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<\/p>\nQuick links from the past week in mind and brain news:<\/p>\n
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Literary critic Marco Roth discusses the ‘rise of the neuronovel<\/a>‘ on ABC Radio National’s Bookshow<\/i>. Good discussion except he seems to think all reference to the brain is necessarily reductionist.<\/p>\n PsyBlog<\/i> looks at research on why the media seems biased<\/a> when you care about the issue – examining a study finding Pro-Israelis and Pro-Palestinians both report an identical news report is biased against them.<\/p>\n Why won\u2019t the University of Washington release the data showing that ‘Baby Einstein’ DVDs slowed language development in children? BrainSpin<\/i> investigates<\/a>.<\/p>\n New Scientist<\/i> reports that damage to the back part of the posterior lobe is more likely to lead to feelings of transcendence<\/a> and spiritual experiences. <\/p>\n More draft DSM-V coverage: an excellent summary<\/A> of the proposed changes at PsychCentral<\/i>. Some more comments<\/a> from New Scientist<\/i>. It’s for psychiatrists only! says a debate<\/a> in Psychiatric Times<\/i>. Good coverage on the legal<\/a> aspects from In the News<\/i>.<\/p>\n The Washington Post<\/i> discusses whether ‘learning styles<\/a>‘ are scientifically supported or a convenient myth.<\/p>\n To the bunkers! Can battlefield robots<\/a> take the place of soldiers? asks BBC News<\/i>. <\/p>\n Neurotopia<\/i> has some excellent coverage of a recent study on the ‘cocaine vaccine<\/a>‘.<\/p>\n Can the power of thought stop you ageing<\/a>? asks BBC News<\/i> who cover Ellen Langer’s famous experiments in an old folks’ home. Also tackled briefly in a recent Horizon documentary on ageing *cough*torrent<\/a>*cough*<\/p>\n The Frontal Cortex<\/i> has a wonderfully lucid piece on a new study finding that the amygdala may be involved in loss aversion<\/a> – the effect where we put more energy into avoiding losses than acquiring gains.<\/p>\n The older the age of parents at conception, the greater the risk of autism<\/a>, according to a new study discussed in The New York Times<\/i>. Although it’s worth saying that even in older patients the chances of your baby developing autism are still very small.<\/p>\n New Scientist<\/i> reports on a new campaign to get neuroscientists to sign a peace<\/a> pledge against the militarisation of brain science.<\/p>\n The clean smelling Ed Yong reports<\/a> on research finding that clean smells promote generosity and fair play while dark rooms and sunglasses promote deceit and selfishness over at Not Exactly Rocket Science<\/i>.<\/p>\n The Times<\/i> previews<\/a> research suggesting that Autism and Asperger’s may be underdiagnosed or wrongly diagnosed in women.<\/p>\n Amnesic shellfish poisoning is memory loss that can be caused by a toxin found in shellfish. Neuroskeptic<\/i> investigates the curious memory baffling poison<\/a>.<\/p>\n Dr Petra<\/i> has a great analysis of the changes<\/A> to sexual disorders proposed in the draft DSM-V.<\/p>\n There’s an excellent report on NPR on the history<\/a> of ‘child bipolar disorder’ and its slap down in the draft DSM-V by the brilliant Alix Spiegel.<\/p>\n Terra Sigillata<\/i> has some excellent background on one of the legislation avoiding ‘synthetic<\/a> marijuana’ products recently to hit the market.<\/p>\n Bolivia launches Coca Colla<\/a>, a remake of the popular soft-drink that puts genuine coca-leaf extract back in the recipe, according to The Telegraph<\/i>.<\/p>\n Slate<\/i> has an article on how an irrational fear of baby-snatching<\/a> on maternity wards is driving extreme security measures.<\/p>\n We know you got flow<\/a>. The BPS Research Digest<\/i> covers a study on ‘social flow’, when you’re in the zone with your social life.<\/p>\n NHS Choices<\/i> has a fantastic video where Ben Goldacre explains the placebo<\/a> effect.<\/p>\n The first prototype of light controlled brain implants<\/a> for humans is sort-of-announced by a neurodevice company, according to the EE Times<\/i>.<\/p>\n Neuroanthropology<\/i> rounds-up a special issue of Psychiatric Times on cross-cultural<\/a> psychiatry.<\/p>\n Jared Diamond discusses the ‘natural experiments’ of human history<\/a> in the ABC Radio National Book Show<\/i>.<\/p>\n The Chronicle of Higher Education<\/i> has a striking article about the experience of being a university professor during psychosis<\/a>.<\/p>\n A worry study on the influence on US ‘war on drugs’ aid in Colombia<\/a> is discussed over at Slate<\/i>.<\/p>\n “There is no such thing as sexual intercourse”. Pascal Boyer has a stinging critique<\/a> of post-modern ‘de-constructions’ in the social sciences over at Culture and Cognition<\/i>.<\/p>\n