15. October 2009 by John Schinnerer.

From PhysOrg.com…

‘An innovative diagnostic technique invented by a Monash University researcher could dramatically fast-track the detection of mental and neurological illnesses.

Monash biomedical engineer Brian Lithgow has developed electrovestibulography which is something akin to an ‘ECG for the mind’. Patterns of electrical activity in the brain’s vestibular (or balance) system are measured against distinct response patterns found in depression, schizophrenia and other Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders.

The vestibular system is closely connected to the primitive regions of the brain that relate to emotions and behaviour, so Lithgow saw the diagnostic potential of measuring and comparing different patterns of electrovestibular activity.

Monash has teamed up with corporate partner Neural Diagnostics to develop and patent electrovestibulography, or EVestG™. It is hoped the simple, quick and inexpensive screening process for CNS diseases will eventually become standard practice in hospitals around the world.

“The patient sits in a specially designed tilt chair that triggers electrical responses in their balance system. A gel-tipped electrode placed in the individual’s ear canal silences interfering noise so that these meaningful electrical responses are captured and recorded,” the Monash researcher said. “The responses are then compared to the distinct biomarkers indicative of particular CNS disorders, allowing diagnosis to be made in under an hour.”

Neural Diagnostics CEO Dr Roger Edwards said the implications of the new technique were huge.

“We are doing the necessary research and development and getting independent expert reports done, but results so far are cause for great optimism,” Dr Edwards said.’

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Stay happy!

John Schinnerer, PhD

Executive Coach

Danville CA 94526

Posted in National speakers, Neuropsychology, Hope, Emotion & learning, Danville CA, Executive coach, Emotion & productivity, The human brain, Alexithymia, Guide to Self, Dr. John Schinnerer, Emotional IQ, Anxiety, Managing Sadness, Depression, Measuring emotions | Print | No Comments »

15. October 2009 by John Schinnerer.

ScienceDaily (Oct. 15, 2009) — ‘A naturally produced molecule called resveratrol, found in the skin of red grapes, has been shown to lower insulin levels in mice when injected directly into the brain, even when the animals ate a high-fat diet.

The findings from a new UT Southwestern Medical Center study suggest that when acting directly on certain proteins in the brain, resveratrol may offer some protection against diabetes. Prior research has shown that the compound exerts anti-diabetic actions when given orally to animals with type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus), but it has been unclear which tissues in the body mediated these effects.

“Our study shows that the brain plays an important role in mediating resveratrol’s anti-diabetic actions, and it does so independent of changes in food intake and body weight,” said Dr. Roberto Coppari, assistant professor of internal medicine at UT Southwestern and senior author of the study appearing online and in the December issue of Endocrinology.

“These animals were overrun with fat and many of their organs were inflamed. But when we delivered resveratrol in the brain, it alleviated inflammation in the brain,” added Dr. Coppari.’

For full article, click here.

John Schinnerer, Ph.D.

Danville, CA

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15. October 2009 by John Schinnerer.

From ScienceDaily (Oct. 15, 2009) — ‘Bosses who are in over their heads are more likely to bully subordinates. That’s because feelings of inadequacy trigger them to lash out at those around them, according to new research from the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Southern California.

In a new twist on the adage “power corrupts,” researchers at UC Berkeley and USC have found a direct link among supervisors and upper management between self-perceived incompetence and aggression. The findings, gleaned from four separate studies, are published in the November issue of the journal Psychological Science.

With more than one-third of American workers reporting that their bosses have sabotaged, yelled at or belittled them, the new study challenges previous assumptions that abusive bosses are solely driven by ambition and the need to hold onto their power.

“By showing when and why power leads to aggression, these findings are highly relevant as abusive supervision is such a pervasive problem in society,” said Nathanael Fast, assistant professor of management and organization at USC and lead author of the study.

During role-playing sessions, study participants who felt their egos were under threat would go so far as to needlessly sabotage an underling’s chances of winning money. In another test, participants who felt inadequate would request that a subordinate who gave a wrong answer to a test be notified by a loud obnoxious horn, even though they had the option of choosing silence or a quiet sound.

[snip]

“Incompetence alone doesn’t lead to aggression,” said Serena Chen, associate professor of psychology at UC Berkeley and co-author of the study. “It’s the combination of having a high-power role and fearing that one is not up to the task that causes power holders to lash out. And our data suggest it’s ultimately about self-worth.”

[snip]

That said, flattery may not be the best way to soothe a savage boss, the study points out: “It is both interesting and ironic to note that such flattery, although perhaps affirming to the ego, may contribute to the incompetent power holder’s ultimate demise — by causing the power holder to lose touch with reality,” the study concludes.

Journal reference:

1.      Nathanael J. Fast, Serena Chen. When the Boss Feels Inadequate: Power, Incompetence, and Aggression. Psychological Science, 2009; DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9280.2009.02452.x

University of California - Berkeley (2009, October 15). Bosses Who Feel Inadequate Are More Likely To Bully. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 15, 2009, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2009/10/091014102209.htm

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Cheers!

John Schinnerer, Ph.D.

Posted in Danville CA, Men's emotions, Emotion & productivity, Corporate Culture, Executive coach, Employee engagement, Anger Management, Victims of bullying, Business & psych, Abusive Coaches, Measuring emotions, Dr. John Schinnerer, Emotional IQ, Guide to Self, Bullies | Print | No Comments »

15. October 2009 by John Schinnerer.

Some Quick Jokes

The pollution is so bad that when I put air in my tires, two of them died.’ Lee Tully

‘I was thrown out of NYU. On the metaphysics final I looked w/in the soul of the boy sitting next to me.’ Woody Allen

My dog is half Labrador, half pit bull. Great dog. Sure, he might bite off my leg , but he’ll bring it back to me.

When dogs laugh, they laugh with their tails. What puts humans at a higher state of evolution is that we got our laugh at the right end!

My sister had a sick hamster. She took it to the vet - that’s like taking a disposable lighter in for repairs. (a la Wayne Cotter)

‘Don’t let the elephants watch the rabbits!” Noah’s wife

My grandpa got thrown out of a mime show for having a seizure. They thought he was heckling!

Bumper sticker humor… Don’t get even. Get ODD!

Bumper sticker humor … Reality is 4 people who have no imagination.

I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection.

– Thomas Paine (1737-1809)

Have a thriving Thursday!

John Schinnerer, Ph.D.

Positive Psychology Coach

Danville, CA 94526

www.GuideToSelf.com

Posted in National speakers, Psychology humor, Danville CA, Emotion & productivity, Psychological Humor - Jokes, Hope, Emotional management, Dr. John Schinnerer, Managing stress, Creativity, Guide to Self, Happiness, Positive Psychology | Print | No Comments »