Kids feel empathy the same as adults

A new study of brain scans in children aged seven to 12 finds they feel pain for others the same way most adults do.

When viewing someone else in pain, pain centres in adult brains "light up" on scans as we literally feel another's pain.

The new study says children's brains respond the same way.

Researchers say this indicates empathy and morality are somewhat "hard-wired" in the brain.

Flax to be studied as heart disease fighter

The lowly flax plant may not have the cachet of wheat and other crops, but Winnipeg researchers are doing a study to determine whether it might be an effective weapon in fighting heart disease.

Flax is a good source of omega-3 fatty acid; it's rich in anti-oxidants, and it's high in fibre.

Grant Pierce of St. Boniface Hospital says all three are good for your heart. He is leading a two-year study of 250 people to investigate the possible health benefits of flax.

Good cholesterol may prevent memory decline

High levels of so-called good cholesterol may help prevent a decline in memory, a study says.

The researchers checked the cholesterol levels of more than 3,600 British civil servants and gave them memory tests at an average age of 55 and again at 61.

Not only did people with higher HDL do better, people whose HDL levels declined between tests also saw a decline in their performance.

-- Compiled by Florence Sicoli from Hamilton Spectator news services