Monthly Archive for May, 2008
Brain Blogging, Thirty-Fourth Edition
Welcome to the thirty-fourth edition of Brain Blogging. In this round, we cover a range of methods to improve cognition, memory, and brain power -- from eating celery to meditation.If you were left out, just leave a comment with your blog entry. Don't worry, we'll format it to match the blog carnival (or even include it in the main post).
Postpartum Depression: Not Just For Moms
More than half of new mothers experience mild and transient mood changes or depression after the birth of a baby, often called the "baby blues." New mothers may feel irritable, tearful, anxious, or fatigue, and may experience changes in sleep or appetite. These changes are likely caused by hormonal changes in the first few days or weeks following the birth of a child, and most mothers continue to function well despite these symptoms of depression.
Conflicts of Interest Among Physicians
Business Week magazine has an interesting article regarding conflicts of interest among physicians, in particular cardiologists and those who publish clinical data regarding medicines or devices. I've alluded to such conflicts in previous posts, but it clearly is gaining national attention, particular in the fields of cardiology and orthopedics. The issue in cardiology is that many studies regarding stents are sponsored by stent-producing companies. Additionally, many cardiologists have a vested interest in the stent industry via board seats, stock, or consulting compensation in stent companies. The issue in orthopedics is that the federal government is investigating whether device companies have been compensating surgeons for device or implant use, a form of "kickbacks".
The Great Embryonic Stem Cell Debate
Perry Cross, a ventilator-dependent quadriplegic, traveled to India to receive daily injections of stem cells. He claims that, owing to the stem cell treatment, he is now able to breathe on his own for the first time since a rugby injury made him a quadriplegic 14 years ago. The breakthrough is likely to fire up the stem cell debate once again.There are no approved treatments or human trials in the U.S. using embryonic stem cells, thus the need for Cross and his team of care workers to travel to India, where the controversial Dr. Geeta Shroff operates two hospitals. In India, embryonic stem cell treatment is allowed for patients who are terminal or who have incurable conditions. Perry Cross is not her first international patient. Patients come to Dr. Shroff from countries where embryonic stem cell research is strictly controlled, countries such as the U.S., Australia, and Britain.
Popular Posts
- Mind Games - Science's Attempts at Thought Control
- The Science of Stuttering
- Risks of Personalized Medicine
- Intelligence - Are You Holding Back Your Brain?
- Is Grief a Mental Illness?
- The Brain's Buying Power
- The Cost of a Good Night's Sleep
- Risk Factors for Recurrence of Depression
- Salvia Divinorum - DEA Control over Magic in the Mint
- The Many Emerging Roles of Astrocytes
Future Posts
Latest Posts
- Thinking Fast Equals Risky Business
- A Gateway to Weight Loss?
- Intelligence – Do You Need it to be Successful?
- A Trip for Terminal Patients
- Memory Ain’t What It Used to Be – And That’s Good for Psychotherapy
- The Science of Stuttering
- Are Your Friends Making You Fat?
- Beer – The Smarter Drink
- Macroeconomics and Suicide
- From Nymphomania to Hypersexuality
Comments
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- Lulu Jones: Hmm....this is interesting. I
- Robert A. Yourell, MA: Hi Stephanie...OR they tried a
- Stephnie: Based on the facts in the arti
- Sammy: I was a test subject for one o
- Veronica Pamoukaghlian, MA: Thank you for your insightful
- Richard Kensinger, MSW: I agree w/ Howard Gardner's pe
- Melbzi: Muso's and smoked pot.I q
- Melbzi: I am 36 and from Melbourne Aus
- CODER: When we get sick, really sick
