Personal glucose monitor did the trick for me
Like Clare Wilson, I too tried a blood glucose monitor from ZOE, partly out of curiosity and partly for potential health benefits. I wasn’t too concerned about blood glucose “spikes”. It was the resulting “dips” I wanted to eliminate. What I had surmised were that periods of low glucose, which felt like having a hangover, made me lethargic and less clear-headed until I ate again (3 February, p 40).
The monitor confirmed my suspicion and allowed me to identify the 鈥� sometimes surprising 鈥� foods with the worst effects. I doubt I could have done this with careful experimentation with the same speed or with such ease.
Is everything in the cosmos made of shapes?
Reading about the use of abstract geometry in the search for a theory of everything, I was intrigued by Renate Loll’s take: causal dynamical triangulation, rooted in the simple geometry of triangles and tetrahedrons (10 February, p 32).
This reminds me of one of geometry’s great treasures, as Johannes Kepler put it: the golden ratio. So many natural forms embrace this ratio in growth and shape, from microcosm to macrocosm. Perhaps this extends to galaxies and space-time?
Bennu may just be a chip off the old block
Given that the asteroid Bennu is in roughly the same orbit as we are, is it possible that the “small, ocean-covered world with conditions favourable for life to emerge” that the rock came from is Earth? Maybe created in the same impact that tore the moon from our planet(10 February, p 8)?
On the use of exercise therapy for long covid
You report on the use of exercise for long covid. This condition and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) have some important clinical and pathological overlaps and a significant proportion of people with long covid also meet diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS (17 February, p 14).
In new guidelines on ME/CFS in 2021, England’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence decided to no longer recommend graded exercise therapy 鈥� fixed, incremental hikes in activity 鈥� but to recommend activity and energy management based on pacing, staying at levels that feel right for the individual. This followed a thorough review of all the clinical trials that had involved exercise therapy. People with ME/CFS have been harmed by exercise programmes. We hope those with long covid won’t experience the same fate.
Just blame the Romans for the Greek tragedy
Matthew Sparkes wonders why the ancient Greeks didn’t go on to develop greater mechanical marvels than they did. I believe the answer may lie in the changing political forces of the time, as the dominance of the Mediterranean was changing from the science and knowledge-loving Greeks to the imperialist Romans. As far as the latter were concerned, science and engineering needed to be devoted to the engines of warfare and conquest, and anything else was an indulgent diversion (10 February, p 29).
Still no closer to solving mystery of consciousness
Terms like “emergent” and “complex” are often deployed as though they present a clear, simple explanation of mind and consciousness. In fact, we have no idea how, or if, mind arises from mindless material. Equally, to say consciousness is an emergent property of matter implies that this phenomenon is somehow already present in it. Consciousness may not require magic, but it is still highly mysterious (Letters, 10 February).
What does the brain look like when playing a flute?
It was interesting to read how learning to play the piano causes changes in different brain areas (3 February, p 12).
Many other instruments produce their notes through different methods from far fewer basic keys or strings, such as varying lip pressures or pressing strings down at different points. Consequently, these are learned largely by associating each printed note with a particular motor movement, with far less recourse to looking at the instrument (as with the piano). It would be interesting to run similar studies to see brain changes in such cases.
Weather calamities are climate disasters
Your view on whether the world has already warmed by 1.5掳C refers to extreme weather events. The resulting human tragedies are often referred to as “natural disasters” by politicians and the media. But the causes are becoming less and less natural. Let’s start calling them what they are 鈥� “climate disasters” (Leader, 10 February).
Book sorting is far from tedious to me
I liked David Robson’s piece on subverting memories of a work session by ending with a fun task. But the assumption in a study he cites that the supposedly onerous tasks of isometric exercise, book sorting and dealing with customer complaints are “tedious” is very subjective. I get great satisfaction from sorting books and indeed many other tasks that bring order from chaos. Others enjoy bodybuilding. Resolving people’s problems is rewarding to some (3 February, p 44). Eye of the beholder and all that!
Hiking car costs wouldn't be fair for rural areas
While I worry about excessive car use, let’s not forget that only in cities or large towns would you have a choice of alternative methods of transport if car use were to be made more costly. In rural areas, an affordable car is vital, as public transport is limited or non-existent. You could have food delivered, but you can’t get to a doctor or dentist without a car (Letters, 3 February).