentary activity has a greater impact on lifespan and healthspan than our genetic make-up.

Scientitsts Create a Fully Rechargeable Battery Made Entirely From Food • A new type of rechargeable battery made from fully edible substances, can dissolve safely in the stomach once it’s completed its work.

Using Smartwatches For Chronic Disease Prevention • University of Queensland researchers have developed a roadmap for the integration of smartwatches into Australian healthcare, but acknowledge there are several challenges to overcome.

Scientists Discover Backyard Fungi That Can Break Down Tough Plastic • Almost a third of the world’s plastic waste is polypropylene, a hardy plastic used to make bottle caps and food containers that can take hundreds of years to degrade. But now, scientists have harnessed two strains of fungi found in soils to break down lab samples of...