IN YOUR DAILY DOSE: today is research from Boston University School of Medicine that shows biomarkers for Huntington's disease may yield answers to improve treatment for the disease.

MAKING CHANGES: No changes today!

FACT OR FICTION: The life cycle of these little buggers always follow prime numbers, their mating call can be heard most frequently in the early evening, and only live 4-6 weeks above ground. What are they?

In The News

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine found biomarkers of Huntington’s disease that may help doctors better evaluate the progression of treatment for the disease.

SOURCE: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/01/180102103303.htm

Daily Affirmation

I share constructive feedback. I focus on collaboration and helping others to enhance their performance. I create a calm environment before I deliver criticism that could be difficult to hear. I balance criticism with compliments and ask coworkers for their suggestions.
I provide comfort. My words and actions show my friends and family that I am there for them. I listen patiently and validate their experiences.

Fact or Fiction?

The life cycle of these little buggers always follow prime numbers, their mating call can be heard most frequently in the early evening, and only live 4-6 weeks above ground. What are they?

These insects look just a bit like gigantic flies. Their shrill mating call can be heard more frequently in the early evening, except when large numbers emerge from their lives underground. Brood II is one of the most famous of the cicada groups. They live underground for an astounding 17 years and then emerge for 4-6 weeks to mate and die. According to CBC News:

“Researchers and cicada enthusiasts have noted that the life cycles of periodical cicadas are prime numbers, i.e. the figure can't be evenly divided into smaller integers.

There is no reliable explanation for this, but in a recent blog post, the New Yorker magazine cited well-known paleontologist Stephen J. Gould, who suggested that the life cycles of periodical cicadas are an evolutionary survival strategy.

U.S. cicada expert John Cooley points out on Magicicada.org that because periodical cicadas emerge in such staggering numbers, there are enough cicadas to satisfy its predators, while also leaving plenty of insects to mate and continue to propagate the species. Another theory for their long gestation is that it's a holdover from an earlier period of history, when the earth was cooler, and cicadas that learned to live underground longer would be less likely to die in an unexpectedly cool spring.”

Have a wonderful day!

Your Healthy Life America Team