What We Don't Know
Jun. 21st, 2009 | 04:02 pm
How did life begin? What's the universe made of? Why do we sleep? 42* of the biggest questions in science.
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/15.0 2/bigquestions.html?pg=1&topic=bigquestions&topic_set=
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/15.0
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Log On To Beat Depression: Internet-based Therapy Found Effective
Jun. 13th, 2009 | 01:54 am
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 09/06/090610091431.htm
In a discovery that could lead to new treatment approaches for depression, researchers in Australia have shown that Internet-based therapy programs are as effective as face-to-face therapies in combating the illness. Patients in a clinician-assisted Internet-based treatment program experienced rates of recovery similar to those achieved by face-to-face therapy, the research found.
In a discovery that could lead to new treatment approaches for depression, researchers in Australia have shown that Internet-based therapy programs are as effective as face-to-face therapies in combating the illness. Patients in a clinician-assisted Internet-based treatment program experienced rates of recovery similar to those achieved by face-to-face therapy, the research found.
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People With Chronic Insomnia Require Increased Brain Activation To Maintain Normal Daily Function
Jun. 11th, 2009 | 11:37 pm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 09/06/090609072811.htm
Patients suffering from chronic primary insomnia have higher levels of brain activation compared to normal sleepers during a working memory test.
Patients suffering from chronic primary insomnia have higher levels of brain activation compared to normal sleepers during a working memory test.
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Why Group Norms Kill Creativity
Jun. 8th, 2009 | 11:27 am
http://www.spring.org.uk/2009/06/why-gr oup-norms-kill-creativity.php
This article was really an eye-opener for me today, especially with its closing sentence "So if you really covet creativity, then there's one rule you'd be well advised to follow: go it alone.
This article was really an eye-opener for me today, especially with its closing sentence "So if you really covet creativity, then there's one rule you'd be well advised to follow: go it alone.
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How Many Scientists Fabricate And Falsify Research?
May. 30th, 2009 | 03:29 pm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 09/05/090528203745.htm
It's a long-standing and crucial question that, as yet, remains unanswered: just how common is scientific misconduct? Results suggest that altering or making up data is more frequent than previously estimated and might be particularly high in medical research.
It's a long-standing and crucial question that, as yet, remains unanswered: just how common is scientific misconduct? Results suggest that altering or making up data is more frequent than previously estimated and might be particularly high in medical research.
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Sleep Laboratory/Clinic Experiences
May. 26th, 2009 | 07:35 am
I am in desperate need of research data into people's personal experience with the current medical system and the way sleep clinics are run. If you have had experience with a sleep labatory, or know someone who has if you could direct them to this entry to answer these few questions I would truly be forever grateful. The greater the signal boost means the greater the sample size which in turn means the more valuable the data. For those who aren't comfortable answering such questions in such a public forum please feel free to cut and paste them into an email and send your answers to me at butterbee@gmail.com
1. Was your experience at the sleep laboratory/clinic positive, negative or neither positive nor negative?
2. What was their diagnoses?
3. What were your feelings about the options they offered to you as a solution?
4. What was the most beneficial thing about your experience with the clinic?
5. What was the least beneficial thing about your experience with the clinic?
6. If there was anything that you could change about the whole experience, what would that thing be?
1. Was your experience at the sleep laboratory/clinic positive, negative or neither positive nor negative?
2. What was their diagnoses?
3. What were your feelings about the options they offered to you as a solution?
4. What was the most beneficial thing about your experience with the clinic?
5. What was the least beneficial thing about your experience with the clinic?
6. If there was anything that you could change about the whole experience, what would that thing be?
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Hearing voices is a relatively common - and taboo - phenomenon in children
May. 8th, 2009 | 09:03 am
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2 001/nov/16/mentalhealth.medicalscience
(NOTE: This is an older article marked 2001, but none-the-less still interesting in our current times.)
(NOTE: This is an older article marked 2001, but none-the-less still interesting in our current times.)
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Listening to Madness
May. 5th, 2009 | 11:59 pm
http://www.newsweek.com/id/195694
Why some mentally ill patients are rejecting their medication and making the case for 'mad pride.'
Why some mentally ill patients are rejecting their medication and making the case for 'mad pride.'
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Human Brains Make Their Own 'Marijuana'
Apr. 20th, 2009 | 05:39 pm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 09/04/090420151240.htm
Scientists have discovered that the brain manufactures proteins that act like marijuana at specific receptors in the brain itself. This discovery may lead to new marijuana-like drugs for managing pain, stimulating appetite and preventing marijuana abuse.*
Editor's Note: I wasn't aware that such thing as marijuana 'abuse' existed.
Scientists have discovered that the brain manufactures proteins that act like marijuana at specific receptors in the brain itself. This discovery may lead to new marijuana-like drugs for managing pain, stimulating appetite and preventing marijuana abuse.*
Editor's Note: I wasn't aware that such thing as marijuana 'abuse' existed.
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How To Be Happy
Apr. 14th, 2009 | 09:22 am
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A Biochemical Pathway For Blocking Your Worst Fears?
Mar. 26th, 2009 | 12:27 am
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 09/03/090324171422.htm
A receptor for glutamate, the most prominent neurotransmitter in the brain, plays a key role in the process of "unlearning," report researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. Their findings could eventually help scientists develop new drug therapies to treat a variety of disorders, including phobias and anxiety disorders, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder.
A receptor for glutamate, the most prominent neurotransmitter in the brain, plays a key role in the process of "unlearning," report researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. Their findings could eventually help scientists develop new drug therapies to treat a variety of disorders, including phobias and anxiety disorders, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder.
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Stranger Knows Best: Other People Know More About What Will Make Us Happy Than We Do
Mar. 19th, 2009 | 10:15 pm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 09/03/090319142352.htm
Want to know what will make you happy? Then ask a total stranger -- or so says a new study from Harvard University, which shows that another person's experience is often more informative than your own best guess.
Want to know what will make you happy? Then ask a total stranger -- or so says a new study from Harvard University, which shows that another person's experience is often more informative than your own best guess.
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Stress May Cause The Brain To Become Disconnected
Mar. 16th, 2009 | 01:13 pm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 09/03/090316075845.htm
Does stress damage the brain? New research suggests that in learned helplessness, an animal model for depression and PTSD, stress-related reductions in synapses in the hippocampus are directly related to the emergence of depression-like behavior.
Does stress damage the brain? New research suggests that in learned helplessness, an animal model for depression and PTSD, stress-related reductions in synapses in the hippocampus are directly related to the emergence of depression-like behavior.
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'Wireless' Activation Of Brain Circuits
Feb. 28th, 2009 | 07:46 am
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 09/02/090223150321.htm
Traditionally, stimulating nerves or brain tissue involves cumbersome wiring and a sharp metal electrode. But a team of researchers is going "wireless." And it's a unique collaboration between chemists and neuroscientists that led to the discovery of a remarkable new way to use light to activate brain circuits with nanoparticles.
Traditionally, stimulating nerves or brain tissue involves cumbersome wiring and a sharp metal electrode. But a team of researchers is going "wireless." And it's a unique collaboration between chemists and neuroscientists that led to the discovery of a remarkable new way to use light to activate brain circuits with nanoparticles.
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Mindfuck Movies
Feb. 21st, 2009 | 10:54 am
Some movies inform. Some movies entertain. And some pry open your skull and punch you in the brain. MATTHEW BALDWIN gathers up the films that have caused him to clutch his head and moan.
http://www.themorningnews.org/archi ves/reviews/mindfuck_movies.php
http://www.themorningnews.org/archi
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Happy Valentine's Day
Feb. 14th, 2009 | 09:23 pm
http://www.mindhacks.com/blog/2009/02/l ove_and_immortality.html
We have a burning instinct for life and yet we know, ultimately, that we will die. We fear the one thing we cannot escape.
The question 'why live?' has preoccupied thinkers from the alpha to the omega of human history, but only relatively recently have we considered the question of 'how' - how do we live with this fear, this knowledge of our own demise?
We recognise love as our companion and protector and we now think that it may even shield us from death itself, at least while we're alive.
Read on...
We have a burning instinct for life and yet we know, ultimately, that we will die. We fear the one thing we cannot escape.
The question 'why live?' has preoccupied thinkers from the alpha to the omega of human history, but only relatively recently have we considered the question of 'how' - how do we live with this fear, this knowledge of our own demise?
We recognise love as our companion and protector and we now think that it may even shield us from death itself, at least while we're alive.
Read on...
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Buying Experiences, Not Possessions, Leads To Greater Happiness
Feb. 7th, 2009 | 06:37 pm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 09/02/090207150518.htm
Can money make us happy if we spend it on the right purchases? A new psychology study suggests that buying life experiences rather than material possessions leads to greater happiness for both the consumer and those around them. The study demonstrates that experiential purchases, such as a meal out or theater tickets, result in increased satisfaction and well-being.
Can money make us happy if we spend it on the right purchases? A new psychology study suggests that buying life experiences rather than material possessions leads to greater happiness for both the consumer and those around them. The study demonstrates that experiential purchases, such as a meal out or theater tickets, result in increased satisfaction and well-being.
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Brain Goes Into 'Screen Saver' Mode In Absence of Stimulus
Feb. 5th, 2009 | 01:08 pm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/200 9/02/090204101252.htm
New research shows our brain's sense centers are continuously active. In the absence of a stimulus, however, their electrical activity remains in "screen saver" mode.
New research shows our brain's sense centers are continuously active. In the absence of a stimulus, however, their electrical activity remains in "screen saver" mode.
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New Role For Serotonin 'Ironed Out'
Jan. 28th, 2009 | 10:33 pm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 09/01/090127123009.htm
Investigators have found a surprising link between brain iron levels and serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in neuropsychiatric conditions ranging from autism to major depression. The new study also demonstrates the utility of a powerful in silico approach for discovering novel traits linked to subtle genetic variation.
Investigators have found a surprising link between brain iron levels and serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in neuropsychiatric conditions ranging from autism to major depression. The new study also demonstrates the utility of a powerful in silico approach for discovering novel traits linked to subtle genetic variation.
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Ecstasy For Treatment Of Traumatic Anxiety
Jan. 10th, 2009 | 05:18 am
Treatment with a pharmacological version of the drug ecstasy makes PSTD patients more receptive to psychotherapy, and contributes to lasting improvement. Now researchers explain why.
