Treatment of the mentally ill
The Geel question For centuries, a little Belgian town has treated the mentally ill. Why are its medieval methods so successful? Mike Jay investigates. Half an hour on the slow train from Antwerp, surrounded by flat, sparsely populated farmlands, Geel (pronounced, roughly, ‘Hyale’) strikes the visitor as a quiet, tidy but otherwise unremarkable Belgian market town. Yet its story is unique. For more than 700 years its inhabitants have taken the mentally ill and disabled into their homes as guests or ‘boarders’. At times, these guests have numbered in the thousands, and arrived from all... mais »
Nudge theory
*Pode estar por aí parte do que precisamos para mudar o mundo!...* *Ao menos é o que o Obama está solicitando na casa dele: The Whitehouse, yes, President Obama, issues an executive order requiring all government services to use behavioural science 'nudges' "to Better Serve the American People".* *Nudge theory* (or *Nudge*) is a concept in behavioural science, political theory and economics which argues that positive reinforcement and indirect suggestions to try to achieve non-forced compliance can influence the motives, incentives and decision making of groups and individuals, at l... mais »
Giant Virus
Frozen Giant Virus Still Infectious After 30,000 Years by Stephanie Pappas, Live Science Contributor | September 15, 2015 11:06am ET [image: The new virus, called Mollivirus sibericum, was found in Siberian permafrost.] The new virus, called *Mollivirus sibericum*, was found in Siberian permafrost. Credit: © IGS CNRS/AMU View full size image It's 30,000 years old and still ticking: A giant virus recently discovered deep in the Siberian permafrost reveals that huge ancient viruses are much more diverse than scientists had ever known. They're also potentially infectious if ... mais »
Visita desta semana
Nesta semana recebi no consultório a gentil visita de um cliente (Agostinho Santos da Cruz) que atendi como nenê há mais de cinquenta anos, inicialmente na Santa Casa de Misericórdia e depois no Instituto de Cardiologia. Estava acompanhado de seu pai Sérgio e de um irmão. A demonstração de afeto é a melhor recompensa que se pode receber por ter vivido e pela profissão. O pai lembrava que o havia atendido junto com Dra. Valderês, minha esposa.
Quantum learning lab
A simulated quantum learning lab in Vienna that you can access virtually September 17, 2015 [image: Interference of complex molecules are pictured in the Kapitza-Dirac-Talbot-Lau interferometer. (credit: Copyright: Quantum Nanophysics group, University of Vienna; Image: Mathias Tomandl & Patrick Braun)] Ever feel like digging into quantum physics — and actually understanding it? Then you may enjoy a novel virtual hands-on remote learning environment developed by quantum physicists at the University of Vienna in collaboration with university and high-school students, and available fre... mais »
Black holes clash
Massive clash of black holes raises astronomers’ hopes of witnessing gravitational waves September 18, 2015 [image: Artist’s conception of a converging supermassive black holes in the Virgo constellation (credit: P. Marenfeld/NOAO/AURA/NSF)] What do the rhythmic flashes of light coming from quasar PG 1302-102 mean? Circling like prizefighters in a ring, a pair of supermassive black holes is heading toward an epic collision. One so powerful it would send a burst of gravitational waves surging through and distorting the very fabric of space-time. Already, the intensity of the encounter ... mais »
Genoma Editing
First application to pursue genome editing research in human embryos September 18, 2015 [image: Human embryos are at the centre of a debate over the ethics of gene editing (credit: Dr. Yorgos Nikas/SPL)] The first application to pursue CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing research in viable human embryos has been submitted to the UK’s fertility regulator by a team of researchers affiliated with the Francis Crick Institute in London. “This research proposal is a troubling and provocative move,” commented Marcy Darnovsky, PhD, Executive Director of the Center for Genetics and Society. “Modifying ... mais »
From NIMH to GOOGLE
Home > About NIMH Dr. Tom Insel to Step Down as NIMH Director After 13 years as NIMH Director, I have decided to move on. I will be leaving NIMH at the beginning of November. These years serving as director have been inspiring, at times challenging, and ultimately gratifying beyond anything I might have imagined when I arrived in 2002. I was fortunate to serve under two visionary NIH directors, Elias Zerhouni and Francis Collins, and to work with extraordinary Institute and Center Directors. I will be leaving a team of gifted and dedicated colleagues within NIMH. The NIMH has accompl... mais »
Sarsaparilla
Sarsaparilla – Herb of the week Posted on June 17, 2014 by chrispickrell *Sarsaparilla* *Smilax officinalis* *Personal Note– This is a real favourite of mine, and an excellent all-round tonic. Sarsaparilla is the original root beer!* *Description* – Sarsaparilla is native to Central America. In Spanish it is known as ‘zarzaparrilla’ which is derived from the word “zarza” meaning “thorny” and “parrilla” meaning “little grape vine”.*Common medical uses* Psoriasis - Digestive problems - Rheumatoid arthritis - Kidney problems - Fluid retention - Syphilis - G... mais »
The NYT 164 years
[image: The New York Times]View in browser[image: 164 years. COUNTLESS UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS.]On our 164th birthday, we invite you to explore the moments that changed our world with TimesMachine. *Exclusively for Times subscribers*, the TimesMachine portal provides complete digital replicas of every single issue of The Times between 1851–1980, in their original format.EXPLORE OUR FIRST ISSUE[image: New York Times First Issue]New York Times First Issue September 18, 1851SEE OTHER MEMORABLE MOMENTS[image: Lincoln Assassination]Lincoln Assassination April 15, 1865[image: The Titanic Sink... mais »
Frustration
Why the Human Brain Project Went Wrong--and How to Fix It Two years in, a $1-billion-plus effort to simulate the human brain is in disarray. Was it poor management, or is something fundamentally wrong with Big Science? By Stefan Theil | Sep 15, 2015 *Mario Wagner* In Brief - In 2013 the European Commission awarded neuroscientist Henry Markram $1.3 billion to pursue an audacious goal: building a simulation of the human brain. - Markram's initiative, the Human Brain Project (HBP), is now in disarray. Critics blame HBP management and the project's unreasonably am... mais »
State of the World's Science 2015
State of the World's Science 2015: Big Science, Big Challenges By The Editors | Sep 15, 2015 *Mario Wagner* What happens when you put the life of the mind and the problems of a global civilization in a jar and shake it? The powerful and sometimes uneasy alliance between science and the society it serves is the theme of this year's special report on the “State of the World's Science.” We start with the phenomenon of Big Science, which occurs when society deems an area of research important enough to throw money and resources at it. But the goals and methods of research scientists and... mais »
Poverty
This article is from the In-Depth Report State of the World's Science 2015 The Way to Help the Poor Money and good intentions are not enough to fight poverty effectively. We also need data about what works and what doesn't By Dean Karlan | Sep 15, 2015 *Mario Wagner* In Brief - Philanthropies often give away their money to projects without really knowing if they are successful. - Microloans, for instance, are not effective at increasing income on average for the poorest people on the planet. - Social scientists have begun to marshal the tools of big data to find ... mais »
Why We Sleep
Why We Sleep [Video] Sleep enhances the performance of a number of the body's biological processes—from the brain to the immune system By Christine Gorman | Sep 15, 2015 [image: Robert Stickgold] Robert Stickgold discussing sleep, memory and dreams. *Courtesy of TEDxRiverCity *More on this Topic - [image: Beyond Memory: The Benefits of Sleep]Beyond Memory: The Benefits of Sleep Skimping on sleep weakens your immune system, makes you more of a pessimist and increases your risk of gaining weight—among other recent findings. And yet more folks than ever before are dealing with t... mais »
Banking
THE FIRST TIME EUROPEAN ECONOMIES WERE CONNECTED -- 9/16/15 - 0 COMMENTS Today's selection -- from *Spain* by Robert Goodwin. Before the discovery of the Americas, banking in Europe took place at small county fairs where money lenders issued notes and collected interest. The system changed dramatically during the 1500s when the wealth from the Americas flowed into Spain and international merchant banking was born. "Banking was in its infancy in the early 1500s. A theologian from Salamanca called Sarabia de la Calle described how bankers: travelled from fair to fair, or followed... mais »
Home Pesticides
Is Home Pesticide Use a Cancer Risk?Meta-analysis suggests possible link - - by Molly Walker Contributing Writer Children who were exposed to indoor-based pesticides appear to have a higher risk of developing leukemia and lymphoma, according to a small meta-analysis on 16 observational studies examining pesticide exposure and childhood cancer. There were 13 studies on indoor residential insecticide exposure and that exposure was associated with a significant increase in risk for childhood leukemia (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.26-1.72, I² 30%) and lymphomas (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.15-... mais »
head transplant
World’s first head transplant patient schedules procedure for 2017 [image: headtransplant.jpg] Valery Spiridonov who has put himself forward to have the world's first head transplant is going to meet the surgeon. (CEN) A man set to become the world’s first head transplant patient has scheduled the procedure for December 2017. Valery Spiridonov, 30, was diagnosed with a genetic muscle-wasting condition called Werdnig-Hoffmann disease, and volunteered for the procedure despite the risks involved, Central European News (CEN) reported. “When I realized that I could participate in something ... mais »
Moore’s Law
TOP STORIES IN TECHNOLOGY When Exponential Progress Becomes RealityRay Kurzweil’s 110 year version of Moore’s Law some perfectly reasonable mind-blowing predictions for the future ahead. “I used to say that this is the most important graph in all the technology business. I’m now of the opinion that this is the most important graph ever graphed.” ¶ —Steve Jurvetson ¶ Moore’s Law ¶… [image: Niv Dror] Niv Dror 9 min read
Healthy food
[image: healthiest foods, health food, diet, nutrition, time.com stock, swiss chard, greens, vegetables]18 Amazing Foods For A Long Life - Christine Mattheis / Health.com @goodhealth From leafy greens to berries to dark chocolate Want to live to 100? Research shows your diet plays a huge role in how many birthday candles you’ll blow out. The following 18 foods are packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that have been linked to longevity. Eat up! Broccoli: It contains immune-boosting compounds, and may also help ward off stomach ulcers and even cancer. Salmon: Including ... mais »
