MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'amusement'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:40:00 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4151874&cid=t_179666_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F11%2F10%2F10-tips-to-enhance-your-love-bonds%2F I detest love lyrics. I think one of the causes of bad mental health in the United States is that people have been raised on love lyrics. - Frank Zappa Since more marriages in the United States fail rather than succeed, it is clear that most people have unrealistic expectations and lack the skills necessary to maintain a good relationship. What goes into being in love? Is it love at first sight, or something else? In the January/February 2010 issue of Scientific American Mind, Robert Epstein outlines a series of exercises which emphasize vulnerability and which research has shown to enhance feelings of love. Here’s what we know about mutual gazing, bungee jumping, and arranged marriages. Gazing at someone increases positive feelings toward them. The key word here is mutual. Mammal... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4151874 Wed, 10 Nov 2010 19:53:04 +0100 4151874 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4027212&cid=t_179666_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F10%2F03%2F8-ways-to-manage-anxiety-on-an-anniversary%2F Most of us circle a few days of the calendar year that we know will be difficult to get through: the anniversary of a death, traumatic event, or even happy occasion. These dates are charged with emotion. Sometimes we feel trapped by these dates — like there’s nothing we can do to stop them. The approaching date creates a sense of panic and anxiety in many of us, and we can feel out of control. The one benefit from anniversary anxiety is that we can predict it and therefore prepare for it. Here are 8 ways to do just that. 1. Forecast your emotions. You’ve circled the day. You know it’s coming. Now get honest with yourself about how you might feel on that day. If it’s the anniversary of a death of a loved one, get ready to celebrate that person’s life wit... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4027212 Sun, 03 Oct 2010 13:30:09 +0100 4027212 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3907571&cid=t_179666_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Four-5-favorite-local-tv-commercials-from-childhood-%25e2%2580%2593-what-are-yours%2F Somebody stop us: We cannot stop searching for our favorite cheesy local/regional TV commercials from our childhood hometowns. You know, the ones with really high-quality production values, classically-trained actors, and demure used car salesmen that only you and the people you grew up with remember? We bet a slew of your own nostalgic TV ads will come to mind if you really sit and think about them. (Do this while at work – we did!) And when you find those old-timey commercials on YouTube, paste the link in the comments section below, along with any memories you’d like to share, and we’ll publish your retro hometown TV commercial on Blisstree! To put you in the proper old-school mood, here are 5 TV gems spanning the country – from the good ol’ days of Blisstree staff... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3907571 Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:25:29 +0100 3907571 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2785976&cid=t_179666_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F09%2F10%2F7-ways-to-manage-anxiety-on-an-anniversary%2F Most of us circle a few days of the calendar year that we know will be difficult to get through: the anniversary of a death, traumatic event, or even happy occasion. These dates are charged with emotion. September 11 falls under that category for most of us, and especially those living in New York or surrounding areas and families and loved ones of those killed in the terrorist attacks. The one benefit from anniversary anxiety is that we can predict it and therefore prepare for it. Here are 8 ways to do just that. 1. Forecast your emotions. You’ve circled the day. You know it’s coming. Now get honest with yourself about how you might feel on that day. If it’s the anniversary of a death of a loved one, get ready to celebrate that person’s life with joy and sadness. ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2785976 Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:40:44 +0100 2785976 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1776103&cid=t_179666_150_f&fid=36939&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscientific-misconduct.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fwhose-mouse-is-it-anyway.html The LA Times has a fascinating article about Disney's copyright claim to Mickey Mouse. The article is relevant to this blog because it is about bullying and legal overkill in an attempt to suppress discussion (including, in one instance, academic discussion). After the painful experience of losing Oswald the Rabbit, the Disneys "held on to everything they did with a ferociously strong grip".The discussion about Mickey resulted in a 2003 paper in a University of Virginia legal journal that argued "there are no grounds in copyright law for protecting" the Mickey of those early films. A Disney lawyer "threatened the author with legal action for "slander of title" under California law".Earlier, Gregory S. Brown, a Disney researcher challenged the arguments of Disney lawyers who wrote that "Mic... Scientific Misconduct Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1776103 Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:53:00 +0100 1776103 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1776104&cid=t_179666_150_f&fid=36939&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscientific-misconduct.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fplacebo-journal-and-accupringles.html The Placebo Journal continues to produce great material. Watch the latest Placebo TV broadcast on product-free pharmaceutical advertising. I was particularly struck by their promotion of Accupringles from our friends at P&J PharmaceuticalsAvailable inOriginalSour Cream and HydrochlorthiazideRanch and a Channel BlockerJalapeno and an ARBEarlier|Later|Main Page (Source: Scientific Misconduct Blog) Scientific Misconduct Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1776104 Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:19:00 +0100 1776104 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1743114&cid=t_179666_150_f&fid=36939&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscientific-misconduct.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F08%2Fmail-order-academics.html A new hot website. Order your academic online here. Also available - kits to make your own academic. http://www.thejabberwock.org/shop/(Product of a serious few hours working-up a new web authoring package).Earlier|Later|Main Page (Source: Scientific Misconduct Blog) Scientific Misconduct Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1743114 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 22:18:00 +0100 1743114 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1639577&cid=t_179666_150_f&fid=36939&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscientific-misconduct.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F07%2Fwhy-its-bad-to-cheat.html Earlier|Later|Main Page (Source: Scientific Misconduct Blog) Scientific Misconduct Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1639577 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:42:00 +0100 1639577 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1632054&cid=t_179666_150_f&fid=36939&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscientific-misconduct.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F07%2Fart-of-malfunction.html Great fun. This new online tool enables you to take a chunk of text and generate a nice bit of artwork. Here for example is the 6 September 2005 letter suspending me from my post at the University of Sheffield.Below is the joint mission statement of GlaxoSmithKline, the UK drugs "regulator" (the MHRA) and the General Medical Council (UK professional regulator)GSK: "We have a challenging and inspiring mission: to improve the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer."MHRA: We enhance and safeguard the health of the public by ensuring that medicines and medical devices work and are acceptably safe. No product is risk-free. Underpinning all our work lie robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits to patients and the public justify the ri... Scientific Misconduct Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1632054 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:25:00 +0100 1632054 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1538885&cid=t_179666_150_f&fid=36939&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscientific-misconduct.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F06%2Fofficer-and-thug.html I thought I would repeat the story of the thug and the policeman from the end of my previous post.Think of your favorite teddy bear. Now imagine it’s been torn apart, disemboweled, and turned inside-out.That’s what artist Kent Rogowski’s has done in his Bear series. He mangles our memories of the world.Perhaps a metaphor for the effect of the pharmaceutical industry on the conduct of science (in collusion with our medical leadership and "regulators" of course). Usual understanding turned inside out.Buy the book hereOFFICER AND THUGby Ambrose Bierce (from a Subtreasury of American Humor)A CHIEF OF POLICE who had seen an Officer beating a Thug was very indignant, and said he must not do so any more on pain of dismissal."Don't be too hard on me," said the Officer, smiling; "I was beatin... Scientific Misconduct Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1538885 Sun, 22 Jun 2008 22:32:00 +0100 1538885 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1527723&cid=t_179666_150_f&fid=36939&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscientific-misconduct.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F06%2Fhow-new-paradigm-is-created.html | View | Upload your ownEarlier|Later|Main Page (Source: Scientific Misconduct Blog) Scientific Misconduct Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1527723 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:19:00 +0100 1527723 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1527724&cid=t_179666_150_f&fid=36939&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscientific-misconduct.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F06%2Fone-million-evil-men.html I am doing a bit of serious writing for a book chapter about the General Medical Council, the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority, Procter and Gamble and regulatory failings. During this hiatus I'll be posting a few offbeat things here from my amusement file, and I'll be taking a few constructive wacks at the General Medical Council (GMC). Given the current shambolic pontifications of the GMC about science in three Fitness to Practice cases (Southall, Wakefield, Eastell) I'll revisit the ethics of two of my own published studies involving injection of radioactive isotopes and some sperm.Thank you to all those who have E-mailed to ask if I'm OK. Stay tuned. From Chapter 17 of the book Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts Earlier|Later|Main Page (Source: Scientific Miscon... Scientific Misconduct Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1527724 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 23:25:00 +0100 1527724 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1419756&cid=t_179666_150_f&fid=36939&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscientific-misconduct.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Funemployed-in-terms-of-science.html A bit of cleaning, and I came across this minor bit amusement from a year ago. It is a postal invitation from Procter and Gamble to attend their sponsored satellite meeting at the 2007 International Bone and Mineral Society meeting in Montreal. This is the meeting at which data was presented showing very poor concordance between the "findings" reported by P&G in the third of their three "scientific" Sheffield publications, and the actual underlying data (when it was revealed to "authors"). In fact there was little meaningful concordance.I guess the meeting organizers had sold the list of registered attendees to P&G, and they in turn had reproduced the "academic appointment" field on their addressing.Had I attended this satellite session on 27 June 2007 I would have received some CME credit... Scientific Misconduct Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1419756 Sun, 04 May 2008 22:21:00 +0100 1419756 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1399625&cid=t_179666_150_f&fid=36939&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscientific-misconduct.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F04%2Fwhistleblowing-101.html I hate that word "whistleblowing". However here is a rapid pictorial guide to asking questions while preserving your sanity.Lesson 1: Ignore those many institutions whose sole apparent remit is to hide problems on behalf of powerful friends. It is not the best of times for institutions that have claimed the right to uphold standards of integrity in medicine. In the UK, the General Medical Council (GMC), the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority (MHRA), the UK Panel for Research Integrity and Public Concern at Work are examples of organizations that are having trouble working out what they are for. Just state the obvious and let the obfuscators obfuscate. As Groucho Marx said of the MHRA and research fraud:"Either it is dead or my watch has stopped".Or as George Orwell said... Scientific Misconduct Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1399625 Mon, 21 Apr 2008 22:23:00 +0100 1399625 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1399635&cid=t_179666_150_f&fid=36939&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscientific-misconduct.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F04%2Fmy-fortune-cookie.html I just returned from a great sociology/philosophy meeting near Paris. My fortune cookie at dinner had this rather nice message:and in FrenchSee previous posts on decorum in science here:On decorum in medicineOn swearing versus thuggery"What I lack in decorum, I make up for with an absence of tact."- Don Williams, Jr. (American Novelist and Poet, b.1968)Earlier|Later|Main Page (Source: Scientific Misconduct Blog) Scientific Misconduct Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1399635 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 20:36:00 +0100 1399635 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=852135&cid=t_179666_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F153739302%2F This week completely confirmed my general theory about the roller coaster nature of life with Charlie in that one thing after another kept happening pell-mell, and just as I was registering the effect of one thing on Charlie and on us, something else happened. We went sailing. We moved. Charlie had his first day of school. Jim and I went to a dinner party of a rather sedate nature—with the members of his academic department—but a party nonetheless, and on a Thursday night. I steered a stream of college students through the add/drop period. Jim strategized how to avoid gridlock in the school parking lot. In the not-so-long-ago-past, any one of these would have been the focus of a week (well, maybe not the parking-lot-traffic-navigating). Certainly since the time Jim and I firs... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=852135 Sat, 08 Sep 2007 05:25:21 +0100 852135