Heartbeats can control your behaviour

We might talk about ‘following our heart’ when trying to make a difficult decision. But did you know that there might be literal truth in this cliche? The beat of our heart contributes towards our feelings of intuition – from feelings of pain, empathy towards another and the suspicion that a spouse might be cheating on you.

Agustin Ibanez, of Favaloro University in Buenos Aires, was given a unique opportunity to test this when he met a man with two hearts. Carlos (not his real name) had been fitted with a second, mechanical, heart which sits lower in his chest – just above his naval. The resulting effect of the implant is that Carlos has the feeling that his heart has dropped into his abdomen – with mind-bending effects.

Read David Robson’s in-depth profile of Carlos and his second heart: The man with two hearts

Scientists have found a way for people to live without blood

What happens when our heart stops? It might be possible to bring the dead back to life from a point of suspended animation, with no heartbeat or brain activity. In surgery, a radical new procedure that involves replacing a patient’s blood with saline solution could prolong life.

The experimental work looks to blur the line between life and death. The patient’s body is chilled to around 10-15C. Because the body’s metabolism has now stopped, blood is not required to deliver oxygen to cells, and replacing the blood with cold salt water is the best way to maintain an overall low body temperature.

Read more about how we could cheat the big sleep: The man who brings the dead back to life