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Science News for January 18, 2008


People not always needed to alleviate loneliness

Research reveals that people's tendency to anthropomorphize (attribute human-like qualities) non-human entities can serve as a coping mechanism for loneliness. This phenomenon carries therapeutic and societal implications, suggesting that non-human connections can provide psychological benefits similar to those from human relationships.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalPsychological Science·DateJan 18, 2008

MNI researchers locate neurological basis of depression following sports concussion

Researchers at the Montreal Neurological Institute found that concussed athletes with depression showed reduced brain activity in regions known to be implicated in depression. The study provides important clinical implications for treating individuals who have suffered a cerebral concussion and highlights the importance of early interv...

SourceMontreal Neurological Institute and Hospital·JournalArchives of General Psychiatry·DateJan 18, 2008

Mayo Clinic Proceedings Jan. tip sheet

Antioxidant supplements were found to have no beneficial effects on reducing cancer risk, while beta carotene supplementation was linked to increased risk of smoking-related cancers. The study also provides practical guidelines for workplace drug screening and concludes that nasal spray flu vaccine is a safe and effective way to preven...

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateJan 18, 2008

Combined radiation seed, chemotherapy wafer implants show promise in treating cancerous brain tumors

A study published in the Journal of Neurosurgery found that simultaneous implantation of radioactive seeds and chemotherapy wafers following surgery improved patient survival rates for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients. The median survival was 69 weeks, with nearly a quarter of patients surviving two years.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalJournal of Neurosurgery·DateJan 18, 2008