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 'brains'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:03:00 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159201&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F08%2F24%2Fis-it-really-mind-over-matter-the-mind-and-body-are-one%2F You have probably heard the phrase mind over matter, which implies the mind and matter are separable.  Or maybe you have heard it’s all in your head, or it’s mental.  Both of these phrases imply the separation of mind and brain (or body). So to explore this issue, I’d like to share some videos that discuss the unity of mind-body.  They can help us better understand how inseparable the mind and brain (body) really are. Mind vs. Brain: In the above video, Yale psychologist Paul Bloom says, “The mind is a product of the brain.  The mind is what the brain does.” Can we overload our brains? Steven Pinker, a scientist at Harvard, discusses the mind-brain myth in the video above.   Substance Dualism *Mirror* This is an excellent video (above) that discusses and re... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159201 Wed, 24 Aug 2011 11:29:31 +0100 5159201 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139876&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F08%2F18%2Fwhy-you-cant-make-a-good-decision-at-500-pm-decision-fatigue%2F We live in the most prosperous society on Earth at this moment. You can walk into any Gap or Target store and choose from more than 2 dozen different types of jeans (and in some cases, more than 3 dozen). All of that choice comes at a price, however. It’s called “decision fatigue” and its full impact is only starting to be fully understood by psychologists and researchers. Our brains can suffer from “mental fatigue,” just as our bodies can become physically fatigued after a long workout. What is so surprising about this phenomenon is just how little people appreciate the importance of mental fatigue and its resulting decision fatigue — even when making decisions that can be life-changing. John Tierney in The New York Times has the lengthy story (5,350 w... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139876 Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:17:30 +0100 5139876 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050719&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F07%2F19%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-july-19-2011%2F Any pet owner can attest to the power of their animal friend. As an owner of fish, guinea pigs, parakeets and a dog, I highly agree with that statement. The unconditional love of a pet has helped me heal heartbreak and sadness on more than one occasion. My mom has, in a sentence I will never forget, thanked me with tears in her eyes for bringing our dog into her life. A dog she once told me to get rid of had broken her down and melted her heart, and brought back what pain, sadness and disappointment over one’s lifetime took away. She said our dog, now passed, opened her heart again. Of all the pets I had, however, the pet that has surprised me the most has been my 5 year old black rabbit. A lot of people get boggled by rabbit love. Those who don’t own a rabbit laugh and joke ab... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050719 Tue, 19 Jul 2011 10:41:09 +0100 5050719 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5028459&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F07%2F11%2Fi-am-so-not-sorry-an-exercise-in-exposure-therapy%2F One form of cognitive behavioral therapy is exposure therapy, where your brain is supposed to form new connections and rewrite the language of your amygdala (fear center), so that it doesn’t associate every dog with the pit bull who took a bite out of your thigh in the fourth grade. By doing the exact thing that you most fear, you are, essentially, telling the old neurons in your brain to take a hike so that new ones, who don’t know anything about the pit bull, can now live inside your brain and tell you that everything is peachy. Yeah, well, that’s the theory. So you jump into a pit bull fight and say, “Here, doggie, doggie, you want a treat?” If he doesn’t take your leg off, you are good to go! If he does take your leg off, you have much more exposure therapy ahead of you&#82... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5028459 Mon, 11 Jul 2011 15:35:27 +0100 5028459 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4997614&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F07%2F04%2Fliving-the-compassionate-life%2F In November 2007, religious historian Karen Armstrong won the TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) award because of her many contributions that have made a profound difference in the world. Each recipient is given $100,000 and a wish for a better world. So, three months later, when Armstrong accepted the award, she asked TED to help her create, launch, and propagate a Charter for Compassion that would be designed by prominent thinkers, philosophers, and leaders from a variety of different faiths. Its mission? To restore compassion to the heart of religious and moral life at a time of such flagrant violence and terrorism in the name of race and religion. As I read through excerpts of Armstrong’s book, Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life, and reviewed her interview earlier this year wi... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4997614 Mon, 04 Jul 2011 15:18:22 +0100 4997614 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4992815&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FgROm1dTTA8I%2F Let’s explore some  high-quality new resources, announcements and studies in this June edi­tion of the monthly Sharp­Brains eNewslet­ter. The field is clearly on the move! Portraits of the Mind: Several sharp brains (Rick, Karen, John, thanks!) strongly rec­om­mend the recent book  “Por­traits of the Mind: Visu­al­iz­ing the Brain from Antiq­uity to the 21st Cen­tury” (which includes the image on the left) as great read­ing and as a beau­ti­ful cof­fee table book. Promoting Healthy, Meaningful Aging Through Social Involvement: The cur­rent issue of Cere­brum includes the excel­lent in-depth arti­cle on the value of volunteering program Experience Corps to promote healthy and meaningful aging through social involvement. Working memory training can improve fluid i... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4992815 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 18:04:45 +0100 4992815 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911664&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2Fr6MhbcUATqg%2F Let us highlight a couple of insightful and brief articles in the New York Times and a very powerful analysis in The New York Review of Books; they provide useful clues about Brain Calisthenics, Bilingual Brains, and Debunking Myths on Mental Illness. Brain Calisthenics for Abstract Ideas (NYT): Now, a small group of cognitive scientists is arguing that schools and students could take far more advantage of this same bottom-up ability, called perceptual learning. The brain is a pattern-recognition machine, after all, and when focused properly, it can quickly deepen a person’s grasp of a principle, new studies suggest. The challenge for education, Dr. Kellman added, “is what do we need to do to make this happen efficiently?” Experts develop such sensitive perceptual radar the old-fashi... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911664 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:12:58 +0100 4911664 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893555&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F06%2F03%2Fmy-therapist-wont-stop-yawning-in-session%2F Psychotherapy is often described as an art as much as it is a science. The professional relationship between a therapist and their client can be a tricky one. Especially when it comes to bad habits of either the therapist or the client. One of these bad habits is especially frustrating to clients — a therapist’s constant yawns during session. People often read into a yawn far more than what is usually meant — or not meant — by the behavior. Part of the problem is yawning itself — we don’t really know why people yawn in the first place. So a person often will assume the worst — “I’m boring him with what I’m talking about.” But that’s often not the case. The only thing we know for certain about why humans yawn is that t... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893555 Fri, 03 Jun 2011 16:14:56 +0100 4893555 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4664346&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FZZnoOyvpZ3k%2F Stress management is among the pillars of brain health maintenance. High and sustained levels of stress can indeed damage neurons, especially in areas of the brain responsible for learning and memory. What about the effect of stress on the developing brains of infants and children? What are the cognitive consequences? How can these be prevented? This interesting article reports findings from both animal and human research answering these questions: Brain development goes through sensitive periods during which stressors and nurturing experiences can have lasting effects Chaos in the home and inconsistent parenting impairs development of self regulatory behaviors, which can lead to substance abuse, earlier onset of sexual activity, bad decision making and poor mood control. … consistency a... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4664346 Thu, 31 Mar 2011 19:10:08 +0100 4664346 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4424282&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F02%2F01%2Fa-video-on-creativity-in-daily-life%2F A few days ago, my boyfriend sent me a link to a video he said I absolutely had to watch. He first saw it in a seminar at work. The short video introduces viewers to Dewitt Jones, a National Geographic photographer, who shares some of his thoughts on creativity and, essentially, everyday life. In the video, he talks about a key lesson he’s learned: There are amazing things for all of us to see every single day. Whether we actually see these remarkable things depends on our perspective, or as Jones says, on our ability to be creative. We all have the ability to be creative, he says. I’ve talked before about creativity and about connecting to my own creativity on my body image blog, Weightless. (Many fantastic bloggers talked about it too.) I’ve said that creativity is inside all o... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4424282 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 13:02:05 +0100 4424282 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4355805&cid=t_128278_117_f&fid=38856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.timemastermd.com%2F%3Fp%3D1832 Sex is actually said to be a legitimate form of exercise! The average amount of calories burned for 30 minutes session of sex is 150. When you would compare it to other activities that you actually do on a daily basis, you would see that you burn more with sex than the rest. Housework can burn only 111 cals, Yoga 114 cals, and dancing 129 cals. New studies show women who exercise vigorously tend to have signs of low estrogen levels.  Although hot flashes and night sweats are the most well-known symptoms of low estrogen, other symptoms can include an ADD-like inability to focus, memory problems, depression, loss of libido (could be low testosterone too) panic attacks, and migraines. Women with low body fat often do not produce sufficient amounts of sex hormones. This can be a problem for... Timemaster MD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4355805 Sun, 16 Jan 2011 17:48:00 +0100 4355805 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4233297&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FpcMYWzMw2AY%2F Given many of us are starting to prepare New Year Resolutions, let’s revisit one of SharpBrains’ most popular-ever articles that can help us all refine our Brain Fitness Resolutions… The Ten Habits of Highly Effective Brains Learn what is the “It” in “Use It or Lose It”. A basic understanding will serve you well to appreciate your brain’s beauty as a living and constantly-developing dense forest with billions of neurons and synapses. Take care of your nutrition. Did you know that the brain only weighs 2% of body mass but consumes over 20% of the oxygen and nutrients we intake? As a general rule, you don’t need expensive ultra-sophisticated nutritional supplements, just make sure you don’t stuff yourself with the “bad stuff”. Remember that the brain is part of the... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4233297 Mon, 06 Dec 2010 19:21:08 +0100 4233297 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4151999&cid=t_128278_117_f&fid=38856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.timemastermd.com%2F%3Fp%3D1431 All it takes for great sex is for her to think she is going to have great sex! Texas researchers  studied 200 women ages 35 – 55 over a 12-week period. Fifty of those women, were given a placebo (sugar pill)  instead of a drug treatment for low sexual arousal. One third of the women who took a placebo showed an overall improvement!  The other 2/3 need to come over to the medical clinic and get their hormones looked at:  www.pbpmed.com. Scientists are now using brain scanners to peer into the heads of patients who respond to sugar pills, and have discovered that the placebo effect is not “all in patients’ heads” but rather, in their brains. New research shows that belief in a dummy treatment leads to changes in brain chemistry.  Thoughts control actions &#... Timemaster MD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4151999 Mon, 08 Nov 2010 20:00:43 +0100 4151999 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4119082&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F10%2F27%2Fproof-positive-can-heaven-help-us-the-nun-study-afterlife%2F “I donated my brain, so when the time comes, they can make a study of it. The fact that I have not had any of this Alzheimer’s disease, or even an inclination so far is something they would naturally want to study.” – Sister M. Celine Koktan, 97 years old in March 2009 “We’ve received over 500 brains.” – Dr. Karen Santa Cruz, neuropathologist. Can you imagine being asked to be part of a study where the researcher asks if you not only would be willing to take part, but would mind terribly donating your brain to be dissected after you’re gone? That is exactly what was asked of the nuns participating. Of the 678 sisters in the original study about four dozen are still living. But researchers already have begun analyzing the more than 500 brains saved to disse... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4119082 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 13:12:10 +0100 4119082 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4077319&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F10%2F18%2Fwhy-dreaming-is-believing%2F We all live two mental lives. When we are awake it is mostly ordered, rational, linear and bounded by rules, both behavioral and physical. When we are asleep it is chaotic, nonlinear, without rules, often without sense. According to some, dreams are nothing more than the byproduct of a brain disconnected from its normal sensory inputs, freewheeling its way through the night. To others, dreams denote night-time learning or problem-solving, even automatic sifting of the mind’s detritus – useless information to be skimmed off the surface and dumped like so much mental junk. Amongst the general public, though, there are much stronger beliefs about the power of dreams. So strong that, according to recent research, people seem to believe that dreams can predict the future. Freudians... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4077319 Mon, 18 Oct 2010 13:00:51 +0100 4077319 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4001709&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F09%2F25%2Flistening-in-on-another-conversation%2F We’ve all done it — listened in on another conversation while talking to someone else. How can we do that? How can we focus our listening abilities on a far away conversation while “turning off” the ability to listen to the conversation that’s right in front of us? This unique listening ability is called selective listening and most people can do it. It’s our ability to tune out one conversation and have our brains hone in on another. And despite this fairly common phenomenon, neuroscientists still have little idea of how we do it. It seems to come down to understanding the neural pathways and circuits that underlie our attention skills. In understanding simple attention skills like how we can selectively listen, neuroscientists believe it could also hel... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4001709 Sat, 25 Sep 2010 16:45:21 +0100 4001709 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3959927&cid=t_128278_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdeveloping-new-antibiotics-thinking-beyond-bacteria-resistance%2F2010.09.11 Bacteria may be having a renaissance. Back in the days of the discovery of penicillin, doctors gleefully handed out antibiotics like they were candy and patients were more than happy to munch them down. They were quite effective too, but bacteria rapidly became resistant. Doctors and scientists worry that we are approaching a time where if we don’t come up with novel antibiotic mechanisms, we will face an epidemic of untreatable bacterial infections. MRSA, methicillin-resistant staphylcoccal auerus, is probably one of the biggest fears. John Rennie wrote about this issue in the PLoS blog The Gleaming Retort. He describes two strategies scientists are using to try to come up with new weapons in the great antibacterial war. So, naturally one of the first things they turned to was cockr... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3959927 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 18:00:08 +0100 3959927 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3746662&cid=t_128278_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F07%2Falzheimers-risk-patients-larger-brains%2F A new study just published in the journal Neurology reports that patients with larger brain size seem to have less risks of developing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. The study was led by Dr. Robert Perneczky. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3746662 Tue, 13 Jul 2010 01:57:01 +0100 3746662 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3656839&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F06%2F13%2Four-brains-on-technology%2F Is technology taking over our lives? Or do some people just make choices with regard to choosing technology over interacting with their family and friends? I don’t believe that “technology” can take over our lives — unless we choose to let it. So it was with interest that I saw a lengthy article written over at the New York Times, “Hooked on Gadgets, and Paying a Mental Price.” I was going to comment earlier on the article, thinking it was going to be this thoughtful, in-depth look at how technology is impacting people’s lives for both the positive and negative. Instead, it appeared to be some sort of story revolving around a guy called Kord Campbell and his family. Kord apparently has a hard time prioritizing things in his life — to the poin... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3656839 Sun, 13 Jun 2010 10:21:44 +0100 3656839 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3644846&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F06%2F09%2Fthe-situational-consequences-of-poverty-on-brains%2F Anne McIlroy wrote a piece for the Toronto Globe and Mail describing research by Dr. James Swain, who is using brain imaging techniques to study the effects of poverty on the brain.  Here are some excerpts. * * * Over the past four decades, researchers have established how poverty shapes lives, that low socioeconomic status is associated with poor academic performance, poor mental and physical health and other negative outcomes. Swain is part of a new generation of neuroscientists investigating how poverty shapes the brain. The University of Michigan researcher will use imaging technologies to compare the structure and function of brains of young adults from families with low socioeconomic status to those who are middle-class. * * * He and other neuroscientists are building on preliminary... The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3644846 Wed, 09 Jun 2010 04:01:41 +0100 3644846 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3460120&cid=t_128278_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F04%2F10%2Firreversible-effects-of-previous-cortisol-excess-on-cognitive-functions-in-cushings-disease%2F April 8th is Cushing’s Awareness Day. This day has been chosen as a day of awareness as it is the birthday of Dr. Harvey Cushing, a neurosurgeon, who discovered this illness. Cushing’s disease is a rare hormone disease caused by prolonged exposure to high levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the blood, whereas Addison’s disease [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3460120 Sat, 10 Apr 2010 14:03:21 +0100 3460120 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3424910&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F03%2F30%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-march-30-2010%2F There’s just a few days left in March and we’re heading straight for the spring season! Some of you may be busy preparing for Easter weekend while others are in the thick of spring break. Whatever you’re doing, we hope you’ll stop by and see what’s buzzing over at our blogs this week. I’ve scoured our blogs to find the best, most popular posts so that you can quickly click through and find your favorite ones. Happy Hunting! And make sure to come back later in the week for another round of, “Best of Our Blogs.” Music Education Helps Kids Brains With Sound Stimuli (Family Mental Health) – Music isn’t just all fun and games. Did you know it actually helps with communication skills? Hard to believe that all that noise in a music class... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3424910 Tue, 30 Mar 2010 18:06:42 +0100 3424910 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3359049&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F03%2F12%2Fmaintain-your-memory-as-you-age%2F You can’t stop it — the natural aging process that ages not only our bodies, but our brains too. Normal aging doesn’t significantly impact our thinking, however. Most people do not suffer from significant memory problems, deficits in problem-solving, or issues with thinking through activities that require analysis and reasoning. Still, things that may have come to us quickly when we were younger may take a little bit more time as we get older. And these slow-downs come not only in memory, but in something that psychologists call executive function, too. According to information provided by The Harvard Health Letter, “Executive function is an umbrella term for the complex thinking required to make choices, plan, initiate action, and inhibit impulses. Executive funct... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3359049 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:55:15 +0100 3359049 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3280084&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FyXQ-wp_147o%2F Very interesting and relevant recent study on the impact of mindfulness meditation (noticed thanks to heads up by SharpBrains reader John): Building Fit Minds Under Stress (Science Daily) “high-stress U.S. military group preparing for deployment to Iraq has demonstrated a positive link between mindfulness training, or MT, and improvements in mood and working memory” The study also suggests that sufficient mindfulness training (MT) practice may protect against functional impairments associated with high-stress challenges that require a tremendous amount of cognitive control, self-awareness, situational awareness and emotional regulation Please note that this wasn’t a properly randomized study, so in fact much/ most of the effect may be due to the placebo effect, but stil... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3280084 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 22:21:49 +0100 3280084 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3146027&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F01%2F05%2Fwomens-sexuality-and-g-spot-research%2F I’m not exactly sure what it is about our fascination about women’s sexuality. Perhaps it’s as simple as because women’s sexual reproductive organs are mostly on the inside and men’s are mostly on the outside that researchers seem forever fascinated by female sexuality. I was honestly debating as to whether to comment on the recent media hype about new research which, according to media reports, claims that the “g spot” in female sexuality may be a myth. Why was I not going to write on this topic? Because after reading the “research” that was conducted, I was mystified how this research even got published in a peer-reviewed journal. The researchers didn’t actually study whether pairs of female identical and fraternal twins had th... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3146027 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:10:52 +0100 3146027 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2768665&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F09%2F05%2Fboys-and-girls-not-as-different-as-we-thought%2F For decades, psychologists and researchers have been telling us the same old thing — boys and girls are fundamentally different. Their brains are different, their childhood development is different, their perceptions of the world around them are different. It’s the old nature versus nurture debate, with many parents unmistakably believing that nature is the primary force in a child’s development and that all parents can do is hang on for the ride. But a new book by Lise Eliot, PhD, suggests that many of these differences are what we, the adults, make of them. She’s done the equivalent of a meta-analysis on the research foundation for gender differences between boys and girls, and put into a consumer-digestible format. The results are summarized in her new book, Pink... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2768665 Sat, 05 Sep 2009 13:21:19 +0100 2768665 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2709196&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F08%2F18%2Fwould-you-even-recognize-sarcasm%2F Most people think they know what sarcasm is and could recognize it if they heard it. Most people would be wrong. Sarcasm is one of those areas of human behavior which has historically been a little difficult to study. But psychologists and researchers have gained some insight into sarcasm and how people use it, and how well people can identify (or can’t identify) sarcasm. For example, Derks et al. (2008) found that emoticons can convey sarcasm, and in fact in some ways can act as a suitable replacement for much of our nonverbal behavior. In a small experiment, Williams et al. (2009) found that people who made sarcastic statements tended to avert their eye gaze, suggesting a simple way to confirm whether a statement was intended to be sarcastic or not. But it was Rockwell’s (200... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2709196 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 10:05:28 +0100 2709196 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2709197&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F08%2F17%2Fexercising-your-brain-as-you-age%2F According to a news article we published today, simple everyday activities are all we need to keep our minds sharp as we age, mixed in with a healthy dose of daily physical exercise. The study measured over 4,000 participants’ brain and cognitive functioning over a 6 year period to arrive at these results. Boiled down to the basics, the researchers found the following activities help our brains remain sharp as we age: Mental activities, like reading or doing a crossword puzzle Physical exercise, generally the more the better (but even some, such as simply walking for 30 minutes per day, is better than nothing) Remaining socially engage with your friends or family Maintaining a positive attitude throughout life Learning new activities, hobbies or anything that requires concentrat... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2709197 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:33:43 +0100 2709197 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2441690&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F05%2F28%2Fself-esteem-in-recession-six-steps-to-recovery%2F Seven Steps To Accept A Compliment With Grace. Why is a compliment almost as hard to take as criticism? When I was a kid my well-intentioned Mom taught me to discredit compliments. “Oh, no, I’m not pretty, clever, smart, nice…” To do otherwise would be conceited, a cardinal sin to a young Catholic girl. Q: What’s the result of too much compliment denial? A) A starving, shriveled self-esteem dying for some good nurturing, B) A great big gap is left in your self-esteem (where the compliment would go) that is filled with bad, abusive junk, C) You risk annoying your relatives and friends who just want you to see what they see, or, (you guessed it) D) All of the above. If we refuse to let people tell us how fabulous we are where does that leave us? It leaves us wi... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2441690 Thu, 28 May 2009 09:00:12 +0100 2441690 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2442123&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FXricrzZuo7g%2F Our first book is available in Amazon.com! Background: In 2005 I read two books by my now co-author, Dr. Elkhonon Goldberg, that changed my career and life. Dr. Goldberg presented an exciting overview of emerging brain research debunking many old myths. Reflecting on what I was learning, I thought, "If all this is true, there is a revolution in the making that will impact education, healthcare, the way we learn and the way to take care for our brains. Someone will need to act as a translator, analyst and educator, to help individuals and society at large appreciate the implications of this research and start using this knowledge here and now." After several meetings with Dr. Goldberg, who kindly responded to my initial unsolicited letter, we decided to partner and create SharpBra... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2442123 Fri, 22 May 2009 22:03:07 +0100 2442123 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2416993&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F05%2F18%2Fcomputers-rotting-our-brains%2F There are some scientists who are becoming increasingly concerned about the negative effects of long-term, widespread computer usage, brought about primarily by the rise of the Internet and immersive video games. The only problem is that there’s very little good quality research that suggests this is so. That hasn’t stopped neuroscientists like Susan Greenfield, a renowned UK scientist, from presenting a very one-sided, biased picture about this topic. Oh, and of course, from promoting her book about identity in the age of technology. The problem is, once you start cloaking things in the language of the brain, you start sounding like you’re talking “science” and know far more than the science actually shows, as Bad Science points out: There is much talk of th... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2416993 Mon, 18 May 2009 15:03:12 +0100 2416993 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2380959&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FzzLOqwG8cs4%2F Round-up of April articles and news on neuroscience, brain development and cognitive health: Games for Health Conferences to host new Cognitive Health Track: For the first time, a new Cognitive Health track -Powered by SharpBrains- will cover eleven brain fitness and cognitive health topics during the 5th Annual Games for Health Conference. The current price is $379, with a 15% discount if you use code "sharp09" (without quotation) when you register Here. Details: June 11-12th at the Hyatt Harborside Hotel in Boston, MA. Bilingual Babies Get Head Start --- Before They Can Talk: - "Unlike the monolingual group, the bilingual group was able to successfully learn a new sound type and use it to predict where each character would pop up...The bilingual babies' skill applies to mo... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2380959 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 03:59:32 +0100 2380959 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2364976&cid=t_128278_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blisstree.com%2Fhealthbolt%2Fparkinson%25e2%2580%2599s-researchers-needs-brains%2F To mark Parkinson’s Awareness Week (April 20-26th) in the United Kingdom (England, Wales, and Scotland)  the Parkinson’s Disease Society has launched a nationwide appeal to get people to pledge to donate their brains for Parkinson’s research. Wanted: A Few Good Brains Seems that they are running a little low on this organ and without it, are unable to pursue necessary research to help advance Parkinson’s Disease treatments and maybe even find a cure. But getting people to donate their brains isn’t as easy as getting them to donate other organs. A survey recently commissioned by the Parkinson’s Disease Society has shown that while over 60% are comfortable with donating a heart or a kidney, only 7% are comfortable with donating a brain. It’s hoped that this brain donation ... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2364976 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:20:08 +0100 2364976 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2266683&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F03%2F15%2Fonline-dating-too-many-choices-may-be-bad%2F Could too many choices in online dating be a bad thing? According to some newly published research out of Taiwan, it may be. Marketing from online dating sites often suggests that having more choices is most beneficial, because you have more options from which to choose. But what they don’t say is that the more options you have, the more work you have to do to find profiles that actually match what you’re looking for. Larger doesn’t always mean better. The participants were 128 youths and adults from southern Taiwan (69 men, 59 women; ages 18 to 36 years) who had membership in online-dating Web sites, as determined on a screening questionnaire. Participants were assigned to view one of three profile groups — large (90 profiles), moderate (60 profiles), or small (30 ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2266683 Sun, 15 Mar 2009 11:01:08 +0100 2266683 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2200490&cid=t_128278_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2009%2F02%2F18%2Fits-healthbolt-carnival-time-10%2F       It’s Healthbolt Carnival Time again. So grab a coffee and start clicking… Madeleine Begun Kane from Mad Kane’s Humor Blog entertains us with Multi-Task Madness. Orna Ross suggests people should F-R-E-E-Write Your Way to Wellness?. To help you learn more about the Vegan lifestyle, Piotr Stepien from we overstep provides a list of Inspiring Vegan Links. C. Myers from Mind Mart suggests several natural remedies for Boils in Boil, Boil, Toil and Trouble. Tami Blodgett from Online Wellness: A Safe Haven offers a review of the book FAMILY MATTERS the Soul of a Family. Dan Abshear from Informaproject reports on The Power Of Bacteria. myln from ManageYourLifeNow.com looks at How to tell if someone is lying. Alvaro Fernandez from SharpBrains: discusses Brain Train... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2200490 Wed, 18 Feb 2009 06:19:44 +0100 2200490 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2210415&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=34733&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FhOmF%2F%7E3%2FQuDubNL9zXg%2Fi_told_you_so_brain_games_suck.php I love 'I told you so' moments...Brain games don't do shit. (this is totally going to come back and bite me in the ass though) A number of months ago, I made a claim that paying for brain games was a waste of money. I got jumped on pretty hard for that claim - even though there isn't much evidence of their benefits except for perform the brain game itself better after a lot of practice (and maybe a couple other semi-related ones). I've been vindicated now by a meta-analysis of the relevant literature by Peter Snyder of the Brown med school. Check this out from the press release: Through a systematic review of literature using established techniques to analyze randomized controlled trials of cognitive interventions in the healthy elderly, the researchers found a very small number of studi... Omni Brain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2210415 Mon, 09 Feb 2009 15:59:20 +0100 2210415 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2210416&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=34733&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FhOmF%2F%7E3%2FQHaFc2VKsZ0%2Fencephalon_the_late_prize_winn.php In preparing for this issue of Encephalon I got access to the submission email account and realized that I had won 500,000.00 euro! I am in no way going to share this wealth with anyone else since it is my turn to do Encephalon. Here's the proof: Dear Email ID Owner, This is to notify you that you have won 500,000.00 euro in our online email Promo Draw in which email ID´s are picked randomly by computerized balloting, Your email address was amongst those chosen for this period. contact: Dr. Mike Mejia, Accu Online Promotion. !#$%!#$%@I'mnottellingyousinceIwon.com ****************************************************** With the following info: Full Names, Address, Tel No, Age & Occupation. Ticket Nr:18457SP. Ref.Nr:5687SPL876.Batch Nr:SPYU6868 ************************************* Congrat... Omni Brain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2210416 Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:55:21 +0100 2210416 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2144525&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=34733&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FhOmF%2F%7E3%2FqPQGwSmRJNs%2Fvideo_game_plays_strange_messa.php I always get a kick when people see patterns in noise - especially when it's of the paranoid conspiracy religious type. Pareidolia is an amazing thing! So onto this peach of a story... KNIGHTSVILLE, Ind. (WTHI) - Months ago, Rachel Jones was shocked to discover her 4-year-old's baby doll seemed to have a hidden message: Islam is the light. Imagine her surprise when a game for her 8-year-old daughter's Nintendo DS had the same message. Rachel said she bought the Nintendo game, Baby Pals, as a gift for her 8-year-old daughter after a good report card. She had no idea the game also contained the hidden message "Islam is the light." "We were sitting in the kitchen, and she was playing it," said Jones. "All of a sudden she looked at me, and I looked at her and she said, 'Mom, I think my b... Omni Brain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2144525 Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:27:21 +0100 2144525 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2121617&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=34733&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FhOmF%2F%7E3%2F2pX4TzfzGvM%2Fcrackpot_therapy_for_alzheimer.php It seems that a brilliant doctor in the UK has come up with an amazing piece of machinery and convinced a famous author to wear it in order to stave off the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Here's the machinery... looks like a mind control device or something - too bad It's not going to work. According to the news article about this amazing technology: The prototype anti-dementia helmet, which must be worn for ten minutes each day, was designed by British GP Dr Gordon Dougal. Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Omni Brain) Omni Brain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2121617 Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:34:39 +0100 2121617 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2110735&cid=t_128278_140_f&fid=35438&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwrithesafely.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F01%2F17%2Fpsychiatric-survivors-labels-and-me%2F If any organism fails to fulfill its potentialities, it becomes sick. William James Ω The deleterious effect of evil, pernicious, stigmatizing labels are at the core of psychiatric survivor discourse™, so of course it makes me wonder why I don’t care about mine so much, like — what am I missing here, am I insufficiently outraged about a civil rights injustice?! Borderline, Bi-polar, Schizophrenia, these official stamps of psychiatry will lead to life of ruin, they say, while saying not so much about the label that actually got them committed. Puzzling, but later for all that. The thread on BPD at the only blog that matters has me head in a spin. I identify with borderlines, my life’s been filled with them, I have it in me, it’s a hellish disorder. I’ve only seen do... Writhe Safely blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2110735 Sat, 17 Jan 2009 09:02:41 +0100 2110735 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2074000&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F12%2F30%2Fbad-science-headlines-discoverys-brain-warping%2F In yet another news article on yet another of-questionable-value fMRI study, hard-hitting Discovery news came up with this doozy of a headline: How Visiting Your Family Warps Your Brain Really now? Warps your brain? Wow, I can’t wait to read how someone who visits their family actually finds significant, long-lasting structural changes in their brain. Ahh, but then I’d be disappointed, because the “news” article only describes a study where subjects lay down on their backs, are inserted into a functional magnetic resonance imaging machine, and shown various photos while researchers monitor the subject’s brain activity. That’s a far cry from showing something is “warping” our brains. These studies, while having some minimal informational ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2074000 Tue, 30 Dec 2008 12:57:24 +0100 2074000 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2046643&cid=t_128278_117_f&fid=34808&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthebeautybrains.com%2F2008%2F12%2F17%2Ffollow-the-beauty-brains-on-twitter%2F The Beauty Brains have finally moved into the new Millennium! We have a Twitter page and have been updating fairly regularly for the last month. If you are familiar with Twitter click the icon below to follow us. If you don’t know about Twitter, you need to get on board.  It is amazingly fun and you’ll find all sorts of useful (mostly) information that doesn’t always make the main Beauty Brains blog. And if you’re a Twitter user, we’re always looking for new and interesting Tweets. (Source: thebeautybrains.com) thebeautybrains.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2046643 Wed, 17 Dec 2008 18:20:08 +0100 2046643 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2036115&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F482872906%2F In this study, we examined whether playing strategy-based video game can train those executive functions and improve them. We showed that playing a strategy-based videogame (Rise of Nations Gold Edition) can result in not only becoming a better videogame player but it transferred to untrained executive functions. We saw a significant improvement in task switching, working memory, visual short-term memory, and mental rotation. And some, but more limited, benefits in inhibition and reasoning. I can share a few details on the study: the average age was 69 years, and the experiment required around 23 hours of training time. We only included individuals who had played videogames 0 hours/ week for the last 2 years. That last criteria is interesting. We typically say that good “brain exercise�... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2036115 Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:24:58 +0100 2036115 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2013603&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=34733&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FhOmF%2F%7E3%2F474850990%2Fseeya_hm.php Arguably the most important and certainly the most famous single case study patient in Psychology and Neuroscience passed away on Tuesday December 2nd. H.M. as he was known to probably every student of Psychology can now be revealed as Henry G. Molaison, 82, from Windsor Locks, CT. HM was a man with no memory (well... at least episodic). Early in his life he developed epilepsy which left him very much incapacitated, he would have numerous small and large seizures a day. After nearly lethal doses of drugs that sought (unsuccessfully) to control the seizures, doctors, namely William Scoville, decided on a drastic course of action. They would remove the source of the seizures. So after some exploration into HM's brain they discovered that the source of all his problems lay in and around the ... Omni Brain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2013603 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:00:24 +0100 2013603 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1970851&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fintelligencetesting.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fdissertation-dish-two-chc-or-wj-iii.html In this study, teachers and school psychologists were asked to sort basic academic tasks into the CHC broad abilities.The central research questions being asked are as follows: Are school psychologists and teachers equally proficient at identifying the broad cognitive ability demands of a basic academic task? How do the responses of the participants compare to the theoretical model presented? Do teachers and school psychologists become better at identifying the cognitive demands of a task with experience or higher levels of training?In order to answer the first research question, MANOVAs were performed. There was a significant overall difference between groups on their responses. While teachers and school psychologists differed significantly on five of the eight CHC broad ability scales. S... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1970851 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:26:00 +0100 1970851 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1909401&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fintelligencetesting.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F10%2Fbrain-teasers.html From the always great Sharp Brainshttp://m.beta.bloglines.com/items?mode=unread&subid=39777030&sort=descSent from KMcGrew iPhone (IQMobile) (Source: Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner)) Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1909401 Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:13:00 +0100 1909401 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1880645&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F421936674%2F I announced two months ago (Global Agenda Councils: The Challenges of Gerontology) that I had been invited to join a very stimulating new initiative by the World Economic Forum. Next month, 700 experts will meet to drive an interdisciplinary agenda covering 68 topics (see below); 16 of us focused on the Challenges of Gerontology. Dubai To Host 700 Of The World’s Most Influential Leaders From Academia, Business, Government and Society At First World Economic Forum Summit on the Global Agenda (I didn't write the title of the press release...) - "The World Economic Forum, in partnership with the Government of Dubai, will hold its inaugural Summit on the Global Agenda in Dubai from 7 to 9 November 2008. The Summit is a new, unique gathering of the world’s 700 most innovative and relev... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1880645 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 03:40:36 +0100 1880645 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1873180&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=35677&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBrainBasedBusiness%2F%7E3%2F419747885%2Fmen_are_logical_women_emotiona.html   Have you observed that men are logical and women are more emotional, where you work? If so you must also have examples to show how it is so.   Or do you see men and women as both logical and emotional at times? Check here for one humorist’s interpretation of  cognitive discoveries on this key matter.    My question is – What specific strategies would enable men and women to work together more for mutual benefits at work? How do you see collaboration between men and women winning more mutual benefits where you work? (Source: BrainBasedBusiness) BrainBasedBusiness blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1873180 Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:12:26 +0100 1873180 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1850970&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=34733&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FhOmF%2F%7E3%2F409317351%2Fthe_ass_area_of_the_brain_exis.php According to a recent National Geographic article primates pay a lot of attention to their friends asses. But not only that, they can actually identify them based on their fabulous booties. In humans facial recognition is based on a region coined as the Fusiform Face Area (FFA) and I believe a similar region has been found in primates. There is also an area of the human cortex dedicated to processing the body, call the Extra Striate Body Area (EBA). The big question here is whether primates have a particular area of the brain dedicated to only ass processing or they are using one of these other areas for the recognition. Isabel Gauthier could possibly make a case for the face area doing the ass processing since she believes that the fusiform gyrus participates in visual processing of exper... Omni Brain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1850970 Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:30:07 +0100 1850970 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1845424&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F407499879%2F We just received this quote of how a major health system is using our Brain Fitness Market Report: "At Sutter Health Partners we recognize the importance of brain health and how much the health of the brain and the body are interdependent.  The market report helped us further target our coaching efforts to integrate brain fitness and upgrade our entire coaching platform.  It is easy to read and gives you the industry perspective in a thorough yet concise manner.  I highly recommend it!" -- Margaret Sabin, CEO of Sutter Health Partners and VP, New Product Development, at Sutter Health. You may wonder, "what is the link between  wellness coaching and brain fitness"? In practice, good health and wellness coaches provide excellent brain health advice, given that the are... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1845424 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:18:33 +0100 1845424 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1773311&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=35677&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBrainBasedBusiness%2F%7E3%2F386087073%2F4_kinds_of_companies_that_make.html  The International Herald Tribune  identified 3 kinds of companies that succeed in a sluggish economy. Firms that make good decisions, those that always make good decisions and those that make stuff we’ll buy no matter what. Most people would agree that an economy is never to far gone for good coffee wake up, for instance. There’s also a 4th kind of firm that makes it past a downturn, as I see it. Leaders who survive financial skids also tend to override their brain’s tendency to dim mental lights and stay stuck in one place. It’s more common to stall success over the brain’s basal ganglia than most people realize, but this standstill happens far less in mentally fit workplaces.  Did you know, for instance, that human brains literally default to... BrainBasedBusiness blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1773311 Sun, 07 Sep 2008 22:34:33 +0100 1773311 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1735762&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fintelligencetesting.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F08%2Fbeyond-iq-social-emotional-learning-and.html The other day SharpBrains had a post on the importance of social-emotional learning in school learning. This post is consistent with the thrust of the Beyond IQ (A model of academic competence and motivation) project I've previously posted. Clearly there is more to intelligent "performance" than just intelligence.psychology, educational psychology, school psychology, neuropsychology, social emotional learning, CASEL, Beyond IQ, MACM, conative, IQ, intelligence, (Source: Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner)) Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1735762 Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:03:00 +0100 1735762 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1730855&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F372866231%2F I apologize for the long delay in getting back to this column but I have a good excuse. We just recently had a baby, and boy, that takes care right there of the physical exercise need. Between carrying the baby upstairs and downstairs, running to get the baby, getting out of the bed and picking the baby up and putting the baby down a couple of times a night no you need not worry about getting your daily exercise dose in…Now, the majority of the answers to my post on the brain virtues of physical exercise suggests that most people think that the brain benefits of physical exercise are mostly to be understood as complementary effects of a healthy life style. Is this correct? In my post today I will attempt to answer this question. First, while generally healthier people seem to have health... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1730855 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 18:09:27 +0100 1730855 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1723548&cid=t_128278_140_f&fid=35438&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwrithesafely.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F08%2F21%2Fobama-to-mccain-cbt-is-shit-fer-brains%2F Welp, I’m back from my break. Feast your eyes to the right of this blog, after 3 months over-thinking how to set it up we now have a world of VODPOD, and I think it’s going to help. I’m just building the library now but once it holds a hundred or so clips will find a way to order the narrative so we can get lost for a day or two in there. So what’s new? I took off a few weeks because I’ve been animated by a real serious project that I didn’t want to jinx by blogging about and since this project is uppermost in my mind found I couldn’t blog about anything until I feel secure it’s going to work out. I feel secure it’s going to work out and will explain everything tomorrow but as a tease will just share that due to this new and mysterious ... Writhe Safely blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1723548 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 02:16:13 +0100 1723548 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1713905&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=34733&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FhOmF%2F%7E3%2F368299481%2Fthe_taste_of_the_star_wars_imp.php Thanks to a reader, Daniel Keogh, we have a wonderful video detailing what the Imperial March from Star Wars would taste like to one particular synaesthete who has some particularly odd sensation pairings. Check it out: The Professor Funk also has a whole bunch of other entertaining looking videos about other aspects of science. We give them 4 thumbs up. I never did understand why Ebert, et. al. could only ever give a single thumbs up. After all there were two people with four total thumbs. Meh whatever, not everyone can be as awesome as Shelley and I. Read the comments on this post... (Source: Omni Brain) Omni Brain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1713905 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:54:04 +0100 1713905 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1701779&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F363198200%2F Good article in the Washington Post today:  Is It Really Smart to Teach Old Brains New Tricks? The reporter presents a good overview of what is happening, but framed around a highly artificial choice for consumers: either you a) do physical exercise, or b) take part in social interactions, or c) engage in mental exercise. What about switching off those TVs and having time for all a, b, c, and more? Research does not support a "general solution" to cognitive health but a multi-pronged one, featuring a good nutrition, stress management, and both physical and mental exercise. Each individual presents different contexts and priorities: for example, while research has shown how doing zero weekly aerobic exercise can translate into lower cognitive functioning, it does not support t... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1701779 Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:56:34 +0100 1701779 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1664419&cid=t_128278_140_f&fid=35438&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwrithesafely.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F07%2F30%2Fthis-is-what-cognitive-behavioral-therapy-fixes-that-is-why-it-must-be-stopped%2F Bukowski: the shoelace a woman, a tire that’s flat, a disease, a desire: fears in front of you, fears that hold so still you can study them like pieces on a chessboard… it’s not the large things that send a man to the madhouse. death he’s ready for, or murder, incest, robbery, fire, flood… no, it’s the continuing series of small tragedies that send a man to the madhouse… not the death of his love but a shoelace that snaps with no time left … The dread of life is that swarm of trivialities that can kill quicker than cancer and which are always there - licence plates or taxes or expired driver’s license, or hiring or firing, doing it or having it done to you, or roaches or flies or a broken hook on a screen, or out of gas or too much gas,... Writhe Safely blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1664419 Wed, 30 Jul 2008 07:31:46 +0100 1664419 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1661199&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F348791756%2F A few colleagues and I just had an interesting exchange on the recent article at The Atlantic, Is Google Making Us Stupid?, which basically blamed Google for literally rewiring our brains into more stupid brains (not being able to pay attention, read deep books...) based on a number of personal anecdotes and a little research.  My 2 cents: this is a complex topic and we'd first need to clarify the question, before looking for answers to support or refute it. I found the Atlantic article superficial for a meaningful conversation, with its title and main premise making little sense: Google can not makes us stupid, in the same way that guns don't make us violent or pens don't make us good writers. The author of the article complains about having less of a number of cognitive abilities than... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1661199 Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:37:32 +0100 1661199 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1655582&cid=t_128278_140_f&fid=35438&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwrithesafely.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F07%2F25%2Fpsychodynamic-psychotherapy%2F I likes it. Via, an old wiki entry that’s been replaced by a more clinical definition, alas: “The goal of psychodynamic therapy is the experience of truth. This truth must be encountered through the breakdown of psychological defenses. Simply stated: [psychodynamic] psychotherapy teaches the client to be honest. Individuals suffering from “psychological disorders” or deep-rooted “personality disorders,” often come from confusing, manipulative, dishonest, or even violent families in childhood. Being honest with ones feelings is a difficult, even terrifying process for these people. But there is a silver lining. If the patient client is willing to face up to their hidden secrets they will discover the unconscious reason for many of their feelings, and ther... Writhe Safely blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1655582 Sat, 26 Jul 2008 00:49:07 +0100 1655582 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1593801&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F07%2F07%2Fdo-older-brains-try-and-compensate-for-their-age%2F While imaging brain studies can’t show us what we’re thinking, they can show us comparatively how two brains are performing from two different groups. Neuroscientists use such comparisons to form hypothesis about brain behavior. Using neuroimaging techniques to study aging — techniques such as MRI, fMRI and PET scans — is still a relatively new science: it’s only been around since the mid 1990s. One finding from this research is that older adults tend to engage in overactivation of certain areas of their brain. What this means that in order to perform the same cognitive tasks in the experiment, an older brain will light up in different regions and with greater intensity (suggesting greater “work” by the brain) than their younger counterparts. S... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1593801 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:55:07 +0100 1593801 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1583019&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=35677&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBrainBasedBusiness%2F%7E3%2F328180639%2Fwiring_against_your_firms_brai.html Believe it or not … your company’s brainpower may be poorly suited to innovations that could keep you competitive. More surprisingly … this problem is less related to age and more to daily practices that wire… re-wire … and unwire dendrite brain cells.The brain's wiring works against firms that mandate rigid routines.  It also fails companies  that neglect creative approaches initiated by talented workers who reach high standards by using their unique mix of intelligences.  How so? Some parts of healthy brains work without much help. That’s why people breathe … hearts beat … and body temp holds constant.Other parts, though, connect to chemical and electrical roles … tied ... BrainBasedBusiness blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1583019 Sun, 06 Jul 2008 18:07:53 +0100 1583019 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1575405&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=34733&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FhOmF%2F%7E3%2F325912096%2Fthe_capacity_of_the_human_brai.php Conclusion: Yoshi needs to clarify what he's talking about because I think he's blatantly wrong and the idea of capacity as a meaningful thing when talking about the brain is a mistake. Read the comments on this post... (Source: Omni Brain) Omni Brain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1575405 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:59:50 +0100 1575405 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1556679&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F323514897%2F Consider Linda, a 31-year-old woman, single and bright. As a student, she was deeply concerned with discrimination and social justice and also participated in anti-nuclear protests. Which is more probable? (a) Linda is today a bank teller; (b) Linda is a bank teller and active in the feminist movement. Quick, what's your answer? If you answered (b), you are wrong.  At least you are in good company (that's what I answered the first time I saw this teaser in one of my Stanford Organizational Behavior classes). It is more probable that Linda is a bank teller, which is a whole category, that she is both a bank teller AND active in the feminist movement, which is a subset of that category. A recent Wall Street Journal article explains the phenomenon: Free to Choose, But Often Wrong: "Wh... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1556679 Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:12:35 +0100 1556679 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1536071&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F316584626%2F It happens. Often.      Why? We just secured an interview with Ori Brafman, co-author of Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior (Doubleday Business, 2008), to discuss our Dark Side (well, he calls it "different hidden forces" and "psychological undercurrents"). While reading some reviews about his book, I particularly enjoyed finding, after the usual impressive long collection of endorsements, this "disclaimer": *DISCLAIMER: If you decide to buy this book because of these endorsements, you just got swayed. One of the psychological forces you'll read about in Sway is our tendency to place a higher value on opinions from people in positions of prominence, power, or authority. (But you should still buy the book.) Alvaro Fernandez (AF): Ori, wh... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1536071 Sat, 21 Jun 2008 13:06:07 +0100 1536071 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1531640&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=35677&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBrainBasedBusiness%2F%7E3%2F316200760%2Fwhy_hes_too_old_and_shes_too_y.html You may be surprised to discover that age rarely matters when the brain’s in shape. Some say that Mother Teresa was too old to take entrepreneurial risks that improved life’s chances for the poor. Others claimed Bill Gates was far too young to lead the computer world into a new era. How does age rate where you work?New information from neuroscience is changing our minds about mental maturity.When it comes to the brain at work … age limitations could never be farther from the facts. So why then do we encounter so many bumps and barriers created by age in most organizations. Too young or too old? We hear wicked stories daily about disadvantages of both youth and elderly.Increasingly, neuroscience discoveries are changing the way age influences success and adds satisfaction... BrainBasedBusiness blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1531640 Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:10:08 +0100 1531640 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1531175&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=34733&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FhOmF%2F%7E3%2F315082878%2Fbrains_in_video_games.php Check out Mother Brain from the Metroid series. What other brains are featured in video games? Read the comments on this post... (Source: Omni Brain) Omni Brain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1531175 Thu, 19 Jun 2008 03:16:53 +0100 1531175 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1526101&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=34733&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FhOmF%2F%7E3%2F314764662%2Fthis_has_to_be_the_most_annoyi.php Seriously.... wow.....I'd totally forgotten about the brain from the cartoons. and.... Ohh... Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. How I used to love thee. I actually watched the most recent movie a few weeks ago. Do they really suck that much? I remember them being pretty kick ass. This is why growing up sucks - all your favorite cartoons from childhood blow now. Did you hear they are coming out with a Smurfs movie? Read the comments on this post... (Source: Omni Brain) Omni Brain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1526101 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:11:53 +0100 1526101 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1522806&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F313494874%2F Several hundred people participated in our first Brain Fitness Webinar Series, and are glad how the experiment well. We are already thinking of topics and speakers for a second one, so stay tuned! In case you couldn't attend them, we are sharing the slides we used (we did not record the webinar sessions). Here you go: Webinar #1: In “The State of the Brain Fitness Software Market, 2008,” I provided an overview of the science, market, and vendor landscape of the emerging brain fitness software market, based on our recent market report. - Target audience: Executives, professionals, investors, reporters and bloggers interested in learning more about the brain fitness market. - More information: Market Report. Slides: Here Webinar #2: In “Brain Rules for Thinking Smarter,” John Medin... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1522806 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 03:29:20 +0100 1522806 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1497420&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F06%2F05%2Fwhere-does-sarcasm-come-from-your-brain-duh%2F Sarcasm is one of those personality traits and types of humor you either like or don’t — there usually seems to be little in-between. Me? I’m a sarcastic fellow and appreciate others who can not only take it, but give it back to me as well. But who knew where sarcasm comes from? Not I. Well, at least not until I read the article in the other day’s New York Times about sarcasm: To her surprise, though, the magnetic resonance scans revealed that the part of the brain lost among those who failed to perceive sarcasm was not in the left hemisphere of the brain, which specializes in language and social interactions, but in a part of the right hemisphere previously identified as important only to detecting contextual background changes in visual tests. “The right pa... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1497420 Thu, 05 Jun 2008 17:08:11 +0100 1497420 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1492218&cid=t_128278_140_f&fid=35438&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwrithesafely.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F06%2F04%2Fcan-i-count-on-you-if-i-fall-apart%2F I have been consumed with feline diabetes the last few days, as I should, it’s complex as it gets and the knowledge base as demanding as that of informed mental health patients. Angelbait will need me to test her glucose 4 times a day, before and after I give her the shots, that means pricking her ear and getting the reading on a monitor. She will need prescription food and I have to figure out how to do things like get the insulin from the vet to my house in 100 degree heat without a car, the insulin has to be kept refrigerated. This home-based disease management will cost about 150 a month, the only way that will work is if I quit smoking. And I have to figure out how to do all this when the legislature is in session, and bills are passed at 2 AM, when I’m at the Capitol 18 h... Writhe Safely blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1492218 Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:55:50 +0100 1492218 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1492025&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=34733&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FhOmF%2F%7E3%2F303744172%2Fthe_most_accurate_infographic.php This is actually pretty much the most useful and accurate infographic I've ever seen in my entire life. Thank goodness this appears on an article highlighting the brain region responsible for decoding sarcasm. Now that you've seen this amazing infographic you know exactly how sarcasm happens in the brain and what area is responsible.... AND!!! that area is lighting up right now as you read this very deep and meaningful post. As a matter of fact after reading this post you might have an aneurysm originating in your right ventromedial prefrontal gyrus. I apologize for the brain deadness I might have caused from reading this post. However, it's not as bad as it could be... just read the bbc news article that the infographic came from ;) I haven't had a chance to read the real journal arti... Omni Brain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1492025 Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:08:52 +0100 1492025 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1484871&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F06%2F01%2Ftip-of-the-tongue-moments%2F How many times have you been in the middle of a conversation with someone and need to use a word or remember a name that just completely leaves you? You sit there are try and remember it for a few moments, but if it doesn’t come, you move on, frustrated by your brain’s seeming inability to remember that name you never really forgot. Jonah Lehrer wrote an excellent article in today’s Boston Globe describing this phenomenon and, more importantly, how researchers are using it to gain insights into how the brain stores and processes information. How might the mind keep track of its own contents? For the last several decades, scientists have assumed that the brain contains some innate indexing system, akin to a card catalog in a library, that allows it to immediately real... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1484871 Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:17:39 +0100 1484871 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1458498&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=34733&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FhOmF%2F%7E3%2F294432186%2Fvintage_psychiatric_drug_adver.php This gallery is sweet! The Online gallery of modern and vintage psychiatric drug advertising has a large selection of some pretty scary old drug advertisements and packaging. Like these: I wonder what the people of the future are going to say about our current psychiatric system? HT: Dave Read the comments on this post... (Source: Omni Brain) Omni Brain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1458498 Tue, 20 May 2008 18:39:32 +0100 1458498 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1454337&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=34733&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FhOmF%2F%7E3%2F294360659%2Fhippies_might_have_something_g.php Actually, I'll let you read the press release first and then we'll decide if 'religious leaders' and the damn hippies know something we don't ;) (Source: Omni Brain) Omni Brain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1454337 Tue, 20 May 2008 16:39:07 +0100 1454337 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1454338&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=34733&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FhOmF%2F%7E3%2F293627164%2Fanother_brain_game_that_does_n.php boingboing gadgets has uncovered the most brilliant brain game ever. Not only does this enhance your cognitive abilities with use, it can enhance your emotional intelligence! wow! Through mindless manipulation of pretty colors and funny shapes you too can be Dr. Phil! Since I don't think I've had my quota of !!!!'s here are a few more to direct you to the original boingboing post: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Read the comments on this post... (Source: Omni Brain) Omni Brain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1454338 Mon, 19 May 2008 18:02:20 +0100 1454338 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1454339&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=34733&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FhOmF%2F%7E3%2F293565928%2Fgenes_for_music_aptitude.php Really?! Come on... Molecular and statistical genetic studies in 15 Finnish families have shown that there is a substantial genetic component in musical aptitude. Musical aptitude was determined using three tests: a test for auditory structuring ability (Karma Music test), and the Seashore pitch and time discrimination subtests. The study represents the first systematic molecular genetic study that aims in the identification of candidate genes associated with musical aptitude. The identified regions contain genes affecting cell extension and migration during neural development. Interestingly, an overlapping region previously associated with genetic locus for dyslexia was found raising a question about common evolutionary background of music and language faculties. The results show that m... Omni Brain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1454339 Mon, 19 May 2008 16:11:15 +0100 1454339 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1450236&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=34733&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FhOmF%2F%7E3%2F292773084%2Fsunday_morning_funnies_1.php Is that Georgie poo? -source?- Read the comments on this post... (Source: Omni Brain) Omni Brain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1450236 Sun, 18 May 2008 11:22:30 +0100 1450236 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1446014&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=34733&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FhOmF%2F%7E3%2F291260042%2Fwhat_happens_at_vision_science.php Well I'm finally done with VSS it was long and stressful... but mostly fun. Here's a couple pictures... After all this fun I had to get my game face on and do a talk. I've given a lot of talks in classrooms and even at a conference but after I saw the size of the room and how many people were going to be in it I was a weeee bit intimidated. After letting the stress stew for a couple days I finally gave my talk on Wednesday. I think it went well :) At least people complemented me on it. If you're interested in seeing what I presented with no explanation feel free to download the powerpoint presentation. I'm looking forward to next years conference already. Read the comments on this post... (Source: Omni Brain) Omni Brain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1446014 Thu, 15 May 2008 23:52:00 +0100 1446014 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1443508&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F289952184%2F This week's editions of two excellent blog carnivals. Enjoy! - Encephalon #45 - Life Is Good, Brains Are Better - Grand Rounds 4:34 at the Health Business Blog   Blog Carnivals, brains, encephalon, Grand Rounds, healt, Health blogs, Neuroscience blogs (Source: SharpBrains) SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1443508 Wed, 14 May 2008 04:13:38 +0100 1443508 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1442781&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=34733&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FhOmF%2F%7E3%2F289838644%2Fannouncing_the_34th_annual_mee.php June 26-29, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA Registration is now open; deadline Thursday, June 5 -- 12:00pm EST Note that early registration is suggested, as the reserved hotel block is likely to fill quickly. The 2008 conference will feature presentations by: George Ainslie, Michael L. Anderson, Louise Antony Peter Carruthers, Louis Charland, Anjan Chatterjee David Danks, Felipe De Brigard, Michael Devitt Marthah Farah, Evelina Fedorenko, Owen Flanagan, Jerry Fodor, Kenneth R. Foster, Lila R. Gleitman (President of SPP) George Graham, Bryce Huebner, Bertram F. Malle, Barbara Malt, Christopher Meacham, Dominic P. Murphy Thomas Nadelhoffer, Kenneth Norman, Mike Oaksford Erik Parens, Nancy Petry, Jeffrey Poland Zenon Pylyshyn, Sarah Robins, Paul Rozin, Laurie R. Santos (the 2... Omni Brain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1442781 Wed, 14 May 2008 02:40:54 +0100 1442781 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1442782&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=34733&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FhOmF%2F%7E3%2F289838645%2Fsuperstition_at_the_exporatori.php Tempt Fate, and Take a Risk Superstition Obstacle Course Opens Friday, June 13th Are You Scared? June 13 - September 1, 2008 For many people, Friday the 13th suggests bad luck -- but is it really tempting fate or taking a risk to break a mirror? Are you courting disaster by walking under a ladder? And what really happens if you step squarely on that crack in the sidewalk? Challenge these and other superstitions at the Exploratorium's new Superstition Obstacle Course. Experience how your own superstitions, your own emotions, and your own judgment come into play. Although none of the beliefs represented have a scientific basis, many believe such behaviors are taboo and invite bad luck. Regardless of their truth, superstitions are a part of human culture, and offer a rich source of understan... Omni Brain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1442782 Wed, 14 May 2008 02:35:08 +0100 1442782 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1436830&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=34733&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FhOmF%2F%7E3%2F288734585%2Fpopping_in_and_out_of_existenc.php Right now I'm about to, or already am, standing at a podium to give a talk at the Vision Sciences Society annual meeting (better known as VSS) in Naples Florida. Wish me luck! Here's the exciting abstract: Popping in and out of existence: The effect of gradual and abrupt occlusion on object localization. J. Stephen Higgins1,2, Daniel Simons1,2, Ranxiao Wang1,2 1Department of Psychology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 2Beckman Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign The human visual system typically tracks the position of objects as they move. However, when disruption occurs (e.g., as objects are occluded and disoccluded, an eye movement occurs, or when objects spontaneously disappear and reappear), we must determine whether or not the objects have moved. In most ... Omni Brain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1436830 Mon, 12 May 2008 15:28:48 +0100 1436830 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1416214&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=34733&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FhOmF%2F%7E3%2F282310788%2Finteresting_police_blotter_tid.php Delusions are the strangest things... Once, back in the day, when I was interning in Ted Kennedy's press office we got a call from a woman (this was a pretty usual occurrence) demanding to know why the CIA, et. al. were monitoring her brainwaves. Our quick thinking secretary (a Harvard grad making 16k a year for the privilege of working in the Senate) told her to hold he was going to go check the list. He let her sit for a few minutes, got back on the phone, and told her she wasn't on the list and there must be a mistake. He would have her mind control removed immediately and he was sorry for the mix up. She never did call back from what I heard. Perhaps a new form of therapy? In any case... here's an entertaining police blotter from Federal Way, Washington: At 4:02 p.m. April 10, two wo... Omni Brain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1416214 Fri, 02 May 2008 20:26:20 +0100 1416214 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1414905&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=34733&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FhOmF%2F%7E3%2F281709628%2Fgruesome_japanese_anatomical_i.php I love antique anatomical drawings of the brain. I even have a couple in my office that I should probably take a picture of to show off to you guys. These illustrations from Japan are particularly interesting. According to Pink Tentacle: The Kaibo Zonshinzu anatomy scrolls, painted in 1819 by Kyoto-area physician Yasukazu Minagaki (1784-1825), consist of beautifully realistic, if not gruesome, depictions of scientific human dissection. Unlike European anatomical drawings of the time, which tended to depict the corpse as a living thing devoid of pain (and often in some sort of Greek pose), these realistic illustrations show blood and other fluids leaking from subjects with ghastly facial expressions. -via boingboing- Read the comments on this post... (Source: Omni Brain) Omni Brain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1414905 Thu, 01 May 2008 23:12:01 +0100 1414905 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1407300&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=35677&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBrainBasedBusiness%2F%7E3%2F280098313%2Fgoals_keep_business_brains_ali.html  When goals grow with you  … they stay within reach on the one hand … and evolve forward on the other. Do your goals keep your business brain alive?Motivation’s the best test for goals that stay alive … in that it stalls when targets die and sprints forward for useful goals.Kumiko Watanuki used a five year goal plan to attain her dream of running the Iranian division of AT&T. When Iran’s revolution forced her out of the country she continued her goals in New York, and today heads up a company that advises leaders on international trade affairs.Where will you plan take you? In spite of inevitable detours and a few unexpected setbacks … people with a plan tend to make it to the peaks. Have you noticed?   (Source: BrainBasedBusin... BrainBasedBusiness blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1407300 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:41:01 +0100 1407300 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1382329&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=34733&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FhOmF%2F%7E3%2F272888300%2Fanatomicallycorrect_brain_cake.php Well folks, sorry I've been so AWOL around here lately. Lets just say there's been a lot of long hours in the basement with the confocal microscope, and I've also been in charge of organizing the U of M Neuroscience Spring Symposium, which is next week. I'm super-excited about the three visiting neuroscientists: Nicholas Gaiano, Ed Boyden, and David Sulzer. So, forgive my temporary absence...although I'm sure Steve is keeping everyone entertained. Speaking of entertaining, I was emailed this awesome anatomically correct brain cake, recipe which I just had to share. Someone put a lot of love into photographing the entire process of creating something both nerdy and delicious-- even using chocolate chips to create an EEG grid. Read the comments on this post... (Source: Omni Brain) Omni Brain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1382329 Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:56:23 +0100 1382329 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1373420&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=34733&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FhOmF%2F%7E3%2F270761226%2Fhow_to_ship_your_brain.php Do you have an extra brain sitting around you want to donate? Do you want to trade brains with someone else but they are too far away to do it in person? Is your brain malfunctioning and you need to ship it back to the factory for some repairs or in the worst case - a replacement? If your answer was yes to any of these questions then this is the tutorial for you. This is what you'll need: Two clean, dry ziploc plastic bags (about 22.0 x 30.0 cm) Plastic bucket with tightly fitting lid (about 4.0 liters) Large plastic bag (about 40.0 x 50.0 cm) Envelope for documents Thermosafe polyfoam container (38.0 x 33.0 x 31.0 cm) Two refrigerant packs (17.0 x 10.0 cm) Wet ice (about 1.0 kg) Once you have these items just follow these eight straight forward steps and you'll brain will be rea... Omni Brain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1373420 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:35:34 +0100 1373420 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1356661&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F266362196%2F Ever wondered what explains the sometimes surreal, often misguided, health policies by our government? Well, it is beyond our humble brains to capture and articulate what may be going on...but we now see that lack of access to quality information is certainly not the main problem. Decision-making processes, and structural incentives, would probably merit more attention.... I mention this because we are really impressed by the just-published 24-page special issue on Preventing Memory Loss by Congressional Quarterly Researcher, one of the main publications in Capitol Hill. The publication is not free, but worth the price for anyone active professionally in the healthcare sector, or interested in learning about latest research and policy trends, from academics to students. You can buy ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1356661 Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:09:17 +0100 1356661 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1340539&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=34733&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FhOmF%2F%7E3%2F261604006%2Fencephalon_goes_to_paris_hilto.php Welcome to the most recent installation of the neuroscience blog carnival, Encephelon, here at Of Two Minds! Steve and I thought we would mix things up a little bit and let a guest blogger summarize the best brain blogging (submitted to us (this week)). That guest is none other that famed socialite Paris Hilton, who wished to take this opportunity to attempt to change her image from fashionista to neuronista. Please welcome Paris! Hi neurokids, Paris here. While I'm sure that you have already formed an opinion of me due to the massive media coverage of my escapades and foibles, hopefully that won't taint your enjoyment of my science blogging. I am actually a very intelligent student of neuroscience - after all if Blossom can become a neuroscience grad student at UCLA so can I! Neuroscien... Omni Brain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1340539 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:50:36 +0100 1340539 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1341218&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=36506&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBrainSciencePodcastBlog%2F%7E3%2F261587928%2F Brains Matter is a podcast about science from Australia. It was one of the shows on my ill-fated Podango™ Science channel and it is now one of the charter members of SCIENCEPODCASTERS.ORG. Unfortunately, I don’t have a chance to listen to it on a regular basis, but I want to recommend the most recent episode, which is a discussion of robotics in history and in fiction. The guest is Adam Parker who is studying for a PhD in Robotics in Australia. He has a surprising knowledge of the history of the field and brings that perspective to the conversation. I think that that is one of the things that makes the interview interesting. This is not a technical conversation, but one that everyone can enjoy. As I said on Digg™, if you liked Blade Runner, you will enjoy this interview. (Source:... the Brain Science Podcast and Blog with Dr. Ginger Campbell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1341218 Mon, 31 Mar 2008 23:22:20 +0100 1341218 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1334462&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=34733&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FhOmF%2F%7E3%2F259759367%2Fnew_encephalon_coming_on_monda.php Shelley and I are hosting the new issue of Encephalon coming out this Monday morning (March 31st). We have some great contributions so far but we would love to get some more! So shoot an email to encephalon.host@gmail.com with your contributions and we'll be forever grateful as well as most likely making you immensely famous and rich. Enjoy your weekend! Read the comments on this post... (Source: Omni Brain) Omni Brain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1334462 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:14:51 +0100 1334462 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1334464&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=34733&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FhOmF%2F%7E3%2F259742267%2Fthe_sweetest_brain_lamp_ever.php Everyone and their mother (especially their mothers) have sent me a link to this brain lamp. I think I'm required to post it now. So here it is: According to Lervik Design: MYBrain. The table lamp A replica of the designer's brain, originated from an MR scan at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm. The image was processed through a 3D-printer, and became this unusual lamp shade design. Yes, it is bright. Design Alexander Lervik 2007 Thanks Eamon and David! Read the comments on this post... (Source: Omni Brain) Omni Brain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1334464 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:38:07 +0100 1334464 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1303237&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=34733&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FhOmF%2F%7E3%2F251358487%2Fof_two_minds_brain_training_on.php We here at Of Two Minds would like to announce a brand new training program that will help you improve your memory through the method of Long Term Depression. Because we use this fancy brain term you can be assured that the training is working. Step One: Open list of words to study. Step Two: Have friend stab you in only one eye (you need the other to study the list!) Step Three: Better memory for everything! In fact, recent research supports this wonderful new method of brain training! Check it out: Scientists have long known that the nervous system receptor known as TRPV1 can affect sensations of pain in the body. Now a group of Brown University scientists has found that these receptors - a darling of drug developers - also may play a role in learning and memory in the brain. In surp... Omni Brain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1303237 Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:27:08 +0100 1303237 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1300300&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=34733&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FhOmF%2F%7E3%2F250716651%2Fbrain_training_should_you_pay.php Everyone and their mother is getting into the brain training game - researchers, the health care industry, video game companies, you name it! But... Every single one of them is a huckster trying to rip the elderly off (whether they realize it or not). Nearly every single one of these brain training systems simply takes established psychology experiments that we normally pay people to do since they are so damn boring and repackages them in a slightly glizier way to make you feel better for spending $299.95. It is very very important to keep your brain active but there is no evidence whatsoever that these training programs are any better than doing things freely available, like learning a new hobby, doing sudoku or crossword puzzles, and generally keeping your mind active. But for goodness ... Omni Brain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1300300 Thu, 13 Mar 2008 12:30:19 +0100 1300300 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1289177&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F248130069%2F We have planned a number of fun posts, starting tomorrow, to celebrate Brain Awareness Week (March 10-16th). We hope you will enjoy them. Let me share a taste of a few articles you will find here during the week: - Dr. Adrian Preda, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at UC Irvine School of Medicine, will help us exercise our brains by challenging us to exercise more...our bodies. - We will release our report The State of the Brain Fitness Software Market 2008 on Tuesday March 11th, sharing its 10 Highlights. This is a project where we have spent many many energies over the last 9 months...so we are happy to finally be able to deliver it! - An article by UCSF's Gregory Kellet (who wrote this great article on why managing stress is important for our brains) helping us identify ways to precise... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1289177 Sun, 09 Mar 2008 03:16:11 +0100 1289177 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1286206&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=34733&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FhOmF%2F%7E3%2F247342244%2Fbrain_power_the_shirt_and_vide.php I swear I'm not being paid... but it does follow the theme of our blog. Check out their merchandise as well :) Ok.. who is going to buy me one of these shirts? HT: Sandra! Read the comments on this post... (Source: Omni Brain) Omni Brain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1286206 Fri, 07 Mar 2008 11:35:06 +0100 1286206 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1268379&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F02%2F29%2Fcan-a-person-change-their-brain-structure-yes%2F Excuse us while we do some spring cleaning around here and publish a few entries that have been sitting in our “draft” pile longer than I care to admit… In a bit of research done in 2000, Eleanor Maguire and her colleagues researched taxi drivers’ brains using structural magnetic resonance imaging scans (MRIs). They discovered that the longer a taxi driver had been driving, the larger a specific part of the brain (the part that we believe stores spatial representations of our environment): These data are in accordance with the idea that the posterior hippocampus stores a spatial representation of the environment and can expand regionally to accommodate elaboration of this representation in people with a high dependence on navigational skills. It seems that there ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1268379 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 19:57:31 +0100 1268379 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1250600&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F239188305%2F Physical fitness. Cognitive/ brain fitness. Both require novelty, variety and challenge. Professor Schlomo Breznitz, a scientific and business leader in the cognitive fitness field, explains why, eloquently, below. Perhaps "we want change" really means "we need change". Enjoy! ------------------------ Why are everyday life challenges not sufficient to keep our brains fit? -- By Prof. Shlomo Breznitz Often, when describing the benefits of MindFit to brain health, I am asked by people in the audience whether this software is really needed. After all, so they argue, life provides continues cognitive challenges, which should suffice for ensuring brain fitness. From the moment we wake up until we go to sleep our brains have to attend to complex stimuli, plan many activities,... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1250600 Fri, 22 Feb 2008 14:26:43 +0100 1250600 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1249090&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F239188305%2F Physical fitness. Cognitive/ brain fitness. Both require novelty, variety and challenge. Professor Schlomo Breznitz, a scientific and business leader in the cognitive fitness field, explains why, eloquently, below. Perhaps "we want change" really means "we need change". Enjoy! ------------------------ Why are everyday life challenges not sufficient to keep our brains fit? -- By Prof. Shlomo Breznitz Often, when describing the benefits of MindFit to brain health, I am asked by people in the audience whether this software is really needed. After all, so they argue, life provides continues cognitive challenges, which should suffice for ensuring brain fitness. From the moment we wake up until we go to sleep our brains have to attend to complex stimuli, plan many activities,... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1249090 Fri, 22 Feb 2008 05:23:57 +0100 1249090 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1240363&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F237148716%2F Dear Mr or Mrs Next US President, We are glad to welcome you to our blog carnival. After a short hiatus, Encephalon is back and gathering steam. We have prepared this "revival" edition just for you, so you can be well informed and impress us all during the upcoming Sciencedebate 2008. Without further ado, let's proceed to the questions posed by 24 bloggers on neuroscience and psychology issues. We hope they provide, at the very least, good mental stimulation for you and your advisors. Big Questions Do I deserve to vote even if I don't have Free Will? (Marc at Neuroscientifically Challenged). If culture sculpts our brains, what can our brains do to refine our culture first? (Stephanie at Brains On Purpose). Is God more than a flying brain? (Jessica at bioephemera). Is Your brain r... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1240363 Tue, 19 Feb 2008 06:47:33 +0100 1240363 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1240255&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=35677&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBrainBasedBusiness%2F%7E3%2F237288134%2Fstop_wait_toxins_at_work.html Over time you may have stopped noticing those things said or done that damage morale or pick away at productivity where you work. If toxins taint your organization … you are not alone. According to The Conference Board … more than 50 percent of workers are dissatisfied at their jobs. Even more of the 20-something-year-olds dislike where they work. A full eight out of ten workers don’t see themselves at the same workplace ten years from now.  Over 25 years of working with leaders … I’ve often observed far too many people who settle for toxins as fair exchange for a salary that pays the mortgage. It doesn’t have to be that way. Research by Cooper now allows people to rate their own job satisfaction by rating 22 items as honestly as you can …... BrainBasedBusiness blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1240255 Tue, 19 Feb 2008 01:29:18 +0100 1240255 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1239450&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F237148716%2F Dear Mr or Mrs Next US President, We are glad to welcome you to our blog carnival. After a short hiatus, Encephalon is back gathering steam. We have prepared this "revival" edition just for you, so you can be well informed and impress us all during the upcoming Sciencedebate 2008. Without further ado, let's proceed to the questions posed by 23 bloggers on neuroscience and psychology issues. We hope they provide, at the very least, good mental stimulation for you and your advisors. Big Questions Do I deserve to vote even if I don't have Free Will? (Marc at Neuroscientifically Challenged). If culture sculpts our brains, what can our brains do to refine our culture first? (Stephanie at Brains On Purpose). Is God more than a flying brain? (Jessica at bioephemera). Is Your brain reall... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1239450 Mon, 18 Feb 2008 20:17:59 +0100 1239450 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1237628&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=35677&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBrainBasedBusiness%2F%7E3%2F236230847%2Fthe_tale_of_mens_and_womens_br.html Men’s brains come hardwired for faster take control … according to Cambridge researcher, Simon Baron-Cohen. Women, on the other hand,  tend to use more indirect  take control tactics. Do you agree? Check out details here.Scientists saw a very different picture of men and women's brains in the 1960’s. Not that either is better or worse … but both genders show  more complete solutions to common problems when they spot their differences. Look at  emotional intelligence as tools for workplace solutions for starters. Or you may have noticed that men and women tend to laugh at different jokes?Speaking of brains, genders, and  laughter -   Seriously though ... we can play to strengths from bot... BrainBasedBusiness blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1237628 Sat, 16 Feb 2008 21:55:33 +0100 1237628 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1173748&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F221904237%2F This article was written by Pascale Michelon, Ph. D., for SharpBrains.com. Dr. Michelon has a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology and has worked as a Research Scientist at Washington University in Saint Louis, in the Psychology Department. She conducted several research projects to understand how the brain makes use of visual information and memorizes facts. She is now an Adjunct Faculty at Washington University, and teaches Memory Workshops in numerous retirement communities in the St Louis area. Alzheimer’s disease, brain, brain damage, brain scans, CAT scans, cognitive brain reserve, cognitive psychology, Education, fit brains, fMRI scans, Functional imaging, healthy brain, higher education, intellectual stimulation, Memory Workshops mental stimulation, MRI scans, museums, neural activity,... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1173748 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 22:53:52 +0100 1173748 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1165497&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F220164457%2F Fyi, I will be teaching this workshop soon, as part of our collaboration with several Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes:    San José State University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (website) presents Title: Brain Fitness: The Science and Practice. When: Saturday, February 2, 2008 9:30-3:30 What: Neuroscientists have shown how the human brain retains neuroplasticity (the ability to rewire itself) and neurogenesis (creation of new neurons) during its full lifetime, leading to a new understanding of what aging means. In this class, we will review the science behind some of the key concepts in this field and explore their implications on our lifestyles in a fun and engaging way. We have all heard "Use it or lose it.” Latest research suggests, "Use it and improve it!”... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1165497 Mon, 21 Jan 2008 04:32:04 +0100 1165497 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1123470&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F208966446%2F You have survived the 2007 shopping and eating season. Congratulations! Now it's time to shift gears and focus on 2008...whether you write down some New Year resolutions or contemplate some things that you want to let go of from last year and set intentions and goals for this year - as is a friend's tradition on the winter solstice. To summarize the key findings of the last 20 years of neuroscience research on how to "exercise our brains", there are three things that we can strive for: novelty, variety and challenge. If we do these three things, we will build new connections in our brains, be mindful and pay attention to our environment, improve cognitive abilities such as pattern-recognition, and in general contribute to our lifelong brain health. With these three principles of ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1123470 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 15:43:13 +0100 1123470 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1103789&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F202430690%2F A quick note to announce that these blog carnivals (collections of selected blog posts on specific topics) are available: - Grand Rounds: spectacular edition of the best health and medicine blog carnival, presented in 100% haiku form!  - Encephalon: neuroscience and psychology topics - Human Resources: good roundup of posts for HR professionals   Also, you can check my new article at the Huffington Post on 10 Habits of Highly Effective Brains. blogs, effective brains, encephalon, Health blogs, HR blogs, Huffington Post, human resources blogs, Medicine blogs, Neuroscience blogs, Psychology blogs addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sharpbrains.com%2Fblog%2F2007%2F12%2F18%2Fhealth-medicine-neuroscience-psychology-and-hr-blogs%2F'; addthis_title = 'Health%2C+Medicine%2C+Neuroscience%2C+Psyc... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1103789 Tue, 18 Dec 2007 23:01:12 +0100 1103789 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1064933&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=35677&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBrainBasedBusiness%2F%7E3%2F194110788%2Fanorexics_brain_patterns_diffe.html I once taught a highly gifted university student who died from anorexia ... and the horrors of that disease opened my eyes. I still remember the frustrations of visiting this student in hospital and then in a mental hospital … as she slowly starved herself to death. Have you met people who lose weight daily where you work? Newly observed brain scans show how anorexia is linked to unique patterns of brain activity. Interestingly ... even anorexic people who maintain a healthy weight for more than one year ... reveal strikingly different brain activity patterns. Research points to a brain region linked to anxiety and perfectionism, that are also affected in the estimated that one in 100 women between the ages of 15 and 30 who suffer from anorexia.Dr Walter Kay... BrainBasedBusiness blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1064933 Mon, 03 Dec 2007 00:34:57 +0100 1064933 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1064845&cid=t_128278_111_f&fid=34834&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FMentalNurse%2F%7E3%2F193993967%2F I make no bones aout it, I`ve got three too few stomachs to be a vegetarian.  I can`t stand the smug, gaunt, sunken eyed, sickly looking  minority with prominent veins across their foreheads who berate me as a murderer.  I`m simply doing what Mother Nature designed me to do.  I love my fruit and vegetables.  [...] (Source: Mental Nurse) Mental Nurse blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1064845 Sun, 02 Dec 2007 19:30:14 +0100 1064845 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1063004&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=35677&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBrainBasedBusiness%2F%7E3%2F193251563%2Fsecondary_schools_tops_or_topp.html Just when many business leaders question if secondary schools are even redeemable we see some are leading the way. Do secondary schools near your home make the cut? Today’s US News and World Report named America’s Best High Schools. Apparently they analyzed data from thousands of schools and came up with the nation's best list. The top 100 schools were chosen for their unique approaches to teach future leaders. A school near me is 57th . Go Brighton High School! In fact top schools on this list deserve the gold stars they earned! My question is … Why do so many secondary schools cling to obsolete teaching approaches – when teens’ brains are so ready for the future?Imagine teen’s impact to the business world … if secondary schools simply ... BrainBasedBusiness blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1063004 Sat, 01 Dec 2007 01:10:24 +0100 1063004 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1024363&cid=t_128278_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F184234112%2F The brains of full-term infants with congenital heart disease appear more similar to those of premature newborns than to the brains of normal term infants, a study conducted by researchers at UCSF has found. The study suggests that the mental and physical impairments in children with congenital heart disease may also have their origins in utero in addition to injuries resulting from surgery. Up till now we have not fully understood the widespread deficits in cognition, including memory, attention, and higher-order language skills, as well as deficits in fine motor skills of these children. The suggestion is now that the deficits themselves can be attributed to abnormal fetal circulation and lower levels of oxygen-saturated blood reaching the brain in while in the womb… which makes a ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1024363 Tue, 13 Nov 2007 18:16:01 +0100 1024363 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=970475&cid=t_128278_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F173422392%2F A reader (thanks Mike!) sends us this fun article, titled A matter of training, on how to train our memory. Some quotes: “It’s a skill, not a talent. It’s something anyone could have picked up ... I’m not born with this. It’s about training and technique,” he says, explaining his unusual ability. Anant holds the Limca Record – the Indian equivalent of the Guinness Record – for memorising 75 telephone numbers, along with the names of their owners, in less than an hour. He is recognised as “the man with the most phenomenal memory in India.”   “Unfortunately, most people think that memorising is very difficult. The moment they see someone demonstrate something like this, they think it’s out of this world.” If you want to remember something, you have to link it to ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=970475 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 00:31:12 +0100 970475 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=959831&cid=t_128278_140_f&fid=35438&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwrithesafely.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F10%2F18%2Fhow-to-kill-empathy%2F This was especially useful tonight, but his speeches are often a thing of beauty, both intellectually and emotionally, and there are a ton of them at youtube. I’ll save my own impressions for later so as not to mar the experience of the viewer, but just offer thanks for Dr. John Breeding, who has taken [...] (Source: Writhe Safely) Writhe Safely blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=959831 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 05:56:38 +0100 959831 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=957347&cid=t_128278_140_f&fid=35438&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwrithesafely.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F10%2F17%2Fbecause-enduring-ennobles-we-wont-be-discussing-that%2F I’m still having a hard time recovering from mental illness awareness week, migraines, can’t sleep and nightmares when I can, plus waking up crying. I woke up and hollered “Molly!” a few hours ago, and I’ve been drinking a bit to take the edge off, which is nothing to me but a clue. Molly Ivins [...] (Source: Writhe Safely) Writhe Safely blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=957347 Wed, 17 Oct 2007 11:59:50 +0100 957347 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=950965&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=35677&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBrainBasedBusiness%2F%7E3%2F169944036%2F10_habits_of_highly_effective.html Ten habits of highly effective brains in flow1. Dance to tunes of a different drummer – and focus on wonder that inspires top performance. Check out video of world renowned dancing mare and rider. 2. Outsource details to free up  brainpower. Working memory jam packs with details that could be jotted onto paper … to free up brainpower for a peak performance.3. Hook new performances onto skills you already do well. Let’s say you are sketching plans a new business project. Toss in a few components that worked well in your best deal to date – and watch those hooks create new flow for current plans.4. Draw from multiple intelligences and you’ll also tap hidden and unused talents for flow in surprising areas. It’s the difference between operating on all ... BrainBasedBusiness blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=950965 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 03:16:38 +0100 950965 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=867332&cid=t_128278_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F155546371%2F The “top story” in the September 17th Newsweek is entitled You and Your Quirky Kid and might also have been called “To diagnose or not to diagnose: That is the question.” Writer Lorraine Ali opens the article by discussing her own 4-year-old son who is one among the 13 other kids who, when he is to sing “Let’s All Sing Like the Birdies Sing” for a preschool musical, broke ranks and began marching to his own tune (involving him singing something about “babies and broccoli”). Ali’s son is already “different” at the age of 4, but is he a “nonconformist kid” or does he have—ought he to have—a diagnosis of ADHD or autism spectrum disorder? Is “quirky” enough of a diagnosis and an explanat... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=867332 Wed, 12 Sep 2007 15:56:19 +0100 867332 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=850134&cid=t_128278_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F153500256%2F Recent research studies have noted that “mutant mice with an autism gene display striking learning and memory skills mirroring those seen in human ’savants’”; the September 6th Science Daily further suggests that a mouse model of autism spectrum disorders has been developed: Mice with this mutation show a similar type of social impairment and cognitive enhancement as the type seen in some people with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). ASDs are enigmatic cognitive disorders that impair a patient’s social interactions, but do not necessarily limit their intelligence. The scientists said the mice they developed may represent an important advance in modeling autism spectrum disorders in mice and offer researchers a new tool for understanding how specific defects in... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=850134 Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:02:42 +0100 850134 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=807031&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=35677&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBrainBasedBusiness%2F%7E3%2F145511958%2F5_facts_colleges_forget_to_tel.html College lectures have yet to cultivate entrepreneurial brains – and it shows as Americans backslide in competitive global markets. For one thing, we stall mentally ... because traditional lectures work against the human brain. It doesn’t have to be that way.Dr. Robyn McMaster and I plan to spark vibrant graduate roundtables by rejuvenating curiosity about how humans harness brainpower for entrepreneurial leadership.We’ve just created a Master level Brain Based course to teach this fall for Entrepreneurial Leaders at the University of Rochester‘s Center for Lifelong Learning. The course opens with the question ... What does it take to become an entrepreneurial learder? In response we'll write a book together - titled... Brain Based Learning and Leading ... BrainBasedBusiness blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=807031 Sat, 18 Aug 2007 15:32:13 +0100 807031 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=794292&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=35677&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBrainBasedBusiness%2F%7E3%2F143388492%2Fits_brain_attack_awareness_wee.html A new initiative is hoped to slow down the number of people whose lives create risk factors to their brains. Check out the details for Brain Attack Awareness Week – which starts on August 13th and ends on the 19th. When we think brain health – we picture good brain food and daily exercise. Not bad for a start … but there’s far more to preventing attacks when it comes to your brain. Here are five questions that can help your brain to still be healthy when the next annual health campaign for brains rolls around. 1. Do you stop stressors that literally shrinks your brain?2. Do you regularly increase your brain’s productivity? 3. Could you compete with Einstein for curiosity? 4. Bank any serotonin today?5. Do you laugh and make others laugh at work? &nb... BrainBasedBusiness blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=794292 Sun, 12 Aug 2007 18:24:12 +0100 794292 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=781452&cid=t_128278_140_f&fid=35438&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwrithesafely.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F08%2F05%2Fdesperate-times%2F I just read this paper by Shery Mead, describing what’s become of alternative support systems in the age of accreditation. It resonates totally with my own experience, for which I’m grateful, as I’m still trying to get my bearings in understanding how mental health took such a bad turn, and why the old models, which do exist and to put it mildly, have not been officially discredited, are, nevertheless ignored in making policy. In the past 25 years I’ve been a client, paraprofessional, support group member, paid direct care staffer and worked in all types of mental health agencies and settings. The difference in how things were 20 years ago compared to today are stupifying, more so because the blatant devolution is touted as progress. The origins of peer support is ... Writhe Safely blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=781452 Mon, 06 Aug 2007 00:32:48 +0100 781452 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=767699&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=35677&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBrainBasedBusiness%2F%7E3%2F138894350%2Fwhos_creative.html If you've wondered about common differences inside of creative and non-creative brains - you may well soon find out. University of New Mexico scientist looks for the roots of creativity in the brain outside of areas science or artists claim it exists. Creativity, for Rex Jung, scientist at the University of New Mexico's MIND Institute … is an ability to create something new and useful. Google, for example, sees creativity at the core of productivity and pays plenty for it to remain there. How about you? Interestingly, this creativity  research  redefines intelligence as less linear, and more connected or integrated approach to problem solving. Jung is looking to reveal where creativity lives in the brain. Jung plans to scan the brains of 50 UNM under... BrainBasedBusiness blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=767699 Mon, 30 Jul 2007 17:37:55 +0100 767699 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=742713&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=35677&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBrainBasedBusiness%2F%7E3%2F134963652%2Fask_women_ask_men_get_goods.html Ask a woman and a man at work today… What’s up? … and begin to see what scientists saw in the 1960’s. Men’s brains come hardwired for faster aggression … according to Cambridge researcher, Simon Baron-Cohen. Women, on the other hand,  tend to show more indirect kinds of aggression such as exclusion and gossip. Check out details here. Neither is better or worse … but both show a more complete solution to some of the common problems faced in a fast-paced workplace. The two areas in the brain connected to language tend to be smaller in men… which is why they may choose fewer words and may prefer to focus on active projects. Links between both sides of the brains in women tend to help them draw from emotional intelligence as tools for w... BrainBasedBusiness blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=742713 Wed, 18 Jul 2007 16:28:13 +0100 742713 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=718877&cid=t_128278_140_f&fid=35438&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwrithesafely.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F07%2F07%2Fgodbag-nails-it-makes-fitting-endorsement%2F I expect we’ll be seeing more of this: Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. -Ephesians 4:29-32 (ESV) …Even secular psychologists practise what they call “Cognitive therapy” or the idea of telling yourself the truth. Cognitive therapy seeks to replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts. For instance, instead of a person thinking they are “stupid” ... Writhe Safely blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=718877 Sat, 07 Jul 2007 06:40:19 +0100 718877 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=710352&cid=t_128278_140_f&fid=35438&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwrithesafely.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F07%2F02%2Fcbt-i-am-not-afraid-of-you-and-i-will-beat-your-ass%2F Are you listening, psychotherapists? It’s a movement now, a consumer revolt of nitpick pioneers numbering in the dozens, who, like William James (remember him? You should!) reject your “unspeakably blind and shallow religion of healthy-mindedness.” We’re looking through you, no more bullshit, no more manuals, time to do the right thing, stand up for what [...] (Source: Writhe Safely) Writhe Safely blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=710352 Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:05:45 +0100 710352 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=704496&cid=t_128278_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F129001362%2F A June 27th article in Haaretz profiles Ami Oach, who realized that he is on the autism spectrum after his son, Tor, was diagnosed. More than a few parents of autistic children have told me the same about themselves. Research noted in the November 24th, 2005, New Scientist seems relevant here: The article notes that relatives of autistic persons “may display autistic brain differences.” As reported also in the BBC News, Dr Eric Peterson, from the University of Colorado in Denver compared the brain scans of 40 parents of autistic children with those of 40 parents whose children were not autistic. The parents of autistic children shared several differences in brain structure with their offspring, including an unexpected increase in the size of brain areas linked to movement plann... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=704496 Fri, 29 Jun 2007 15:56:56 +0100 704496 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=677468&cid=t_128278_109_f&fid=35677&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBrainBasedBusiness%2F%7E3%2F124552514%2Fmoving_more_intelligences_into.html While human brains are showing more and more extravagance - the key is to stretch ongoing discoveries in science - into benefits for business. On that note - the best ideas out there tend to span multiple intelligences. Have you noticed that too? 1. Check out Steps to Put a Stronghold on Debt to see much more than mathematical smarts in operation. 2. Notice how  Productivity Tip – Take a day off and Work Better Tomorrow shores up intrapersonal intelligence to strengthen additional acumen need for work later.3. Compare 5 Top Reasons for Multiple Blogs Under a Single Domain to see multiple intelligences developed and expressed for a single blogging vision. 4. Stretch for the intelligences that contribute to a more successful community, and you’ll see personal and t... BrainBasedBusiness blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=677468 Wed, 13 Jun 2007 17:39:25 +0100 677468 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=655580&cid=t_128278_140_f&fid=35438&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwrithesafely.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F06%2F04%2Frape-victim-blames-herself%2F and I get triggered by the blogosphere, spent Saturday writing this post, where I accused bigtime liberal bloggers of doing cognitive butchery, then all day yesterday scarfing Tylenol, trying to get my head back on. I can recognize PTSD shit, but I have the schizophrenia too, and one feature of that is thought disorder, has nothing to do with anything but schizophrenia, so how do you do, pleased to meet me. Delusions and conspiracies and bizarre intellectual theories that make a kind of crazy sense, like reverse racism or psychoanalysis, I convinced myself that today’s liberal is basically a cognitive therapist, but I didn’t publish the post so a part of me knew I was off the deep end, so it wasn’t psychosis per se, which means a complete break with reality, but close eno... Writhe Safely blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=655580 Mon, 04 Jun 2007 12:46:59 +0100 655580 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=573709&cid=t_128278_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F04%2F27%2Fedmonton-protocol-on-hold%2F Filed under: Type 1, Childhood, Drugs, Research, Daily News, EventsThe Edmonton Protocol has been temporarily put on hold due to fears the human form of mad cow disease might infect patients. The source of an enzyme used in transplants was reported to derive from cow brains. Transplants of these treated islets have been put on hold until a source for this enzyme can be found that doesn't use cow brains. Dr. James Shapiro, the surgeon who developed the Edmontol Protocol said, "we just decided to put the program on hold". Shapiro and his team transplant healthy islet cells into the pancreas of people with Type 1 diabetes. The healthy cells allow recipients to again begin producing insulin crucial to the body's ability to regulate sugar digestion. The National Institutes of Health was creati... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=573709 Fri, 27 Apr 2007 04:00:00 +0100 573709