Me and My family (without poor Karla at home) in Tennessee for Karen's Graduation! Our daughter Kristin's is coming up soon in Virginia! CLICK on the picture to visit UVA!
Here are a few readings for today:
“Neuroeconomic research at the University of Pennsylvania has conclusively identified a part of the brain that is necessary for making everyday decisions about value. Previous functional magnetic imaging studies, during which researchers use a powerful magnet to determine which parts of a subjects brain are most active while doing a task, have suggested that the ventromedial frontal cortex, or VMF, plays an evaluative role during decision making.”
“Men who regularly drink coffee appear to have a lower risk of developing a lethal form of prostate cancer, according to a new study led by Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers. What’s more, the lower risk was evident among men who drank either regular or decaffeinated coffee.”
“The findings are important because several common types of gastrointestinal disease, including irritable bowel syndrome, are frequently associated with anxiety or depression. In addition there has been speculation that some psychiatric disorders, such as late onset autism, may be associated with an abnormal bacterial content in the gut.”
“PhysOrg.com) — A statistical phenomenon, called the Wisdom of Crowds, happens when a group of individuals make guesses and the average of the guesses reveal accurate average answers. However, researchers have discovered that when the individuals are made aware of other participant’s guesses, there is a clear disruption to the accuracy of the guesses.”
“Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a powerful tool for chemical analysis and, in the form of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), an indispensable technique for medical diagnosis. But its uses have been limited by the need for strong magnetic fields and big, expensive, superconducting magnets. Now Berkeley Lab scientists and their colleagues have demonstrated that they can do NMR in a zero magnetic field without using any magnets at all.”
7 Comments
Annadavis · May 18, 2011 at 8:39 pm
“Anxiety in the Gut” reminds me of an article I read on NaturaNews.com about the benefits of probiotics. According to author Maddie Ellison, research done at Stanford University correlated higher levels of good bacteria with healthy weight while overweight individuals had lower levels of good bacteria. Time for yogurt!
docejvh · May 19, 2011 at 8:13 pm
I always believed in the catharsis theory of emotion, without realizing what it was called or that there was even a theory for it. It was interesting to hear about other theories involving emotion as well. One that really interested me was the James-Lange theory in regards to facial feedback. I know a lot of spiritual practices that involve maintaining a calm and serene face and your spirit will feel calm and serene as well. I never thought of the biophysical connection to that practice though. Very interesting…
ehhunt · May 20, 2011 at 2:57 pm
Regarding “That anxiety may be in your gut, not in your head”:
This article makes some sense out of the term “gut feeling.” I think it’s very encouraging that bacterial abnormalities in the gut could be a cause depression and anxiety because it could help people that suffer from these disorders to make more sense out of why they’re feeling that way, and also may lead to some successful treatments for the disorders. I wonder how many people with depression and anxiety disorders suffer from them due to bacterial imbalances.
Vix · May 21, 2011 at 4:48 pm
I’m proud of my sisters getting their degree and succeeding in school. I would loved to have come along on the trips, but what you need to understand is that I’m very careful of myself, and I don’t like going on airplanes that much anymore because of the September 11th, 2001 attacks. I’m used to staying home and taking care of everything, but I do enjoy going on road trips with you guys, on the other hand. I will always be part of our family (My parents Roger and Laura, my sisters Kristin and Karen, and of course myself), and you shouldn’t worry about it. Don’t be sad if I wasn’t able to go, since I will do my best as I can. Trips do require a lot of time and money after all, and there is not much we can do at this point.
nreyes · May 21, 2011 at 5:40 pm
Upon reading “the Avoiding Prostate Cancer” article, it shocked me to learn that having men drink this morning delicacy known as coffee can help reduce the risk of prostate cancer! If men were to be more aware of this study, then I feel like the coffee chain markets (Starbucks, Peets, The Coffee Bean, etc.) would increase their popularity even more. The one concern I would have with this study is the dietary factors; did the coffee help more to those with a better nutritional diet than those who do not? Or is that not an aspect needed to worry about?
corrieesmon · May 22, 2011 at 8:40 pm
I have always struggled with upset stomachs and such acid reflex that sometimes it sent hovering over a waste basket. It got real bad once I entered into CalPoly.
I finally just could not take it anymore I was unable to sleep at night, could not enjoy my meals had a mini break down. I went and saw my Doctor and he gave me some medicine and things have been great since.
I am one that gets stressed very easily and it takes a toll my my body and especially my stomach.
Robert Landon · May 22, 2011 at 10:23 pm
Just as many other people have commented in “Anxiety in the Gut,” I found this article worth noting as well. The results are very interesting, though I’m slightly hesitant to believe that bacterial content in the GI tract illicits such an effect in humans. Physician’s prescribe medications that alter bacterial content in the stomach without such drastic alteration psychologically in their patients, though I recognize that this may play a part. Further, correlation between stress response, such as cortisol release, and the immune system are commonly known to be interrelated. Stressors, such as anxiety, may cause endocrine changes that alter the immune response, and possibly bacterial content. With that said, I know the research was done at a medical school, and I’m rather far from becoming a doctor! I just thought I’d mention another part of the story.
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