Coffee + doughnuts = improved memorySugar and caffeine. We all rely on these essential, and often unhealthy, stimulants to get us through the day. As Gary Wenk writes, don’t fight those cravings, coffee and doughnuts are good for the brain.
October, 2010
Barmy Army out of tune as pound goes for a song
The Barmy Army — they’re typically loud, sunburnt and full of cheer. But with the Ashes fast approaching and the British pound taking a beating, this year’s series in Australia may see a reduced contingent from England’s famous supporter group.
The cash value of planet Earth
Everything has a cash value, including planet Earth. For the first time environmentalists have put a price on ecosystems, with the message being that investment in these areas will provide healthy returns many times over.
A day in the life of a paparazzo
They can be some of the most reviled people in the media, but what happens when the tables are turned and the paparazzi get followed? Well, quite a bit actually, if you can stand all the waiting around…
The five dumbest rules in golf (and how to fix them)
Mark Twain once famously said that “golf is a good walk spoiled”, but is it simply that some of the game’s complicated rules are the problem? Peter Kostis lists five of golf’s dumbest rules and ways to fix them.
Obama’s foreclosure mess
The US banking industry is currently straining under a foreclosure mess, with many calling for a moratorium while potential illegal activity is investigated. Whatever the cause, Obama needs to get on the front foot now, writes Andrew Leonard.
Time and expediency heal all wounds at Sydney Airport
Sydney Airport has officially endorsed a protest slogan on the side of an airliner eight years after it was lawyers at 10 paces with Virgin Blue for flying around with an anti-Sydney Airport decal, writes Ben Sandilands.
Why the Commonwealth Games was a bad choice for India
Rather than showing off its strengths to the world stage, the Delhi Commonwealth Games have proved an embarrassment of empty stadiums, collapsing bridges and dirty rooms. How long will it be until India pays off the hefty bill?
The rise and rise of Mark Webber
Will this be the year that Queanbeyan boy Mark Webber finally nabs the Formula One title? It seems possible. He might even pack up the Formula One and head back home to drive V8 Supercars…
PHOTO GALLERY: Military parades of Pyongpang
No one does choreography like North Korean soldiers and dancers. Check out the colours, lines and quite terrifying spectacle of the 65th anniversary of the Workers’ Party celebrations.
Horsing around in the acting game
What makes a horse a good actor? Slate asks this question as it looks at the new Disney film, Secretariat, about the 1973 Triple Crown winner. For just one horse character on screen, they used ten different horse actors.
Talking the Town: Talking the Town: for Guthrie, the gang’s all here, News notwithstanding
A coterie of bluechip Melbourne media upper-crusters packed Melbourne lunch spot Bottega for the launch of Bruce Guthrie’s Man Bites Murdoch.
The MacKillop industry ramps up
The media, the Church and politicians are all doing very well to exploit MacKillop in ways she could never have imagined.
Guthrie: Rupert could be sharpening the shake-up knives
News Limited global chief Rupert Murdoch could be sharpening the knives for a shake-up of his Australian operations during his annual trip to Australia later this month.
Combet: opposition to a carbon price will force up electricity prices
Greg Combet, the federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, today delivered the keynote address to Carbon Expo Australasia 2010 in Melbourne.
Some things to bear in mind on the Murray-Darling Basin…
There’s a lot of hypocrisy and self-interest when it comes to debating the future of the Murray-Darling Basin. And that’s just from the politicians…
Helen Liu leans on The Age to give up Fitzgibbon story sources
Helen Liu, the Chinese-Australian businesswoman at the heart of alleged national security concerns surrounding former Minister for Defence Joel Fitzgibbon, has taken legal action in the New South Wales Supreme Court in an attempt to find out the sources of information given to Age investigative reporters Nick McKenzie and Richard Baker.
A toast/roast for pioneer blogger Andrew Sullivan
I didn’t know what a blog was before I stumbled on Sullivan’s Daily Dish in 2001, yet it is no exaggeration to say that this discovery changed my life, writes Sam Roggeveen, editor of The Interpreter.
The mysterious case of the vote-rorting mayor … who didn’t do it
This week in the District Court of Victoria a former mayor of Whitehorse City Council, George Droutsas, stood trial on four counts of procuring false documents and another four of using those false documents in his 2005 bid for re-election. Except he didn’t do it, writes Luke Walladge
Our black health gap: less spent on primary aboriginal health
Mainstream primary health services are failing indigenous Australians, according to the country’s peak doctors group, with services not delivering adequate care or value for money. Jane Vashti Ryan investigates some disturbing new figures.
Letter from...: North Korea and a cult of the Kims personality
Things in North Korea are a lot better than they have been in the very recent memories of most of its citizens, writes Colin Jacobs after a recent visit to Pyongyang.
Housing shortage? Don’t dwell on it, there isn’t one
If there is a housing shortage, why are rents not increasing? The mythical housing shortage claims continue in earnest as self-interest market participants warn of a dire deficit of suitable dwellings.
Guy Rundle: Rundle bites: Gillard breaking the mould … Fee crisis for Lib-Dems …
Julia Gillard may have looked a little ridiculous with her Edna Everage act in Brussels, but she has one fan in the UK: Baroness Shirley Williams.
Nielsen copyright scrap over banking customer survey
Multi-national research conglomerate Nielsen has been accused of breaching intellectual property over a major banking customer satisfaction survey, with the man behind the claim telling Crikey that Nielsen’s conduct has caused him financial and emotional pain.
Health-care professionals dudded by the no-pay Games
Unless our health professionals are paid to attend Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games, the best personnel will stay at home writes Mark Alexander, a lecturer at La Trobe University and manager of the postgraduate master of sports physiotherapy program.
