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Neuroscience & Neurology

Smells Like Parkinson’s Disease

April 8, 2012 | By Emily Haines, MSc, PhD student | 3 Comments

Parkinson's disease has always been primarily seen as a movement disorder resulting in symptoms of shaking, tremors, rigidity, and trouble walking. Interestingly, however, at least 90% of patients with Parkinson's experience either loss or decreases in the sense of smell. Studies have shown that problems with olfaction actually generally precede the onset of other motor symptoms. Most people are not personally aware of changes in their olfactory acuity, but the increasing range and prevalence of smell tests offer a quick, easy, cheap, and non-invasive diagnostic test, as well as a measure of disease progression. In addition, the shift of focus for researchers from Parkinson’s as a motor disorder to a more global neurodegenerative disorder allows consideration of new paradigms about the causes and disease progression.

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Psychology & Psychiatry

Intelligence – Do You Need it to be Successful?

May 13, 2012 | By Veronica Pamoukaghlian, MA | 2 Comments

As early as 1976, the Carnegie Institute of Technology presented a study that attributed 85% of financial success to human engineering skills, namely, self-management and relationship-management, rather than intrinsic or hereditary qualities such as IQ and analytical abilities. Over the last decade, popular culture has embraced the notion of emotional intelligence as a set of skills central to achieving happiness and attaining personal goals. However, popular belief seldom associates emotional intelligence with success in business; it is most often assumed to be connected to success in interpersonal relationships and thought to be more relevant to succeeding in the home than at the office.

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Health & Healthcare

Beer – The Smarter Drink

April 26, 2012 | By Jennifer Gibson, PharmD | 5 Comments

According to a misquoted Ben Franklin, beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. New research proves He wants us to be smarter, too.A new study, published in Consciousness and Cognition, claims that moderate alcohol consumption improves problem-solving abilities. The authors of the study evaluated the problem solving skills of 40 men: 20 who has been given enough beer to reach a blood alcohol level of 0.075 and 20 who had received no alcohol prior to the test. The problem-solving skills were tested using the Remote Associates Test, in which participants are provided 3 words and asked to think of a fourth that fits the pattern.

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