Fine line between genius and madness

There is a fine line between genius and madness because they share the same genes. Psychologists have discovered that creative people have a gene in common which is also linked to psychosis and depression. They believe that the findings could explain why "geniuses" like Vincent van Gogh and Sylvia Plath displayed such destructive behaviour. The gene, which is called neuregulin 1, plays a role in brain development but a variant of it is also associated with mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The head researcher Dr Szabolcs Kéri said that this is the first study to show that a genetic variant associated with psychosis may have some beneficial functions.
The study was published in the journal Psychological Science.

Fine line between genius and madness

There is a fine line between genius and madness because they share the same genes. Psychologists have discovered that creative people have a gene in common which is also linked to psychosis and depression. They believe that the findings could explain why "geniuses" like Vincent van Gogh and Sylvia Plath displayed such destructive behaviour. The gene, which is called neuregulin 1, plays a role in brain development but a variant of it is also associated with mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The head researcher Dr Szabolcs Kéri said that this is the first study to show that a genetic variant associated with psychosis may have some beneficial functions.
The study was published in the journal Psychological Science.

Calm and alert

Researchers found that just being in the presence of a pretty member of the opposite sex causes a temporary boost in levels of testosterone and cortisol – both hormones associated with alertness and wellbeing. However hanging around with other men has the opposite affect – reducing the levels of both substances in the body.
Testosterone is linked with the male libido, as well as health and wellbeing. It can also provide an energy boost. Cortisol also boosts alertness and calms the nerves at the same time. Together they can produce the effect of feeling more alive, it is said.

Calm and alert

Researchers found that just being in the presence of a pretty member of the opposite sex causes a temporary boost in levels of testosterone and cortisol – both hormones associated with alertness and wellbeing. However hanging around with other men has the opposite affect – reducing the levels of both substances in the body.
Testosterone is linked with the male libido, as well as health and wellbeing. It can also provide an energy boost. Cortisol also boosts alertness and calms the nerves at the same time. Together they can produce the effect of feeling more alive, it is said.

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“What You see Might Not Be Real,” by Chen Wenling, a critique of the global financial crisis (AP)

(With the bull representing Wall Street and the man pinned to the wall representing Bernard Madoff, displayed at a Beijing gallery Sunday.)

“What You see Might Not Be Real,” by Chen Wenling, a critique of the global financial crisis (AP)

(With the bull representing Wall Street and the man pinned to the wall representing Bernard Madoff, displayed at a Beijing gallery Sunday.)

Мапхф продолжает разговор по проблемам современной школы

( You're about to view content that the journal owner has marked as possibly inappropriate for anyone under the age of 18. )

Мапхф продолжает разговор по проблемам современной школы

( You're about to view content that the journal owner has marked as possibly inappropriate for anyone under the age of 18. )

Tommy Cooper: the ten best jokes

7. My uncle was 83 and wanted to marry a girl of 19. The doctor said, 'This could be fatal.’ He said, 'If she dies, she dies!’

8. Somebody rang my wife and said, 'I saw your husband on the beach with a blonde on his arm.’ She said, 'What do you expect at his age – a bucket and spade?’

Tommy Cooper: the ten best jokes

7. My uncle was 83 and wanted to marry a girl of 19. The doctor said, 'This could be fatal.’ He said, 'If she dies, she dies!’

8. Somebody rang my wife and said, 'I saw your husband on the beach with a blonde on his arm.’ She said, 'What do you expect at his age – a bucket and spade?’

A piece of skull that Russian officials claimed belonged to Adolf Hitler (GI)

A piece of skull that Russian officials claimed belonged to Adolf Hitler (GI)