One of the most satisfying and enjoyable aspects of the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is exploring the breadth and variety of sessions, symposiums, workshops, poster sessions, plenary addresses, the fun conversations with exhibit visitors, and the informal networking that is a part of the whole experience.

This year’s theme is Science and Technology for Sustainable Well-Being, forming an umbrella for a fascinating array of presentations, from climate change, renewable energy issues, to nanotechnology, health and well-being, endangered languages, technology innovations and applications, communicating science effectively, and (my favorite session thus far!): The Neurobiology of Chocolate: A Mind-Altering Experience? which reported on recent research assessing the impact of cocoa rich in flavonols, and providing evidence that these compounds have positive effects on cardiovascular health, cerebral blood flow, and on improving learning and memory. Before everyone rushes out to buy that dark chocolate bar, confirming their own long-held personal folklore that chocolate is definitely good for one, even-handedness compels me to add that current on-the-market products are not likely to contain the amount of cocoa flavonols that can demonstrate enhanced memory effects (darn!), but nevertheless…it’s heartening (both physically and figuratively) to learn of this fascinating research. I knew we were on to something…chocolate sustains my well-being!