Sensitivity to cuteness in baby faces is not influenced by pregnancy

BackgroundThe ability to discriminate cuteness may aid caregivers in prioritising care to the neediest child. This biologically important ability has been indirectly linked to higher levels of female reproductive hormones via studies of hormonal contraception and menopausal status. Pregnancy provides an opportunity to further investigate the role of reproductive hormones in cuteness discrimination since it is a time of substantial natural hormonal fluctuation.MethodsPregnant (n=23) and matched non-pregnant women (n=11) were assessed four times over 8 months (at 20 weeks of gestation, 32 weeks of gestation, 2 weeks postpartum, 12 weeks postpartum). At each visit, cuteness sensitivity, cuteness intensity ratings, and basic visuospatial perception were assessed. Cuteness sensitivity was assessed by presenting two versions of the same face side by side, with one subtly altered by graphics software to be more or less cute than the other; women were asked to select the cuter face. Cuteness intensity was rated on a seven-point Likert scale. Results were analysed with repeated measures ANOVA.FindingsThere was no difference between pregnant/postpartum mothers and control women in cuteness sensitivity, cuteness intensity ratings, or basic visuospatial perception. There was no change in these abilities across time.InterpretationThis result is not what we hypothesised. It seems that the link between female reproductive hormones and cuteness sensitivity is more indirect and complex than initially thought. Possibly female reproductive hormones other than those elevated in pregnancy are important in determining cuteness sensitivity.FundingWellcome Trust.     

Effects of Issatchenkia orientalis (Candida krusei) on aflatoxins in culture media and kilka fish meal

Biosorption of two concentrations of aflatoxins G₁ and G₂ (8 and 12?ng ml^?1) by the yeast, Candida krucsei PTCC 5295) was evaluated in vitro and in kilka fish meal. A dose of 3% C. krusei reduced G₁ to 99.9% and 99.4%. With 3% of C. krusei, G₁ declined by 100% at both densities while G₂ diminished to 100% and 99.6%. With 3% and 4% of C. krusei together with 2 and 4?ml of aflatoxin suspension in kilka meal, G₁ declined to 75.8% and 66.1%, and 95.4% and 81.7%, respectively; G₂ decreased to 77.7% and 80.1, and 98.9% and 89.3%, respectively.