Latest news with #Saxbe
The Star
05-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Becoming a father changes your brain
Just as mothers experience the phenomenon known as 'mum brain'; researchers say fathers also undergo changes in their brains after being thrust into their new family role. — Photos: dpa It's not only mothers who experience profound changes around the birth of a child; fathers also show measurable adjustments in brain structure and hormone balance, according to new research led by professor of psychology Dr Darby Saxbe at the University of Southern California in the United States. Results from brain scans show that the cortex – the part of the brain responsible for higher cognitive functions – also changes in fathers, explains the director of the university's Neuroendocrinology of Social Ties (NEST) Lab in the American Psychological Association (APA) podcast Speaking of Psychology . The changes are more subtle than in mothers, but nevertheless detectable, and they appear to promote the fathers' ability to care. There are also changes in hormone levels. The testosterone levels of many fathers fall after the birth, something associated with a higher motivation to look after the baby, she explains. Less testosterone can mean more closeness to the child, as well as a better quality of relationship during the transition to parenthood. At the same time, it was shown that partners of fathers with lower testosterone reported fewer depressive symptoms, provided that the relationship was good. Poor sleep is a constant companion of young parents. According to Prof Saxbe's research, lack of sleep is a consequence rather than a cause of brain changes. Those who are particularly involved in caring for the baby often sleep less well, but the brain seems to want to 'remodel' itself precisely for this purpose. Her research also suggests that fatherhood is a real 'development window' for the brain, comparable to adolescence or childhood. 'Every window of change is a window of vulnerability, but it's also a window of opportunity,' says the professor, whose book Dad Brain is due to be published next year (2026). Anyone who initially feels that they are unable to concentrate like they used to need not worry immediately. This is because children boost their parents' memory: they sharpen their cognitive skills and parents have 'more ability to remember and retrieve things' that are related to the child. Another key finding: fathers who take parental leave benefit, but mothers benefit even more. They sleep better, are less stressed and show fewer depressive symptoms, Prof Saxbe's research showed. 'It was really the mums that had the biggest benefit.' Paternity leave is something that not only benefits parents, but the whole family. 'We know it has benefits for the children. 'We also know that it's beneficial for the partner. 'And I think that anything you can do to take the pressure off the family system is also a way of managing stress.' – dpa
The Hindu
07-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
From The Hindu, May 8, 1975: 'No U.S. Arms sale to Pak. after lifting of embargo'
Calcutta, May 7: The U.S. Ambassador to India, Mr. William Saxbe said here to-day that no arms had been sold or shipped to Pakistan by his Government since its lifting of embargo on the sales. 'Nor there have been any talk or request from Pakistan for U.S. arms,' he told newsmen during a brief halt at Calcutta airport on his way to Bhutan from Delhi. Mr. Saxbe said it should be made clear that the embargo imposed unilaterally by his Government on Pakistan and India had been lifted for both the countries. U.S. arms sales 'is now open for both India and Pakistan,' he said. But Pakistan and India, Mr. Saxbe said, had been 'buying lot of arms from other countries. Pakistan had bought arms worth $350 millions from France and India had been buying arms from many countries for many million dollars.' Mr. Saxbe told a questioner that there was 'great hope' for improvement in Indo-U.S. relations. When a correspondent asked what was the basis of his hope he replied 'It will be to the mutual benefit of the two countries.' Asked about the proposed visit of President Ford to India, Mr. Saxbe said he had no definite information about it yet. 'I do not know whether there will be any change in the programme of Mr. Ford who is now scheduled to visit the Soviet Union and China.' Asked about reports that Indian leaders' anti-US statements had created adverse reaction in Washington, as a result of which President Ford might cancel his visit to India, Mr. Saxbe said he had no comments to make. Mr. Saxbe hoped the Indo-US trade would expand and said the most important thing for increasing the trade was the efforts on the part of India to merchandise its products.
