Category Archive

If you’ve never heard of body identity integrity disorder, or BIID, then this first-person article will be a mind-blower. BIID is a psychological disorder in which the sufferer, who is usually "normal" in all other respects, does not "identify" with certain parts of his or her body.  This usually manifests itself in childhood, and carries into adulthood, when the sufferer … Read More

So this guy has a stroke, right? And part of his brain is damaged.  A little-known and little-understood part called the "insula". After the stroke, he discovers that he simply "forgot" that he was a two-pack-a-day smoker.  No cravings.  No urges.  No withdrawal.  Not even a conscience attempt to quit.  He just stopped. Could this be a clue to stop … Read More

People who are nicer have more active brains (specifically, larger posterior superior temporal sulci) than people who do not engage in altruistic helping behavior, according to a new study by Duke researchers. More here: Altruism describes the tendency of people to act in ways that put the welfare of others ahead of their own. Why some people choose to act … Read More

Today is officially known as "Blue Monday".  It is the most depressing day of the year, according to experts: Dr Cliff Arnall, a Cardiff University psychologist, devised the formula that shows today is the most depressing. His equation takes into account six factors: weather, debt, time since Christmas, time since failing our new year’s resolutions, low motivational levels and the … Read More

Studies at Dartmouth are showing that the "default setting" of our brain is set to "daydream": Some people seem to continually have their heads in the clouds. Perhaps they are pondering during their drive to work the next pickle 24 protagonist Jack Bauer will find himself in. Or maybe they are assessing while buttering toast the Indianapolis Colts’ chances of … Read More

Cold weather contributes to colds. People say that’s an old wive’s tale, and to some extent, they’re correct.  Yes, viruses are the direct cause of colds.  But current research suggests that inclement weather makes you more susceptible to those viruses: A study by Dr. Ron Eccles and his colleagues at the Common Cold Centre at the Cardiff School of Biosciences … Read More

A-list lefty blogger Jane Hamsher has breast cancer for the third time. But in the larger sense, there is good news: Cancer deaths in the United States have dropped for a second straight year, confirming that a corner has been turned in the war on cancer. After a decline of 369 deaths from 2002 to 2003, the decrease from 2003 … Read More

I’m with Greg at The Talent Show.  I don’t see anything wrong with cloned meat.  Yes, I realize that the FDA has a history of approving things, and then we find out ten years later that the product approved was not really all that safe.  But meat and milk from cloned cows?  No big deal. The truth is that we … Read More

Women and holiday stress: The holidays are a time for fun, food, family, gifts — and stress, with more women tending to suffer than men and turning to food, booze and the couch to get over the holidays. Nearly half of all U.S. women experience greater stress during the holidays, according to a survey by the American Psychological Association. "Women … Read More

Really?  An article and photo spread about the plunging necklines and high skirts on female doctors?