The Cloud was build by MIT. It is now part of the “Redesigning Fashion Trade Shows” in Florence, Italy (map here). So if your in the neighborhood go and see. Never thought lights could be this sensual (see clip).
An organic sculptural landmark that responds to human interaction and expresses context awareness using hundreds of sensors and over 15,000 individually addressable optical fibers. Constructed of carbon glass, spanning over four meters, and containing more than 65 kilometers of fiber optics, the Cloud encourages visitors to touch and interact with information in new ways, manifesting emotions and behavior through sound and a dichotomy of luminescence and darkness.
As a two-person team of photographer and biologist, our aim is to combine scientific exactness with aesthetic appearances, and thereby help to bridge the gap between the world of science and the world of art
Biologist Nicole Ottawa and photographer Oliver Meckes utilize Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). They expose a fascinating world beyond human vision.
Beautiful pictures of bacteria, viruses, from medical science, zoology crystals and many others. Have a look at Eye of Science
fMRI or functional magnetic resonance imaging is the measurement of activity in the brain or more precise it measures the haemodynamic response related to neural activity in the brain or spinal cord of humans or other animals. It is one of the most recently developed forms of neuroimaging.
Often results of research with fMRI have promised that we can now look inside the brain and really see what is happening in the brain during certain tasks such as memory tasks and many others.
Although brain scanner technology is often described as a “window into the brain,” Logothetis, in this most recent article, makes it clear that the metaphor of transparency is inappropriate. He cites a long list of factors that complicate the interpretation of fMRI data, from the challenge of distinguishing between excitation and inhibition to the difficulty of measuring the relative activation of different brain areas. If brain scanners are like a window, then the window has some very dirty glass.
In a recent article in Nature these claims are said to be very limited by technical shortcomings of this kind of neuroimaging. The article is written by one of the experts that helped develop the fMRI technique.
Now I am not the first one to write about this nature article, but this news looked important to me so that is why I wanted to point out the other excellent descriptions of this nature article in the blogosphere:
Pure Pedantry, he also describes an excellent example of misuse of fMRI.
A number of studies have shown cardiovascular benefits of eating flavanol rich cocoa. In this post I will discuss the possible underlying mechanisms of these cardioprotective properties of chocolate as published in a recent review article: Flavanol-rich cocoa, a cardioprotective nutriceutical.
Cocoa flavanols as antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that may protect cells from the damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals.Oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) has been implicated in atherogenesis. Or LDL, a form fat in your blood that plays an important role in harming especially your larger blood vessels can lead to hypertension, lack of oxygen supply to the heart with as complication a heart attack. You heart needs to be functioning without any complications since it is the main organ to distribute oxygen all over your body, if anyone ever suffers from a heart condition, they may need a Pure Canned Oxygen Supplement to keep their oxygen saturation high. Antioxidants such as flavanols in chocolate that prevent LDL from oxidizing may reduce atherosclerosis. Although the precise mechanism of flavanol’s antioxidant action has not been agreed upon, research findings do suggest that the consumption of cocoa flavanols in the diet can significantly improve the oxidative defense system.
Modulation of vascular function. Impaired arterial endothelial function or impaired function of the inner layer of blood vessels has been shown to be a significant early event in atherogenesis and has been associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. Other diseases such as stress, ischemia (short oxygen supply), atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension, can disrupt endothelial function. As a result, a dysfunctional endothelium may lose its protective effects on the vascular system. CBD hard candy provide a essential vitamins for keep our heart healthy.The acute consumption of dark chocolate by healthy volunteers have shown the acute dilatation of muscular arteries and an increased arterial elasticity
Inhibition of platelets. Platelet aggregation or the forming of small blood cloths is the critical event occurring during the initiation of coronary thrombosis which can lead to cardial infarction. Several studies have provided strong support for the antiaggregatory effects of cocoa flavanols.
Antihypertensive effects. The results of 2 separate studies in healthy subjects and later in hypertensives have shown possible benefits of cocoa in blood pressure lowering.This also can be considered as cardioprotective since hypertension leads to an overload of the heart.
Anti-infammatory effect. Cocoa flavanols have also been shown to have potential anti-inflammatory activities that are relevant to cardiovascular health, don’t forget to check the curcumin health benefits. With inflammation, substances are formed which can produce adverse cardiovascular effects.
Now, Dr Shock will never let a change to promote chocolate consumption slip although lack of positive effects are also published on this blog in: Short-term Chocolate Effects on Health.
Moreover, it should also be noted that the evidence for any cardiovascular benefits of cocoa flavanols has been gathered predominantly from short-term and uncontrolled studies. Therefore, additional research in well-designed, long-term human clinical studies using cocoa would be most helpful in assessing whether flavanol-rich cocoa could be a potential candidate for the treatment, or possible prevention of cardiovascular disease. The beneficial effects of chocolate also need to be balanced against its high caloric and high fat contents.
Mehrinfar, R., Frishman, W.H. (2008). Flavanol-Rich Cocoa. Cardiology in Review, 16(3), 109-115. DOI: 10.1097/CRD.0b013e31815d95e2
Light and depression is of interest in recent scientific publications. On Science Daily the use of bright light elderly group care facilities in the Netherlands leads to improvements.
The use of daytime bright lighting to improve the circadian rhythm of elderly persons was associated with modest improvement in symptoms of dementia, and the addition of the use of melatonin resulted in improved sleep, according to a new study.
According to one of the authors dr Eus van Someren: “elderly are somewhat less depressed and more active due to the use of bright light in the facilities for the elderly”. “Even melatonin level in the elderly in the bright light facilities was significantly higher during the night”. You can read the abstract in a recent JAMA issue.
A recent systematic review examined the efficacy of light therapy in nonseasonal depression. Light therapy is efficacious in seasonal depression but its role in non seasonal depression is unclear. The authors identified 62 reports from which 15 were selected according to their selection criteria. The sample sizes were small, blindness is a troublesome issue in this kind of research and publication bias is probable. Negative results are seldom published especially in such a difficult fieled of research. Their conclusion about light therapy for nonseasonal depression:
Overall, bright light therapy is an excellent candidate for inclusion into the therapeutic inventory available for the treatment of nonseasonal depression today, as adjuvant therapy to antidepressant medication.
So there is more to see that meets the eye with light and depression. Bright light therapy alone for the treatment of nonseasonal depression is not efficacious according to results to date. Further research especially with nonseasonal depression and circadian rythm disturbaces are needed.
What are your experiences with light and depression?
The three shrinks of Shrink rap did an amazing job with this Grand Rounds, Volume 4, #40. Since the anticipated release of the Apple iPhone 3G is just around the corner (July 11), they asked for submissions to have some connection to the iPhone, no matter how twisted the logic is to make the connection.They made nice graphics and icons to go along with their update of the medical blogosphere.
They even supplied graphics for links to their grand round, see the picture above this post. The red circle is the contribution of Dr Shock, on their site you can click this icon to read the post. Enjoy….
In the years 2006 and 2007 the rates of usage of ECT in Edinburgh were only 0.82 and 0.88 patients per 10 000 total population. This is approximately a third less than the rate in 2005, and three-quarters less than the rate in 1993
For comparison in Belgium in 2000, the ECT rate was 4.8/10,000 inhabitants. By 2006 it had increased to 6.6/10,000 inhabitants. In Spain in 2007 the ECT rate, measured in patients per 10,000 inhabitants, was 0.61. In Portugal in 2007 the ECT-rate was 0.5-1.2/10.000 inhabitants. In The Netherlands in 2000 it was 0.22 per 10.000 inhabitants
The other suggestion that ECT is less needed because of all the other therapies available for treatment of depression is to my opinion nonsense. The authors cite the STAR*D trials to oppose this notion with which I can fully agree. Even after four treatments only 67% of patients remitted from their depression.
I fear less patients with severe depression get the right treatment. It also has implications for clinical research, psychiatric ECT clinics have to join forces in order to be able to do future research with ECT. These are the worries of ECT researchers in Edinburgh with a long and excellent history of ECT research.
I will be in Edinburgh on October 8th attending a meeting of the Scottish ECT Accreditation Network (SEAN) with a Dutch delegation. Will ask them about this development and their opinions there on, will let you know.
Scott, A.I., Fraser, T. (2008). Decreased usage of electroconvulsive therapy: implications. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 192(6), 476-476. DOI: 10.1192/bjp.192.6.476
After almost two years and 500 stories, the Health News Review project has found that journalists usually fail to discuss costs, the quality of the evidence, the existence of alternative options, and the absolute magnitude of potential benefits and harms.
In the US as well as Canada and Australia health news is reviewed by non profit organizations because an imbalanced picture of health care interventions may have a profound impact on the decision making of American consumers who rely on these news stories.
In a recent article in PLoS Medicine the results of the evaluation of 500 news stories in newspapers, television and weekly magazines were published.
between 62%–77% of stories failed to adequately address costs, harms, benefits, the quality of the evidence, and the existence of other options when covering health care products and procedures
They used a rating instrument including ten criteria used by the Australian and Canadian Media Doctor sites. All of the criteria are addressed in the Association of Health Care Journalists’ Statement of Principles.
How does this high rate of inadequate reporting on these health news topics from the news media come about?
Many newsrooms across the US have eliminated health and medical reporting positions because of a drop in profits
Lack of research time for reporters
Lack of sufficient space or time in the newspaper or on broadcast. To much information has to be left out due to insufficient space or time when reporting
No training for reporters on medical statistics or on the subject of health care
Sensationalism in medical science stories wherein journalists find it easier to get attention for their stories and scientists see “the practical value of media attention to a successful scientific career”
So read medblogs instead, professionals on the topic, some even do requests and there are lots of medblog from all different species.
Schwitzer, G. (2008). How Do US Journalists Cover Treatments, Tests, Products, and Procedures? An Evaluation of 500 Stories. PLoS Medicine, 5(5), e95. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.0050095
Darzi, the minister in charge of a review of the NHS has accused some doctors of being “laggards” for obstructing the introduction of new treatments. But that is not all he even proposed some “innovative measures”.
Doctors and nurses should treat there patients as costumers.
He says that if patients don’t like the quality of care they are receiving they should go elsewhere.
His report will include proposals to routinely invite patients to grade the quality of nursing care they receive during their hospital stay, including how comfortable they were made to feel on the ward and if they were treated in a kind and compassionate manner.
Darzi is to set up a new website featuring all the latest innovations in medicine to encourage hospitals to adopt new treatments more quickly.
Donaldson, who as chairman of the World Health Organisation world alliance for patient safety will this week launch an airline-style danger checklist for surgeons
Personally I like the medblog by the NHS Blog Doctor. He writes witty readable posts about “the pleasures and pitfalls of family medicine in the modern British National Health Service.” As I think of the NHS in the UK I usually get flash backs from the singing detective. From colleagues who went to the UK for their residency I always got the impression that health care in the UK is in a deplorable state. After Labor being in power for such a long time I had hoped it would improve. Reading Times Online about: Laggard doctors ‘put block’ on new treatments made me understand the problems our colleagues across the Canal are facing.
It is the plague of our times based on a basic mistrust of all professionals by politicians and bureaucrats looking for votes, money and trying to hold on to their jobs no matter what, even by trampling on their “customers” (=patients) backs.
This basic mistrust leads to endless measures of bureaucratic forms and procedures waisting a lot of time not only from doctors but also from the “customers”. By the way it is a flagrant mistake to think of patients as customers. A customer is not suffering from an illness, his or her cure or treatment doesn’t depend on good health care, he or she is not in a dependent relationship. A patient hasn’t got the knowledge or information beforehand to make the right choices. He or she needs to be informed, taken care of etc.
The only consolation I have for the NHS Blog Doctor: You are not alone
