Vascular Aging Gene Discovered

Hi Everyone...

Well this is quite exciting! Researchers at Harvard have discovered what causes vascular aging! They found the gene which works with exercise and dieting and when they turn them on in mice the mice that are equivalent to 75 yrs or older in humans return back to the vitality of young mice!! They are now studying this with humans. They believe it can be useful for dementia, diabetes etc. This could be quite interesting! :-) Think of what this could mean, not only living longer but working longer, having children later in life...we better ramp up our efforts in making sure this planet can sustain this! :-)

Gut Bacteria and Anxiety

Hi Everyone...

According to this short article, about 40 million Americans suffer from anxiety or anxiety-related behaviors each year, which makes it the most common form of mental illness.  The article also discusses research done at the APC Microbiome Institute at University College Cork in Ireland which has found gut bacteria and anxiety may be linked. This opens the door to possible new ways of treating anxiety by treating gut bacteria.

Thinking About Implicit Bias

Hi Everyone...

As you know there has been quite a bit of stereotyping in the political realm lately, from how to deal with school shootings, women who have been sexually harassed/discriminated/assault, to caring for our environment. People many times find information to confirm their stereotypes which can result in implicit bias and discrimination. There is a great short article in Scientific American on How To Think About Implicit Bias.

Why Are We So Sure We Are Right

Hi Everyone...

Check out this AWESOME video with Kathryn Schultz why we feel we always need to be Right all the time and why it is a problem.

Jane Airing March 12!

Hi Everyone... I'm soooooooooo excited to tell you that Jane will be airing on the National Geographic Channel on March 12th 7pm Central time!!! !

The Problem with Artificial Sweeteners

Hi Everyone...

I had to great opportunity to listen to Dr. Susan Swithers present her research on Artificial Sweeteners and their effects on Obesity/Diabetes/Heart Disease at the Midwest Psychological Association conference a number of years ago. In Sept of 2017 I posted an NPR interview with Dr. Susan Swithers. I want to provide you with some more links so you can consider your intake of Artificial Sweeteners.

Interview with Dr. Swithers about 28 min. She discusses her research and bias of the food industry research and how the milk industry wants to put artificial sweeteners in flavored milk so they can be allowed in schools. They also discuss the idea of taxing beverages with sugar.

Food Sleuth: Investigative Nutrition Interview

Here is the one I posted in Sept of 2017. Bit shorter interview with Dr. Swithers about 8 1/2 min. She discusses the critics' bias, publication of research and her research results.

NPR Interview

Here General Bio

Research List

Research Article 

Blue Mind FB Live Stream Book Club

Hi Everyone... I'm SOOOO EXCITED! Dr. Nichols is starting his Live Stream Blue Mind Book Club TODAY (2/19)!!! 5pm PST (that is 7pm CST!). Just go to Dr. Nichols FB page and scroll down and you will find the live stream if you don't catch it posting on your newsfeed once you like his page! :-) Check out the video here to hear him talk about it!

Blood Test of Concussions

Hi Everyone...

The FDA has just approved a blood test for identifying Concussions! The accuracy is really great also...with 97% accurately indicating intracranial lesions and 99% accuracy when there are no intracranial lesions. This would help a great deal in general and also to avoid CT scans when no brain lesions were found.

Restoring Long Term Memories!

Hi Everyone...

Researchers at University of California Irvine have cracked the code on why our long term memory has trouble as we get older and have found how to restore it. Like other parts of our body that stiffness as we get older, an enzyme is compacting the DNA too hard. The researchers hope drugs can be created which can reduce this enzyme and thus releasing the DNA so that the memories can be restore! :-)

Psychology Can Help!

Hi Everyone...

We know the majority of people believe Climate Change is caused by humans, but getting them to change their behaviors in ways that help the environment can be very difficult. Here is great link on 4 Ways Psychology can help with this problem.

Bill Lishman Passed Away

Part 1 Hi Everyone...

I'm really sorry to share that Bill Lishman has passed away. I still remember the day in 1993 when the original 20/20 show aired the segment called "Father Goose" about what Bill Lishman was attempting to do with the geese. I remember rushing to grab the old VHS tape to put in the recorder so I could show it to my students for the concept of Imprinting. No internet back then or smart classrooms with computers. HA! I have part one of it above and part two below. Best I could find. Yes, the "Hollywoodized" movie "Fly Away Home" is based on his life with the geese. Here is a link with his daughter Carmen discussing his passing and his work.

Our MultiDimensional Brain!

Hi Everyone...

Well this will "Blow Your Mind!" HA! The Blue Brain Project Team have discovered the brain's complex neuron network is Multidimensional in shape...up to 11D! The team suggest this has been why it has been so hard to study the brain and perhaps now they can start to learn more about memory etc. Check out this article!

Pre-Order Blue Mind Movie

Hi Everyone...

You can pre-order your copy of Blue Mind Movie by Dr. Wallace J. Nichols. Check out video (which BTW discusses Pharrell & the Chicago Cubs!!!) and the link on details of pre-ordering the DVD or digital download.