Brain ageing is a complicated process, unlikely to have a single cause. But scientists think they may have found a key piece in the puzzle: protein FTL1.

A study published in Nature Ageing looked at how the brains of mice changed as they aged. They wanted to see what might drive the processes that can slow down our mental activity and impair our memory over the years.

They found that the protein seemed to be the only consistent difference between younger and older mice minds – and they think they know how to counter it.

In older mice, FLT1 levels were higher. They had fewer connections in a part of the brain called the hippocampus (which is responsible for learning and memory), and their cognitive abilities weren’t as high as those of the younger mice.

To investigate whether the protein itself was causing that change, the scientists gave younger mice more of the protein than their bodies naturally made. When they did that, the younger mice had “synaptic changes and cognitive impairments indicative of hippocampal ageing”.

In other words, their brain and behaviours began to mimic those of older mice.

But when they did the inverse – reduced the amount of FLT1 in the brains of older mice – the opposite happened.

They had more connections between nerve cells and performed better on cognitive tests: they seemed, in short, “younger”.

FLT1 slowed metabolism in the hippocampus of older mice. But by giving them a treatment to speed their metabolism up, the scientists were able to prevent that from happening.

They’re hopeful that this might lead to ways to block the effects of the protein in the brain.

In mice, changing FTL1 levels made a bigger difference than just managing the effects of ageing.

Speaking to the University of California, San Francisco, the paper’s senior author, Dr Saul Villeda, said: “It is truly a reversal of impairments. It’s much more than merely delaying or preventing symptoms.”

Though more research is needed to get even close to something like this for humans, Dr Villeda added, “We’re seeing more opportunities to alleviate the worst consequences of old age. It’s a hopeful time to be working on the biology of ageing.”

David Attenborough’s new Secret Garden documentaries, which focus on the wildlife in our very own backyard, show just how important unremarkable-seeming species like damselflies and urban foxes are to the natural world.

Speaking to HuffPost UK, an ecologist at ecological consultancy firm Arbtech said that it’s time to rethink the role of much-maligned feral pigeons, too.

“Feral pigeons have filled an ecological hole caused by the decline and absence of many other species that cannot survive in an urban environment,” they said.

Given our history of domesticating, then abandoning, the birds, the ecologist added, we owe them more than our current disdain.

Pigeons “have been among the oldest domesticated species by humans, dating back thousands of years,” the spokesperson told us.

Feral species are descendants of the rock dove. That shows in their nesting habits: their wilder relatives “are cliff nesters, nesting in crevices, with poor nest construction, and the feral pigeon likes cities as the ledges and hiding places mimic those cliff top habitats their ancestors used”.

Historically, the ecologist continued, we’ve used pigeons for loads of tasks, including (famously) sending messages.

“Even the ancient Egyptians and Romans used pigeons for this, and we did use them in WW1 and WW2. This ended with 32 pigeons receiving the Dickin medal (like a Victorian cross for animals) for their efforts.

“I even knew a friend’s grandfather who worked at the hospital and sent blood
samples to the lab via pigeon in the 60s and 70s, as it was still faster than getting there in a car.”

But with email, text, and better tech, that demand dramatically decreased.

So, the spokesperson said, “While some still keep pigeons as pets, or more so now for pigeon racing, the majority were just abandoned and left to fend for themselves.

“Being a species domesticated by us for thousands of years, naturally, they still choose to be around humans, showing little fear of us.”

Though they’re “not a favourite,” pigeons are uniquely adapted to urban environments. Because of their years of contact with us, humans don’t really bother them.

They “can assist partially as a clean-up crew, cleaning up our crumbs and mess in the cities that we leave behind,” the ecologist said.

“They also fit into the ecosystem as food sources, with the return of peregrine falcons, a bird of prey almost made extinct in the UK. Cities are a favourite site for this bird.

“One reason is the abundance of feral pigeons. They can also be a food source for hawks and even foxes, who are able to sneak up on them.”

That’s not to say they pose no risk to humans: think of “dropping build-up and
nesting material build-up carrying disease,” said the expert.

But the city isn’t always kind to its winged residents, either.

Problems “such as entanglement in nets, thin pieces wrapping around their legs,
eventually causing them to lose toes or feet,” which “can even be caused by something as thin as human hair,” are common.

“They can also receive infections due to the harsh urban environment, getting tiny scratches, which can lead to swollen or necrotic feet.”

The ecologist said the following steps can help:

1. Remove all hazards that could entangle or cut pigeons. “Don’t put out human hair thinking it is a good nesting material; it’s a risk to all birds with
   entanglement.”
2. Capture distressed pigeons with gloved hands, put them in a dark box, and bring them to a vet or wildlife centre. “If the bird has been caught by a cat, even if there are no physical injuries, you must still get it to a rescue, as cat saliva is very dangerous, with the bacteria it contains and can often lead to the bird’s death from just being in contact with a cat’s mouth.”
3. Don’t put out too much food. This “will just encourage more pigeons to gather in one location, leading to more dropping and build up, which can lead to complaints and methods to remove or disperse birds”.
4. Provide a clean water source. “A shallow dish of water can be a lifeline in a concrete city and can help the birds keep clean.”
5. Keep cats indoors, especially during nesting season. “Cats are a non-native introduced predator that has a large impact on bird species. Recently fledged pigeons often don’t fly to begin with, and on the ground, they are very vulnerable.”

This year, I’ll be trying sleeping tricks to see whether they actually improve my insomnia. Check back in on this series, Rest Assured, to see how I get on.

I have been struggling with sleep maintenance insomnia for years. That means I struggle to stay asleep, though I usually nod off just fine.

But in the past week, I’ve had trouble nodding off to begin with, thanks to a cold (mild short-term insomnia is a common symptom of the virus).

We’ve written before at HuffPost UK about the “military sleep method,” which promises sleep in two minutes flat.

So, I figured I’d give it a try this week.

It originally came from Relax and Win: Championship Performance, a 1981 book by coach Bud Winter. He helped to develop a relaxation technique that he said helped the US Navy airmen-to-be fall asleep in 120 seconds during WWII.

It’s a combination of progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, and visualisation.

Lie on your back, imagine something pleasant (I went with a treehouse in a rainy forest) and “Move from the top of your body to the bottom when relaxing your muscles, picturing yourself sinking into your bed,” the University of Minnesota Medical School said.

Speaking to Real Simple, psychologist Dr Victoria Bangieva said that “I don’t know of any study that has looked at the effectiveness or benefits of this method”.

I couldn’t find any that definitely proved its two-minute claim.

But, as Dr Bangeiva added, “the science behind it is based on proven relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and visualisation”.

Indeed, some studies have shown that progressive muscle relaxation can lead to lead to faster sleep onset, while slow, deep breathing and “imagery distraction” (picturing nice thoughts) can also help you fall asleep sooner.

Still, in the original book, Winter said it took six weeks of practice to achieve a reported 96% success rate. I only had one.

The first night, I found my mind wandering too much: I would relax my muscles one by one, but by the time I reached my elbows, I had forgotten what I was doing and restarted the process at least twice.

By the fourth night, though, even starting the process seemed to make it more relaxing.

And on the final night, I think I fell asleep in about 10 minutes (much better than the two or so hours at the beginning of the week).

Again, my form of insomnia doesn’t usually mean I find the first nod-off hard. But even when I woke up at 3am, I found the “military method” made it slightly easier to fall back to sleep.

So, no, in my experience, it didn’t lead me to fall asleep in an astounding two minutes, but it was still worth a go.

Exercise seems to help to manage some of the symptoms of menopause. One study found that women with high and moderate levels of physical activity tended to experience less severe signs than their inactive peers; yoga appears to be one of many great options.

And some research from the University of Exeter has found that Pvolve, an exercise routine that partnered with Friends star Jenifer Aniston in 2023, is linked to better hip function, lower body strength, lean muscle mass, full-body flexibility, balance, mobility, and stability (phew).

That’s key for those facing menopause as these often wane during this life stage.

It’s a form of low-impact resistance training. It uses tools like resistance bands, gliders, ankle weights, and light dumbbells to apply force without straining joints.

These are combined with stability training, including single-leg balances, and bodyweight exercises, like hip hinges and planks.

Sessions last about 35 minutes each.

Resistance training is linked to better bone health, which is crucial for menopausal women, as the changes to their hormones can decrease their bone density.

That leaves you at greater risk of falls and broken bones.

The University of Exeter study involved 72 pre-, peri-, and post-menopausal women. They were all active.

Half of them completed 150 minutes of exercise per week, while the others completed a 12-week Pvolve training plan which increased in intensity over time.

Afterwards, they found that those who did the Pvolve Method had the following advantages over the people doing 150 minutes of exercise:

• 19% increase in hip function and lower body strength
• 21% increase in full-body flexibility
• 10% increase in dynamic balance, mobility, and stability
• Increase in lean muscle.

Speaking to the University of Exeter, the study’s lead author, Professor Francis Stephens, said: “Women often see a decline in their muscle strength and balance shortly before, during and after the menopause. This ultimately increases the risk of falls and fractures later in life, particularly of the hip, which is why it’s so important to find a way for women to maintain that strength and balance as they get older.

“The great thing about these simple resistance exercises is they can easily be performed at home, and we’ve now shown they’re effective at improving strength and balance in women during and post-menopause. In fact, some measures of balance appeared to increase to a greater degree in post-menopausal women, suggesting that these exercises are not hindered by the menopause transition.”

Sleep is one of those things, like wi-fi or anaesthesia, that gets odder the more you think about it. In fact, scientists still don’t know for sure why we spend a third of our lives unable to move or perceive the world around us.

So perhaps it’s no wonder it’s a heavily-searched topic. According to sleep expert Dr Deborah Lee from Doctor Fox, who is working with Comfybedss, millions of us turn to the web every month with questions about everything from REM to magnesium.

Here, she answered five of the most-searched-for questions:

“Sleep apnoea itself won’t exactly ‘kill’ you in a way that illnesses might, although it can lead to serious health problems further down the line,” Dr Lee explained.

“Sleep apnoea, a condition that causes repeated pauses in breathing as you’re sleeping, contributes to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and even accidents that can be related to daytime fatigue.”

In very severe cases, “these risks can compound and become fatal, so you’re best getting it checked by a doctor sooner rather than later, especially if you have several of the symptoms that come alongside sleep apnoea.”

Signs include daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, and choking during sleep.

“The good news is that it is treatable, usually with some generic lifestyle changes, CPAP machines or medical interventions.”

Experts advise that deep sleep should make up about a quarter of your sleep. It is the “most physically restorative stage of the sleep cycle… During this stage, your body repairs tissues, builds muscle, strengthens the immune system, and even consolidates memories,” Dr Lee said.

But, she added, “This isn’t a ‘one-size-fits-all’ answer, and the right answer is dependent on each person. Some people may feel as though they can’t function if they get under eight hours sleep a night, whereas some people may feel as though anything above five hours works perfectly well for them.”

Still, she said, we should aim for at least seven hours’ sleep a night. “The easiest way to know whether you have had enough deep sleep is by waking up refreshed, alert and ready to seize the day.”

“Sleep apnoea is a common sleep disorder where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you sleep. The most common type, obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), happens when the muscles in the throat relax too much, temporarily blocking the airway,” Dr Lee explained.

It can lead you to wake up during the night, even if you don’t notice it.

“Symptoms typically include loud snoring, gasping for breath or choking during sleep, morning headaches, and, as it can lead to reduced time in REM sleep, it can therefore lead to increased daytime sleepiness.”

Speak to your GP if you notice signs of sleep apnoea.

Magnesium does seem to be somewhat effective in helping to regulate our body clock. But while it can “help lower [stress hormone] cortisol levels and also support the production of melatonin,” it’s not a “magic pill,” Dr Lee advised.

“The evidence is fairly mixed on magnesium, and it’ll differ on a case-by-case basis. If you’re struggling to sleep and you’ve not made any lifestyle changes before taking magnesium, i.e, reducing smoking, drinking, sugary drinks, etc., then do this before becoming reliant on magnesium.”

Speak to your GP before starting any magnesium supplements if you have chronic illnesses or take regular medication, she continued.

“REM stands for Rapid Eye Movement, and this type of sleep is the stage of the cycle that is most associated with dreaming. It typically occurs in cycles throughout the night, becoming longer in the early morning hours.

“During REM sleep, brain activity increases to levels similar to when you’re awake, while the body temporarily becomes paralysed to prevent you from acting out dreams.” Dr Lee said.

Most adults spend about 20-25% of their sleep in REM, which is key for emotional regulation, memory consolidation, and learning.

“Disruptions to REM sleep, often caused by stress, alcohol, or poor sleep routines, can leave you feeling mentally foggy and seriously fatigued throughout the day, even if you’ve had a long enough sleep overall.”

A healthy conversation has a natural rhythm, a give-and-take in which both people feel heard, understood and valued. But with some people, that balance never quite happens.

That’s the case with what experts call “conversational narcissism.”

“Conversational narcissism is a communication style wherein an individual centres themselves in conversations, engages in oneupmanship, fails to ask follow-up questions and has a difficult time maintaining interest in what other people have to say,” Natalie Moore, a licensed marriage and family therapist, told HuffPost.

A conversational narcissist can leave you feeling drained and like you couldn’t get a word in edgewise. They tend to be inattentive and lack curiosity.

“Whatever you share is quickly met with a more extreme or more compelling version of their own experience,” said Tracy Ross, a licensed clinical social worker specializing in couples and family therapy. “Over time, the conversation stops feeling like an exchange and starts to feel one-sided. It results in leaving an interaction feeling unsatisfied and empty.”

Conversational narcissists don’t necessarily have narcissistic personality disorder, though some may fall somewhere on the narcissism spectrum.

“It’s also important to note that many of us have been guilty of conversational narcissism from time to time,” said Lauren Maher, a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in anxiety, trauma and narcissistic abuse recovery. “If you notice that you’ve inadvertently done this, take a breath, make sure that you bring the conversation back to the original speaker and follow up by asking them questions about their experience.”

There are also best practices for those who find themselves interacting with a conversational narcissist. Below, experts break down ways you can navigate these situations while protecting your energy and reclaiming your voice.

“First, acknowledge any feelings that are arising for you ― such as frustration, indignation, anger, disappointment or loneliness,” Moore said. “Engaging in an interaction with someone who is a conversational narcissist can bring up lots of intense feelings, especially if you’re someone who spends effort maintaining balance in conversations who values reciprocity in relationships.”

Try not to take someone’s conversational narcissism too personally.

“Know that what you’re experiencing has nothing to do with how interesting or valuable you are, but has more to do with the other person’s ability to take an interest in you,” Moore said.

Consider that a conversational narcissist might also be a kind and generous person in other ways.

“Look at the overall, bigger consistent picture,” said Dr. Sue Varma, a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at New York University Grossman School of Medicine and author of “Practical Optimism: The Art, Science, and Practice of Exceptional Well-Being.”

“Is the person able to celebrate your wins and be happy for you and be there for you in your time of need? That to me is most important. If they are a true, solid, loyal friend, you can and should give them grace.”

“Keep in mind what your objective is in your communications with this individual,” Moore advised. “If your goal is to be seen, heard and understood, you will probably be frustrated and not get what you want. But if your goal is to communicate something specific, find a pause or an opportunity to interrupt and get straight to the point.”

Take a more efficient, practical approach. Adding a little structure to your conversation can ensure you achieve your goal. Being clear and direct about what you need is crucial.

“Set the intention,” Varma said. “If I’m grabbing lunch with a friend who tends to over-talk, I might say right at the start, ‘I’ve had such a heavy week and I really need to vent for a few minutes ― is it OK if I go first?’”

“Protect your peace and walk away if the conversation doesn’t become two-sided or beneficial in any way,” said communications consultant and author Amelia Reigstad.

Setting limits around how much you engage and share can help keep intense emotions at bay.

“If you find that a person is not willing to take accountability for their behaviour, or you feel drained, resentful or even a bit ‘used’ after conversations with this person, then this may be a sign that you need to set much stronger boundaries with this person,” Maher said. “This may include excusing yourself from the conversation or setting a time limit for yourself on how long you will participate in the conversation.”

If the conversational narcissist in question is also a fundamentally narcissistic person, you’re better off saving your energy than continuing to engage with them or falling under their control.

“Don’t ‘over-fuel,’” Varma said. “Sometimes, being a ‘great listener’ actually encourages the behaviour. If you’re giving 100% of your focus to someone who isn’t giving it back, it’s OK to lean back, give shorter responses, and politely wrap things up when you’ve hit your limit.”

“If the pattern continues, it’s also important to adjust your expectations and protect your own energy,” Ross said. “Not every relationship will offer the kind of mutuality you’re looking for, and recognising that can help you engage more intentionally, rather than leaving interactions feeling depleted.”

Come to terms with what the a conversational narcissist can actually provide.

“Manage your expectations,” said therapist and “Disarming The Narcissist” author Wendy Behary. “You’re not going to get a whole lot back in the way of a real, reciprocal conversation ― the real give and take of ‘I see you, I feel you. I sense you. You see me, you feel me. You sense me.’”

“I think if it’s someone who’s really intimate in your life, you may want to use the beautiful strategy of empathic confrontation,” Behary said. “Say, ’I know you’re very excited about what you want to share with me, but I have to tell you, I’m feeling a little bit forgotten in what I just shared with you. I feel like we moved very quickly from my experience into your experience, and I just want to be honest with you because you’re my dear friend, or because you’re my husband or whoever.”

With an acquaintance, you might choose to simply set limits or avoid them, but a more direct approach could be preferable for someone with whom you’re more intimately involved.

“Empathically confront them and hold them accountable for this very self-absorbed way of communicating,” Behary said.

“I’m a big fan of the ‘gentle pivot,’” Varma said. “You can say, ‘I love hearing about your trip, but before we move on, I really wanted to finish telling you about my new project.’ Believe it or not, the other person may genuinely be interested in hearing what you have to say and want to know what you’ve been up to.”

You can “reclaim the ball,” so to speak, in a way that still protects your energy.

“Re-direct the conversation back to you ― ‘Thanks for that, great point, however, I’d love to share my perspective,’” Reigstad said.

Humour is another way to get a word in edgewise. Make a playful comment or joke to ease the tension of this dynamic.

“If you find yourself regularly interacting with a conversational narcissist, you can first try lightly interjecting with something along the lines of ‘Hang on… I’d love to finish that thought,’” Maher said.

“If this type of behaviour is coming from a lack of awareness or habit, then gently bringing this behaviour to their attention could shift the pattern,” said Chelsey Brooke Cole, psychotherapist and author of “If Only I’d Known! How to Outsmart Narcissists, Set Guilt-Free Boundaries, and Create Unshakeable Self-Worth.”

“You can start by saying things like, ‘I’d like to talk about something else for a while,’ ‘Our conversations are starting to feel very unbalanced,’ or ‘I feel like when I’m speaking you’re not really listening. Can we talk about that?’”

With time and accountability, the habit of conversational narcissism can shift.

“A person who is not narcissistic will usually reflect on their behaviour, take accountability, and try to make more space for you in future conversations,” Maher said.

The key is to be honest about your feelings and the patterns you’re noticing, but in a relational way.

“Rather than criticising, speak from your own experience,” Ross said. “‘I notice that when I share something important, I feel more supported when you stay with what I’m saying, rather than shifting to your own experience.’ Being clear about what you need ― more listening, more presence ― can sometimes create an opening for change, especially if the person isn’t aware of how they come across.”

Lots of research suggests that healthy hearts lower our risk of dementia.

But it seems gut changes might matter, too.

Dr David Vauzour, lead researcher of the paper published in Gut Microbes, said: “Even in people who had only just begun noticing mild memory changes, there were clear shifts in both their gut bacteria and the metabolites they release into the bloodstream”.

The researchers looked at stool samples from 150 adults aged 50 and over. Some were healthy, while others had mild cognitive impairment (MCI), sometimes seen as a precursor to dementia.

There was also a third group of people who performed normally on cognitive tests but who said they felt like something “wasn’t quite right” with their memory or cognition.

All participants gave the researchers both fasting blood samples (which were used to identify 33 key molecules made in our gut) and stool samples (used to identify the gut bacteria of participants).

“We explored whether specific combinations of these gut and diet-derived chemicals could separate the healthy from those experiencing early cognitive decline,” Dr Vazour said.

“What we found was really striking. Even in people who had only just begun noticing mild memory changes, there were clear shifts in both their gut bacteria and the metabolites they release into the bloodstream.”

They built a machine-learning model on just six of these metabolites. It was able to classify people into the three groups with 79% accuracy, and could tell cognitively healthy adults apart from those with mild cognitive impairment with over 80% accuracy.

The chemical changes seen in participants’ blood samples seemed to be linked to the bacteria present (or absent) in their stool, which Dr Vaxour said adds “weight to growing evidence that the so‑called gut–brain axis ― the communication network between our digestive system and the brain ― may play an important role in cognitive ageing”.

The study’s co-author, Dr Simon McArthur from Queen Mary University of London, has high hopes for the findings.

“While we’re not yet at the point of providing a diagnostic test, our work suggests we may be able to use dietary and microbial information to help catch the presence of dementia earlier in life, potentially even before significant brain damage has occurred,” he said.

“We hope this work will pave the way for simple, non-invasive blood tests capable of identifying people at higher risk of memory decline years before dementia is typically diagnosed.”

For his part, Dr Vauzor added, “If particular gut bacteria or the chemicals they produce contribute to early cognitive decline, treatments involving diet, probiotics, microbiome‑based therapies, or personalised nutrition could one day form part of dementia prevention strategies.”

However, writing for the Science Media Centre, Prof Eef Hogervorst, a Professor of Biological Psychology at Loughborough University, wasn’t as convinced.

He said, “It is an interesting finding and a very well-written paper with good theory and impressive statistical analyses, but with small groups and no follow-up, I think the conclusion that this can be an early diagnostic marker for cognitive decline and even dementia may be a little overstated.”

Technically, seagulls are not a bird of prey. But try telling that to the snacking tourists on my nearest beach; they start scanning the skies for chip predators, ducking for cover like voles facing the claws of a kestrel.

Some research has found that no matter what lifestyle they lead, seagulls seem programmed to dive-bomb at boxes of fish and chips.

But a new study might have found a surprising answer: painting eyes on chop boxes.

According to a paper published in Ecology and Evolution, “gulls were slower to approach and less likely to peck a takeaway food box with eye-like stimuli compared to a box without eyes”.

The researchers measured how often herring gulls approached boxes with eyes painted on them with their approach to plain boxes. They were slower to approach the more watchful-seeming containers and pecked them less often.

Overall, the step reduced thefts by as much as 50%. And that reduction remained even after the seagulls had been exposed to takeaway eye boxes multiple times.

Lots of animals are put off by the presence of eye-like markings, the study added.

Previously, the researchers wrote, a similar approach has proven successful in keeping predators from assaulting cattle, preventing birds from gathering in airports, and ensuring seabirds stop foraging near fishing nets.

However, the paper cautioned that responses to the eyes were “highly individual”; not all species of gull may react the same way, and even among herring gulls, about half didn’t seem to care about the change at all.

The University of Exeter has previously found that shouting at seagulls could keep them away from your chips.

And staring at them might work, too (they really don’t seem to like eyes).

Depending on how seriously you take your beachside fish and chips, you could try a painted box, yelling, and intense eye contact trio…

There’s no way to predict exactly how long any of us will live or precisely how well we’re ageing, but scientists have created a series of tests they think might give us a rough idea.

It looks, for instance, like the condition of key muscles might be linked to how we’re ageing overall. Your balance and even personality seem to matter, too.

Here are just a few of the science-backed challenges:

A recent study conducted with women aged 63-99 looked at unassisted sit-to-stand chair raises (going from a seated position to standing without leaning on something, as quickly as possible).

Scientists tracked participants’ speed in seconds for five of these raises.

“When it came to chair stands, moving from the slowest time to the fastest time in 6-second increments, researchers saw a 4% lower mortality rate,” the University of Buffalo, whose researchers were involved in the study, said.

A separate 2012 study called the sit-to-stand test a “significant predictor of mortality” among 51-to-80-year-olds.

The same study involving older women found that for every seven extra kilograms of pressure participants could apply to a hand dynamometer in a grip test, they saw a 12% lower mortality risk on average.

It’s far from the only paper to note such a link.

Described by researchers as an “indispensable biomarker for older adults,” weaker grip strength has been linked to an increased likelihood of diabetes, fractures, cognitive decline, depression, and low quality of life.

The amount of time you can stand on one leg serves as a “valid measure of frailty, independence, and fall status and… a useful tool in identifying patients with peripheral neuropathy,” researchers have previously said.

Even if that’s a walk (or hop) in the park for you, the NHS added, you shouldn’t stand on one leg for more than a minute.

“A slow walk is a problem sign decades before old age,” Professor Terrie Moffit, senior author of a 2019 ageing study, told King’s College London. The trait was linked to faster brain and bodily ageing among participants; their lungs, teeth, and immune systems also aged faster.

A “gait speed” or “four metre” test can help you work out where you stack up. For a four metre test, you’ll need a 10m path, with two metres for the person to speed up to their normal pace and two to decelerate; mark it out and get a timer.

Once you pass the acceleration zone and enter the four metres in the centre, time your walk, ending once you enter the deceleration zone. Then, divide the number of seconds it took you to complete the course by the number of metres you walked.

Less than 0.8m/s is considered a low gait speed, according to the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia.

Yes, cholesterol figures and your blood pressure can say a lot about your heart health. But the NHS has created a questionnaire to help you work out the approximate biological age of the organ, too (it’s only suitable for people aged 30-95 without an existing heart condition).

Questions like these were among those asked in a study looking at the link between ageing and curiosity.

Participants were asked how curious they were to hear the answer to the questions; their general curiosity was also assessed.

General curiosity among people who love things like reading broadly and exploring the world – far-reaching, or “trait,” curiosity – “has been shown to relate to better cognitive outcomes,” study author Dr Mary Whatley shared.

But older people tended to have more “state curiosity,” or temporary interest in a specific question or subject, with most people’s trait curiosity declining over time.

Kids chat about a lot of pretty odd stuff (remember Ballerina Cappuccina?) – however if you’ve heard them mention ‘gooning’ in conversation with their mates, or during gaming, it’s certainly worth pulling them up on it.

While you might consider ‘gooning’ as messing around or even goofing about (that’s what first came to my mind), per Mashable, it actually means “masturbating for a prolonged period of time, usually hours, without ever climaxing”.

In online spaces, it can also refer to zoning out as a result of intense sexual arousal, which Gabb (a company providing child-safe phones and tech) notes is “most often in the context of pornography”.

The issue is, if tweens and teens are using this terminology, chances are they are coming across pornography or inappropriate content online.

It’s not uncommon – over one-quarter (27%) of kids have come across pornography by age 11, according to a survey by the Children’s Commissioner.

While children shouldn’t be easily coming across porn due to stricter regulation as part of the Online Safety Act, they may still find ways to access it.

If your tween or teen is talking about gooning, even if it’s just joking with friends, it’s definitely worth asking them about it.

If they are getting involved in this activity, Fiona Yassin, a family psychotherapist, told HuffPost UK: “There’s a real neurodevelopmental risk here. During adolescence, the brain is still under construction – very much a work in progress – and when it’s repeatedly flooded with high-intensity sexual content, it drives spikes in dopamine that can create a pathway towards compulsive cycles.

“Over time, young people may need more and more intensity to achieve the same effect, which mirrors the mechanisms we see in other forms of addiction. That’s particularly concerning in a developing brain.”

Yassin, who is the founder and clinical director of The Wave Clinic, also warned that it can impact social development (zoning out in front of a screen might increase isolation, anxiety and low mood) and attachment, particularly as far as sexual relationships are concerned.

“This can disrupt the development of healthy attachment, increasing impulsivity, risk-taking, and a disregard for personal and relational safety,” she explained.

Teens who are exposed to this kind of content can also begin to develop unrealistic expectations of themselves and others, particularly as far as sex and relationships are concerned.

“It can encourage objectification, a sense of disposability in relationships, and a reduced capacity for genuine intimacy – building, sustaining, and nurturing connection,” said Yassin.

Ultimately, she warned, “it can shift how young people see others, which can lead to the oversexualisation of what would otherwise be non-sexual interactions”.

“That has wide-reaching implications for how they relate, connect, and develop into adulthood.”

Some children might use the word without fully understanding where it comes from and the potential impact on others. So, the key here is to be curious about where they’ve heard the term and what they think it means – which can help steer your conversations going forward.

“Rather than reacting with frustration or alarm, the most effective starting point for parents is to stay calm and curious,” said Yassin.

“Parents may ask: ‘What does this word mean to you?’ or ‘What do you think someone else might hear or feel when that word is used?’. Like many aspects of child and adolescent mental health, this situation offers a valuable teaching and learning opportunity.”

If they do know the full meaning, the therapist urges parents to seize the opportunity for age-appropriate honesty. “Teens, in particular, are more likely to engage when they feel respected, rather than lectured,” she added.

“Parents can gently widen the conversation to the bigger picture, which might include the consequences of the word, how pornography can shape expectations, impact mental health, and, in some cases, lead to more compulsive patterns of behaviour.”

Action for Children has a few helpful pointers for talking to kids about porn, but ultimately it advises parents to reassure kids it’s OK to feel curious about sex, while also explaining that “porn is unrealistic” and it “can be harmful for them to watch it”.