Latest news with #Oxytocin
Medscape
6 hours ago
- Health
- Medscape
Hormonal Shifts Plus Sleepless Nights? Oxytocin May Help
TOPLINE: Oxytocin appeared to influence mood disturbances brought on by the sleep disruptions associated with the dramatic hormonal shifts in the postpartum period as well as menopausal states, shedding light on oxytocin's potentially protective role in those times of mental health vulnerability. METHODOLOGY: Thirty-eight premenopausal women took part in two 5-night inpatient sleep experiment protocols — one under a normal hormonal state, and the other while undergoing estradiol suppression, mimicking the hormonal shifts of the postpartum and menopausal periods. After 2 nights of uninterrupted sleep, participants were subjected to sleep interruptions for the following 3 nights, with similar sleep duration in both conditions. They were assessed for serum oxytocin each evening and for mood disturbances, using the Profile of Mood States, each morning, in both estradiol states. TAKEAWAY: In both estradiol states, sleep interruptions were significantly associated with increased oxytocin levels (mean, 28.7 pg/mL before sleep interruption vs 36.4 pg/mL after; P = .002) and mood disturbances (5.5 vs 12.3; P = .0001). Meanwhile, higher oxytocin levels before sleep disruption were associated with reductions in mood disturbances the following day. Increases in mood disturbances resulting from sleep disruptions were also associated with increased oxytocin levels the following day. IN PRACTICE: 'Millions of women struggle with mood symptoms during reproductive transitions, yet treatments often focus narrowly on antidepressants or hormone therapy,' said first author Irene Gonsalvez, MD, associate psychiatrist at Brigham and Women's Hospital and instructor at Harvard Medical School, both in Boston, in a press statement. 'Understanding oxytocin's potential as a natural mood modulator could help us better support women's mental health during these times,' she added. The study showed that 'oxytocin levels rise in response to stress-related sleep disruption, and that women with higher oxytocin levels before disrupted sleep experienced less mood disturbance the next day,' Gonsalvez explained. 'These results point toward oxytocin as a potential biological buffer during periods of hormonal and emotional vulnerability.' SOURCE: The study was presented at ENDO 2025: The Endocrine Society Annual Meeting. LIMITATIONS: The authors noted that mechanistic studies are needed to better understand the direction and causality of the effects of oxytocin levels, mood, and sleep disruptions. DISCLOSURES: The research was supported by the Brigham and Women's Hospital Connors Center WHISPR Award, the Dupont-Warren HMS Research Fellowship, and the National Institute on Aging.
North Wales Live
4 days ago
- Health
- North Wales Live
Psychologist says 'emotional contagion' could sweep the UK this summer
62% of people say they feel more hopeful when the nation comes together around a unifying event, with bouts of good weather and major sporting moments particularly potent for boosting national levels of optimism, according to research for the National Lottery. The arrival of a feel-good summer is timely as the research found only a third of Brits currently describe the overall level of hopefulness in the UK as high, amid macro-economic pressures and geopolitical instability. Expert and author in positive psychology Miriam Akhtar said: 'Humans are social creatures, so it's natural that shared moments, such as major sporting events, have a significant impact on national levels of hope. Optimism is infectious and like hope, these positive emotions spread through people in a phenomenon known as 'emotional contagion'. "So, when the country is celebrating a win or enjoying the nostalgia of Oasis playing again, it takes hold nationally very quickly. The broaden-and build theory shows that positive emotions such as hope and joy not only feel good but can actually do us good too, impacting the way our brains function. "Higher levels of hopefulness give the nation a DOSE of Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin and Endorphins, enabling us to broaden our perspective and think more flexibly and positively. This means that they make us more open to new possibilities that can lead to positive outcomes.' The National Lottery has unveiled a series of fingers crossed installations to celebrate the power of hope in bringing the country together. The crossed fingers – the universal symbol of hope and optimism - stand at seven meters tall, which represents a meter for each new millionaire The National Lottery makes on average every week. The balloon-like structure has been suspended above landmarks including Natural History Museum, Old Royal Naval College, O2 Arena and Wembley Stadium. Over a third of Brits say they're more likely to book a holiday when feeling optimistic, while others are more inclined to apply for a new job, or even ask someone out on a date. Andy Carter, Senior Winners' Advisor at Allwyn, operator of The National Lottery, said: 'The National Lottery changes lives every day. It's not just the person with the lucky numbers that benefits, it's also the good causes who receive funding and the shop keeper who sells the winning ticket. It all starts with hope. 'We're fully embracing this wave of optimism. For anyone who has their fingers crossed for things to go your way, we hope that seeing our installations brings a renewed sense of optimism and inspires you to believe it could be you.' The fingers crossed installations will be appearing across the UK in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales over the summer.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Time of India
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's ‘peak life experience' will melt your heart. It has nothing to do with AI
For someone who spends his days building the future of artificial intelligence , OpenAI CEO Sam Altman surprised many by sharing that his most profound experience has nothing to do with machines, code, or algorithms. In a rare emotional post on X (formerly Twitter), Altman wrote, 'Watching a baby grow is such a ridiculously great peak life experience.' With those simple words, he revealed a deeply personal milestone that brought to light a more human, vulnerable side of one of the world's most influential tech entrepreneurs. In February 2025, Altman and his partner, software engineer Oliver Mulherin, welcomed their first child. The baby boy, born prematurely, has been receiving care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Altman shared the news online, saying, 'Welcome to the world, little guy! He came early and is going to be in the NICU for a while. He is doing well, and it's really nice to be in a little bubble taking care of him. I have never felt such love.' — sama (@sama) From AI to Oxytocin Altman, who dropped out of Stanford at 19 to co-found the mobile app Loopt and later led Y Combinator before spearheading OpenAI, has long been synonymous with visionary tech, world-shifting ideas, and digital revolutions. As a central figure behind ChatGPT and other major AI developments, he is often seen as a futurist shaping the trajectory of human-machine interaction. Yet, in this moment, it wasn't a neural network that captured his imagination—it was his newborn child. His post sent ripples across social media, garnering reactions. Some applauded the raw sincerity behind his words. 'You're doing the right thing. Consciousness is a seed from which our souls grow: nurture it,' one user commented. Others took a more complex view, reminding of the irreplaceable bond between mother and child. 'There is an outrageous stress so apparent with a newborn and young baby when it can't be with its mother,' another wrote, highlighting how emotionally layered and challenging early parenthood can be. You Might Also Like: Has ChatGPT evolved beyond being a 'Google replacement'? OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says it is already doing much more — sama (@sama) Recalibrating Priorities: What AI Can't Teach Us For someone who has worked on designing systems that mimic the brain's architecture, this new experience may be reminding Altman of something profound: not everything meaningful can—or should—be automated. The bond between parent and child, the fear that comes with uncertainty, the surge of unconditional love—these are deeply human phenomena that defy algorithms. Altman's post echoes a quiet revolution among many in tech—a slow but visible shift from glorifying hustle to honoring presence. In a space where late-night coding marathons and relentless innovation have often taken precedence, his public acknowledgment of fatherhood as a 'peak experience' is both radical and grounding. Beyond the Machine In a world increasingly dominated by digital noise and curated projections of success, Altman's honesty serves as a powerful reminder: life's most meaningful code is often written in the quietest of moments, in the spaces between ambition and vulnerability. And for a man who's spent his life teaching machines how to think, perhaps the greatest lesson now lies in simply learning how to feel. You Might Also Like: OpenAI co-founder and CEO Sam Altman thinks your child will never be smarter than AI. Why is that a good thing?
IOL News
25-06-2025
- Science
- IOL News
Is your pet's evolution a 'paw-sitive' surprise? Find out what you've been missing
It's a dog's life for those that live with humans in cities, where gracing a doggie raincoat is part of the bargain of being man's best friend. Image: Yaroslav Shuraev/pexels Ever notice how your pet dog has got you taped, knows how to get its way with those uber-cute approaches and dreamy expressions? Perhaps you've even pondered whether your faithful furbaby is taking you for a ride with its manipulative prompts, side-eyes and pitiful glances at the door, telling you it wants to go for a W.A.L.K? Well, according to scientists, this is because canines are continuing to evolve to take on the ever-changing demands placed on them as man's best friend. They suggest that our canine companions are evolving in real-time right in front of our very eyes. We all know that today's domesticated dogs are quite different from the wild wolves that first ventured into human settlements, where they were ultimately used to hunt, guard our homes and livestock, and even retrieve geese that their owners have shot down from the sky. But today's modern household dogs have pivoted over time, acquiring new skills, intelligence and behaviours that make their existence - and that of their human - way more fun, rewarding and nurturing for all concerned. Gone are the days when dogs slept outside, come rain or shine, where their role was primarily to guard the family. Today, many live pampered lives in close proximity to the entire family, where it has become increasingly important for everyone to be tuned into each other - humans and canines. According to "The Brain Maze", a study by Sweden's Linköping University has confirmed what dog lovers have long suspected about their pampered pooches - the bond between dogs and humans is insanely biological, and it is intensifying over time. Their research shows many dogs in urban settings now recognise our human emotions, follow social cues they encounter, such as crossing robots safely by watching people walk when the light turns green. They also sense when they're needed to give comfort to a human when they're distressed. They believe we may be seeing the rise of a new evolutionary path, one where intelligence is defining their future, and not just basic animal instincts. The study says it all comes down to Oxytocin - the hormone responsible for love and trust, one which canines seem to be taking advantage of to seek help, show affection or make the most of whatever modern life throws at them. According to the study, modern service dogs are leading the pack, because unlike their ancestors, which were bred for guarding, herding or retrieving game, these dogs are biologically and behaviourally wired to be social and calm, and display amazing empathy to humans. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Daniel Stewart with his 'best dog in the world', Heera. Image: Supplied Dogs being all cute by fetching your slippers or flopping on your lap, exposing their bellies - something their wolf-like ancestors would never have done back in the day - knowing full well they'll get fussed over, kissed and possibly given treats. This advanced social intelligence includes their ability to understand human gestures, facial expressions and emotional cues - all made possible by the changed relationships between humans and their pets where they're often regarded as family, live inside and know how to live their best lives through their endearing mannerisms, quirks and tricks to get treats or attention. This cognitive aspect appears to be driving the changing behaviours of dogs that we encounter each day. Empathy and adaptability are the key traits that they've honed over time, and now the dog experts say our furry friends are entering a third wave of domestication. One reader of "The Brain Maze" article supported the theory, saying: "And Chihuas are at the forefront of this transformation! Our Chi's adore us!! and spend their days assessing and managing our emotions with empathy and affection." Another said her service dog "intuitively did the things I needed help with, like dragging me home when I get overstimulated in public (from autism)." But is it the dogs evolving, or is it the other way around? Globally recognised dog behaviourist, Daniel Stewart, who heads up KZN Animal Training, believes that a lot of these changes have come about by breeders selecting certain traits that are desirable to us. "I do not believe that dogs are evolving to be agreeable, I believe that we create them through selective breeding to make them more appealing for us. It is not always the fluffy, cute-eyed dog that we find appealing. Some people enjoy having dogs with an aggressive nature for protection or to project their macho image. "So, really speaking, is it the dog or is it human behaviour that is changing?" Stewart believes that our human behaviours play a large role where what we do, primarily providing the social cues to our pets, which they respond to, thereby creating a symbiotic relationship. "We are so far down the line from the domestication process, we have evolved and dogs have evolved so that they can be suitable to our environment because we consider ourselves as the apex predator, so it is more about adapt or die."
IOL News
20-05-2025
- IOL News
Court hears evidence against midwife accused of causing baby deaths and disabilities
Now former midwife Yolande Maritz Fouchee is facing 14 charges in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria after several babies she delivered were born disabled and some died. Image: Zelda Venter The Pretoria midwife Yolande Maritz Fouchee, who allegedly caused babies to either die or be born disabled while she was in charge of delivering them, is facing 14 charges in the Gauteng High Court, including one of culpable homicide. Fouchee, 48, now a deregistered nurse, denied any wrongdoing, and in a lengthy plea, explained that she did everything according to the book when she delivered the babies. But one of the mothers, Carien Möller, on Tuesday testified that her daughter Sophia was born in July 2019 with cerebral palsy. She is blaming Fouchee for her child's condition. Fouchee, in turn, claimed that the child was born this way because Möller had a bladder infection while she was pregnant and she refused to take antibiotics to clear it up. The court was told that baby Sophia was blue in the face when she was born and that she had to be resuscitated for about 20 minutes before she could breathe normally. The 14 charges against Fouchee include nine charges of assault on four mothers and their babies. It is claimed that she gave the mothers Cytotec and Oxytocin before delivering the babies, allegedly to hasten the birthing process. They were allegedly told that it was a Rescue Remedy which they were to consume. The court heard that Fouchee handled between 16 to 24 deliveries a month at her You&Me delivery centre in Pretoria East, for which she charged from R16,000 upwards per delivery. One of the charges Fouchee is facing is that she called her daughter in to assist her with the deliveries. Her daughter, the prosecution said, does not hold any medical qualifications. The culpable homicide charge against Fouchee follows the death of a baby, born in 2020, who had died within minutes of her birth. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Another charge relates to a baby boy born with cerebral palsy and visual impairment. It is claimed that Fouchee was unable to deliver the baby and refused to transport the mother to hospital, so that she could give birth via an emergency C-section. It is claimed that Fouchee instead used forceps in an attempt to deliver the baby, despite the pleas of the mother that she wanted to go to hospital instead. It is alleged that her actions during labour resulted in oxygen deprivation to the fetus, causing injury to the brain. The baby was born blue and unresponsive, and the prosecution claimed that it cannot be ruled out that the baby's bleeding on the brain was caused by the forceps used by Fouchee. The mothers are all due to still testify in Fouchee's trial, with Möller being the first mother to take the stand. She explained that she saw Fouchee's credentials on Facebook and she was very impressed with them. As she delivered her first child via C-section, she wanted a natural, water birth for her second child. A doula who assisted Möller in her delivery told the court that Fouchee had a 'we call the baby protocol' in place, which meant that she (Fouchee) usually decided when a baby should be born. She then had methods at hand in which to enhance the births, the court was told. The trial is proceeding before Judge Papi Mosopa, who is sitting on the bench with an assessor, who is a medical doctor, to assist him.
