How do trees grow
straight up, even on a
slope? Lauren Goliath, Randburg
T
rees (and most other plants) detect
gravity using tiny structures within
the cells of their roots and shoots
called statoliths, which tell them which
way is up (a process known as
gravitropism). These pocket-shaped
structures are also responsible for
storing the plant’s food (in the form of
starch). Statoliths are drawn by gravity
towards the bottom of their cell, telling
the tree that this direction is down. The
tree responds by growing its roots
downwards and shoots upwards. If,
however, the tree was blown onto its
side, the statoliths would shift and
settle against whichever part of the cell
was now facing downwards. The tree
would then use this information to
re-orient itself and continue to grow its
shoots vertically.GETTY X2, NASA ILLUSTRATION: PETER SUCHESKI- CRAVINGS
A form of mindfulness called ‘integrative
body-mind training’ can help smokers to quit
and avoid relapsing afterwards, by altering
the activity in the areas of the brain
associated with cravings. - LOWER BACK
Mindfulness has been shown to help control
lower back pain, by redirecting your attention
from the pain so you automatically relax your
muscles. The method can be used in tandem
with painkillers. - LARGE INTESTINE
Some studies have suggested small
improvements to irritable bowel syndrome
(IBS) and ulcerative colitis, possibly by
reducing the production of stress hormones.
Results are conflicting, though. - HEART
Studies have found that meditation lowers
blood pressure in people at risk of developing
high blood pressure, probably by reducing
feelings of anger and anxiety. - BRAIN
The amygdala – a region of the brain that’s
important for processing emotions such as
fear and aggression – is less active after a
meditation session, which helps reduce
stress and anxiety levels. - SPRAINS AND STRAINS
Meditation affects the gene-regulating
machinery in our cells and reduces the
activity of genes that cause inflammation.
This can speed up recovery from physical
injury and sprains.
What happens in my body when... I meditate?
Lynelle Vilakazi, PaarlM
indfulness meditation is different from just relaxation. It involves retraining the mind
to focus on all the stimuli received by the body, as they arrive. It limits your attention
to the immediate present and the signals and reactions of your body. This state of awareness
has been shown in numerous studies to cause measurable changes in the brain and the rest
of the body that can persist beyond the meditation session.D
espite the famous idiom, bats
aren’t blind. All bats rely on sight
to find food, avoid predators and
navigate to and from roosts. As
expected in a nocturnal mammal, their
eyes are heavily loaded with
photoreceptor cells called rods, which
maximise their ability to see in the
dark. At night, however, most bats use
echolocation to find prey – sending out
ultrasonic sound waves and listening
for the echoes. So bats can ‘see’ with
both their eyes and their ears.If bats are blind, why
do they have eyes?
Leslie Fourie, LadysmithQ&A
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