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
Daydream Believer
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
Bush Busted In HUGE Lie About Cancer Research Funding
President Bush, yesterday: “First, I’m pleased that we’re funding cancer research. We’re up about 25 percent or 26 percent since 2001; it’s a commitment that I made when I first came to Washington, it’s a commitment we’re keeping. And the reason why it makes sense to spend taxpayers’ money on cancer research is that we can make some good progress, … Read More
Your Mom Was Right
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
Timing Is Everything
Looks like Nathan Tabor picked the wrong day to write this: Democrats attempted to embarrass the President and portray him as being out of touch with the American public by forcing a vote on a federal funding plan for embryonic stem cell research that he had promised to veto. Embryonic stem cell research has resulted in zero successful treatments. That’s … Read More
Three Time Loser Winner
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
Frankenfood
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
We Need A Little Christmas
(1) Inflation took its largest jump in decades (2) Joint Chiefs of Staff oppose Bush’s plan to put more troops in Iraq. Bush has always said that he will listen to the advice of his military advisors. Will he? RELATED: Powell breaks with Bush 43, too. (3) America’s biggest cash crop? Cannibas. ("It is the leading cash crop in 12 … Read More
Holiday Stress
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
Leadhead
Give President Bush credit for recognizing an environmental/health problem: "Lead is a persistent and highly toxic substance that can cause a range of environmental and health problems. It has an especially harmful impact on the health of children and infants." – George Bush, April 2001 Of course, that statement was before 9/11, and 9/11 (as we know) changed everything. The … Read More
Must Be A Slow News Day At The New York Times
Really? An article and photo spread about the plunging necklines and high skirts on female doctors?
Depression In The News
7% of all adults suffer from major depression. That’s one finding from a new major study on the subject of depression. Other findings: Major depression often retreats only after patients have tried multiple drugs, and a large minority still have disabling symptoms even after using many medications. Two-thirds of depressed patients became depression-free after trying up to four different combinations … Read More
Dlibert Cartoonist Gets His Voice
18 months ago, Scott Adams, the cartoonist who draws "Dilbert", lost his voice due to something called Spasmodic Dysphonia. That’s when a part of your brain simply shuts down, and you lose the ability to talk. There is no cure. Specialists could not help him. A couple of days ago, working on his own pet theory that he could "remap" … Read More
Everybody Picks Up Limbaugh/Michael J. Fox Story
UPDATE: For those late to the game, The Carpetbagger Report will catch you up. USA Today: WASHINGTON — Rush Limbaugh has accused actor Michael J. Fox of exaggerating the physical effects of his Parkinson’s disease in political ads urging viewers to vote for Democrats in next month’s election. The conservative radio host told listeners Monday that Fox’s lurching, palsied movements … Read More
The Latest In Medicine
Important medical research: Scientists Test Dissolving Heart Stent Not-so-important medical research: Docs look to create perfect eyelashes Any questions?