We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
NEW RESEARCH HAS pointed to why women say they could “gobble up” a baby – they smell good enough to eat.
The research, conducted by scientists in Montreal, Canada, found that there are chemical signals for communication between a mother and her child.
The odour of newborns, which is part of these signals, activates a reward circuit in the mother’s brain. These circuits are especially activated when a person eats while being very hungry but also in a craving addict receiving their drug.
Researcher at the University of Montreal, Johannes Frasnelli said it is “in fact, the sating of desire”.
It appears this connection is stronger in women who are mothers themselves, though all women are susceptible to new baby odour, the research found.
Two groups of women were presented with odours of others’ newborns and were subjected to brain imaging tests.
The odours of the newborns were collected from their pyjamas two days after birth, which we’re willing to admit sounds a bit strange, but it’s all in the name of science.
Although the women in both groups perceived the odour of newborns with the same intensity, brain imaging showed greater activation in the circuits of mothers compared to the women who had never given birth.
“This circuit makes us desire certain foods and causes addiction to tobacco and other drugs,” said the researcher. “Not all odours trigger this reaction. Only those associated with reward, such as food or satisfying a desire, cause this activation.”
For the research team, these results show that the odour of newborns undoubtedly plays a role in the development of motivational and emotional responses between mother and child by eliciting maternal care functions such as breastfeeding and protection.
Researchers said there are still questions about whether the reaction of mothers is a result of a change related to childbirth or if it is specific to mothers as men were not part of the experiment.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Was Micheál Martin one of the senior cabinet ministers who tried to interfere with #mahon? If so, forget expelling Bertie, he should resign. Sean Dorgan was the party secretary for FF under Ahern as well. It’s time he resigned as well. However neither of these men have an ounce of shame, so they’ll brazen it out, their bank accounts demand it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62bPIXhXfmY&feature=player_embedded
Michael Martin defending Bertie and his horsey winnings. This man is completely devoid of shame and his moral compass is completely defunct. No wonder he was made FF leader.
If there is even an decent ounce in you Micheal, you will resign and expel Ahern, Burke and the rest of them from the party. Is there even the smallest bit of you that has a concern for this country.
Traitors. FF’ers are members of a party run by traitors, for the benefit of thieves and staffed at the bottom by fools.
Some of the councillors who solicited and received bribes are FG. Whole damn system is bent as are many within it. Others knew what was going on and said nothing…
They are indeed. I refer to FF as a mindset, you don’t join FF if you are in to politics, you join if you want to make lots of money for yourself and your friends/benefactors. That type of person exists everywhere but it does seem to define FF at its core. I disagree with FG politics but at least they have a political vision and belief system. I just really hate their vision
Your comment had me spluttering on my cornflakes Fagan – Fine Gael “have a political vision and belief system”??
FG have no distinct vision from Fianna Fáil, they are Fianna Fáil light in every way, (including corruption, not as bad, granted, but it is there.) I also seem to remember a certain ‘Good’ Taoiseach having questions to answer over his bank accounts, and a director of the associated bank concidentally getting a nice plum job in Brussels… Let he who is without sin etc…
And we haven’t forgotten FG campaining against quangos, yet at the last minute introducing a clause to legislation to allow a minister to overrule appointments…
The system is rotten, it’s not as bad as some other political systems yet, but we need to introduce tough laws and tribunal with teeth now.
300 million – will it result in convictions??
If you are foolish enough to think this is all in the past I suggest that you pay attention the next time your local council is doing a development plan. Still easy to spot the developers friends. And no they are not all FF. Developers are not loyal to any party. They cozy up to whoever is in power. It’s mostly been FF over the past 30 years that’s why so many FF councillors and TDs on the take.
Please note that the payments went to all the big parties not just FF. why are the media covering this up. Are they afraid to upset the Government Parties
Its very clear that the government need to take the power over planing decisions away from all councillors. they have proven they are not capable. Phil Hogan can talk about changing the law to facilitate collecting the household charge – let him talk about changing the law so that councillor corruption is ended and is meaningful to the people of this sad state.
have your say