I Love Science

It's the scientists that make me nervous. Like these guys.

But I have to say that sometimes I just have to shake my head. Here are some headlines from the "Mind & Brain News" from ScienceDaily.

* People from alcoholic backgrounds studied (Feb. 20)
* Study: Lack of sleep can affect learning (Feb. 15)
* Ped Med: Autism tied to flawed cell armor (Feb. 7)
* Antipsychotic may control autism disorder (Jan. 31)
* Study: Parents' education affects kids (Jan. 29)

Now, my initial reaction ping-ponged between "Duh" & "Doh". Let us go then, you & I, into each of the mentioned articles & see what lies beneath the headline.

* People from alcoholic backgrounds studied (Feb. 20)

Here's the first graf:

A U.S. study has determined people raised in alcoholic families have personality traits that might eventually lead them to alcohol dependency.

Well, that's sure a revelation. I've never, ever experienced anything like that on my magical mystery tour of working with young people. I mean, come on people, some things are just, well, obvious.

* Study: Lack of sleep can affect learning (Feb. 15)

Here's the first sentence, well almost all of the first sentence.

U.S. scientists have determined sleep deprivation impairs memory for subsequent experiences....

Jeez Louise, DOH!

* Ped Med: Autism tied to flawed cell armor (Feb. 7)

This is interesting.

An early disruption of the process, for instance, may throw for a loop the development of the basic circuits that govern language and social communication, two key impairments in autism, Bartzokis said.

A glitch during the early school years could hamper the ability to process information efficiently and effectively, leading to deficits in attention that characterize ADHD, he said.

Later in life, the result of a malfunction could be Alzheimer's disease, Bartzokis conjectured.

Now this is why I loves me some science & why it is important to fund science as if money were of no object. This kind of research is interesting because it links brain malfunctions to, among other things, toxins. It also shows how brain problems can be manifested in different ways in the lifespan of a human. Good stuff.

* Antipsychotic may control autism disorder (Jan. 31)

Again, interesting.

"(We found) risperidone may be beneficial for various aspects of autism, including irritability, repetition and hyperactivity," said Dr. Ora Jesner of the University of Bristol, the study's leader. However, Jesner noted, the drug's benefits might be offset by its side effects, among which weight gain is most prominent.

Again, a possible way out of a confusing mental status. At least they understand that the side effects may be worse than the condition, although weight gain doesn't seem that awful, of course, an overweight male is saying that.

* Study: Parents' education affects kids (Jan. 29)

(I almost hate to move on to this piece. Are you getting the same feeling?)

A Canadian study finds children of parents who have not completed high school are more likely to struggle with reading and writing.

Yup, both DOH! & Duh. I just wish someone would give me the money for the research & I could say the same thing while I'm catching redfish or speckled trout off the coast of Louisiana, just before going to Tipitina's for several Abita beers. But remember, everything is chemistry.