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Today we’re featuring an interesting article about human brain slowly size increasing. Do you think we are smarter now than we were 100 years ago?

Innovation

Human Brain Size Increase May Have A Shocking Result

Compared to individuals who served in World War II and those who awaited their return, recent research indicates that the average human brain size has increased by 6.6%. Additionally, modern brains exhibit approximately a 15% increase in surface area.

These findings suggest a potential advantage for contemporary humans in combating neurodegenerative diseases like dementia, which often correlate with brain shrinkage.

The study, conducted by a team at UC Davis, analyzed brain changes over 75 years across generations. Dr. Charles DeCarli, the director of the UC Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, notes that larger brain structures observed in the study may signify enhanced brain development and health, potentially serving as a buffer against age-related brain diseases.

Published in JAMA Neurology, the study utilized brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) from participants in the Framingham Heart Study conducted between 1999 and 2019. This ongoing study, initiated in 1948, examines cardiovascular and other diseases among participants spanning multiple generations.

Dr. DeCarli highlights the impact of birth decade on brain size and long-term health, stating that life choices, such as those related to health, social activity, and education, may influence brain size.

The study, involving 3,226 participants with an average age of around 57 at the time of the MRI, revealed consistent increases in several brain structures over time. For instance, individuals born in the 1970s exhibited a 6.6% greater brain volume compared to those born in the 1930s. Moreover, cortical surface area increased by nearly 15% over the same period.

Despite the growing elderly population in the United States, the incidence of Alzheimer's disease is decreasing, which may be partly attributed to improved brain health and size. A prior study reported a 20% reduction in dementia incidence per decade since the 1970s.

I really want to know what caused this change. Hopefully they will do more research on it. Also, I would expect that bigger brains would make you smarter. Unfortunately, I can’t say I have seen any real-life evidence for that… 😉

Culture

How Cultures Survived

Since the beginning of human history we have been learning ways to keep and preserve food.

Before refrigeration, food preservation was an essential element in all cultures. But how did they do it? And why did it work?

Watch this video below to learn some of the fascinating methods that our ancestors used to preserve their food, and as a consequence, their lives.

World News

Jaw-Dropping Photos of Moon Over Canada

British photographer Paul Goldstein captured striking images of a moonrise in Canada's Nunavut province. Enduring temperatures of minus-35 degrees Celsius, Goldstein embarked on a morning trek through the icy landscape.

In this remote region, the moon remained visible for extended periods during this time of year. Despite the extreme cold, Goldstein and a few others braved the elements to capture nature's beauty, from bears to the aurora borealis.
With a touch of humor, Goldstein shrugged off the cold, attributing it to inadequate gear, as he shared his experiences and photographs on Instagram. Despite bundling up with multiple layers, he acknowledged the persistent chill that seeped through, though the morning views made it worthwhile.

A short walk from their camp on a frozen fjord revealed the breathtaking spectacle of the moonrise. Reflecting on the experience, Goldstein couldn't help but feel humbled, considering the hardships endured by past explorers who lacked modern comforts.

Environment

When Cultivating the Forest Is a Tribal Tradition

Mike Lohrengel marvels at the trees he's intimately known for over three decades. "This place is unparalleled in beauty, rich in species and diversity. Some trees here, like that one with its high branch split, have left an indelible mark on me," he shares.

Far from being a mere conservationist, Lohrengel plays a crucial role as the timber harvest administrator, managing one of the most significant operational forests in the U.S.—a sprawling expanse of nearly a quarter-million acres within the Menominee Indian Reservation in Wisconsin.

The Menominee's approach to forestry, predating many modern sustainable practices, involves removing only the weak, sick, or dying trees every 15 years, leaving the healthier ones to thrive and regenerate naturally.

This method of forestry, focusing on natural regeneration without planting new trees, starkly contrasts with conventional practices that often prioritize immediate yield over long-term health.

The Menominee's approach to forestry was developed shortly after the reservation's establishment in 1854. This philosophy was devised by their 19th-century chief, Oshkosh, and got international recognition for its sustainability. The Menominee reserve was also one of the first forest to be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council after its formation in 1993.

It is also had amazing affect on the quality of the wood they harvest. Their sick and dying trees are better than most other operations best trees…

If you want to learn more about this amazing system, read the full story here:

Mind Stretchers

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Two baseball teams played a game.  One team won but no man touched base.  How could that be?

Answers to yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:
The average man has one birthday! (But many celebrations)

Chris Hostetler got the correct answer first!

The first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to [email protected] or reply to the email.

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to [email protected] for the chance to be featured.